Thomas Lemar

[Aevi]

Lemar is unequivically not a box-to-box midfielder, nor does he play that role. He's an attacking midfielder that spends most of his time on the left, but can also play as a no. 10. With Mendy a presence overlapping, he's shown the ability to tuck inside, but his penchant for left-footed crosses regularly offers great width. He's exactly the type of wide playmaker Arséne had in mind when we pursued Juan Mata. However, that's when Mata was 23. Lemar is only 21, has a much better work rate, and just tallied 14 goals and 17 assists.

I'd also prefer to see him in the front 3, but you're wrong, he definitely has CM potential. The reason it's being brought up is because in the event Alexis stays, it's the position Lemar would most likely take up (as Alexis and Özil would be tough to displace).

Remember that in the 3-4-3, the more attacking CM has the ability to express himself farther forward, as there are more numbers behind him to provide defensive cover. Lemar has the passing, dribbling, and attacking ability to play this role well as we've seen many times this season, while also being surprisingly adept defensively. Per 90 mins, he has more completed more tackles and interceptions than Ramsey who has been considered a success next to Xhaka at CM this season. And to be fair, I used CL stats for Lemar where he faced tougher competition.

Beyond looking at stats, you can see in his play that he already pretty much plays the CM role for Monaco and now France. You'll very often catch him picking up the ball from CBs in the center to start an attack through a pass or dribble, and he often wanders around in a free role (often pretty centrally) to help build up play. I think it's beyond speculative, and even plausible, to assume he could play as a #8.

Again, I think he'd be best playing where Alexis and Özil are right now, but he definitely could play behind them so that the trio could be accommodated in the side all at once. He'd be able to play around the box in that role anyways.

 

[every little thing]

new Cazorla?

 

[Trilly]

Big difference between a LM who tucks in during attacks/transitions and an out and out box to box CM. Football always appears simpler on paper.

That's a debate for if he actually signs anyway.

 

[Impact]

Lemar is a wide midfielder who has the football IQ and skillset to play in a plethora of positions. That is a part of his appeal. I'm sure we'll see him as a versatile option similar to how we see Ramsey, Chamberlain etc if he joins us.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

Lemar is a wide midfielder who has the football IQ and skillset to play in a plethora of positions. That is apart of his appeal. I'm sure we'll see him as a versatile option similar to how we see Ramsey, Chamberlain etc if he joins us.

This is what makes me think we'll sign Lacazette AND another forward if Alexis leaves, just because Lemar is so young yet so versatile.

 

[GDeep™]

Lemar is quality, for some reason i see a Juventus/Chelsea type player when I watch him.

 

[field442]

He's more suited to playing in midfield than Chamberlain is and Wenger has had no problems putting him in there so i can see him doing it with Lemar.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

He's more suited to playing in midfield than Chamberlain is and Wenger has had no problems putting him in there so i can see him doing it with Lemar.

I'd much rather Lemar in central midfield next to Xhaka than any central midfielder we can realistically buy off the market.

 

[Impact]

Lemar is quality, for some reason i see a Juventus/Chelsea type player when I watch him.

Definitely has the work ethic and discipline required for both teams.

 

[nicky47]

I have no idea about this guy, at all. But people really do have a high opinion of him! Therefore I'm keeping my fingers crossed we'll hear more about this one... A new winger makes me think Alexis is truly off, although some seem to think Lemar can play next to Xhaka.

Sorry for the bump without a new link by the way.

 

[Hunta]

At 21 he's a brilliant wide man, can play midfield and has a wand of a left foot.

If we let Sp**s sign him he completes their side, if we get him our left side would be magical.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

Is it racists when ever I watch him play I just want to listen to rap songs?

 

[Ceballinhos]

I'd also prefer to see him in the front 3, but you're wrong, he definitely has CM potential. The reason it's being brought up is because in the event Alexis stays, it's the position Lemar would most likely take up (as Alexis and Özil would be tough to displace).

Remember that in the 3-4-3, the more attacking CM has the ability to express himself farther forward, as there are more numbers behind him to provide defensive cover. Lemar has the passing, dribbling, and attacking ability to play this role well as we've seen many times this season, while also being surprisingly adept defensively. Per 90 mins, he has more completed more tackles and interceptions than Ramsey who has been considered a success next to Xhaka at CM this season. And to be fair, I used CL stats for Lemar where he faced tougher competition.

Beyond looking at stats, you can see in his play that he already pretty much plays the CM role for Monaco and now France. You'll very often catch him picking up the ball from CBs in the center to start an attack through a pass or dribble, and he often wanders around in a free role (often pretty centrally) to help build up play. I think it's beyond speculative, and even plausible, to assume he could play as a #8.

Again, I think he'd be best playing where Alexis and Özil are right now, but he definitely could play behind them so that the trio could be accommodated in the side all at once. He'd be able to play around the box in that role anyways.

When he was a youngster at Caen he developped (not sure if it's the right word in english I hope you understand what I mean) as an offensive midfielder, playing behind the striker.

but Caen 1st team used to play in a 442 formation, so they tried Lemar on the left because he has such an incredible engine, and he was very good.

Lemar is one of the most young complete player I've ever seen.
He already performed great at LM, CAM, LWB, RM. He can score goals, he defends so well, his crossing is fantastic, his pass are fantastic, he gave a lot of assists from FK & corners.
This guy is so underrated.

And he's a very good lad. He's shy. He works very hard. He doesn't care about being the star of the team. He doesn't have a huge ego. He's humble. You can feel he truely enjoys the game & that is what matter the most for him.
It's very important for us in France because it was the complete opposite with the previous generation which was very talented too (I'm talking about Nasri, Benzema, Menez, Ben Arfa...) but appart from Benzema they all underachieved because of a lack of discipline & education.

If Wenger pulls this off, I genuinely think it could be one of his best buy ever.

 

[Trilly]

Honestly forget how young he is, for a 21 year old he's brilliant.

 

[4R5Emaniac]

If Lemar comes here I want him on LWB or in Özil's position. He is better than Kolasinac and would do better than him there says my vision. Would be stupid and pointless to play him in central midfield.

 

[Mitch]

If Lemar comes here I want him on LWB or in Özil's position. He is better than Kolasinac and would do better than him there.

As far as I know Lemar hasn't played the wing back role whilst Kolasinac was in the Bundesliga team of the year for doing that role.

I would have thought Lemar would be beter used occupying one of two ACM roles (Özil being the other) whilst moving Alexis back into CF role.

 

[4R5Emaniac]

As far as I know Lemar hasn't played the wing back role whilst Kolasinac was in the Bundesliga team of the year for doing that role.

I would have thought Lemar would be beter used occupying one of two ACM roles (Özil being the other) whilst moving Alexis back into CF role.

Doesn't matter tbh. If Ox can excel there I can see Lemar owning it. Doubt being in the Bundesliga TOY is some measure of actual quality. For example he was apparently better than Alaba they say but you need to be crazy to even entertain the thought that Sead is even nearly as good a player. He can be a decent option and maybe will be a good player at some point for a while but nothing more.

Yeah, thats a good idea and he'd be best suited for that role or from the left or right wing.

 

[yybecause]

Doesn't matter tbh. If Ox can excel there I can see Lemar owning it. Doubt being in the Bundesliga TOY is some measure of actual quality. For example he was apparently better than Alaba they say but you need to be crazy to even entertain the thought that Sead is even nearly as good a player. He can be a decent option and maybe will be a good player at some point for a while but nothing more.

Yeah, thats a good idea and he'd be best suited for that role or from the left or right wing.

How often did you watch Schalke play 90 minutes this season, just curious

 

[field442]

Doesn't matter tbh. If Ox can excel there I can see Lemar owning it. Doubt being in the Bundesliga TOY is some measure of actual quality. For example he was apparently better than Alaba they say but you need to be crazy to even entertain the thought that Sead is even nearly as good a player. He can be a decent option and maybe will be a good player at some point for a while but nothing more.

Yeah, thats a good idea and he'd be best suited for that role or from the left or right wing.

Bit silly to be talking like that when you've probably never seen him play more than a handful of games, if that.

 

[Aevi]

Kolasinac will 100% be starting games at LWB. He wouldn't have accepted a move here if he wasn't guaranteed gametime; being a highly sought-after free agent, he had a lot of leverage in negotiations (hence his lucrative salary).

Even if he wasn't guaranteed starts, which would surprise me greatly, it would make no sense anyways to sign him and then sign Lemar and play him there. The latter would definitely be playing as a CAM or CM in the current setup.