18 Apr 2017 10:54:19
Who would back a cheeky bid for sigurdson if swansea go down? I know we need a top top midfielder but after the departures of morgan and shwine, And carrick getting older we probably need at least 2 maybe even 3. And i can't see us being able to get 2 kroos calibre mids in 1 sitting. Any thoughts on other cheaper less stellar good signings?
{Ed004's Note - I think it would be a poor signing. He's already tired to make the step up to Spurs and failed. I don't see why it would be any different a second time round}
18 Apr 2017 12:07:16
Fair enough ed. I would of thought he could do a job imo. Is there any other mid you would like to compliment a "star" signing? . Just can't see us bagging 2 top draw mids in 1 window.
{Ed004's Note - I think we only need 1 but how about Perriera to compliment a 'star' signing? I'm hoping we get Fabinho then partner him with Pogba + either Herrera or Mkhitarian/Mata depending on the game. Carrick, Perriera, Fellaini and whoever doesnt partner him as cover}
18 Apr 2017 12:57:59
I would have herrera in cm before fabinho.
{Ed004's Note - Or you could do that. It's a squad game and I think fabinho would give us a lot of options and cover}
18 Apr 2017 13:11:04
Sigurdsson is a good player but I don't think good enough for any of the top sides in the country. I'd think he'll end up at the level of West Ham/ Southampton where he would be a starter IMO.
Great point on Pereira Ed. I really hope he's given a chance as he has a lot of ability. For me he could play in a midfield 3, not even just as a number 10 but dictate the game in a similar way to someone like Cazorla or Silva. He'd need some physicality next to him. Obviously he's not at their level yet but I think he has as much potential as anyone at the club.
{Ed004's Note - I don't think Fellaini will be sold this summer. He's a useful squad player, works hard and obviously well liked but hopefully Andreas would gradually replace him next season. If we got Fabinho we would have a few players over 6ft in the squad each week (both centre backs, Fabinho, Pogba, Zlatan etc) so shouldn't have to rely on Fellaini as much}
18 Apr 2017 13:17:44
Where would he fit? He's a number 10 and we already have Mata and Miki who are a lot better.
Sigurdsson is a big fish, small team player.
18 Apr 2017 13:25:48
I would like to play a 3 man midfield giving Jose a choice of any 3 from 6 herrera pogba Kroos fabhino Pierriera and fellaini. Carrick Morgan and bastion making way for Kroos fabhino and Pierriera.
Fabhino could also provide great cover for valencia when required.
Currently we are very light for cover in midfield with only 4 to choose from for 3 places. Carrick is coming to the end of his career.
If Ibra stays we don't need another cf but if he goes we do. Assuming he stays we need a consistent goal scorer to play wide to compliment miki mata martial and Jessie my guess is 1 of those 4 will leave in the summer. Greizman is my choice as he can operate from wide or just off the main striker so it gives great options to play other formations. But midfield is the area that needs more quality more invention and energy.
I think goal keeper will need addressing too the DDG rumours won't go away I am hoping he will stay but it looks far from certain.
{Ed004's Note - I can see Mourinho playing 2 midfielders a lot next season that's why I've only mentioned one signing as to not overcrowd the centre. So two of Fabinho, Herrera, Carrick and Pogba most weeks with the exception of a few games were we will play 3 (Fellaini and Perriera squad options) with Mata, Mkhitarian and hopefully Griezmann playing as the number 10 against inferior teams. I reckon Zlatan will leave so think most of our outlay will be spent up top}
18 Apr 2017 13:52:33
Pogba and herrera as first choice why go and spend 50 mill on a cm to sit on the bench?
Pogba will start every game when fit and current form herrera should start most . Fellaini has done a job and is doing well and rumour is carrick will be offered a new deal .
It's about time tFM got a chance .
I would look for an up and coming cm not a big name, someone that has the quality to challenge and push for a place .
People keep going on about rotation but your best players not sit out many games, it's just an excuse to by another big name .
Look at Barcelona, Madrid Munich Chelsea spurs city in fact all the top teams the best players play week in week out.
{Ed004's Note - And what happens if either Pogba or Herrera (god forbid it doesn't happen) get a serious injury or get suspended? Would you be confident relying on an aging Carrick or Fellaini for a lock of months. I don't think Jose thinks TFM is ready and he will probably go on loan next season with Andreas taking his squad role (hopefully forces his way above Fellaini in the pecking order). Fabinho is the perfect age to make the next step up - think he is 23 currently. In my suggestion it would be Fabinho, Herrera and Pogba playing most games either in a 3 or one stepping out and rested with Carrick playing less games (phased out), same with Fellaini and the opposite with Andreas hopefully forcing his way into team - can also play out wide if we need cover there.
Additionally, Barcelona are suffering from not rotating more imo, Madrid the past few league games have made major changes to their teams in the league, Munich constantly rest players and probably have the biggest squad in world football (weird comparison that one), Chelsea don't have Europe and look how they were affected at the weekend missing one player, Spurs are the exception in that list but even they have great cover especially in fullback positions + they don't exactly try to compete in Europe and does Pep every play the same team in consecutive games?}
18 Apr 2017 13:53:36
If we sign one midfielder I'm hoping for Kroos. The reliance on Carrick would be diminished but I'd still give him a 1 year extension. He's played in plenty of games this season and is still quality.
One big thing I think we need to look at is how to get the best out of Pogba and Mkhitaryan next season. For me they are the two most talented players we have who will definitely be here next season so we need to sign players who will compliment them.
I can't make my mind up on whether Zlatan will leave. I thought it was a certainty that he would stay a couple of months ago but not so much now. He's been fantastic and I think people focus on what he doesn't bring to the team rather than what he does. Ultimately he has surpassed expectations and played more than minutes than almost everyone in the squad. It's a lot of pressure to put on Rashford's shoulders if he goes and we don't buy a direct replacement like a Lewandowski or Lukaku. I would be very surprised if Mourinho didn't go for a striker of that mould as he always has a focal point up top. However, if we go for a Griezmann or Mbappe they could play as a 10, wide or up front so we'd possibly have more options going that way? We would have a very fluid and interchangeable front 4. That would probably be better to watch but would it be as successful as the tried and tested way Jose has won before?
18 Apr 2017 14:39:35
On a slightly different note miki a very talented lad but is Jose convinced on him. Give him a bit of stick in the press in and out the team not really nailed down a place .
If talk of griezmann is true is that the end of miki? Similar players who operate in the same space doing the same job.
18 Apr 2017 15:27:26
I don't think Jose is The only one bit convinced jred. He has shown flashes and done it in fits and starts. I really like him I liked him before he came he is traditionally a slow starter an a tough league to do it in. The same can be said for pogba. I think we will see them improve dramatically next season. I w.
18 Apr 2017 15:29:45
Jred I'd hope not. If signed I'd play Mkhitaryan as the number 10 with Griezmann ahead or off the right. They are both very clever with their movement so would be great to have in the same team.
I may be in the minority here but if it meant getting rid of Mkhitaryan to get Griezmann then I would leave Griezmann and go for another forward.
18 Apr 2017 14:28:56
Ed it's the same for every top team
You play your best players you don't have players like Kross sitting on the bench incase a player gets injured .
Top players want to and do play week in week out .
Pogba will start every game if fit we have seen that, so should herrera he has been great this season .
Fabinho looks a good player if he leaves Monaco it will be for big cash and as a first team regular Imo.
{Ed004's Note - But there is nothing wrong with squad competition. Kroos has to compete with Modric, Isco, James, Casemiro, Kovacic etc. Our best midfield 3 would probably be Fabinho, Herrera, Pogba but we will be able to rest and rotate them players throughout the season}
18 Apr 2017 15:16:31
I agree Ed. If the plan was to play mainly 2 in midfield we need 3 top class starters that can also play as a 3 when required. Plus 2 cover. Ideally for you Pierriera fabhino fellaini herrera pogba and potentially Carrick?
Personally I would prefer to play 3 in midfield more often than not which imo requires 4 top class starting options plus 2 a further 2 cover players.
Very few players from any team start more than 40 games a season (some will of course but not many) In a 60 game season if you have 3 starters for 2 positions that's 40 starts each assuming they are not all tired injured or suspended at the same time😠this also allows for preventative resting as opposed to running players into the ground.
At times I believe there is a steep dip in quality when you move away from our first 13 or 14 players. I think we need to bolster the squad with high quality that will bring the numbers to 18 players of really top quality I think that's what is required. Too many of or squad would not get close to any other top 6 team and we need to improve that. Our squad is full of players that have never done any better than 4th in any league so it's no surprise they are achieving the same here.
{Ed004's Note - Yes that's what I would like to see. You want a midfield 3 but what I'm suggesting is quite similar except I have a more attacking 3rd option with either Mata or Mkhitarian playing as the 3rd midfield options although this my leave is light on the wings - so a winger may be needed. I also agree that we need to strengthen our squad in general and will do so this summer. We definitely need to improve in our full backs}
18 Apr 2017 16:48:33
Kovaic will move because he can't get a game same for James, isco is a top player and wasting his talent sitting on the bench .
Look at any of the top teams you can name there first 11.
If fit top players play week in week out .
I would say our best midfield would be herrera pogba miki or herrera pogba griezmann if we buy him .
Ken strange way to judge a player, what position they have finished in the league .
18 Apr 2017 16:53:18
Going with pogba and herrera and having Carrick, fellaini and TFM is not good enough I'm afraid. That's my opinion. Who's to say what Jose will do but many rumours point towards him investing in a CM.
I think we will also see 1 or 2 attacking players being signed, depending on what ibra does. Looking at miki, I think he is class and will be absolutely fine.
I'm more worried about martial to be honest.
{Ed004's Note - I'm more worried about Martial as well. I'd rather we concentrate on getting a defensive minded midfielder so our attack can have more freedom. I think against weaker teams Pogba and Mkhitarian should be able to bomb forward more from central areas with someone holding (Herrera or new mid holding) with ideally Martial wide left, Mata/Griezmann coming in off the right and Valencia providing the width with Zlatan/Lukaku/ST? central. I think if Ibra goes we will probably need two signings but I think that will be very expensive to complete in one window}
18 Apr 2017 16:54:08
I do think we need a Midfielder in the centre this summer, my first choice was Kessie but recently read that he has agreed in "principal" to join Roma. Fabinho would be a good signing but again read that his preference is the blue side of Manchester.
Regarding Griezmann, his best position is playing up front just off the other striker (Gamiero or Torres) in a more second striker/ free man role. Your wasting 86 million to play him on the wing, we could get Persic and Bernardo Silva for that amount.
{Ed004's Note - But in most of the games this season whoever has played on the right has spent 80% of our attacking game central. Only the left sided player stays wide. I think that would suit Griezmann down to the ground. Also think we have no chance of signing both Perisic and Silva for price of Griezmann}
18 Apr 2017 16:55:12
Top drawER. Not top draw. Sorry but I've seen it a few times now and I feel I must correct, even if it sees me labelled a pedant.
{Ed004's Note - This is in response to Jred because I didn't get the chance to reply - I agree to an extent that currently that would be our best midfield however, I do not think it is good enough to compete with Europes best. I'd happily play that in most league games and if Griezmann is signed he would play on the right side of our attack but have freedom to interchange with Mkhitarian. However, if we are coming up against Europes elite or playing away in Europe I would want to drop an attacking player so (Mkhitarian, Martial or Griezmann based on form one would drop out) and bring in Fabinho. Fabinho would play consistently in the team he'd get a minimum of 40 games a season as would both Pogba and Herrera. Squads are what win leagues and I think we need to really strengthen our main 18 and have the likes of Mensah, Lingard, Perriera, Carrick etc as fringe players trying to break into that squad. Real will when La Liga this year because of their squad. After champions league games they rest their front 3 and Modric etc because they can afford to}
18 Apr 2017 17:10:22
The league is 38 games we have played 30 this season
Herrera has played 25
Pogba 28.
Your best players play week in week out .
{Ed004's Note - But our league form hasn't been anything to shout about? We are currently 5th. Furthermore we don't have anyone that can cover with Pogba without compromising our whole attack. Look at City's midfield options Fernandinho, Delph, Yaya, Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne, Fernando etc. They have plenty of options we are going to be quite limited if we keep selling players (Rooney, Young etc)}
18 Apr 2017 17:26:36
Madrid are in a league where they can that .
Although Ronaldo has still played 25 out of 31 benzema 24 and bale has played when fit .
Kross 24 out of 31 this year 32 and 34 the previous 2 year
Fabinho 28 out of 31 this year 34 and 36 previous years
Pogba and herrera will both be around the 30 mark this season just like Kanye Costa sanchez.
Top players play week in week out just like Scholes and kean did.
18 Apr 2017 17:33:31
Ed silva kdv and ferindino play week in week out yaya is half the player he was Delph? Gunda is injured .
Kbv plates wide a lot as well.
I think city need another cm to be honest silva and kvd are both attacking players Imo
I'm not sure herrera and pogba are the reason we are 5th .
{Ed004's Note - I don't think we are ever going to agree on this. I'm not confident going into next season relying on just Pogba, Herrera, Carrick, Fellaini and the youngsters to cover the two deeper midfield positions. Fellaini is 50/50 whether or not he's going to have a good game and Carrick is getting on. Mensah will probably be loaned out and Periera seems to play better further forward. I've suggested a young players who's had a solid season (his first playing centrally), very versatile and one we have shown an interest in}
18 Apr 2017 17:39:35
I don't think it's a good enough midfield regardless of how many games they played.
18 Apr 2017 18:04:36
Ed as I said above I would buy a cm just not 60 mill superstar like Kross who is a first team player.
If we sign griezmann he will play week in week out and Imo in his best position just of the striker in the 10 .
Martial, rash, linders Ibra griezmann, mata and miki up top . pick a 3 from that if there all playing well?
That leaves us with a 2 in the middle. Pogba starts that leaves us 1 from herrera (who I would start ) wig who has been playing well carrick tFM and pereira. I would add an other cm just not one that expects to start week in week out .
Not sure where tFM or periera fits in .
{Ed004's Note - I see we agree to an extent then just slightly differ on the formation. I'm hoping next season we go back to playing a midfield 3 to get the best out of Pogba and our current players. So Herrera/Fabinho (ideal signing) with Pogba and Mkhitarian either side of them. In the big games both Herrera and Fabinho would play. I'm hoping we have a front 3 then of Martial/Mkhitarian (when playing big games)/Lingard (Left), Zlatan (new signing)/Rashford, Griezmann/Mata the first choice being the first one listed. Hopefully, Martial, Zlatan and Griezmann would offer enough of a goal threat to finally play a midfield 3 with Pogba and Mkhitarian also chipping in. Also sub players will be more than capable of contributing goals.
I actually expect us to become more dangerous from set pieces next season as we will work on that in the off season and if Ibra goes I think Pogba is a better free kick taker as is Griezmann.
Finally, need an improvement from our full backs so Martial and Griezmann can drift inside more often during the games}
18 Apr 2017 19:40:44
I think my Granny could cover for Pogba right now.
18 Apr 2017 19:59:15
Depends on her hair doo AJH can she carry off three stripes shaved into her blue rinse?
18 Apr 2017 18:20:22
Ed
I think we will play with a 10 for most games next season more or less all games if we sign griezmann.
I also think martial is our only left sided attacking player and he is right footed.
{Ed004's Note - A lot of players can play wide left for us. Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Mkhitarian etc. I'm hoping we play 433 and have an interchanging front 3 of Martial, Rashford/new st and Griezmann. Should be enough goals there to compete competitively}
18 Apr 2017 21:10:26
A lot can play lw not really there best position tho .
I think we will get more out of Miki in the 10 griezmann as well.
18 Apr 2017 22:22:39
Ed004 I must agree with you.
I think the most effective formation, when you have the right personnel, is the 4-3-3. Ibra excels in this formation as does Pogba. Shaw would flourish in this as he would have midfielders able to cover when he goes forward. The first job in the summer is to ship out Smalling and Jones - poor players, defensively suspect. Bailly is by far our best centre back and Rojo has proved himself. Tuansebe is a promising lad and should get game time. We need a partner for Bailly and I am really not sure who we would go for? Keane? Lindelof? All possible.
The midfield 3 is crucial. Pogba on the left of it with a license to go forward would work perfectly. Herrera covering as the 'busy' deep midfielder and then Mkhitaryan in the three too. This is well balanced for most games, but, just like Madrid tonight you need your 'harder' midfielder. Notice how Madrid bring in Casemiro to support Kroos and Modric in the big games. We don't need a big name for this, we need an effective player. Fabinho is flavour of the month as is Bakayoko. I'd look to William Carvalho or Pereira (Porto) for this role - not household names and as reasonably priced as possible. Fellaini and Carrick will still be here as options. Mata is also available to rotate with Mkhitaryan as would Andreas and Lingard.
Up top, for me Ibra stays and Lukaku goes to Chelsea. Martial has been taken out of the firing line and has been told to knuckle down like Shaw and Mkhitaryan (I think/ hope) . We also have Rashford and Lingard as options here as well as Mkhitaryan and Mata should we need them. The right hand side is the key for me as it has been a problem for us this season. Griezmann would operate from here but I'm not sure we get him. Bernardo Silva could be an option but he isn't a goal scorer (much like Mata) . We either push for Griezmann or go for a player such as Douglas Costa who provides pace and width. Maybe even a desperate push for Willian?
Either way, no major surgery needed. A first choice centre half, a defensive midfield option that is right for certain games and a new right sided attack. Three in, two/ three out.
{Ed004's Note - I agree with the logic behind the post. I reckon if we could get the team playing fluently a left side consisting of Shaw, Pogba and Martial would be frightening as would a right side of Griezmann/Silva, Mkhitarian and Valencia/Semedo. I'd be happy if Ibra stayed however I reckon we may see him depart at the end of the season and it might improve our attack and make it less static. I wouldn't get rid of both Smalling and Jones because I think that would be too much change for one window and we don't have adequate cover to cope with that. So I think we may end up seeing a rb, cb, (possibly left back if either Shaw or Blind goes), CDM, Griezmann and a striker (if Ibra goes). Ideally (Oblak), Semedo, Varane/Gimenez/Laporte??, (Tierney/Mendy), Fabinho, Griezmann and (Lukaku/Mbappe/Aubameyang/Belotti). Ones in brackets are only if certain players depart.
I've opted for Fabinho because his ability to play at right back gives us the option to switch to a back 3 during games and push both fullbacks forward. Fabinho would just move in as the right cb of the three with him, Bailly and probably Rojo all being good enough on the ball to make that formation work}
19 Apr 2017 05:37:08
Drinkwater as a squad option?