Nico Williams

[OnlyOne]

Barcola’s performance yesterday honestly gave me the ick.

 

[Sanchez11]

Barcola’s performance yesterday honestly gave me the ick.

Who do you want?

 

[A_G]

Who do you want?

He just wishlisted Crysencio Summerville

 

[UkrArsenal]

 

[Bloodbather]

He just wishlisted Crysencio Summerville

Crysencio Summerville & Evan Ferguson and we move...

Into the Europa League.

 

[OnlyOne]

Crysencio Summerville & Evan Ferguson and we move...

Into the Europa League.

Can we not pls. Both I only wanted as back up

 

[Goonger]

Dembele plays central for them, he's a false nine now. Doue can play in central midfield as well.

Yesterday, Dembele, Kvara, and Barcola all started and Doue came off the bench. I doubt any of them move any time soon. Maybe Barcola if he has a clear preference to play on the left.

PSG are interesting, because the play without that traditional number 9. Dembele starts centrally with licence to roam, in fact all 3 forwards switch positions.

What's also interesting is that in Kvara, Barcola and Doue, they have 3 wide forwards that normally are stronger from the left, but because of their quality and the rotations they make it work.

The other apparent thing is that now, Enrique has buy in from them that they all press hard to win the ball back. They don't carry any passengers any more. Something to bear in mind when discussing Leao.

 

[Trilly]

Moreover, we have such an insanely good defensive set up; surely we can indulge ONE maverick type player.

The whole team is set up for it tbh, maybe Mikel is waiting for someone worthy of the keys.

Wouldn’t surprise me tbh, he does weird stuff but he does know ball.

 

[Trilly]

They don't carry any passengers any more. Something to bear in mind when discussing Leao.

Big part of management is the ability to motivate players.

So many people rate Mikel and his coaching highly but rule out players based on workrate they’ve shown under different managers.

I always say that Player X wasn’t known as a hard worker until they played under Klopp/Pep/Arteta. You can pretty much plug any player into that, I think only one of that PSG front three were known as hard workers before Luis Enrique had them buying in, in fact with Dembele I think his reputation was the opposite.

 

[coleio]

Big part of management is the ability to motivate players.

So many people rate Mikel and his coaching highly but rule out players based on workrate they’ve shown under different managers.

I always say that Player X wasn’t known as a hard worker until they played under Klopp/Pep/Arteta. You can pretty much plug any player into that, I think only one of that PSG front three were known as hard workers before Luis Enrique had them buying in, in fact with Dembele I think his reputation was the opposite.

Dembele still doesn't work hard for the team though and his ball-greed is horrific.
There was a clear square to Doue last night and he pillow footed it over the bar.

 

[Trilly]

Dembele still doesn't work hard for the team though and his ball-greed is horrific.
There was a clear square to Doue last night and he pillow footed it over the bar.

The first sentence isn’t really true as for the second point I don’t really get the relevance with regards to work rate?

 

[coleio]

The first sentence isn’t really true as for the second point I don’t really get the relevance with regards to work rate?

Because the first sentence is true and not playing it to your team mate for a certain goal isn't working hard for the team is it?

 

[Goonger]

Big part of management is the ability to motivate players.

So many people rate Mikel and his coaching highly but rule out players based on workrate they’ve shown under different managers.

I always say that Player X wasn’t known as a hard worker until they played under Klopp/Pep/Arteta. You can pretty much plug any player into that, I think only one of that PSG front three were known as hard workers before Luis Enrique had them buying in, in fact with Dembele I think his reputation was the opposite.

Of course, I'm not saying you should defo rule a player like Leao out, but it's an important part of any discussion about signing him, and there's just some players out there won't put that effort in regardless of the coach or manager, whether that's Leao or not remains to be seen.

 

[Trilly]

Because the first sentence is true and not playing it to your team mate for a certain goal isn't working hard for the team is it?

I think being a greedy player is a different thing to being a player who doesn’t work hard for the team.

I see why you’re comparing the two but it’s not really relevant in the context of this discussion.

 

[Red London]

Of course, I'm not saying you should defo rule a player like Leao out, but it's an important part of any discussion about signing him, and there's just some players out there won't put that effort in regardless of the coach or manager, whether that's Leao or not remains to be seen.

I don’t think it’s just pure effort. I feel like sometimes as football fans people look too much at what’s on the pitch and not at the intangibles. It’s not about the work rate for me it’s about the mentality and drive. Does he REALLY want to be the best and win the biggest trophies as much as other players? Or is he considerably below average in ambition compared to other footballers at this level? That’s the question mark I have over players like this.

 

[coleio]

I think being a greedy player is a different thing to being a player who doesn’t work hard for the team.

I see why you’re comparing the two but it’s not really relevant in the context of this discussion.

I was making two points really. He doesn't track back and work hard for the team, and the separate point was the greediness working against the team.

I'll leave it there though.

 

[daron christie]

Just scored

 

[AL the gooner]

Not just Arteta’s dream signing, mine too. Watched him yesterday and hes rapid, two footed, works hard, great movement. It would be like having 2 Sakas on either side, then wed be unstoppable. Id score 20 league goals with those 2 on the wings.
Bilbao are a very defensive team too, best defence in Spain this season, makes his output even better and makes him a great fit for us.
Wouldnt take Leao hes brilliant at transition (would go for the cheaper Semenyo in that case) but cant do it against low blocks and defensively sound teams. Nico Williams can, he’s exceptional. For me this signing is more important than a striker this summer.

 

[Goonger]

 

[MikelHadADream]

Moreover, we have such an insanely good defensive set up; surely we can indulge ONE maverick type player.

The key is, everyone has to be able to run. That was a big difference between us and Madrid, and is the way football is going.

If the maverik you’re carrying is Messi then fine, if it’s a Leao type then it’s a no from me (and I used to be very hot on him).