I'd like to see William Carvalho. He's physically strong, loves a tackle, can play it out from the back and in recent years has gotten much more accurate with his passing. He's no Carrick (nobody is) but he'll do all the things we need a CDM to do. I think him partnered with Pogba would give our midfield plenty of strength and if you throw in Herrera you get a midfield 3 robust as any in the world.
The search for a holding/controlling midfielder
- Thread starter bosnian_red
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Someone on the ilk of Casemiro, then upgrading Herrera to a playmaker. This combo is much easier to get, than trying to find someone like Carrick (a hybrid of deep-lying playmaker & defensive midfielder).
Casemiro Mk II
Playmaker ----------- Pogba
Playmaker ----------- Pogba
Get that Fabinho guy from Monaco, everyone that watches Ligue 1 raves about him, besides he could deputize the RB if need be.
Reckon he is on our radar. There was some noise about us scouting him a while back, plus you have the comments from his father recently.
As I understand he is a proper #6 that actually sits and holds in front of the defence, and not one of these roaming #8's like Bakayoko.
Reckon he is on our radar. There was some noise about us scouting him a while back, plus you have the comments from his father recently.
As I understand he is a proper #6 that actually sits and holds in front of the defence, and not one of these roaming #8's like Bakayoko.
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Steven N'Zonzi would free Pogba. Developed into a Fantastic player at Sevilla. Signed a one year extension recently but I still think he is gettable.
Casemiro would be a TOP signing for us.
I just don't see that happening. Zidane & Florentino will keep him in Madrid. He's been superb lately and he's a really important piece for thm.
I just don't see that happening. Zidane & Florentino will keep him in Madrid. He's been superb lately and he's a really important piece for thm.
How is Illarramendi doing? He had massive potential before being wasted at Real
My list, by preference :
Rabiot ==> Can play in midfield two or three, left or right. And he's a bit dirty as Mourinho likes
N'Zonzi => Proven in England and improved in Spain. Can play in a midfield two also
Weigl ==> Next Toni Kroos ?
Bakayoko ==> Powerful and young. He can be a perfect shield, but I doubt he can play the first pass like Carrick or Scholesy
Rakitic ==> He would play further upfront and we'll make Herrera the holding one (which I think he can do)
Nainggolan ==> Probably not his best position but surely can do the job there
Rabiot ==> Can play in midfield two or three, left or right. And he's a bit dirty as Mourinho likes
N'Zonzi => Proven in England and improved in Spain. Can play in a midfield two also
Weigl ==> Next Toni Kroos ?
Bakayoko ==> Powerful and young. He can be a perfect shield, but I doubt he can play the first pass like Carrick or Scholesy
Rakitic ==> He would play further upfront and we'll make Herrera the holding one (which I think he can do)
Nainggolan ==> Probably not his best position but surely can do the job there
Fabinho is more offensive than Bakayoko. In their midfield two, Fabinho is the most technical one, and he's a bit their passer when Bakayoko is more efficient a protecting and covering space in this midfield two
Just imagine the team we have with also Kante. A midfield 3 of Kante/Herrera/Pogba with Martial Ibra and Miki upfront. Wauw
Rumour has it we only failed to sign him in Summer because we didn't move enough players on, maybe this year we'll go for him again, would love to see him here.
Don't think we'd ever get Weigl, he's a rare kind of midfielder and if he left Dortmund he'd have the pick of all Europe's best.
Amadou Diawara from Napoli looks fantastic as a DM. Really did well against Madrid, his 1 touch passing seemed very good with boot feet.
I keep hearing about Franck Kessie from Atlanta but haven't seen him play. Maybe he might be of interest to Mourinho?
He's similar to Bakayoko from what I've seen, a lot of the suggestions are just bigger versions of Ander, personally I don't think that's what we are missing.
Ay, we need to be looking for someone who can compliment both Pogba and Herrera.
I'd say Bakayoko is Defensive midfielder while Fabinho is more a central midfielder.
Bakayoko seems to be the ball-winner, more aggressive.
@Downcast Not really, Fabinho is in charge of covering but he is a far better player than Bakayoko, he is a better passer too.
Sure, Fabinho is better.
If you watch the videos above, I have the feeling that Bakayako seems to play behind Fabinho.
In a flat 4-4-2 system, Fabinho tends to play on the right and Bakayoko on the left: so I'm not sure there is a massive difference between them in terms of positioning.
I mean you always have a central midfielder to cover the other one.
Against PSG Sidibé was playing right midfielder which isn't usual. In general Fabinho covers Sidibé who plays right back with Bernardo Silva coming inside and he plays slightly deeper than Bakayoko. And Monaco lost 3-1 against Toulouse with a terrible midfield performance.
Edit: Wait that's last season game in cup? Fabinho was a right back against Toulouse.
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Ok I have chosen the bad videos to make my judgment
It happens to the best of us.
But there are examples of games, I can't remember which game it was but during one of the early games Fabinho was clearly higher.
If we can't get Weigl or a similar brilliant deep passer, we should probably either:
1. Buy the best all around CM we can, (Bakayoko would be good) and when we play a proper 4-3-3, just use Herrera as the 6 and also buy whichever very young player we think will be the next great deep lying passer. Fellaini being sold for 15M would likely cover that young player being bought.
Pogba, Herrera and Bakayoko to cover the 2 midfield spots we always have and they can all play in the 4-3-3, with the young DM or Blind as a deep passing option, Fosu-Mensah for energy and Mkhitaryan or even Lingard or Mata as a 10 alternative.
2. Buy N'Zonzi or another 6 who can pass to be the DM and to play in a 2 man midfield whenever Herrera or Pogba are out or if Herrera's form drops, and also buy a young box to box CM we really rate.
We have 2 decent ways to go in the midfield this summer. I worry we'll just buy one CM and end up playing Fellaini or needing to play 4-2-3-1 exclusively when any of the 3 starters are out, but even that would still be a big upgrade most of the time.
Pogba is the player who we could least afford to lose injury-wise right now. Herrera would have to play every minute and carry his partner and if Herrera missed even one game we'd be legit fecked.
1. Buy the best all around CM we can, (Bakayoko would be good) and when we play a proper 4-3-3, just use Herrera as the 6 and also buy whichever very young player we think will be the next great deep lying passer. Fellaini being sold for 15M would likely cover that young player being bought.
Pogba, Herrera and Bakayoko to cover the 2 midfield spots we always have and they can all play in the 4-3-3, with the young DM or Blind as a deep passing option, Fosu-Mensah for energy and Mkhitaryan or even Lingard or Mata as a 10 alternative.
2. Buy N'Zonzi or another 6 who can pass to be the DM and to play in a 2 man midfield whenever Herrera or Pogba are out or if Herrera's form drops, and also buy a young box to box CM we really rate.
We have 2 decent ways to go in the midfield this summer. I worry we'll just buy one CM and end up playing Fellaini or needing to play 4-2-3-1 exclusively when any of the 3 starters are out, but even that would still be a big upgrade most of the time.
Pogba is the player who we could least afford to lose injury-wise right now. Herrera would have to play every minute and carry his partner and if Herrera missed even one game we'd be legit fecked.
N'Zonzi
We already have him - Andreas Pereira.
If we are going to move up a level next season then for me the big decision for Jose is what/how best to fit Pogba, if he goes with a 2 man midfield then we really need a strong defensive/holding midfielder (a dying breed) to play with Pog which would restrict his offensive game, or if he goes with a 3 man midfield then it is all about the chemistry, Pogba, Herrera and Carrick are the perfect mix for me at this time, but that comes with the sacrifice of a number 10 which I don't want to see.
I want to see our best players playing in their best positions , as it stands it should be DDG- an In-Form/fit Back 4-Mkihataran at 10, Zlatan at 9 with only 4 places up for grabs ! Pogba MUST be one, that leaves 3 places that need to defend, create, give width, interchange and chip in with goals, IF Jose introduces a holding/defensive midfielder then there is only TWO places up for grabs to provide the missing ingriediant.
I want to see our best players playing in their best positions , as it stands it should be DDG- an In-Form/fit Back 4-Mkihataran at 10, Zlatan at 9 with only 4 places up for grabs ! Pogba MUST be one, that leaves 3 places that need to defend, create, give width, interchange and chip in with goals, IF Jose introduces a holding/defensive midfielder then there is only TWO places up for grabs to provide the missing ingriediant.
So what do you think about Franck Kessié from Atalanta. I've seen him in a couple of matches and really like what I see, but that's not enough for me to be sure if he would suit this team. Anyone who's seen him in more games and can give information?
Born in December 1996, with great phyisque, speed and is a box-to-box midfielder. Better explaining what's good about this youngster here - http://www.thegentlemanultra.com/tactical/atalantas-franck-kessie-the-ultimate-modern-midfielder:
He's also said that he would like to play in the PL:
Adding the traditional Youtube video:
Born in December 1996, with great phyisque, speed and is a box-to-box midfielder. Better explaining what's good about this youngster here - http://www.thegentlemanultra.com/tactical/atalantas-franck-kessie-the-ultimate-modern-midfielder:
He's also said that he would like to play in the PL:
Adding the traditional Youtube video:
Unfortunately not the type of player we need.
He's already extremely composed, no panic in his play. Keeps his passing nice and simple and can hold players up before laying it off.
Yes, I know (Pogba), but he is young, versatile (Mourinho can change into what he needs) and can play in different roles, started playing as a defender...
Would it be strange to have players with similar attributes? At least the central midfield.
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Wiegl, Nevas or dare I say it Blind?
N'Zonzi is pretty much Pogba light.
He even scored a goal a week ago and I think he has been on the best and more consistent performers of his team this season, he seems to be back at the level that got him in Real Madrid and while some say he is the next Xabi Alonso I don't think he currently is as good as Alonso on his prime for Real Madrid but he surely is going to be a regular starter for Spain in midfield.
And his team also won the possession against Barcelona while making them look very bad.
So I think it would be a good step up for him if he could move to a club in the Premier League in a year or two as I don't think Real Madrid are going to pick him up again.
Right, that's a good point. Lingard showed how decent mobility and technique can give us at least a 6.5 sort of midfield performance yesterday, and Pereira has bags of both.
Will Mourinho trust him as a CM? I could see him going on loan to Bournemouth to replace Wilshere or a foreign side and getting a year as a CM, rather than coming straight into our midfield. It's nice he's played well but a shame he hasn't been in the midfield.
But yeah, if Mourinho likes him and we sign a 10 or RW like Griezmann to imply more 4-2-3-1, we could maybe get by for one more year with just signing one CM and having Carrick, Pereira, Fellaini (sigh), Fosu-Mensah and Blind as very different midfield options as cover for our big 3.
I watched Sociedad a couple times lately and I didn't think Illaramendi looked great. More like a solid Europa league guy than someone I'd want battling PSG, Real, Bayern, Juve or another top midfield in the CL.
Yeah. I thought he faded a bit in influence in the 2nd half but he's a fine prospect. Cool under pressure on the ball and an above average athlete for a DM. Didn't demand the ball enough for me but Napoli were playing quickly as they had speed but no size up front and also Hamsik and Zielinski are good on the ball.
Weigl or Kroos like Scholes said, I think we would be unstoppable in midfield with either of those 2 with Herrera and Pogba.
Well, his team is currently sitting in Europa League spots while very close to Atlético de Madrid, so you could be right about that being his level but if where he shined the most was for Spain U-21 team I hope he can make into the senior team with Lopetegui and maybe if he can perform well at international level he could once again attract good teams.
Watched Monaco again tonight, I really hope there's nothing in this Bakayoko story, he's in no way suited to being Pogba's partner, without Fabinho next to him looked lost positionally and that's the most important thing in a player partnering Pogba.
Did Scholes actually mention Weigl? I know he loves Kroos.
Did Scholes actually mention Weigl? I know he loves Kroos.
Kessie is the best DM suggestion. Strong, quick off the mark and fierce competitor. So what if he's energetic and likes to get forward. So did Frank Rijkaard. Would love a player like this to complement Pogba & Herrera.