I'd love a rwb who can cross.
Fortifying in January, one position to strengthen: what would you go for?
- Thread starter Fortitude
- Start date
Either Özil or a RW to add some needed penetration from the right hand side.
A quick, exciting right winger would complete our forward line.
Definitely not. He doesn’t have the assets required to play as a right winger. He’s way better on the opposite side as he cuts in and looks for a pass or a shot. He’d be restrained to crossing if put on the right wing, and he doesn’t have the skillset to be efficient at it. Nor would he add the needed penetration.
Not to mention that he isn’t even a starter for Valencia, how is he good enough to be a starter for us let alone somehow magically solve our right wing issues while playing way out of position?
Has to be right wing, Left back is clearly an issue too but with Young and Shaw i think we can make do until the summer there.
But right wing is a big glaring hole in our squad that really should have been filled during the summer, in fact it's been an issue for years. Neither of Mata or Lingard are wingers and yet they play there more than anyone. If Mkhitaryan could get his finger out he could be a good option for us there, big if though.
But right wing is a big glaring hole in our squad that really should have been filled during the summer, in fact it's been an issue for years. Neither of Mata or Lingard are wingers and yet they play there more than anyone. If Mkhitaryan could get his finger out he could be a good option for us there, big if though.
Rose = Levy
Oezil = Wenger
Levy is notorious for squeezing every penny out of a domestic suitor, and in the case of us, he's even worse.
Wenger would rather have Oezil go on a free after contributing to a CL run than sell him for such a low fee in January. The CL is worth more to them than something as low as £25m. On top of that, he doesn't sell to us, especially not to Mourinho. The fee it would take to get him in January would be painful.
Your fees are for a market that no longer exists, tbh. 2 years ago, they may have been viable, but in this market, no chance.
RW has to be the number 1 priority. then in the summer we need a LB and a CM
True that
It would really depend on who is available and which deal we could complete.
I mean RW might be more of a priority, but if we could sign a top class #3 in January, then do that deal first and work on the RW in the Summer.
Personally, I am completey hacked off as to how we have had to 'make do & mend' at LB for years, and that position is long overdue being taken care of.
I mean RW might be more of a priority, but if we could sign a top class #3 in January, then do that deal first and work on the RW in the Summer.
Personally, I am completey hacked off as to how we have had to 'make do & mend' at LB for years, and that position is long overdue being taken care of.
Long term thinking, I chose CM, hoping the budget is mostly spent on Goretzka or Savic. We need something else from the CM positions and are entirely reliant on the Pogba/Matic duo to be dynamic in attack. If either are out, the balance is off, unless we're playing with a 3-man midfield. Herrera can do a good job in a 3-man, but in a 2-man mid tends to be too defensive. Figure splashing the money now on Goretzka would be similar to what Liverpool did to guarantee getting Keita, instead of waiting til summer.
Mahrez would give us a RW in prem games where we play 4231 and some pace as a 10 in the 3412 we seem likely to play in the CL when we need goals or are at home, with Lingard or Pogba (Herrera or Fellaini coming in) there in a tough away game. Seems like it would help us and presumably he'd love to join.
If Mkhitaryan is off in the summer, something like 25-30M and him being loaned back to Leicester for the rest of the season seems like a win-win. I could see Mkhitaryan doing well behind Vardy (where Mahrez is playing) as they counter attack and so bolstering his value by 5-10 M for the summer sale.
But my guess is we do nothing and look for a real upgrade in the summer rather than a high risk and not massive reward signing like Mahrez and just buy Griezmann and an expensive fullback in the summer, maybe add a teenager from Italy or something with the new mgmt.
If Mkhitaryan is off in the summer, something like 25-30M and him being loaned back to Leicester for the rest of the season seems like a win-win. I could see Mkhitaryan doing well behind Vardy (where Mahrez is playing) as they counter attack and so bolstering his value by 5-10 M for the summer sale.
But my guess is we do nothing and look for a real upgrade in the summer rather than a high risk and not massive reward signing like Mahrez and just buy Griezmann and an expensive fullback in the summer, maybe add a teenager from Italy or something with the new mgmt.
I think everything depends on our status on 31st December. If we are still within realistic touching distance of City, then we absolutely need to make an investment into a player who significantly increases our chances of winning every game left.
Im not sure that player is a Right Winger: we've seen we lose our potency without Pogba, so need somebody who can supply that input when he is next unavailable. Im not sure who that is and if he is available this winter.
More strategic investments such as LB/LWB, replacing Mhkitariyan etc can be secondary targets or wait til summer.
Im not sure that player is a Right Winger: we've seen we lose our potency without Pogba, so need somebody who can supply that input when he is next unavailable. Im not sure who that is and if he is available this winter.
More strategic investments such as LB/LWB, replacing Mhkitariyan etc can be secondary targets or wait til summer.
Even if Jose wants to stick with the 3412 formation, Pereira would still he handy as he'd cover for both No.10 and CM.
Do we have the best defence in league ? Or is it second best
I would actually love to see us sign a top class RW,but if Jose keeps playing 3-5-2 then I would probably want another box to box CM....
How often can you sign a top class player in Jan? We signed Mata in Jan and still trying to figure out how to use him effectively. Typically only 2 types of players are available in Jan, those in surplus while buying club is eager to pay over the top; or clubs in Russia which end season in Dec. Utd has surplus CB and LB and I don't think the club will offload anyone in Jan, unless someone come in with a ridiculous offer, or the players ask for a transfer (Schnederlin and Schweistager), otherwise we do business only in summer. If you spot any good players in the Russian league then give us a shout.
Atletico out of CL.
Griez is coming.
Thread should be closed !
Griez is coming.
Thread should be closed !
I went #10, as it's always a glamour position requiring a big character/name.
Ozil on top form on the cheap, pending being free in the summer would be a good one. Never going to happen though
Ozil on top form on the cheap, pending being free in the summer would be a good one. Never going to happen though
We haven't got a RW so it has to be that. Mata, Mkhi and Lingard can all play there and offer different qualities but are all better as a number 10. Rashford and Martial are much better LW/ or upfront. There's also a number of RW out there who haven't yet made the move to a big club. Malcom is doing well this season and looks a top talent, we have been linked with Lozano before as well and he can play on the right.
I would take Mahrez as well if the price was right, I don't think he's worth anything near over £30m but £20m would be a reasonable price to pay, can't see Leicester letting him go that cheap mid-season however.
I would take Mahrez as well if the price was right, I don't think he's worth anything near over £30m but £20m would be a reasonable price to pay, can't see Leicester letting him go that cheap mid-season however.
Wishful thinking. Even if AM is out of CL, they still have Europa, plus retaining Top 4 finish at La Liga. No club would want to offload their "most valuable" player in Jan, unless someone putting in a ridiculous bid, which we won't. Only Surplus player may be available, such as Giroud, Walcott, Wishere etc. In Utd case we have Blind, Shaw and Darmian in surplus, but we are unlikely to sell them in Jan, unless someone come up with a ridiculous offer.
I would take a b2b midfielder, ideally Savic.
RW is a bigger immediate need if we are to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation, but I think Mourinho are gearing us towards 3-5-2 and it's variations.
RW is a bigger immediate need if we are to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation, but I think Mourinho are gearing us towards 3-5-2 and it's variations.
Pretty much with you, an extra CM is pretty much a must in my eyes. I think we struggle bringing the ball from midfield to the final third the most, and our ball retention is very poor (even for a counter-attacking team). A solid midfield of 3 would be so perfect, other positions should be covered during the summer.
Just seen that Barca have mutually agreed to release Mascherano from his contract this January. Worth bringing him in? Don't forget if he was to come in, he expects to be a starter, that's the main reason why he wants to leave Barca. Would we be able to give him that assurance? Personally, I doubt it.
We have a surplus in CB, already having problem in pleasing Blind, Rojo, Lindelof, Smalling and Jones (OK, Jones constantly excusing himself), with Bailey the 1st name on the sheet.
As for DMF, he will always be #2 to Matic regardless. If Mascherano has any sense he would avoid Utd. I think Arsenal or Liverpool needs him more than us.
Someone that is going to play behind Lukaku.
If only Mou and Woodward looked at this poll before making a decision on who they should buy.
I would seriously consider looking for a GK replacement as you just know De Gea will probably leave if Real come calling like I think they will.
Definitely a creative/attacking player. Especially for the current formation. We'd also really like a natural winger when we move to a 4-3-3.
I think Jose is seriously pissed behind the scenes that we didn't secure Perisic. It was no secret that he was the 4th target and he's currently tearing up Serie A - I know it was an unpopular opinion but I was desperate for him - Brilliant all round player. That said I think they're even less likely to sell now and the price was steep as it was.
We're far too reliant on Pogba to create. The pressure was on Miki to produce in his absence and he totally capitulated. That's why he hasn't really been seen since. I've always loved Ozil and the criticism he receives is at times farcical. Getting ridiculed as a #10 for not working defensively while Aaron Ramsey dwells among the strikers is bizarre. You have to put pieces around him but when they're in place he's masterful. I think it would be a great fit here with our pace up front and strength in midfield.
Goretzka, Savic, Sandro - All names we've been linked with - All outstanding talents who would improve the team. Sandro is iffy defensively but as good as anyone going forward - Perfect for the PL.
I think in the summer we'll see the players Mourinho doesn't fancy swapped out for those he does in a big way. I don't think Miki, Mata, Shaw or Blind will be here. There's a few who wont be getting their contract renewed - Ibra, Carrick and maybe Fellaini will be out. We've still got a lot to build around but in terms of quantity I think this will be our busiest summer for a while.
I think Jose is seriously pissed behind the scenes that we didn't secure Perisic. It was no secret that he was the 4th target and he's currently tearing up Serie A - I know it was an unpopular opinion but I was desperate for him - Brilliant all round player. That said I think they're even less likely to sell now and the price was steep as it was.
We're far too reliant on Pogba to create. The pressure was on Miki to produce in his absence and he totally capitulated. That's why he hasn't really been seen since. I've always loved Ozil and the criticism he receives is at times farcical. Getting ridiculed as a #10 for not working defensively while Aaron Ramsey dwells among the strikers is bizarre. You have to put pieces around him but when they're in place he's masterful. I think it would be a great fit here with our pace up front and strength in midfield.
Goretzka, Savic, Sandro - All names we've been linked with - All outstanding talents who would improve the team. Sandro is iffy defensively but as good as anyone going forward - Perfect for the PL.
I think in the summer we'll see the players Mourinho doesn't fancy swapped out for those he does in a big way. I don't think Miki, Mata, Shaw or Blind will be here. There's a few who wont be getting their contract renewed - Ibra, Carrick and maybe Fellaini will be out. We've still got a lot to build around but in terms of quantity I think this will be our busiest summer for a while.
Went for RW but a LB is as equally as important
Quality delivery and a goal threat from the right, or a magician in the middle; but I don't see either coming until the summer.
De Gea
Valencia Bailly Rojo Rose
Pogba Matic
Greizmann Ozil Martial
Aboubakar
Romero
Young Jones Smalling Shaw
Fellaini Milinkovic-Savic
Lingard Pereira Rashford
Lukaku
Valencia Bailly Rojo Rose
Pogba Matic
Greizmann Ozil Martial
Aboubakar
Romero
Young Jones Smalling Shaw
Fellaini Milinkovic-Savic
Lingard Pereira Rashford
Lukaku
Out £80m
Darmian
Herrera
Mata
Mkhitaryan
Zlatan
In £250m
Rose
Griezmann
Ozil
Milinkovic-Savic
Aboubakar
£170m net
Just realised this was for January and not summer....
We will see come the end of Jan.
We dont need to bid. We need to pay out the reduced clause of approx 100M. So its essentially up to Griez.
I am not going into details but u know what happened in last summer. Plus the “fishy” automatic reduction of release clause in Jan, why not summer ?
But of course there are many factors against it, like it’s Jan, Barca competition, etc
Now CL is definitely one more factor that increases the chances.
Yea in my previous post i am just BS a bit lol. Honestly i think the chance of that happening could be 30-40%, but definitely higher than “wishful thinking” which could be translated to about 5-10% provability.
A goal every 10 games so far this season, but offers no attacking threat?
As opposed to Kyle Walker 0 goals, Victor Moses 0 goals, Joe Gomez 0 goals or Kieran Trippers 0 goals. Tony is one of the best players in his position in the league and performs very well in just about every game, yet this is ignored by a lot of our fans.
This is really bad transfer, why would we spend a lot of money on a new striker when we brought Lukaku for 75m? Also, Greizmann is not naturally right wing, it won't strengthen the RW as he's not effective in that position. if we get Ozil, so where Greizmann could fit in a system? 3-5-2 as a striker alongside with Lukaku? It would mean that we'll sacrifice Martial/Rashford for putting Greizmann in that position in 352 system or another option is that we don't need to get Ozil and play Grezimann as a secondary striker in 433 and 4231. There's no way Jose'd go for a player like Milinkovic-Savic just to be backup for the first-team player, it wouldn't make a sense in financial
Jose is going to use more 3412/352 formation in future when he gets more signing like LB, RW, AM and RB but at same time they must play in 433 or 4231 formations without making a change to starters
Milinkovic-Savic as holding midfielder alongside with Matic with Pogba upfront in central midfield and it'll give Pogba a more freedom to express himself and work on his creativity so that means we won't get Ozil if we get Savic and or we can play both in 3-4-2-1 with Ozil and Pogba forming a partnership, Matic and Savic can give them much freedom to go forward while shielding defence but it would mean sacrificing Rashford/Martial for an extra playmaker like Ozil in 3421 with Pogba upfront in midfield. RW is not necessary if we use 352 more, it is becoming preferenced formation for Jose even though he admitted that he would like to use this formation if his fullback can offer attacking threat. Milinkovic-Savic or Goretzka is perfect in this formation 3-5-2, meaning we'll be able to control the games and the way how we want to play. Sign other playmakers CM as squad player and a replacement for Pogba
Rose and Meunier as wingback with attacking purpose and great defensively, it'll feed more balls to Martial/Rashford and Lukaku while with two CM like Matic shielding the defence in 3 centreback
3-5-2
De Gea
Lindelof Bailly Rojo
Meunier Matic Pogba Savic/Goretzka Rose
Lukaku Martial/Rashford
3-4-1-2
De Gea
Lindelof Bailly Rojo
Meunier Matic Pogba Savic/Goretzka Rose
Lukaku Martial/Rashford
3-4-1-2
De Gea
Lindelof Bailly Rojo
Meunier Matic Savic/Goretzka Rose
Pogba
Lukaku Martial/Rashford
3-4-2-1
De Gea
Lindelof Bailly Rojo
Meunier Matic Savic/Goretzka Rose
Pogba Ozil
Lukaku
4-3-3
De Gea
Meunier Lindelof Bailly Rose
Savic/Goretzka Matic Pogba
New RW Lukaku Rashford/Martial
4-2-3-1 without Pogba due to suspension/injured
De Gea
Meunier Lindelof Bailly Rose
Savic/Goretzka Matic
New RW Ozil Rashford/Martial
Lukaku
Lindelof Bailly Rojo
Meunier Matic Savic/Goretzka Rose
Pogba
Lukaku Martial/Rashford
3-4-2-1
De Gea
Lindelof Bailly Rojo
Meunier Matic Savic/Goretzka Rose
Pogba Ozil
Lukaku
4-3-3
De Gea
Meunier Lindelof Bailly Rose
Savic/Goretzka Matic Pogba
New RW Lukaku Rashford/Martial
4-2-3-1 without Pogba due to suspension/injured
De Gea
Meunier Lindelof Bailly Rose
Savic/Goretzka Matic
New RW Ozil Rashford/Martial
Lukaku
I find the support for CM bizarre. Fullback and #10/RW contribution (depending upon the formation) are quite clearly our limiting factors.
Sell Lukaku, break the bank and go all out for Kane
We've come a long way and we're a much better side than we were but the attack isn't good enough to win the league. We need to spend on attacking midfielders.
Management
Striker.
Never going to happen.