Because we are so good at moving players on
The season would be over by the time pogba gets match fit. The only way would be a pay in you play option. Even then I’d think is that the personality that you want back in the dressing room? He left United under a cloud and now he’s trying to crawl in the back with his tail firmly behind him
Same. Loads of clubs have supposedly looked at him and decided against it. I’d be dubious why he hasn’t been picked up. Is it because they think he’s reached his level? Or something about his personality? Just because he’s free doesn’t mean that he’s suitable
Hollywood FC. Moneyball
From what I've seen of David (more for Canada than club), he's just a poacher type. I'd see him more as an impact sub and rotation striker for a big club rather than an every game starter
That alone would be enough arguments to get him for free and sell Zirkzee though. Not as an only CF signing, but together with a more classic CF.
I don't think his professionalism was ever in doubt when it came to football, his personality wasn't for everyone but we've not had a more skilled midfielder since Carrick and Scholes.
His professionalism wasn’t in doubt? I must be misremembering loads then including disrespecting the club when he wanted to leave.
You're probably right but they would be transformative and I genuinely don't see how spending £200m on Holland, Antony and Zirkzee was any better, nor do I trust our recruitment team to spend it more wisely than that. Where is the evidence, given what happened to Dan Ashworth, that we have the slightest clue what we are doing here?
Chances of us signing Cunha have significantly decreased after he signed his new contract. It's surely gotta have a release clause over 70m, as they have signed him for 50m. Other teams like Arsenal are also hard on him and he surely would love to prefer playing in the CL. Gyokeres at least has the personal connection to Amorim.
I think positional awareness can make up for speed around the pitch. One think I noticed with players like Stiller and also Ederson, they seem to be on the right area of the pitch when they are needed and have a knack of getting their foot to the ball when tackling rather than committing a foul. Defensively they are both sound for what we need while having that creative side to aid in the attacking aspects. Stiller looks technically the better player. I wouldn't be too disheartened to have one instead of the other though
My point was to sell Zirkzee
Do we have anyone who that inside left attacking role is actually ideal for though? None of the options are particularly satisfying. Amad and Garnacho are best on the right side, I've had enough of Fernandes in the advanced roles and think he looks much better operating from the central midfield area, Mainoo has been used there once and looks a deeper midfielder to me as well, and Zirkzee may well need to start as the highest point of the attack and drop into space rather than occupy the area between the lines.
I'd like them to try and get in Angel Gomes on a free or give a youngster an opportunity in the first team. Even a loan midfielder would do. Eriksens impact has been significantly reduced.
It's players who don't have any real roles though. If you get 2 players per position, you should be pretty set. Eriksen right now is in that 2nd 11 so he'd need a replacement, and replace one of the 2 CFs, get a RWB in like Quenda and then another #10 and we are pretty much there with 2 per position across all positions. I guess a bit more difficult now with Martinez out though.
I think we can't simultaneously have a goal of lifting the physical profile of this team and sign Angel too. We're already compensating for other players so new signings need to be physical pluses unless they absolute technical elites like Wirtz or Cherki but even they get a pass because of their positions.For me, our next midfielder needs to be able to compete with the rodris, Bruno Gs and Amadou Onana's of the world.
Why do you like Ederson so much? Genuine question - i have never watched him but his fbref profile is very average and I can't really see what he excels at. Would be very hesitant that we could end up signing another nothing player. On the other hand, Baleba, who will definitely cost us, is as sure a sign of a future elite midfielder as I can see and I would much rather spend 80 on him than 60 on Ederson.
Would be a perfect window, depending on PSR we may need to sell Garnacho and Mainoo to fund it.
Right. And neither are Glazers, the real owners.
Right. And neither are Glazers, the real owners.
But what we really need is - new owners. Not gonna win EPL or UCL without that
