Moutinho was once again their best midfielder. And you just have to go on any Wolves forum to see what their fans are saying about Neves over the course of the season. If we want another immobile midfielder to play as the #6 then Ruben Neves is a good candidate.
The Search for a Midfielder
- Thread starter MyOnlySolskjaer
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Kante or someone who gets amongst it would be my preferred profile. More importantly we need a leader, someone who gets the best out of those around him. We already have Pogs and others who's leadership qualities are not their best attribute. We need to add some dependable steel into the squad who ideally have some trophies already under their belts. Same goes for the back line. We have footballing quality throughout just lacking in the right mentality for me all too regularly. On the whole we stink of what will be will be at the moment.
If we're going to attempt to improve midfield, it'll need to be a two-fer.
We need a box-to-box midefielder alongside Pogba who can be creative and pass with tempo when PP has an off day. Which in turn means that we'll need a more dynamic holding midfielder with decent press resistance to shield the defence.
Improving the midfield is a two transfer job. If we only buy one man, we'll have done it halfway.
The old-fashioned paradigm of DLP+AM+energetic B2B is not going to cut it. Our uncreative front 3 and inconsistent AM necessitates a different approach. DM+AM+creative B2B is the most sensible way to go, imo.
We need a box-to-box midefielder alongside Pogba who can be creative and pass with tempo when PP has an off day. Which in turn means that we'll need a more dynamic holding midfielder with decent press resistance to shield the defence.
Improving the midfield is a two transfer job. If we only buy one man, we'll have done it halfway.
The old-fashioned paradigm of DLP+AM+energetic B2B is not going to cut it. Our uncreative front 3 and inconsistent AM necessitates a different approach. DM+AM+creative B2B is the most sensible way to go, imo.
Rabiot is ripe for the picking. But he writes annoying letters or something so he's probably a bad apple.
Any chance of Kroos looking for a new challenge or Real looking for fresh ideas
Kroos won't be looking for a new challenge. He's won all he wants. A great player but I wouldn't touch any of the German old guard (Muller, Hummels, Boateng, Ozil, Kroos).
This thread will be lively after both Barca games.
Would Neves and Wan Bissaka be good purchases?
Personally I don't think so. Well Neves on his own wouldn't revolutionise our midfield, and I think Wolves would want stupid money. Wan Bissaka offensively is nothing special, but if we upgrade our RW, which surely surely we'll do this summer, I suppose he'd be a ok signing? I don't think we need another young and up and coming RB though.
I don't think Wolves had 7 chances against us altogether and I'm not sure how far it goes to describe CM and DMF performance. And I don't even question that Moutinho had a better game offensively, I pointed out that Ruben Neves contributed more defensively, despite Moutinho having one more tackle while attempting more in the same time. Ruben Neves won't defend on his own in our team as well, like in any other team. I'm think Herrera does more defensive work than Moutinho in all honesty.
I'm not sure why you are clutching at straws to undermine his performance. Yeah take one players partner in his line of play, I'm sure he will have to do more. That's not even a question. I said I feel if played in a team like ours he will have to do less defensive work and he can use his passing which I think is one of his best assets. I think the best pass of the night for Wolves came from Ruben to Jota, the one I already mentioned. I don't seem to remember a better pass from Moutinho that created a chance. Feel free to correct me.
I don't need to go to their forums to see what they are saying about Neves, I gave my opinion based on what I saw in the game. Based on what I feel we lack in midfield. Another immobile midfielder? Apart from Matic (who I would replace with Neves) I wouldn't say any of our MF are immobile, on the contrary. Herrera, Pogba and Fred are pretty mobile, it's not our problem. We lack a brain and calming influence in that midfield and I feel Ruben Neves would bring that, along with grit, good passing and playmaking from deeper.
Youri Tielemans is an exciting talent that may be available. He will develop well in Leicester city under Brendan Rodgers.
Neves has been underwhelming in the EPL according to fans who watch Wolves week in week out. And yes he would be another immobile #6 to follow Matic. I don't consider Herrera, Pogba and Fred as his competition.
I thought he was ok yesterday in a team that sat deep and played three at the back which suited him. The onus was on our midfield to take the game to them which made it easier for him to pick his passes. Moutinho ultimately made the difference with the way he linked up with Jimenez and Jota.
We should sign someone who will potentially be a clear upgrade on Matic. Neves has been underwhelming thus far in the EPL and doesn't warrant anywhere near the hype some are giving him. I'd rather give Garner and Levitt time to develop as the #6, rather than sign Neves who has been underwhelming for Wolves..
moutinho was the one pulling all the strings. I wasn't even impressed by neves. he appeared to be liability in the defensive job and very close to a red at one stage. he has a good Hollywood pass and shot but its not enough to be DM
Ruben Neves has been pretty fine in the PL whenever I've seen him. Granted it's not every week like you say those who watch him week in week out. I'd rather trust my own opinion though. And I feel that he is already a very good PL midfielder with bags of potential.
Many of you seem to forget that he just turned 22 and he's been in his first season in the PL, even disregarding those circumstances I still think he has been pretty good. Maybe Wolves fans taking into account his last season in the Championship expected much more I'm not sure. If I had a pick to bring a midfielder i'd take him in a heartbeat. And I'm not sure why you are putting so much on that immobile stance, I think he is very capable physically and adapted well to the PL. He's no Kante but Carrick was not a physical specimen either.
We need something added to midfield but there's a lot on uncertainty about the best way to go about it. Personally I'd activate Rodri's contract and offer to double his wages, he'd slot straight into the base of the midfield with Herrera and Fred competing for the #8 spot.
However @bucky and @Adnan would rather move Herrera into the holding role and buy Ndombele or bring Rabiot in on a free respectively, and I respect their opinions. All I know is if we don't do anything to redress the balance of the midfield we'll have the same issues again next season in games where we lack composure and mobility in the midfield against sides that press us.
However @bucky and @Adnan would rather move Herrera into the holding role and buy Ndombele or bring Rabiot in on a free respectively, and I respect their opinions. All I know is if we don't do anything to redress the balance of the midfield we'll have the same issues again next season in games where we lack composure and mobility in the midfield against sides that press us.
What about Saul Niguez at Atletico?
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Herrera mk2. don't need more workhorses. we're looking for good on the ball players.
I would rather we activate Rodri's buyout clause too. Would be such a jizz worthy signing that I can't quite explain in words.
Moutinho is a player i'm surprised never ended up getting a chance somewhere like Bayern, Juventus or PSG. He's still better than players like Can or Pjanic that Juve have in midfield.
Would Rodri really fix those issues? Is he really that kind of player? I’ve not seen a massive amount of Atletico and perhaps it can be difficult to see past how they look to play as a unit, but he seemed to be a gritty player who excelled defensively, who can also play a bit.
What a load of nonsense.
We need hard working players with quality just like Saul. Its no good having quality if you are afraid of hard work
and where did I say we can't have hard workers? we already have Herrera whos doing donkey work in the middle. at this moment we're looking for a different profile of midfielder. a mobile DM capable to dictate our football and pass inbetween the lines.
I would rather we activate Rodri's buyout clause too. Would be such a jizz worthy signing that I can't quite explain in words.
I've been underwhelmed whenever I had the chance of watching Rodri. Granted he's 22 and I might have caught him off his game. What is his buyout clause actually?
The idea of getting Rabiot for free is a good one that I share also. I think it would work with Herrera, Rabiot and Pogba.
Saul has some big differences, those mainly more technical ability and being someone who dribbles with good balance while Ander is someone who dribbles little and makes the ball move far more often. Only Pogba, Martial and Rashford have more dribbles per game than Saul does so he'd easily be our 2nd most active dribbler in midfield. He has a better shot than Ander too. They are both pretty good at off the ball runs for CMs, Ander might be a bit better for the big matches and probably senses danger better going back towards his own goal.
So overall Saul brings more offensively than Ander does.
It might not be specifically what you want from the DM position because he's not a pass master who will dictate play. But he brings other offensive things that Ander doesnt. So no he isnt Ander mk II.
He's just not your personal ideal of our new DM mk I
The only real similarities with Ander are they both work hard, win tackles and are Spanish.
I want to see how both Moutinho and Neves do against City. I'm not saying you are wrong but I want to see them against better players than Pogba and younger ones than Matic. This would give a glimpse as to how they would fare in the CL (if we get there). My feeling is Neves is certainly good enough, I've seen less of Moutinho... but my feeling is he'll go to Spain
you could say the same for Roy Keane. (I remember being told a certain Eric Cantona was a bad apple) If there Roy Keane out there, we should kill to get him and bollox to what he thinks/writes
I have to agree with you. I don't really rate him either. I think there's a reason he's been moved to LB recently as he's fallen behind Rodrigo and Partey in the pecking order. We need a CM who can dictate the game and keep the ball under pressure - something I've never seen Saul do on a consistent basis.
Or it's simply because Filipe Luis and Lucas are injured? Because it's definitely not because Partey and Rodrigo control games since they are both unable to do it.
Whilst i would love to see Saul here, the guy is pretty dedicated to Atletico, considering them 'family' and had absolutely no issues signing a 9 year contract with the club, he's contracted until 2026 I believe, it would take a lot for Atletico to let him leave and even more to convince him to join us. I think it's a completely unrealistic target that we shouldn't waste our time on.
Neves however, I would love to see here.
Julian Weigl I wouldn't mind taking a chance on for the right price, still only 23, very Carrick'esque.
Rabiot without question on a free, I don't believe he's as bad as is being made out in the press, guy didn't wanna bow down to the owners of PSG and they don't like it, he's still a young quality player, would absolutely upgrade our midfield options without a doubt. He's only a year older than McTominay but twice the player easily.
Anyone know how Golovin's doing at Monaco this season? Tielemans also worth keeping on eye on whilst he's at Leicester.
Neves however, I would love to see here.
Julian Weigl I wouldn't mind taking a chance on for the right price, still only 23, very Carrick'esque.
Rabiot without question on a free, I don't believe he's as bad as is being made out in the press, guy didn't wanna bow down to the owners of PSG and they don't like it, he's still a young quality player, would absolutely upgrade our midfield options without a doubt. He's only a year older than McTominay but twice the player easily.
Anyone know how Golovin's doing at Monaco this season? Tielemans also worth keeping on eye on whilst he's at Leicester.
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Maybe! All I know is that Partey and Rodrigo (especially Rodri who I definitely think can control games so I have to disagree there) have looked good in CM together and I've never been impressed by Saul's general play despite flashes of brilliance. He's been deployed at LB quite a lot in recent months even when Atletico have had Juanfran & Solano both on the bench despite both of them playing LB themselves this season, too, so it's not like he's their only option. Plus, even with everyone fit, he's deployed out wide just as much as he is centrally so it's not like he's their first choice CM regardless.
Neither Partey nor Rodrigo can control a game that's barelly up for debate and that's not even how Atletico plays with them. Atletico mainly use the wide midfielders as playmakers unless Koke or Saul play play CM. Partey and Rodrigo are there to lock the middle of the pitch and force the opposition wide, they are both shielders-enforcers.
And he hasn't played a lot as a LB, he did it a handful of times and sporadically, always linked to injuries.
To be fair, I was hoping we'd be trying to sign both last summer and given the choice between the two, I would have hoped we would have chosen Rodrigo. Otherwise I agree, I am just not sure, whether Rodrigo would want to leave after just one year there.
Axel Witsel, Tanguy Ndombele, Nicolo Barella, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Rodrigo definitely can, in my opinion. I've seen him do it for Villarreal and Ateltico. Fair enough if you disagree but saying it's barely up for debate is very condescending.
You're right in how they use their wide midfielders but we wouldn't be playing him in such a role and, even in said role, again, I've not been impressed by him. There or when he's played more Centrally in the holding role. Also, 8 times is a lot I'd say considering he isn't their only option at LB. Juanfran and Solano have both been on the bench on occasions he's been played there despite both being able to play there.
SMS
forgot all about that mug. I remember people saying we should swap Pogba for him.