Which midfielder should we buy to give Pogba more freedom

Very hit and miss. It was absolutely terrible against Southampton.

Getting away from 4-2-3-1 has benefits throughout the team though. We haven’t got a top class No. 10, and if we got (say) Ozil I’m not sure how he and Pogba would fit together. Lukaku isn’t really a lone striker either.
Messe?:nono:
 
We've already got the 100mph, energetic midfield terrier in Herrera and Mourinho doesn't see him as the answer so I'd assume what Jose wants is a playmaker who sits relatively deep, orchestrates the game and has good levels of defensive ability (we are looking to free Pogba, after all).

A younger Carrick, in other words.
 
Typically, the ‘passers’ who control the tempo seem to lack a. It if dynamism. The likes of Pirlo etc, or Fabregas or Neves. I think if you want one who moves about a bit more, they often don’t have the same passing stats of a Busquets or so. Like Thiago can pass, but isn’t a ‘passer’. Likewise a player like Wilshere. I see Kovacic more in this mould, and more of an all-round CM. I think that would be fine for us. Ideally, I’d like this player to also be able to replace Pogba if needed, and Kovacic can do that job, with a Herrera stepping in perhaps.
I'd prefer a pass master. Get as close to the Juve set up as possible.
 
We've already got the 100mph, energetic midfield terrier in Herrera and Mourinho doesn't see him as the answer so I'd assume what Jose wants is a playmaker who sits relatively deep, orchestrates the game and has good levels of defensive ability (we are looking to free Pogba, after all).

A younger Carrick, in other words.
Mourinho might be looking for a Carrick type midfielder, but I don't think we can determine that from the fact that he doesn't play Herrera. Herrera doesn't have the passing range of Carrick, but he doesn't have the dribbling ability of top box to box midfielders either. That's why we're so slow in possession of the ball when Pogba is injured. I think preferably Mourinho would want both a Carrick replacement and a new box to box midfielder, but given that we have been prioritising quality over quantity since Mourinho's arrival, that we have limited transfer funds and Matic's form, I reckon we're more likely to buy a box to box midfielder so that Mourinho has the tactical option to play 433.
 
What about Claudio Marchisio from Juventus? Ive read that Juventus might ship him off with the potential signing of Emre Can.
Though I havent seen him play in a couple of years I still feel like he could contribute with that box to box midfielder we desire.
 
I'd prefer a pass master. Get as close to the Juve set up as possible.

It would have its benefits, but also disadvantages. A player like Kovacic, for example, can play alongside Pogba and also in place of him. If we signed say, Xabi Alonso, it may be great in a three with Pogba and Matic, but it also locks us into that formation. Another injury to Pogba puts us right back to where we were this season playing Matic and Herrera. The ‘passer’ and Matic only works with Pogba there to add the creativity. Kovacic, Matic and Pogba can work, but so can Kovacic, Matic and Herrera.
 
A stable, young, fit, aggressive, no-nonsense guy with a great pass on him. The new Kroos or Modric, so best of luck scouts, it’s gonna be difficult. This signing can seperate a great side from a very good side.

I have no idea, there arent’t anyone left in England that I would touch.
 
Verrati - i can't imagine Dave or Pogba wanting to move to Paris, what are they going to do? Tap up Smalling? lol
 
Mourinho might be looking for a Carrick type midfielder, but I don't think we can determine that from the fact that he doesn't play Herrera. Herrera doesn't have the passing range of Carrick, but he doesn't have the dribbling ability of top box to box midfielders either. That's why we're so slow in possession of the ball when Pogba is injured. I think preferably Mourinho would want both a Carrick replacement and a new box to box midfielder, but given that we have been prioritising quality over quantity since Mourinho's arrival, that we have limited transfer funds and Matic's form, I reckon we're more likely to buy a box to box midfielder so that Mourinho has the tactical option to play 433.

Perhaps. Herrera isn't a world class box to box midfielder, so perhaps we will be looking for that type of player but do you not think if that were the case that we would have lined up in a 4-3-3 with Herrera more often seeing as, though he isn't Mourinho's ideal box to box player, he at least fits the mould of player for the the manager's preferred tactic going forward?
 
Last edited:
A stable, young, fit, aggressive, no-nonsense guy with a great pass on him. The new Kroos or Modric, so best of luck scouts, it’s gonna be difficult. This signing can seperate a great side from a very good side.

I have no idea, there arent’t anyone left in England that I would touch.

I’d nick Emre Can on a free of possible. I think even Wilshere falls into that category, although I’m sure he will renew.

Harry Winks would be perfect I think, although we all know what Levy’s response would be. Annoyingly, the Morgan Schneiderlin of Southampton would be absolutely perfect, and we used to fecking have him!
 
Jorginho or Weighl would be my guesses. I expect our star signing to either be Dybala or a CM this window anyway, so why not go all out for either of those two.
 
Cheers bud. In modern market, £30m is cheap for a solid tier 2/3 (CL class) midfielder. Guys like Kroos, will be double that. This summer, I would say we need 2 full backs, an out and out wing wizard in addition to the midfield purchases. I think we'd have the budget to get three midfielders.

If we are losing Fellaini, Carrick and possibly Perreira and Herrera stays in poor form, not to mention Matic a season older and at risk of burnout, same with Pogba.. we need numbers next year and can't afford to penny pinch in the engine room. Two mids at the very minimum, three is possibly asking for abit much but that is why I think we should go all out for Wilshere on a free. Even 10 games a season for a guy of that calibre would help us in say cup games, odd CL game, some league games. Iniesta is also available on a free.. so maybe we can seek out a bargain for a third midfielder just to give the squad some depth.

Hard to disagree with what you’ve saying as I agree but just thinking Jose will need to be very smart with his budget.
 
Perhaps. Herrera isn't a world class box to box midfielder, so perhaps we will be looking for that type of player but do you not think if that were the case that we would have lined up in a 4-3-3 with Herrera more often seeing as, though he isn't Mourinho's ideal box to box player, he at least fits the mould of player for the the manager's preferred tactic going forward?
Well, I think Mourinho rates Herrera's graft, but I don't believe he's Mourinho's ideal player. There were several occasions this season where we were getting outnumbered in midfield, but Mourinho stuck with a midfield 2. I think that's more to do with Mourinho not thinking he has the 3rd midfielder with the right balance to this team. Mourinho, at the moment, has preferred a CAM who can find space and then drive at the opposition back 4 when needed. I think he's done that, in part, because our midfield is too mobile when switching to 433 and the benefits of having a CAM outweigh having an extra midfielder. I guess to an extent that's similar to why Mourinho has played Young over others at leftback as Young's crossing ability is deemed worthy of a place regardless of his defensive inferiority to the other options there.
 
I'd prefer a pass master. Get as close to the Juve set up as possible.
I've always thought of two ways to compliment Pogba. You need to cover up for his tendency to switch off on defense, someone to provide energy, and someone to control the game exclusively through his passing. Juve achieved this through Vidal and Pirlo. Vidal provided the energy and that energy also helped him defend when needed. Pirlo ran the game through his passing, but made up for his lack of energy by staying back and shielding the defense.

The other way to do it is if you have a Veratti or Modric. Basically a player that can run a game through their passing, but are also more mobile than Pirlo. And you can compliment that sort of player and Pogba, with someone who stays back to destroy, but is still pretty mobile compared to say Pirlo. If you get someone like Weigl, you'll be following Juve's way. If you get a Veratti or Modric, you'll be following the other way.
 
I think Lingard's versatility is underrated and he could also play a bit more defensive role in a midfield three.
 
I think my preferred choices would be verrati or Saul. Both would add the tenacity and energy needed but also yet improved quality over Herrera.
 
In a dream scenario it would be Kroos. I wouldn't rule it out either, I get the impression he's not particularly worried about loyalty and quite ambitious. With nothing much left to win at Real he might fancy the challenge of the Premier League and look for a last big pay day.
 
Just saw Veratti is still only 25 :eek:

Surely not gonna spend the next four or five years in Paris?
 
My personal preference would be to push Pogba on to the left CAM position on a 4-2-3-1. Against the tough teams he’ll easily break them down with his pace, power and trickery.
 
It would have its benefits, but also disadvantages. A player like Kovacic, for example, can play alongside Pogba and also in place of him. If we signed say, Xabi Alonso, it may be great in a three with Pogba and Matic, but it also locks us into that formation. Another injury to Pogba puts us right back to where we were this season playing Matic and Herrera. The ‘passer’ and Matic only works with Pogba there to add the creativity. Kovacic, Matic and Pogba can work, but so can Kovacic, Matic and Herrera.
I here you but some passers are incredibly creative. Cesc Fabgregas for example is more creative than De Bruyne. I am not referring to sideways passers for example. Pjanic would be good also. Xavi would've been outstanding. Scholes also. Its not just the flair ones who can create
 
It would have its benefits, but also disadvantages. A player like Kovacic, for example, can play alongside Pogba and also in place of him. If we signed say, Xabi Alonso, it may be great in a three with Pogba and Matic, but it also locks us into that formation. Another injury to Pogba puts us right back to where we were this season playing Matic and Herrera. The ‘passer’ and Matic only works with Pogba there to add the creativity. Kovacic, Matic and Pogba can work, but so can Kovacic, Matic and Herrera.
I here you but some passers are incredibly creative. Cesc Fabgregas for example is more creative than De Bruyne. I am not referring to sideways passers for example. Pjanic would be good also. Xavi would've been outstanding. Scholes also. Its not just the flair ones who can create.
 
I've always thought of two ways to compliment Pogba. You need to cover up for his tendency to switch off on defense, someone to provide energy, and someone to control the game exclusively through his passing. Juve achieved this through Vidal and Pirlo. Vidal provided the energy and that energy also helped him defend when needed. Pirlo ran the game through his passing, but made up for his lack of energy by staying back and shielding the defense.

The other way to do it is if you have a Veratti or Modric. Basically a player that can run a game through their passing, but are also more mobile than Pirlo. And you can compliment that sort of player and Pogba, with someone who stays back to destroy, but is still pretty mobile compared to say Pirlo. If you get someone like Weigl, you'll be following Juve's way. If you get a Veratti or Modric, you'll be following the other way.

I think is essentially correct. With Carrick and Fellaini likely off, I'd assume we're looking to bring two midfielders in (a Matic backup/understudy and a #8). Obviously if we're constructing a midfield-three, we need those two new players to compliment each other & Pogba...

ie if the #6 is a 'passer' similar to Jorginho/Weigl, then the #8 will ideally be a high-energy ball-winner like Vidal/Allan etc. Equally, if we bring in a #8 like Pjanic/Kroos, we'd want a mobile destroyer playing at #6, mopping up in front of the back four.
 
I've always thought of two ways to compliment Pogba. You need to cover up for his tendency to switch off on defense, someone to provide energy, and someone to control the game exclusively through his passing. Juve achieved this through Vidal and Pirlo. Vidal provided the energy and that energy also helped him defend when needed. Pirlo ran the game through his passing, but made up for his lack of energy by staying back and shielding the defense.

The other way to do it is if you have a Veratti or Modric. Basically a player that can run a game through their passing, but are also more mobile than Pirlo. And you can compliment that sort of player and Pogba, with someone who stays back to destroy, but is still pretty mobile compared to say Pirlo. If you get someone like Weigl, you'll be following Juve's way. If you get a Veratti or Modric, you'll be following the other way.
Juve's way please.
 
Is Veratti really impossible?

I mean, say PSG get dumped out of the CL this round by Real and then Neymar kicks up a fuss in the summer, along with some other players who might want to try a bigger league. Perhaps we could go all out for Veratti?
 
Juve's way please.
You could also make the 3rd midfielder be in the mould of Busquets, but he's pretty rare. He's a guy that defends through his passing and composure if that makes sense. Doesn't really move like say Modric, nor does he playmake from the back like Carrick of the last few years or Pirlo.
 
Have we ever been linked with Jean Michel Seri...?
I've only ever seen video of him, but looks a very interesting little player, he can certainly ping a football about..

 
Is Veratti really impossible?

I mean, say PSG get dumped out of the CL this round by Real and then Neymar kicks up a fuss in the summer, along with some other players who might want to try a bigger league. Perhaps we could go all out for Veratti?
Veratti was already rumored to want to leave this summer and was pretty unhappy. However that storm all passed and he might be happy now.
 
Veratti was already rumored to want to leave this summer and was pretty unhappy. However that storm all passed and he might be happy now.

So you're saying there is a chance... :D

No I understand it's a very long shot. He's just perfect for Pogba.
 
Yeah i suppose. Mind you here he's competing with Rashford and Lingard, there it will be Neymar and Mbappe. He might like to rise to the challenge who knows. I wouldn't want to let him go though.

Guess it depends on how he progresses/if Neymar wants to jump ship again in a few years. I wouldn't want to see him go, absolute word-class potential there, but Veratti would be one of the few players I'd theoretically consider swapping him for.
 
Is it too late to hijack the Mbappe deal? I know he's on loan till the end of the season with a permanent switch after. Mbappe, Lukaku and Martial would be terrifying with Sanchez playing behind Lukaku.
 
If one could choose any midfielder in world football for me its still Arturo Vidal,imagine him alongside Matic and Pogba,powerful!
 
Just saw Veratti is still only 25 :eek:

Surely not gonna spend the next four or five years in Paris?

Is Veratti really impossible?

I mean, say PSG get dumped out of the CL this round by Real and then Neymar kicks up a fuss in the summer, along with some other players who might want to try a bigger league. Perhaps we could go all out for Veratti?

That's exactly how i see it too. I know it's not realistic at this moment but things can change very quickly in football. He was wanted by Barcelona last summer and he confessed that he considered about leaving after questioning the club's ambitions. So, it's not realistic but not impossible either imo. We should do everything we can to lure him away from PSG. He's the perfect midfielder for us. And his agent is Raiola too. It may be a bonus as he will probably do everything to get him transferred from one club to another like he did with Ibra.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...ona-transfer-news-neymar-mbappe-a8012551.html