Year of the Ox

[celestis]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I just remembered the kid is 18 . I can't for the life of me remember someone who was not considered elite in their 20's having his sort of impact . Even Jack did not slot in this seamlessly .

 

[mo50]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I just remembered the kid is 18 . I can't for the life of me remember someone who was not considered elite in their 20's having his sort of impact . Even Jack did not slot in this seamlessly .

Exactly. And that debut wasn't against anybody, but the current champions. I can't wait until Sunday just to get another look at him.

 

[ebouenolike]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

Lots of reports this morning of Capello being very impressed and calling him up for the Euros. Thoughts?

 

[1macca1]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

Not surprised he was impressed, I could scarcely believe how good he was the other day. At the moment I just want to see more and more of him so I'd probably like to see him at the Euros, he'd probably do well to have a major tournament under his belt by the time Brazil '14 comes around, too. Would be just as happy if not more, for him not to get picked too though, come flying out of the traps at the start of next season. I wouldn't be surprised if it's Theo's spot he takes on the plane if the lad doesn't sort his head out.

Will be interesting to see how Wenger manages him regarding playing time from now on, and I don't just mean this season but throughout his youth years.

 

[Floating]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

Lots of reports this morning of Capello being very impressed and calling him up for the Euros. Thoughts?

Capello said he's very promising, and it would be really interesting to test him in the side during the friendlies before the Euros. He's frankly better, even at 18, than the likes of Stewart Downing.

 

[Irish_Owen]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

It's almost a certainty that this kid will reach the top.

I've played FM2012 too, I know how this story ends...

 

[ebouenolike]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

Him and Jack going to the Euros would certainly be interesting - suddenly, along with Welbeck Jones Smalling etc, the England side looks worth watching.

 

[USArsenal]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

he will only go if he starts playing regularly for us and continues to make impacts in most games. but i dont think it will be at the expense of Theo, who Capello admitted himself that he made a mistake on not including for the WC

 

[AFCG7]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

England certainly have a good future if these guys are managed properly. Phil Jones and Wellbeck look to be improving very quickly as well.

 

[outlaw_member]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I just remembered the kid is 18 . I can't for the life of me remember someone who was not considered elite in their 20's having his sort of impact . Even Jack did not slot in this seamlessly .

He's more talented than Wilshere and Fabregas were at that age. Less efficient and mature than the aforementioned duo though, albeit as a consequences of his position.

 

[ebouenolike]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

He's more talented than Wilshere and Fabregas were at that age. Less efficient and mature than the aforementioned duo though, albeit as a consequences of his position.

Wow. Strong words. I think I'd tend to agree, he's ridiculously talented.

 

[Irish_Owen]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

More talented than an 18 year old Cesc...

I don't think so.

 

[evoh_1]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I just remembered the kid is 18 . I can't for the life of me remember someone who was not considered elite in their 20's having his sort of impact . Even Jack did not slot in this seamlessly .

He's more talented than Wilshere and Fabregas were at that age. Less efficient and mature than the aforementioned duo though, albeit as a consequences of his position.

No way cesc was bossing a more difficult postion in a top team in a top league and debuting for spain at 18, AOC has a huge potential but lets not forget how ridiculous fabregas was at 18.

 

[AFC-Phil]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I just remembered the kid is 18 . I can't for the life of me remember someone who was not considered elite in their 20's having his sort of impact . Even Jack did not slot in this seamlessly .

He's more talented than Wilshere and Fabregas were at that age. Less efficient and mature than the aforementioned duo though, albeit as a consequences of his position.

More talanted than Cesc? The comparison doesn't come into my mmind tbh, it's just untrue. Chamberlain is a Wilshere level talent, but Cesc was in that elite catagory at that age.

Let's not forget that Cesc had already played in a CL final at the age of 17... His role in the lead-up to our achievement of the final was pretty significant too.

 

[1macca1]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

There's no argument that Cesc had done a lot more and proven a hell of a lot more than Ox has at this age but I don't think Outie is questioning that at all. It's Ox' pure ability to beat players and already obvious scoring attributes, which is the aim of the game, that I think he is pointing out as more significant talents. I'm not so quick or bold to suggest the same but I don't think it's a statement that should be scoffed at and thrown away so quickly without giving some serious thought.

 

[GOONER1991]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

Think this guy has a really high ceiling, and I mean really high. His speed, balance, strength are all physical attributes that only the top players have. Look at the likes of Aguero and Messi. Small players, but extremely strong and well balanced on the ball. We've seen the quick feet and dribbling skills that this boy possesses, and yes, they will be an immense attribute to have, however what really made me think to push Oxlade-Chamberlain into the top echleons of world class potential, was the pass he played for Van Persie's goal. A very cute reverse ball, into the box, creating the opportunity. This is something I feel we've massively missed since Cesc has left.

I really think Chamberlain has the potential to be an amazing central player. Pick up the ball, turn, shoot, pass, dribble, anything. I really hope to see more of him. I think he's better than being a winger if I'm honest, however I just want him on the pitch.

 

[1macca1]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I'd have him on the wing now to give him more room and less pressure. Also because we desperately need a player of his ilk in that position at the moment. On top of the attributes you mentioned, G91, and perhaps his best, is his shooting. It reminds me off a missile launcher with an ability to lock onto it's target, you could tell he thought he'd scored with his low shot vs Man U after Kos' good work. From what I've seen his power and accuracy are very consistent too.

 

[outlaw_member]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I just remembered the kid is 18 . I can't for the life of me remember someone who was not considered elite in their 20's having his sort of impact . Even Jack did not slot in this seamlessly .

He's more talented than Wilshere and Fabregas were at that age. Less efficient and mature than the aforementioned duo though, albeit as a consequences of his position.

More talanted than Cesc? The comparison doesn't come into my mmind tbh, it's just untrue. Chamberlain is a Wilshere level talent, but Cesc was in that elite catagory at that age.

Let's not forget that Cesc had already played in a CL final at the age of 17... His role in the lead-up to our achievement of the final was pretty significant too.

I don't want to make a direct comparison here, as they are all very different type of players. Furthermore, it's very unlikely that any young player is ever going to make as big an impact as Fabregas did in his teens, although that remains to be seen. However, in terms of sheer ability and range of qualities, I think Ox has more in his locker than the both of them.

 

[kalleTheMan]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

Ox strikes me as a player that will start out as a flair-player but as he matures he'll become a brutally effecient player, pure end-product machine by the time he's 25-26.

 

[outlaw_member]

Re: How Strong Can The Ox Be?

I hope not, Henry for all his efficiency retained his flair right till the end of his top flight career. It is somewhat true that many flair players are being specialised into specific roles, which is where a manager who encourages freedom is likely to make a big difference. Sadly, the 4-3-3 is quite a rigid system, and it doesn't offer the offensive flexibility, or a loose attacking role like the 4-4-2 does.