03 Mar 2016 20:23:46
Hi, does anyone know if the reports linking Andrea Berta as director of football to us are true? And if so is it a step in the right direction?

1.) 27 Feb 2016
27 Feb 2016 16:25:12
All I know is what I've read. SAF tried to sign him as a 17 year old but failed. He plays off the right but is left footed like Robben. So he would be a right sided option.

2.) 27 Feb 2016
27 Feb 2016 22:12:22
Berardi is better, younger and has a better goal and assist return by miles in the last 3.5 seasons. If you want a right winger from Italy you buy Berardi.

3.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 10:24:51
I was always under the impression that Berardi was the better of the two, although they are both different types of players. From what I've seen Berardi is certainly more like a striker who plays wide to find space and exploit it similar to how players like Henry, Neymar, Messi and our own Martial use that space to get the run on the opposition.
Where as Bernardeschi is more like a a traditional winger or No.10, more creative for his team mates rather than looking to get the goals himself. Admittedly I've only seen him in the 1-1 draw with Spurs and a game earlier in the season against Sampdoria which ended 2-0 to Fiorentina. Both times he was lively and energetic and caused his marker plenty of problems.

I think it depends on what you want from a wide player. I feel that with the options we have of Martial or Memphis on the left then we will be better off looking for a creative player for the right rather than someone looking for goal themselves. Someone in the front three should be looking to pass more often than shoot. lol.

But like I said I don't know enough about Bernardeschi to know whether he would be a success in England.

4.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 12:23:37
Hi Shappy,

Berardi has assisted far more than Bernardeshi over the last 3.5 years. They have 5 goals each and 3 assists each this season but Berardi has played 10 fewer games. Defensively they have very similar stats Bernardeshi has better passing stats but this could be explained by the fact he plays closer to the midfield. Bernardeshi's performances drop off when he plays further forward.

Goals win games if you play with 4-3-3 or a slight variation of Berardi is your man. Memphis- Martial - Berardi would offer a very fluid and skilful front 3. Plus with the emergence of Rashford you could move them all around (Berardi like Martial can play across the front 3 positions) .

Hopefully Memphis comes good and gets to the level he was performing at at PSV and we buy a wide forward for the right.

5.) 29 Feb 2016
29 Feb 2016 12:37:23
If I had the choice Beradi would be my first choice aswell!

The guy has been impressing for months on end now and I think now it's time for him to take a step up and imply himself in a new team ie Manchester United?

6.) 01 Mar 2016
01 Mar 2016 14:51:06
Some sites are now linking us with Beradi?

I hope there is some truth in these rumours!

Awesome signing if we can pull this one off!

But, A solid keeper and defence needs to be primary targets!

Mustafi, Laporte and Butland ALL linked too?

7.) 01 Mar 2016
01 Mar 2016 22:55:14
Berardi will end up at a decent Italian team ie one of the Milan Clubs, Italian players don't usually do well in England tbh

Goalkeeper situation if De Gea goes, we will enter the market, if he stays, we won't

I think a CB is needed, Jones a liability and at best our 3rd choice, Mustafi is decent, Laporte is wanted by City, I think United will look at Stones seriously, only issue is we need someone bit more "ready" and commanding, my first choice is Hummels but think he could be off to Spain before England

Looking at the squad at the moment, I have listed 3 positions we need addressing

Centre Back, Centre Midfield and a Right Wing

Centre Back we discussed, the CM could be Renato Sanches I reckon, think he fit, Right Wing is interesting, Jesse Lingard is doing a decent job but reckon we need competition their, pipeline dream is Gareth Bale, logically we could be looking at Mahrez, Guedes etc.

Players to be sold

Bastian Schweinstger - No longer the player he was, basically taking up our wage budget, I would move him on

Marouane Felliani - No against him but isn't the type of player we like

Antonio Valencia - Just a bit part player.

8.) 02 Mar 2016
02 Mar 2016 09:03:30
Shane,

Zola was terrible eh?

9.) 02 Mar 2016
02 Mar 2016 10:09:10
Largely agree Shane. I too think Shane will be closely looked at. i'd like another young eh get, Bernardeshi is popular at the moment and I like the fact that he is very creative and cuts inside like Robben. Saúl I think might've the midfield target, rumoured to have rejected a contract too.

I also think that we need another striker despite the emergence of Rashford. Someone young like Morata or Icardi who can be rotated I and out the side. Last point, I'd love to see Memphis tried on the right also, think he could do well.

10.) 02 Mar 2016
02 Mar 2016 10:36:32
I can't see Saul leaving Atletico, he will get his contract he is after

Memphis is best at cutting in, Ronaldo like, he could do a decent job on the right but is far more effective on the left

I'm not sure about the striker situation tbh with Rashford emerging, Martial is seen as the future no 9 for us.