Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

[El Jefe]

Schone has been referenced far too many times in this thread.

Ten Hag said it himself that he uses a system that suits the players he has so the discussions trying to make Bruno replicate Tadic's role or *insert CM* to Schone's role seem pointless.

 

[Ole's screen]

This.

I can’t wait for the caf meltdown when he’s got McTominay starting and talking about the process and philosophy after a drab draw

 

[Ekeke]

FDJ can become our new Carrick.

So we wouldnt need a classic robust DM, this is where ETH can do his magic just like Pep does with Rodri.

Surround FDJ with AMs with great feet, keep the ball, play well like City and there is no need for a Makelele, Kante type.

Dont think he'll be much like Carrick. FDJ likes to run with the ball with a bit of speed as well as pass it, more Giggs in CM than Carrick.

 

[Tavern in the town]

Just watched some comps and he looks like a poor man’s Modric. That’s a compliment.

 

[GailSpaceWynand]

I’d agree if ten Hag can get a tune out of Maguire and get him back to his best football. I do think ten Hag may offer some chances for young players next season. Each manager we’ve had since fergie has all had at least 1 young player who they’ve called up and relied on. Think with ten Hag it could be garnacho/diallo.

I think ETH would probably utilize more youth players considering how many academy players he used at Ajax..

Regarding CB, we bought Varane last season and Maguire will definitely improve! Last season was kind of an anamoly with so many players not doing well. Maguire Rashy and Shaw were all consistently good past few years and on an uptick. Hopefully ETH can get them back to the same level.

We also have Lindelof who is a more than able backup. We do need a CB preferably somebody young who wouldn't mind sharing mins but priority should be forward.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

This.

Ah right, Reddit …

 

[Berbaclass]

Not really sure what this means.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Adam-Utd]

Not really sure what this means.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

seems like he’s saying he knows barca don’t really want to keep him? perhaps in his heart he wants to stay but knows he’s being pushed out, sometimes it’s better to start fresh.

 

[GailSpaceWynand]

CB is as important as FW. Lack of bodies/rag dolls at the back

We have 3 capable options (Varane Maguire Lindelof) for 2 positions in the centre of defence. And just 3 for 3 positions up front (I'm doing Rashy a favour by including him in this list considering the season he has had) - I think FW should be more of a priority but yes we do need to sign a CB as well.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Pumped my fist in the air for this and my wife asked wtf I'm so happy about. After about three seconds of explaining she changed the subject.

She did the EXACT same thing when a documentary about the Falkland Islands came on the other day. I've never seen someone so bored. Who wants the Falklands? Argentina. Who comes from Argentina?

Bad omens.

I was watching a documentary about the Falkland war the other day too. About how 20 Harriers went up against 120 Tornadoes, or something like that.

Good omens?

 

[golden_blunder]

We have 3 capable options (Varane Maguire Lindelof) for 2 positions in the centre of defence. And just 3 for 3 positions up front (I'm doing Rashy a favour by including him in this list considering the season he has had) - I think FW should be more of a priority but yes we do need to sign a CB as well.

Not a big fan of Lindelof myself, but I won’t get into his ineptness as I’ll be here all day.

last season he was out a fair bit with back problems and dropped from the recent Swedish squad because of the same

varane is made of glass

maguire had a few niggling ones and a huge loss of form

no matic to cover anymore.

Bailly and Jones want out allegedly

McTominay to cover? Did you see him versus ireland?

we NEED a cb, even if it’s a young and learning type

 

[croadyman]

My point is hes never really been operating under a proper permanent coach. He has the skillsets to break up play and is more tenacious in the middle than what a lot of people credit him for.

Just feel that gives those yankee leeches another excuse for not buying a proper DM

 

[Withnail]

Not a big fan of Lindelof myself

You don't say

 

[golden_blunder]

You don't say

Am I wrong?

 

[croadyman]

Not a big fan of Lindelof myself, but I won’t get into his ineptness as I’ll be here all day.

last season he was out a fair bit with back problems and dropped from the recent Swedish squad because of the same

varane is made of glass

maguire had a few niggling ones and a huge loss of form

no matic to cover anymore.

Bailly and Jones want out allegedly

McTominay to cover? Did you see him versus ireland?

we NEED a cb, even if it’s a young and learning type

So frustrating our ownership doesn’t allow for us to address all the big first XI issues this summer

 

[Offside]

So frustrating our ownership doesn’t allow for us to address all the big first XI issues this summer

We’ve signed players in all our apparent first XI issues before. How often has anyone addressed all their issues with multiple signings in one window? When we’ve done it we’ve just ended up with a new crop of deadwood that needs shifting the next Summer. I’d rather us buy 2-3 players that are actually good and form the basis of a team we are building. That may mean prioritising some positions over others.

 

[sglowrider]

This.

Thanks for the Reddit threat. Interesting read.

 

[Rozay]

So frustrating our ownership doesn’t allow for us to address all the big first XI issues this summer

Haha, of course it doesn’t. This is real life and we don’t use monopoly money.

 

[Withnail]

Am I wrong?

Just having a laugh. Lindelof always seemed a bit lightweight to me. I agree we definitely need a CB, as we will only have those three, and a RW/FW but I'm not sure which one is more of a priority but I'd probably lean towards CB. I'm hoping EtH can work his magic on many in the squad who have been written off as we're not going to replace them all this window.

With so many leaving and no guarantee of adequate replacements I am concerned we could well be a bit lightweight in certain areas.

 

[bosskeano]

Am I wrong?

He's SHITE

 

[croadyman]

We’ve signed players in all our apparent first XI issues before. How often has anyone addressed all their issues with multiple signings in one window? When we’ve done it we’ve just ended up with a new crop of deadwood that needs shifting the next Summer. I’d rather us buy 2-3 players that are actually good and form the basis of a team we are building. That may mean prioritising some positions over others.

So which positions should we prioritise

 

[bosskeano]

So which positions should we prioritise

we HAVE to prioritize the middle of the pitch...CB, CM and CF

 

[croadyman]

we HAVE to prioritize the middle of the pitch...CB, CM and CF

Feels like RW has become a priority now that the top CF target is off the table

 

[Adnan]

So which positions should we prioritise

2 midfielders, RB, RWF, CB who fit the profile of what ten Hag wants.

That should allow us to build play more effectively and hence control both the offensive and defensive transitions.

 

[The Cat]

we HAVE to prioritize the middle of the pitch...CB, CM and CF

I'd be happy just to get MF sorted - I honestly think our defence will have an easier time of it then and not be so urgent to replace.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

Not a big fan of Lindelof myself, but I won’t get into his ineptness as I’ll be here all day.

last season he was out a fair bit with back problems and dropped from the recent Swedish squad because of the same

varane is made of glass

maguire had a few niggling ones and a huge loss of form

no matic to cover anymore.

Bailly and Jones want out allegedly

McTominay to cover? Did you see him versus ireland?

we NEED a cb, even if it’s a young and learning type

I agree, except I'd add that the CB we need is one good enough to be a nailed-on starter.

 

[EtH]

2 midfielders, RB, RWF, CB who fit the profile of what ten Hag wants.

That should allow us to build play more effectively and hence control both the offensive and defensive transitions.

CF also a serious concern of course. But I would be ecstatic with the summer business if we addressed all of those positions.

 

[lsd]

seems like he’s saying he knows barca don’t really want to keep him? perhaps in his heart he wants to stay but knows he’s being pushed out, sometimes it’s better to start fresh.

Yes it worked out so well with Di Maria.

I like De Jong as a player but if his heart is not in it then it's the very last thing we need bringing him here.

We are not in a position to make any more huge transfer mistakes.

I'd much rather hold off and wait till we get someone who wants to play for the club

 

[croadyman]

2 midfielders, RB, RWF, CB who fit the profile of what ten Hag wants.

That should allow us to build play more effectively and hence control both the offensive and defensive transitions.

How many of those will we realistically address

 

[Adnan]

How many of those will we realistically address

I wouldn't have held much hope with our previous incumbents, but with ten Hag I believe it's a very real possibility.

 

[Rozay]

I wouldn't have held much hope with our previous incumbents, but with ten Hag I believe it's a very real possibility.

How does the manager impact how many players we are able to bring in?

 

[croadyman]

I wouldn't have held much hope with our previous incumbents, but with ten Hag I believe it's a very real possibility.

I would be delighted with CM, DM, RW, obviously we have issues at CB, RB, and ST but feel those three give us balance

 

[Adnan]

How does the manager impact how many players we are able to bring in?

By identifying the problems with the existing football structure and supplementing external signings by introducing some of the very talented youth players and raising the level of the remaining first team players.

Talented coaches with a vision on how they want their teams to play a proactive/attacking brand of football can make a little go a long way.

 

[bosskeano]

I'd be happy just to get MF sorted - I honestly think our defence will have an easier time of it then and not be so urgent to replace.

you have to fix the middle of the pitch in order to be a team that can learn to have control....Ronaldo will still score goals and hopefully Sancho and Rashford can find some form. Priority has to be 2 CM's and an ass kicking CB.

then you start shipping out guys for whatever money you can get....use that money to strengthen the depth of the squad and blood some of the youngsters

i think a kid like Hannibal will do well for ETH as will Elanga

 

[ForeverRed1]

Come where your loved and wanted frenkie lad, you won’t regret it

 

[city-puma]

We have 3 capable options (Varane Maguire Lindelof) for 2 positions in the centre of defence. And just 3 for 3 positions up front (I'm doing Rashy a favour by including him in this list considering the season he has had) - I think FW should be more of a priority but yes we do need to sign a CB as well.

It’s possible ETH uses back three because of our goalkeepers.

 

[Scholsey2004]

That was a joke in response to the guy that said it’s a phoenix guys

Ah ok.

 

[DJ_21]

When are these internationals over so we can sign him?

Think they finish Tuesday, It’s bad that we have to wait until there done with internationals… didn’t stop city signing haaland straight away. That was even before internationals started. Even Liverpool with Nunez, they pulled him out of one of there games to get a deal done… why can we never do this.

 

[izak]

Think they finish Tuesday, It’s bad that we have to wait until there done with internationals… didn’t stop city signing haaland straight away. That was even before internationals started. Even Liverpool with Nunez, they pulled him out of one of there games to get a deal done… why can we never do this.

One question for you, is Barca at the same level of either Dortmund or Benfica?

When you're deal with a heavy weight as Barca is despite the financial crisis, you've got do be respectable in every move you make, one wrong move could jeopardize everything.

 

[Isotope]

One question for you, is Barca at the same level of either Dortmund or Benfica?

When you're deal with a heavy weight as Barca is despite the financial crisis, you've got do be respectable in every move you make, one wrong move could jeopardize everything.

Yeh. See Mbappe.