Yep. I'd still pick any of those + Milner as well before Fred and McTominay. Anyway... Straying a bit off topic here.
Yeah it gets a bit tiring (especially if you're an old man like me because of stamina and shit). The assumption that as soon as you're past your physical peak you're useless, even though if you're older you're less likely to run around like a headless chicken and have a better understanding of the game thanks to experience. The number of players who have hit a new peak in their later years due to adapting their game and retraining shouldn't be overlooked either.
Yes, I'm very happy with the signing. I think he will be a lot more integral than some people realise. Obviously he can play in a number of positions, but I would like to see him play a bit deeper alongside hopefully De Jong. The incarnation of Eriksen as a latter day Paul Scholes.
Absolutely this. If your team has the ball the majority of the time, a midfielder with the vision to see where to quickly move the ball before they've received it, and the ability to make those passes, will find the space they need away from the opponent's press without running themselves into the ground by half time. Hopefully Erikson can become a player like that towards the end of his current deal, because I'm sure another contract would follow if he can. As for now, he's 30, for the next 2 years I'd have little concern about his fitness given he's not built like Rooney.
Exactly. It's not like he waited until the last day of the transfer window to make his decision. A healthy Eriksen was never staying at Brentford. That might seem harsh, but it is the reality.
Alcohol may have played a part in the rudeness of my post last night, so I do apologize. It was harsh and a bit idiotic to use those words.
Sure, but I think it's way more prevalent now. Back then I don't think it would be unreasonable to think of those players as outliers. Whereas now that's not the case. Which makes sense, considering the advancements in sports science, nutrition, training, etc.
Not really. He takes corners, that would be huge for us. Way better work rate. Way better physically, and a much better central player.
Stop gap signing is not bad thing at all as long as it's free and reasonable wages that worst case if he's injury prone, it wouldn't hurt financially since you don't want injury prone getting paid 200k p.w or more.
Not if you’ve ever been there. Jet Lag after returning from just days there is BRUTAL.
Ronaldo will be back so it won’t be a problem.Love this video...it is slightly unfortunate that without Ronaldo we don't have a single attacking player who can head the ball
Completely different players. Few would say that one of the hardest working players in football as a luxury either. We also have no better players that play the position that he does.
Bruno's attributes are more towards a false nine or second striker, which is why he scores more goals than Eriksen. Doesnt function as a AM in the way he moves, though his passing and vision is quite good. I feel that Eriksen is better with his intelligence and dribbling, but we can agree to disagree.
Seems to be around a long time EriksenHe has the same intelligence, passing and vision as Mata but dribbling, workrate and movement is much better. Not slightly dynamic, but much more dynamic.
That most of our over 30 signings fail miserably? That he has a condition which could end his career? Nothing wrong with signing Eriksen but give him a rolling contract or something. There's such a risk we get stuck playing big wages for a player we don't use. Again.
He deserved a proper contract and some security for his family.
We haven't actually signed many players over 30 in the last 10 years and the only one who failed miserably is Schweinsteiger.
You are probably right I just wish we would go back to giving rolling contracts for over 30s, especially for players we don't know. Even if they are good players like Eriksen.
As long as we have Rashy and Martial still stealing a living around here, any argument about giving Eriksen a contract is dumber than a 2nd coat of paint.
Happy new year to you too!Think that is the plan.
Yep. Some Utd fans wanted him during the latter years of Fergie.Just seen he’s a few months younger than Salah
I don't think they were outliers. If they were we had an incredible number of them.
I would completely disagree with that, to be honest. I mean, it's almost objectively true that sports science, nutrition, training, etc, has vastly improved. Footballers who have now retired echo this - Neville being one of them. As a result, more players are playing well into their 30s at a higher level than they have previously.
People knew what healthy food was 15 years ago. What's most important is the behaviour and application of the player.
That's such a simplistic take. You're also ignoring how these little tweaks has a major impact at the top level. It's all about the little tweaks and gains.
Well that's Gary Neville. He comes up with an idea and goes all in. But the fact remains he himself was at his best early 30's prior to the injury that finished him.
And lets not forget a 35 year old CB summer before last.
I've really come to ignore what Neville says after previously valuing his opinion. The summer we failed to sign sancho, he kept harping on about the fact we didn't need him as we already had players similar to him even though we don't. He seemed to think Rashford, Martial and Greenwood were the same style as Sancho.
Not until we get back from Australia which is against Atletico on the 30th I believe.
