Which midfielder do you prefer?

bond19821982

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Reports from France that Pogba is leaving. Means, a midfielder is definitely coming. Who do you think would be a right fit for us ?
 

bond19821982

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My choice - Kroos or Tielemans.

Real already said they will sell at the right price. Tielemans has only 2 years left


Hope , we don't sign Rice .
 

bucky

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Fabian Ruiz. With Locatelli likely staying in Italy, I think he's easily our best option. According to reports Napoli need money, too.
 

Kyonn

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Reports from France that Pogba is leaving. Means, a midfielder is definitely coming. Who do you think would be a right fit for us ?
Not sure that's true. Might ride with VDB and youth for a year.
 

Bondi77

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Reports from France that Pogba is leaving. Means, a midfielder is definitely coming. Who do you think would be a right fit for us ?
Why is a midfielder coming?
Pogba is a squad player anyway and he has no relevance to us bringing in a DM if that is what Ole wants to do.
 

Tyrion

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If it's true that Real will sell anyone we should try for Casemiro.

If not then Camavinga.
Yeah getting Kroos seems odd to me. He's only 31 but between Real Madrids form and Germanys, I'm not sure if he'd be worth that massive wage. I prefer going for the likes of Sancho than Falcao or ADM. Up and coming players rather than over the hill ones. Varane is still great for France so I don't mind him.
 

Adnan

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If Pogba does move to PSG then I'd personally like to see us sign Tchouameni and one of Caqueret, Camavinga or Aouar.
 

RC89

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If we get no more than 50m (and given its his last year we probably don't) I'd rather keep him for the year and let him leave on a free next summer.

Would very much feel like one step forward and two steps back if we lose him. Having to replace him and bed in Sancho and Varane will leave it feeling like a large scale transition all over again. Much rather buy a cheaper 30-40m (Camavinga? Even though that's gone quiet) this season and replace Pogba next season. If we end up having to buy two midfielders this summer it'll require far too much bedding in, in a season we should be competing on all fronts.
 

UnitedRepublic

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Still hoping for a DM (Cleaner/Destroyer) Ndidi ?
Let Fred & Van De Beek battle it out for the number 8 position, If Pogba is leaving.
 

tjb

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For me, the biggest attributes for any new midfielder coming in are the combination of first touch and off the ball movement/positioning.

Why? Because our build up from defence to midfield is what hinders us from completely destroying teams. That is why we can have one of the deadliest counter attacks in the world, but struggle for 10/20 minutes to get the ball into the oppositions final third. Bruno creates chances, Rashford has created chances, Pogba creates chances, Sancho will create chances, even Cavani can create chances. However, if we are not able to move the ball quickly enough to create time and space for these players, we won't create enough chances.

The reason we don't get to those creative zones often enough is because our defenders have struggled to get the ball into midfield, with the main issue being that our midfielders do not have the awareness, first touch, positioning or balance to either collect the ball and distribute or recieve the ball and move it quickly. Every other top team in Europe has at least one, mostly 2 players that can do this; we have none. I would personally prefer a DM, but any player who can do this, Saul, Camavinga, etc would drastically improve us in that area.
 

edcunited1878

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A central midfielder who has better technical ability and composure on the ball than Fred, McTominay, Rice, Ndidi, etc. And who can still get around central midfield and be a reliable defensive player. Modric, Kroos, Goretzka, etc are not world beaters defensively, but they are totally committed to helping out the team when asked to defend, press, close down, etc.
 

mav_9me

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My preference is for a Carrick/Busquets/Fernandinho type, a defensive minded who can pass well. Not that I would know who is a good option.

If not that then a controller/passer who works hard like Tielemans.
 

mancsarered

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I'm of the belief we need to bring in two midfielders to replace him. If he stayed, one CDM would be adequate. If he leaves, you still need that CDM, and a more attack minded CM to replace his spot.
 

MadDogg

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Somebody who is good both defensively and at helping control the team around with their passing. Doesn't have to be 'great' at either (although obviously that would be preferred), but somebody who is solid at both aspects would give us the balance in midfield that we desperately need.
 

Strelok

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For me, the biggest attributes for any new midfielder coming in are the combination of first touch and off the ball movement/positioning.

Why? Because our build up from defence to midfield is what hinders us from completely destroying teams. That is why we can have one of the deadliest counter attacks in the world, but struggle for 10/20 minutes to get the ball into the oppositions final third. Bruno creates chances, Rashford has created chances, Pogba creates chances, Sancho will create chances, even Cavani can create chances. However, if we are not able to move the ball quickly enough to create time and space for these players, we won't create enough chances.

The reason we don't get to those creative zones often enough is because our defenders have struggled to get the ball into midfield, with the main issue being that our midfielders do not have the awareness, first touch, positioning or balance to either collect the ball and distribute or recieve the ball and move it quickly. Every other top team in Europe has at least one, mostly 2 players that can do this; we have none. I would personally prefer a DM, but any player who can do this, Saul, Camavinga, etc would drastically improve us in that area.
Agreed.

We'd need someone who is solid defensively and is good at progressing the ball forward.

Of the midfielders we've been linked to imo:

- Rice is solid defensively but is not really good at progressing the ball forward, and way overpriced.

- Neves is decent defensively and can progress the ball forward, with a good long shot. But he's a bit slow, both his legs and brain. Could be a liability when we have to face counter attacks, especially we've been playing with a high line recently. I've watched him a few times and can't say I'm impressed. But he's used to the PL and kinda cheap.

- Saul can defend reasonably well and is pretty good at progressing the ball. But I heard he lost his place at ATM (that's probably why his price came down considerably). He was a quality midfielder but I haven't watched him in a couple of years so no idea how is he now. And he would demand a very high wage.

- Goretzka is solid, both defensively and progressing the ball forward. He's actually the best candidate imo. But some said Bayern would let him seeing out his contract and I'm a bit skeptical regarding his injury record. Same with Saul, he would demand a very high wage.

- Camavinga: he's solid both defensively and progressing the ball forward with great potential. But he's still very young and there's a big question over whether he can adapt to the PL and fullfil his potential. Also reports say he prefers Madrid or PSG.

Personally I prefer Camavinga, if things go right he'd be one of the best and most completed midfielders in the world in a couple years. While he isn't there yet he'd still be a good upgrade on McT I think. If not we should go for Neves, he's used to the PL and cheap.
 
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Cman

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This is the area that Ole and our scouting team have to earn their crust. The two signings we have brought in have been head and shoulders above any other options. CM isn’t as straight forward.

I don’t watch a lot of other leagues or teams so only going if stats, forums and YouTube but if we could get either Camavinga or Tchouameni onto of our signings already would be an amazing window.
 

kafta

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Ideally, if we get a good fee for him, then we should be thinking of a CDM and a CM. Maybe the likes of Saul and Neves.

Dont see any credible links to midfielders though, except for the early interest in Camavinga. I wonder who our primary target actually is.
 

Lash

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Neves and someone like Aouar. Camavinga would be ideal instead of Neves, just not convinced he fancies us.