What is the profile of central midfielder we need to sign?

Adisa said:
Now that Fred is in, we need a passer. Someone like Jorginho even though he's out of reach.
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This window or looking ahead?

Neves would be my pick, doesn't seem like he's interested in leaving at the moment though and perhaps it would be wiser to make a valuation after a season in the premier league. But it could also mean alot more competition for his signature if he does well for Wolves again.
 
Fer said:
If we sign Fred, then I would go for a CAM. We already have midfielders with defensive capabilities (Matic, Herrera, Fred, McTominay, Pereira)... We just have Pogba and Fellaini as the creative ones. In fact, that would be just Pogba.

I would like a versatile CAM who is able to play in a midfield of three also. Someone like Eriksen, Fekir, Draxler, Isco, James, etc.
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:confused:
 
JohnnyLaw said:
This window or looking ahead?

Neves would be my pick, doesn't seem like he's interested in leaving at the moment though and perhaps it would be wiser to make a valuation after a season in the premier league. But it could also mean alot more competition for his signature if he does well for Wolves again.
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This window.
 
Adisa said:
This window.
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I doubt there'll be one if I'm honest, Pogba-Fred and Matic will surely be our midfield. If we were looking for a passer this window then Fred should've been it, considering the fee we've paid for him.
 
JohnnyLaw said:
I doubt there'll be one if I'm honest, Pogba-Fred and Matic will surely be our midfield. If we were looking for a passer this window then Fred should've been it, considering the fee we've paid for him.
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With Fellaini leaving, think snotano will arrive.
 
Pogba was the playmaker at Juventus. If we want a playmaker, then we've got one already. The infamous schmidfield had other plans, so we had to play Pogba as a no.6/8 hybrid because our midfield was atrocious.
 
Someone who can pass the ball forward and stay focused for the entire game (that would be an upgrade on any of our current lot based on performances this year)

I think the signing of Fred is exactly what we need.

I'm wary of lack of cover for Matic.

Cannot believe we didn't go for Fabinho, he'd have been perfect.
 
Craig Ward said:
Someone who can pass the ball forward and stay focused for the entire game (that would be an upgrade on any of our current lot based on performances this year)

I think the signing of Fred is exactly what we need.

I'm wary of lack of cover for Matic.

Cannot believe we didn't go for Fabinho, he'd have been perfect.
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As a backup for Matic? He wouldn't want to sit on the bench for us when he could play as a starter for Monaco or Liverpool instead. Also we shouldn't spend £45m on backup players. We need to spend money like that on players who can improve our best XI.

Matic also played pretty much every game last season so there's no need for buying someone who can rotate with him. If he against all odds picks up an injury (he has been injured for a total of 18 days during his professional career according to transfermarkt) then we have players like Fred, Herrera or even Jones who can play as a CDM, or we could change the shape to a midfield two with say Fred and Herrera behind Pogba.
 
Assuming we’re going to start most of our games with Matic, Fred and Pogba, we’re only really looking at players in a rotating role at best. Someone who’ll be prepared to sit on the bench quite a bit.

We’ve got Herrera as cover/option for the RCM position. Matic is a dead cert as an anchor and doesn’t really need any competition. Pogba is going to play as a left central midfielder.

In my eyes our only available role in the squad when it comes to the central midfield is a creative option for Pogba if he at some point during next season loses form. Spending lots of £ on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic doesn’t make sense to be since it’d mean that one of Pogba, Matic or Fred is going to sit on the bench a lot.
 
Macern said:
Matic is a dead cert as an anchor and doesn’t really need any competition.
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A young #6 makes sense I think - we don't really have great cover for Matic and his dip in form in the middle of last season may well have been at least partly fatigue-based.
 
Infra-red said:
A young #6 makes sense I think - we don't really have great cover for Matic and his dip in form in the middle of last season may well have been at least partly fatigue-based.
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Yeah, we could do with signing Matic’s replacement now if we feel there is someone around the 21 mark with World Class potential. That gives him two years to learn and develop before eventually becoming first choice and Matic receding to back-up.
 
Cliche Guevara said:
Yeah, we could do with signing Matic’s replacement now if we feel there is someone around the 21 mark with World Class potential. That gives him two years to learn and develop before eventually becoming first choice and Matic receding to back-up.
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Matic is hardly ever injured and has the capacity to play close to every game. I’m not sure signing a young #6 would be the best idea since it’d mean sitting a lot on the bench. Players in that age need to play regularly in order to develop properly.
 
Replacing Matic with Saul Niguez next summer would be a beauty of a signing.
 
breakout67 said:
Pogba was the playmaker at Juventus. If we want a playmaker, then we've got one already. The infamous schmidfield had other plans, so we had to play Pogba as a no.6/8 hybrid because our midfield was atrocious.
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Pogba is not a playmaker. Its unfortunate but he doesnt have the guile or the instincts to control the tempo of a game with his passing. His forte is to create chances in the final third of the pitch and score the odd goal, like eriksen does for spurs. Thats where we need him.

From what Ive seen of Fred, he's a B2B player but has the ability to play as a 6 in place of Matic. That leaves room for a playmaking no. 8 that (importantly) doesnt shirk his defensive responsibilities. Unfortunately, there are few players in that mould and most are unattainable - Modric or De Bruyne for example.

I feel we still need to sign a starting XI caliber, world class no. 8, even if it comes at the cost of losing Herrera or cutting down Mc Tominay's game time significantly.
 
Vanya said:
Pogba is not a playmaker. Its unfortunate but he doesnt have the guile or the instincts to control the tempo of a game with his passing. His forte is to create chances in the final third of the pitch and score the odd goal, like eriksen does for spurs. Thats where we need him.

From what Ive seen of Fred, he's a B2B player but has the ability to play as a 6 in place of Matic. That leaves room for a playmaking no. 8 that (importantly) doesnt shirk his defensive responsibilities. Unfortunately, there are few players in that mould and most are unattainable - Modric or De Bruyne for example.

I feel we still need to sign a starting XI caliber, world class no. 8, even if it comes at the cost of losing Herrera or cutting down Mc Tominay's game time significantly.
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You've literally described a playmaker. Someone that orchestrates the attack in the final third. Playmakers usually play behind the striker, but sometimes play as advanced midfielders. Ozil is the same, a playmaker.
 
JohnnyLaw said:
This window or looking ahead?

Neves would be my pick, doesn't seem like he's interested in leaving at the moment though and perhaps it would be wiser to make a valuation after a season in the premier league. But it could also mean alot more competition for his signature if he does well for Wolves again.
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He'd complement our midfield perfectly. He can create from deep and is decent defensively. We should offer Wolves a good fee and a maybe Rashford on loan in return, or first dibs on Pereira or Jones, something to sweeten the deal, even if its Neves back on loan for a year.
 
Infra-red said:
That would mean either playing a midfield diamond (a system with inherent weaknesses) or reducing both Pogba and the new CAM to rotation options and alternating between them.
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We could even play 4222... My point is that a versatile CAM would be able to play Mata's role in a 433 with Matic-Pogba-Fred in a midfield of 3.
That's why I would prefer a versatile CAM instead of another CM like Seri, Golovin,etc because we already have Fred, Herrera, McTominay, Pereira.
 
breakout67 said:
You've literally described a playmaker. Someone that orchestrates the attack in the final third. Playmakers usually play behind the striker, but sometimes play as advanced midfielders. Ozil is the same, a playmaker.
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I don't believe in such a rigid definition of a playmaker. To you, it seems, a playmker is a 10. To me a playmaker can play anywhere --on the wings, as a regista or the conventional triquerista. Basically anyone who orchestrates the attack of a team.

Modric is often described as a modern day playmaker. By your definition he should be a 10. Clearly he isn't one.
 
Vanya said:
I don't believe in such a rigid definition of a playmaker. To you, it seems, a playmker is a 10. To me a playmaker can play anywhere --on the wings, as a regista or the conventional triquerista. Basically anyone who orchestrates the attack of a team.

Modric is often described as a modern day playmaker. By your definition he should be a 10. Clearly he isn't one.
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I said that a playmaker can play behind the striker or as an advanced midfielder. Modric is an advanced midfielder. Silva is also a playmaker that plays in an advanced midfield position. Pogba played as a playmaker for Juventus in an advanced midfield position. Isco is also a playmaker that plays as an advanced midfielder.
 
Pjanic and Verratti is the profile we need imo, even Banega. These players are exceptional passers of the ball. Don’t think we will get one this summer.
 
breakout67 said:
You've literally described a playmaker. Someone that orchestrates the attack in the final third. Playmakers usually play behind the striker, but sometimes play as advanced midfielders. Ozil is the same, a playmaker.
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In this case, when people are talking about a playmaker they mean the player who is controlling the team around and setting the tempo of the play. Pirlo was that player at Juve. And that's the kind of player that people are referring to when they are saying we need a playmaker. Not necessarily as deep-lying as Pirlo since we have Matic sitting deep (unless they want us to replace Matic), but probably someone more like Modric.
 
Seeing as how Jorginho is on his way to City. I believe Julian Weigl would be a great choice as a direct replacement for Michael Carrick.
 
breakout67 said:
I said that a playmaker can play behind the striker or as an advanced midfielder. Modric is an advanced midfielder. Silva is also a playmaker that plays in an advanced midfield position. Pogba played as a playmaker for Juventus in an advanced midfield position. Isco is also a playmaker that plays as an advanced midfielder.
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Would you say Modric is the same kind of player as Silva and Isco ? Why would zidane play Isco and modric togehter if they both perform similar roles?

A playmaker doesn't have to be in an advanced role all the time. Playmaking can happen all over the pitch, even through players that don't do the bulk of their work in advanced positions like Modric.

Your definition of a playmaker is outdated.
 
Adisa said:
Forgive me. I think another will arrive with Fellaini going. Mourinho said so himself.
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Yeah, well maybe. I feel that if the management felt the need for a playmaker in midfield they wouldn't have spent 50 million on Fred with Pogba and Matic already in the side. It's just way to much money to spend on rotation, and I find the idea of a playmaker as an impact sub strange. Unless we go for a diamond next season I don't see the space for another starting midfielder.

Zlatattack said:
He'd complement our midfield perfectly. He can create from deep and is decent defensively. We should offer Wolves a good fee and a maybe Rashford on loan in return, or first dibs on Pereira or Jones, something to sweeten the deal, even if its Neves back on loan for a year.
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I'd definitely be prepared to go out on a limb for him, for sure.

Class of 63 said:
If that's our midfield next season we'll probably struggle to finish in the top four unless we sign Messi, Ronaldo and Bale.
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We've spent nearly 200 million on those three, I don't think it's radical thinking they'll all play a big part in next years campaign.
 
We need somone who's as tall, strong and skillful as Pogba. But better at getting into the box to support Lukaku and link midfield to attack.
 
JohnnyLaw said:
We've spent nearly 200 million on those three, I don't think it's radical thinking they'll all play a big part in next years campaign.
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Two left-footers, one who plays as though he's carrying a piano on his back, and a third who when he can be arsed to play does his best work from the left doesn't shout balance. Think Pogba will be off anyway.
 
Class of 63 said:
Two left-footers, one who plays as though he's carrying a piano on his back, and a third who when he can be arsed to play does his best work from the left doesn't shout balance. Think Pogba will be off anyway.
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Firstly, what does that have to do with anything?

Secondly, I assume the 'piano' comment alludes to Matic who, even if this was a specifically important trait for a midfielder, isn't any slower than your average CMs. If that's what you meant of course.

If Mourinho isn't happy after having been allowed 180 million pounds to build an entire new midfield upon the pre-existing one then he shouldn't be allowed to spend another penny of the clubs money.

I don't think there's any possibility that Pogba will go in the summer. He's got 3 years left on his contract and we're not going to let him go for anything but stupid money, and who would even be prepared to pay that at this moment?
 
JohnnyLaw said:
Firstly, what does that have to do with anything?
It's about balance, for the same reason you wouldn't particularly want two left-footed central-defenders, if you have two lefties in midfield instinctively going left(and they do, more than right-footers drift right apparently), and Pogba all ready there, mostly likely with Sanchez stood next to him as well you'd have a gaping hole on the right-hand side of the pitch.

Secondly, I assume the 'piano' comment alludes to Matic who, even if this was a specifically important trait for a midfielder, isn't any slower than your average CMs. If that's what you meant of course.
No, I meant when the game is quiet he takes the Piano down and does his best Richard Clayderman impression, of course that's what I meant, and in an unbalanced trio it would surely be more obvious.

If Mourinho isn't happy after having been allowed 180 million pounds to build an entire new midfield upon the pre-existing one then he shouldn't be allowed to spend another penny of the clubs money.
Thats what he does, he's never happy.

I don't think there's any possibility that Pogba will go in the summer. He's got 3 years left on his contract and we're not going to let him go for anything but stupid money, and who would even be prepared to pay that at this moment?
Why, the relationship between Mourinho and Pogba looks broken, and I don't think a month apart will fix it, one of them will have to go, and sadly it looks as though Mourinho will be staying, though to be honest I wouldn't care less if they both went.

Think a straight swap with PSG for Verratti, or Madrid's Kroos or Varane + cash is more likely than somebody stumping up the £100m+ we'd want/expect for Pogba
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Macern said:
As a backup for Matic? He wouldn't want to sit on the bench for us when he could play as a starter for Monaco or Liverpool instead. Also we shouldn't spend £45m on backup players. We need to spend money like that on players who can improve our best XI.

Matic also played pretty much every game last season so there's no need for buying someone who can rotate with him. If he against all odds picks up an injury (he has been injured for a total of 18 days during his professional career according to transfermarkt) then we have players like Fred, Herrera or even Jones who can play as a CDM, or we could change the shape to a midfield two with say Fred and Herrera behind Pogba.
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Fabinho can always play RB (an area we are also weak in)

And its always better to have quality throughout the squad than just the 11 starters.

Matic played the bulk of games, yes. He was also ineffective in some due to being overplayed. We over used him and need some DM cover.

Herrera can play there yes, so can Fred. But they wont be making the best of they're ability from there. I'll ignore the Jones at DM comment because that clearly has to be a wind up
 
Class of 63 said:
It's about balance, for the same reason you wouldn't particularly want two left-footed central-defenders, if you have two lefties in midfield instinctively going left(and they do, more than right-footers drift right apparently), and Pogba all ready there, mostly likely with Sanchez stood next to him as well you'd have a gaping hole on the right-hand side of the pitch.

No, I meant when the game is quiet he takes the Piano down and does his best Richard Clayderman impression, of course that's what I meant, and in an unbalanced trio it would surely be more obvious.

Thats what he does, he's never happy.

Why, the relationship between Mourinho and Pogba looks broken, and I don't think a month apart will fix it, one of them will have to go, and sadly it looks as though Mourinho will be staying, though to be honest I wouldn't care less if they both went.

Think a straight swap with PSG for Verratti, or Madrid's Kroos or Varane + cash is more likely than somebody stumping up the £100m+ we'd want/expect for Pogba
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Do you have any basis for claiming left-footers drifting more compared to right-footed players?
I can't say that I've noticed any patterns among the best european concerning themselves too much with balancing their teams by preferred foot apart from in fullback positions. Apart from Van Gaal of course, but I don't think that even he was that anal about the idea.

Again, I don't think there's any chance of Pogba moving this summer. This isn't Mourinhos playground where he's free to do as he pleases.
 
Craig Ward said:
Fabinho can always play RB (an area we are also weak in)

And its always better to have quality throughout the squad than just the 11 starters.

Matic played the bulk of games, yes. He was also ineffective in some due to being overplayed. We over used him and need some DM cover.

Herrera can play there yes, so can Fred. But they wont be making the best of they're ability from there. I'll ignore the Jones at DM comment because that clearly has to be a wind up
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Haha it wasn’t. Do you remember his performances against Real Madrid as a defensive midfielder many years ago? He used to be quite capable in that position back in the day. Though I agree that Jones hasn’t evolved well and I personally wouldn’t play him in defense let alone midfield these days.

Anyway, we have players who can play instead of Matic should we need to offload him a bit. But signing a player like Fabinho for £45 million to put him on the bench doesn’t seem sensible to me. I don’t know how good he is as a right back, but I believe he has made his name mainly as a midfielder.

I’d be all for it if we would sign him as a new right back to rotate with/replace Valencia + cover for Matic (that would probably get him gametime in >75% of our games), but again I’m not sure if he’s the best right back option. Us seemingly not being interested in him makes me believe we’ve found better options for a new right back (Dalot).
 
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