Massive hopes. I wanted him to replace Partey.@MutableEarth - I might remember wrongly, but you had big hopes for him?
Massive hopes. I wanted him to replace Partey.@MutableEarth - I might remember wrongly, but you had big hopes for him?
Yes I'm intrigued too. I can't see us signing a DM, Mikel is a big admirer or Jorginho and he's only been here 6 months.I’m really confused about what we’re doing in the CM position.
We are actually quite stacked at DM since we signed Jorginho.
It means we’re going for an advanced CM. Rice could be an option of doing some things Xhaka adds while being a potential long term successor to Partey.
In an ideal scenario we sign a 6/8 hybrid like Rice and a proper no.8/10 ala Kudus. But then we would be very stacked there, with for eg Xhaka, Rice and Kudus for one position (not counting ESR Vieira etc who can potentially play there).
The AM experts will have their opinions and their definite solutions but I am very intrigued as to what we do. I think we will only go for 1 player there if I had to guess, unless we have a departure or loan.
I think we see Rice as someone who can cover both 6 and 8, depending on our needs.Yes I'm intrigued too. I can't see us signing a DM, Mikel is a big admirer or Jorginho and he's only been here 6 months.
I think we will only sign one midfielder this summer, probably go big on Rice or Caceido to upgrade/compete with Xhaka. That gives us 12 months to judge if they are what Mikel is looking for in an 8.
If not they drop back to 6 when Jorginhos contract expires and we buy a longer term 8. If they work out at 8 we buy a 6 to replace Jorginho.
a good profile to replace Partey in the future
In 2-3 years maybe. If Southampton stays up which I don’t see I think he will stay. But if they go down. I think he will be 3/4 choice for many teams if they can’t get Rice/ CaicedoMassive hopes. I wanted him to replace Partey.
I wonder if Xhaka will leave if we win the title?Yes I'm intrigued too. I can't see us signing a DM, Mikel is a big admirer or Jorginho and he's only been here 6 months.
I think we will only sign one midfielder this summer, probably go big on Rice or Caceido to upgrade/compete with Xhaka. That gives us 12 months to judge if they are what Mikel is looking for in an 8.
If not they drop back to 6 when Jorginhos contract expires and we buy a longer term 8. If they work out at 8 we buy a 6 to replace Jorginho.
No chance imo. We've not qualified for the CL since he joined. He'll want to playI wonder if Xhaka will leave if we win the title?
I won't pretend I watch Saints but his FBREF looks very uninspiring. Are we just looking for a back up DM to protect the back 4 who's very basic in possession?
I agree. He will stay maybe 1 more year then close this chapter.No chance imo. We've not qualified for the CL since he joined. He'll want to play
No of course not. We want our dm to be able to dribble like Messi and score goals like Ronaldo too.
Anyone else think we’ll move Jorginho on in the summer? We gave him a short contract and at his age I doubt he’ll want to stay as a backup. Rice, Caicedo or Lavia will push him further back on the bench.
Generally agree. So why the interest from Arsenal though? Arteta must see something in the player that works for his system thats not so obvious to the rest of us.Arteta wants his CBs and FBs to play tica taca. There's no chance he's buying a clogger as a DM IMO
Nope. We can do with another midfielder. If Jorginho leaves then 2. Personally I would keep him sign 2 midfielders and loan vieira outAnyone else think we’ll move Jorginho on in the summer? We gave him a short contract and at his age I doubt he’ll want to stay as a backup. Rice, Caicedo or Lavia will push him further back on the bench.
Generally agree. So why the interest from Arsenal though? Arteta must see something in the player that works for his system thats not so obvious to the rest of us.
Wouldn’t mind having Rice on the team since Partey only plays half of the matches, I just prefer we have a similar player to Partey, but that may not be possible.
No chance in my opinion. Mikel is a big admirer and he has only been here a few months. Any midfielder will be bought in to compete with Xhaka.Anyone else think we’ll move Jorginho on in the summer? We gave him a short contract and at his age I doubt he’ll want to stay as a backup. Rice, Caicedo or Lavia will push him further back on the bench.
I am always confused when analyst on tv saying about playing time from youngsters needs to play every game to improve to established players want to play every game.Anyone else think we’ll move Jorginho on in the summer? We gave him a short contract and at his age I doubt he’ll want to stay as a backup. Rice, Caicedo or Lavia will push him further back on the bench.
Moussa Diaby and Declan rice/Caicedo it is then.Agreed on the long term plan but I feel we struck gold on Bukayo Saka + Saliba whilst also getting Ødegaard under his value and Martinelli making big strides simultaneously as all the above. Everything has been falling into place for in the recruitment department/academy especially the Plan B options in the market that we’ve had unreal success with. From Vlahovic to Jesus then Lisandro to Zinchenko and lastly Mudryk to Trossard.
Would love it if this team develops even further next season but realistically I think we need a star quality signing to go for the CL next season imo. Just my opinion.