If we hire Poch, we wouldn’t be here right now.
So we are again distracted by some shiny signing (if this story is even real) and AGAIN spending large on a non CDM role?
As I say nothing good is coming from this story - whether he signs or whether he doesn't.
Kante would probably be his perfect partner. When he played his best football for Ajax he had Schone in midfield next to him, a sort of defensive box to box just like Kante. De Jong likes to initiate attacks but I think defensively he's not someone you could rely to sit on their own. That's why I don't feel like Rice would be a good idea if we were to go after De Jong. Probably the best player we could get is Tchouameni but I don't feel that's realistic. Fred or McTominay would probably partner him and I think they'd do well.
I'm only going by what I've read - by all accounts he's a no.6/ sitting midfielder. De Jong is the Pirlo type of player, and was never played with that kind of midfielder because they would have hampered Pirlo's game when building play. De Jong needs to be the deepest midfielder and any partner should be willing to give him that space in front of the back four and Kamara doesn't seem to be described here as someone who would adopt a more box to box role to allow that.
Yeah if he's a DLP then you don't need a holding midfielder but more of someone in the Kante/Gattuso mould who can provide the bite and tackling.
FDJ drops the deepest to get the ball but also gets free license to dribble/carry the ball forward. So you also needs someone who’s willing to sit when FDJ decides to leave his spot. A lone 6 should never leave his spot. But a 6 in double pivot can because one of them will cover.
Hey, that’s progress! At least he’s in the right city. Last week he didn’t even want to be in this country!
It would also make sense from their perspective, with Gündogan and de Bruyne being both over 30 now.
That doesn't actually refute what I said. De Jong would be best partnered with a strong defensive presence for the general balance of the midfield area, but if that player is a natural holder then it won't be a symbiotic pairing.
The only source I've seen saying that is The Sun.
Does it though his best position is occupied by Rodri at City who himself is a brilliant player and unless he is replacing Rodri it doesn't make much sense .
No point in buying Rice and De Jong when you have Rodri.
Was just thinking what's the point of them signing Rice?!
Feel like Ronaldo, Varane and Sancho was every hit as starstudded.
Just read report he is going to City
That usually means its close then.
Rice is maybe only player out of those three I doubt they will get, but who knows
Share the report son
City aren’t spending big on a CM. Which is why he won’t happen.
Source?
Do people post without sources to wum or seek attention these days?
Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
Someone on twitter said it and then the ball is rolling.
He presumably overheard somebody in a hotel lobby
Ah the sun. Nothing to see here then.
Here' some examples of this journalist's other transfer related articles from the past:
Indeed. It won’t stop some on here buying into it though
