Yea, I referred to him as the midfield version of AWB in the transfer thread earlier too. I definitely share your opinion there. Very much a ‘do the dirty work’ player.Has not received a red card in any senior game so far despite his style. Bit similar to Wan-Bissaka. He'd offer our midfield something completely different.
The tackle at 1:35.
We simply have to sign this kind of player after Sancho but the lack of links is worrying
Not sure links matter that much tbh, a lot of media are demonstrably clueless. I’m also not sure it’s that simple. We haven’t necessarily got a very top DM - but we have a number of very good players capable of the role. If we added Luis, someone needs to go first I think. No point in Luis, Fred, Matic and perhaps McTominay if he’s seen for that role ro be battling for one spot. We also hope to add Bellingham to the mix.
It's a great comparison, can definitely see it.
Pretty good on the ball, at least from what I've seen. Won't orchestrate the game from the deep with an expansive range of passing like a prototypical deep-lying playmaker (at least for now), but has a good understanding of space/positioning and keeps the ball moving along smoothly — basically, has all the tools to operate as a conduit-style #6 given his accuracy on the ball and expertise at protecting the defense like a spider (that function is be a good complement to playmakers like Pogba/Bruno further up the pitch).
Few yellow cards conceded too; about 1 yellow per 7 games - which is good for DCM. Good interceptions & tackling. Only 1 injury on his record: meniscus taking him out for just over 1 month last year.Has not received a red card in any senior game so far despite his style. Bit similar to Wan-Bissaka. He'd offer our midfield something completely different.
The tackle at 1:35.
I would think the plan is to sign a DM/DCM with a view for him to be eased in and eventually take over from Matic in the next couple of years, really haven't a clue who that is going to be though and gut feeling is it won't be this summer and will keep faith with Fred, McTominay and Matic.
Yeah totally agree but looks like Utd have put a DM/DCM on the backburner and are going to stick with Matic, Fred & McTominay in that area
Matic legs are gone. Covid will hit these smallish clubs (financially wise) hard. Now it's time to buy on cheap
Be that as it may, he was just given a new deal.
I have to agree even though I'm not a fan. I'd rather someone more press resistant, who can pass and dictate games from deep, but you have to factor in team balance, and a CM of his ilk, like you say, would just bring a better balance.
Which makes sense as Luiz would be too young to take charge from day 1.
I think it's more of a long term investment +exploiting the financial crisis Benfica might facing due to covid
And there are two other senior alternatives. Matic making three. All competing for one spot.
Why would they allow that? Seems really weird.
Marcotti is someone that normally writes opinion pieces.
Fred and McT are box to box players not DMs. In normal circumstances I'd say we shouldn't buy him out as there are other positions that need to be strengthened. However these are not normal circumstances. If we can get promising players on the cheap then I'd say let's do it.
So you pretty much expect Matic to automatically start with Fred and Pogba when football returns then? If after all, Fred and McTominay are not competing for the other role - it is Matic’s by default. Which I doubt is the case.
God knows how players act under pressure. For example no one thought that Pirlo and Scholes could make it in CM let alone becoming WC there. Yet when given a choice between CM and the bench they chose the former and the rest is history. So can Matic give us another year? Can McT or Fred become DM? Can Luis slot in DM immediately? God knows.
Well if we are adamant about not being interested in Partey then does make me wonder if we have any intention of bringing in this kind of player at all this summer which is worrying to say the least
