03 Jun 2018 15:27:23
Would be very surprised to see PSG let Veratti leave or for him to come to England.
Not seen much of Fred but hope that he can add some creativity.
03 Jun 2018 17:11:56
We have the creativity in Pogba, trouble is he’s deployed 40 yards too far from goal. Hopefully Fred is the type of player to add some pace and drive to our midfield to allow Pogba to do the damage where he should be. Always maintained he should be more of a 10 for us with Sanchez and maybe Martial bombing forward around him with Lukak playing the battering ram role he played Well in his first season.
{Ed004's Note - I reckon going by rumours and what Ed2 has said we will see movement for both Fred and Bale. That will hopefully leave us with a very strong front 6. We need to ensure we start implementing a system that gets the best out of Sanchez and Pogba etc though.}
03 Jun 2018 19:39:14
Th3 c4azy rumour going around is Bale and Pogba swap with Verrati as Pogbas replacement.
03 Jun 2018 20:30:39
I will be amazed if bale leaves Madrid.
He loves it there, Perez loves him the only issue was zidane.
03 Jun 2018 20:34:45
I think one of Bale or Ronaldo will be leaving this year.
03 Jun 2018 20:03:13
Sounds promising Ed004 if that comes off. Just for fun assuming they do what formation do you think would best suit us next year. I would think 433 with Bale/ Sanchez either side of Lukaku with Pogba forward in a midfield 3.
{Ed004's Note - I would probably try to replicate Madrids current formation with Lukaku and Bale up top with Bale given a license to roam really. Matic and Fred holding with Pogba and Sanchez being able to roam and influence where they see fit. Most likely have Pogba playing more towards the left hand side and Sanchez on the right. Width would then have to come from full backs. Suppose it's quite similar to how Atletico played when they played Koke and Saul wide}
03 Jun 2018 22:43:50
That would be an effective system ed. A more of a 4222 in essence. Pogba and Sanchez as attacking midfielders on the left and right with the full backs providing the width with Fred and matic providing the steel and cover. A front two of bale and Lukaku would be very tasty. Personally I think griezmann is perfect for that role and would love to see us go for him. We played this formation of sorts against Chelsea at home and it worked well in the second half. Gets the most out of pogba and Sanchez, strong in midfield and able to field two up top. The system relies heavily on full backs providing the width though. Could be the way forward.
{Ed004's Note - I can't remember when or where but I think I can remember watching an analysis were they showed that Jose likes to have 4 players covering at all times. Kind of like a box of 4 - two cbs and two cdm. I don't think he can do that with Pogba against the top sides. However, against weaker sides either Fred or Matic can be rested with another attacker like Martial starting on the left hand side. I think full backs would make or break this system}
04 Jun 2018 11:49:57
I saw something similar ed. I think the signing of Fred has been a very shrewd one. I am a massive fan of matic and don’t see why people don’t rate him on this site. Just because he is not quick or doesn’t dribble like pogba does not mean he is a poor player. He is a great Carrick replacement imo. Really clever brain and good passing range. Shudder to think if we didn’t have him this year. However, he needs to have legs next to him so the addition of Fred and another will make us more dynamic in the middle.
Matic was way overplayed this season so rotating him in smaller games is a must. I think martial will stay and really kick on next year. We haven’t heard anything from him to suggest he wants to leave and it seems to be all paper talk. Get him playing more centrally and we will see the player we are want to see.
{Ed004's Note - My only concern would be that we don't have good cover for Matic. Herrera could cover but I'd be concerned if Matic got a serious injury. Really hoping Fred hits the ground running}
04 Jun 2018 12:35:45
I agree ed. Perhaps Fosu Mensah may get a game in defensive midfield?
{Ed004's Note - I don't think he's technically good enough to play in midfield for us. I'm not sure what will happen with Fosu now. Long term I think he could be a great squad player. Just not good enough for the first team}