BergMan
Betrayed by Xhaka
Poor showing from him in that final. I have been underwhelmed whenever I watched Rice. He may be decent off the ball but that’s about it. Are we really paying over £90mil for a running around merchant?
Oh for sure, we’d be lucky to have either of them. It’s a dream though.De Jong can't control the midfield either, that's why he didn't replaced Busquets in the seasons before and was used more like Kessie was used this season, of course he didn't floriush in the half spaces like Pedri did too, so De Jong was below Busquets and Pedri in the hierarchy, sometimes even below Gavi!
Frenkie has the same profile as Fede actually, but I see Valverde as the best player, as he is more prolific going forward and has a better defensive awareness and the South American desire as well, as he will fight no matters what, De Jong was called more than once "pecho frio" by Barca fans though.
I will be OK with both actually, sure they are better than Rice at 8 position, but the Uruguayan has a better use to me.
De Jong more subtle, more suitable for total football and positional rotation within phases of play, and better defensively in terms of positional awareness. Valverde more dynamic, more explosive and better going forward. Of the two I'd prefer Valverde for the EPL and the balance of our team, but lets be honest, we'd collectively wet ourselves with excitement if we signed either.De Jong can't control the midfield either, that's why he didn't replaced Busquets in the seasons before and was used more like Kessie was used this season, of course he didn't floriush in the half spaces like Pedri did too, so De Jong was below Busquets and Pedri in the hierarchy, sometimes even below Gavi!
Frenkie has the same profile as Fede actually, but I see Valverde as the best player, as he is more prolific going forward and has a better defensive awareness and the South American desire as well, as he will fight no matters what, De Jong was called more than once "pecho frio" by Barca fans though.
I will be OK with both actually, sure they are better than Rice at 8 position, but the Uruguayan has a better use to me.
As I say, it all depends what we want him for, and what Arteta thinks he can access as untapped potential giving the frankly crap teams he's played in. What we do know is that in terms of winning the ball back and funnelling opposition players in possession away from where they want to go, carrying from deep to create space, and playing long diagonal switches, he's statistically one of the best in the world. What we don't know is how good other areas of his game that he is rarely asked to do are, and whether he will fit into the football we play.Poor showing from him in that final. I have been underwhelmed whenever I watched Rice. He may be decent off the ball but that’s about it. Are we really paying over £90mil for a running around merchant?
De Jong more subtle, more suitable for total football and positional rotation within phases of play, and better defensively in terms of positional awareness. Valverde more dynamic, more explosive and better going forward. Of the two I'd prefer Valverde for the EPL and the balance of our team, but lets be honest, we'd collectively wet ourselves with excitement if we signed either.
De Jong more subtle, more suitable for total football and positional rotation within phases of play, and better defensively in terms of positional awareness. Valverde more dynamic, more explosive and better going forward. Of the two I'd prefer Valverde for the EPL and the balance of our team, but lets be honest, we'd collectively wet ourselves with excitement if we signed either.
Arteta isn’t this genius people paint him to be and I don’t know what untapped talent Rice has to unlock. He is a good player, nothing more nothing less. I have never seen a player rated 100 million so many people question his talent. Those who don’t see it are screaming where is it and those who claim to see it are saying it’s hidden, not everyone can seeAs I say, it all depends what we want him for, and what Arteta thinks he can access as untapped potential giving the frankly crap teams he's played in. What we do know is that in terms of winning the ball back and funnelling opposition players in possession away from where they want to go, carrying from deep to create space, and playing long diagonal switches, he's statistically one of the best in the world. What we don't know is how good other areas of his game that he is rarely asked to do are, and whether he will fit into the football we play.
Caicedo seems a more obvious fit, but he isn't quite as standout at what he does as Rice is at what he does. Either adds ball winning and physicality that we haven't had in a LONG time, and both would be a nightmare for opposing midfielders.
Sorry I think it’s better for us if West Ham loses tomorrow as they would be out of any European football, meaning no chance to convince Rice to stay, more pressure for them to sell him as he would surely be frothing for CL football with us. The pressure will be much more to do a deal for him asap and count their coppers for the summer
I mean what did anyone actually expect him to say? Reporters were asking him whilst still on the pitch after winning the trophy whether he'd stay another year after fans were singing "1 more year" to him... he wouldn't commit to anything other than saying he loves the club and we will see.Declan Rice remains coy as he says 'wait and see' on transfer decision
I hope though that his is just a statement not to spoil the party for the fans
Don`t agree with this idea of "stiffness" against ability to drop shoulder, turn etc. Based on that Rodri who I think is the best no6 in will not suit our "system". I think there are several players who suit our system and improve it who are not really dribblers. You don`t always need to dribble if you understand what is happening on the pitch and can take quick decisions.I’m not sure he does. As a 6 in our system, you can’t be stiff like Rice or Xhaka, you need to be able to drop a shoulder and turn, create angles, disguise passes, progress the ball. Being stiff is one of the main reasons Xhaka was moved further forward.
And in Xhakas position, you need to be able to play in pockets, drift wide, get in the box, pick a pass. Not sold this profile fits Rice either.
I never said the excitement would last....Would we though?
Would we?
Because the past dictates that the early feelings would be shock, anticipation and excitement, and then as time passed they'd be picked apart to death until there was a large enough contingent of posters who become convinced that neither of them are the right player.
People who started off saying "get him regardless of price" would eventually start to penny pinch when the numbers come out.
People who love how they play would watch one subpar match and decide that this performance is the real him, the last 6 years were a mirage.
And by the time the deal looked close, a new, different name would be the guy. Yeah. HIM. Not De Jong or Valverde. Him McOutofourpricerange is the guy. Either Him or Johnny Diffrenté Profilé.
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Perhaps a question of semantics.Imo
De Jong is a bit better at avoiding pressure and turning with the ball (but Valverde is still very good there and surely a improvement on Xhaka and Rice.. and De Jong isn't Xavi either), the uruguayan actually is better defensively and in terms of positional awareness. Both are elite passers and ball carriers tho, Valverde more direct and vertical like you said, De Jong more conservative.
Not sure of positional rotation and total football actually means in the context, but Valverde played by far in more positions and roles than De Jong and looked good in every one of them, DM, LCM, RCM, RW, RB while De Jong had a more defined role and he is suited more as B2B - like Valverde but a bit worse imo - or in the double pivot, couldn't play as Busquets as the main regista as he lacks the positional awareness and the build up leadership - he will be a good secundary playmaker tho - and couldn't flourish more advanced because he isn't as creative in the last third of the pitch as someone like Pedri - it is easier to see. Still fit better than Declan imo.
But like I said before, De Jong is out of Arsenal's reach even in terms of salary while Valverde isn't winning as much as De Jong and not sure what is Madrid's plans for him. 100m is still a big money you know.