Player/Transfer thread (who impressed/disappointed you)

NoPace

Full Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
9,340
Day 1, I'd say Mendez the tiny Ecuadorian DM from MLS did the most to maybe get him more on the radar of some European teams. Broke up play and started counters for the disallowed goal and then the opener and seemed comfortable dropping very deep and also breaking up play higher up the pitch. Not the best of opponents, but Qatar's best player is supposed to be Aziz their #10 and he was quiet, so all in all intriguing stuff for some lower end of the table side who play a double pivot and need backups like Leeds, Bournemouth or Palace.
 

NoPace

Full Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
9,340
I think Buchanan really showed today what a quality wide player (who can play any position out wide) he is apart from his delivery in the final 3rd which will hopefully come in time. I think he'll get a big move to a team playing 3 at the back because he can play either wing back role.

I remember watching Burnley playing their 4-4-2 last year with only 2 Prem level midfielders once Westwood went out (Brownhill and McNeil) and thinking that if they had just signed him and Eustaqio for a combined 15M off the back of their strong 2020 seasons for Canada and at club level, they'd have comfortably stayed up as both would have suited their 4-4-2 quite well. Eustaqio has now moved to Porto, so in truth a lot of Prem teams missed out on a player they could have easily signed for 8-10M.

Also thought Amrabat at Fiorentina really played well as a #6 for Morocco and bigger teams always seem to need those, even as a 3rd man to backup both guys in a double pivot.

Majer, who's tipped for a big move from Rennes, looked livelier than the attackers who started for Croatia too.

Multiple Japanese players obviously, but I got more into the tactics than the personnel in that game. Manager (Moriyasu) did brilliantly to change to 3 at the back at halftime. Maybe he'll get a chance in Germany after beating their national team.
 

bosnian_red

Worst scout to ever exist
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
57,577
Location
Canada
Low profile players who impressed so far IMO:
  • Eustaquio - Canada - Porto - 25
  • Buchanan - Canada - Brugges - 23
  • Kudus - Ghana - Ajax - 22
  • Amrabat - Morocco - Fiorentina - 26
  • Musah - USA - Valencia - 19
 

Golden Nugget

Full Member
Joined
May 7, 2011
Messages
2,220
First time I’ve seen or heard of him, but the Korean number 6 Hwang was pretty good at passes and making space for himself.
 

NoPace

Full Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
9,340
Low profile players who impressed so far IMO:
  • Eustaquio - Canada - Porto - 25
  • Buchanan - Canada - Brugges - 23
  • Kudus - Ghana - Ajax - 22
  • Amrabat - Morocco - Fiorentina - 26
  • Musah - USA - Valencia - 19
Good list.

If I had to guess who our 10 is after Bruno I'd guess Kudus at the moment. 6 years younger so when Bruno is 31 he'll be 25 and ready for his post-Ajax move and it's not like Ten Hag is going to stop wanting Ajax players (especially once they improve with their new manager or fire him and get one who works out better).

Musah can really carry the ball from the #8 position. I wonder if he's on the long list of potential Frenkie De Jong alternatives.

Eustaqio I think is too unfashionable a player to be signed by us, I could see a manager more like Conte or Mourinho being the one to spend enough for Porto to shrug and sell him for a 10-15M profit (if he goes for 20-25M).

Amrabat played really well, but my guess is we go younger and higher potential at DM since Casemiro will start for a few years.

Buchanan can really dribble, but the end product isn't there yet for a winger, and he's not great defensively at fullback so I think he ends up signing for a team that plays 3 at the back, especially as he can backup both an LWB and RWB because his game is about dribbling and energy anyways.
 

NoPace

Full Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
9,340
I thought the Ghanaian RWB who almost got a red for headbutting Joao Felix had a really nice game. Starter at 22 on the 10th side in France and their stadium has 12K, so I'm thinking he gets a move somewhere soon.
 

WeePat

Full Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2015
Messages
17,185
Supports
Chelsea
Low profile players who impressed so far IMO:
  • Eustaquio - Canada - Porto - 25
  • Buchanan - Canada - Brugges - 23
  • Kudus - Ghana - Ajax - 22
  • Amrabat - Morocco - Fiorentina - 26
  • Musah - USA - Valencia - 19
Definitely that guy.
 

Van Piorsing

Lost his light sabre
Joined
Feb 10, 2006
Messages
22,525
Location
Polska
Low profile players who impressed so far IMO:
  • Eustaquio - Canada - Porto - 25
  • Buchanan - Canada - Brugges - 23
  • Kudus - Ghana - Ajax - 22
  • Amrabat - Morocco - Fiorentina - 26
  • Musah - USA - Valencia - 19
Age and talent wise Kudus is almost logical choice. Signed by EtH for Ajax in hope for reaching his full potential which starts showing recently.
 

WI_Red

Redcafes Most Rested
Joined
May 20, 2018
Messages
12,038
Location
No longer in WI
Supports
Atlanta United
Low profile players who impressed so far IMO:
  • Eustaquio - Canada - Porto - 25
  • Buchanan - Canada - Brugges - 23
  • Kudus - Ghana - Ajax - 22
  • Amrabat - Morocco - Fiorentina - 26
  • Musah - USA - Valencia - 19
Was my pick as potential breakout player from my US team. May have an English passport I think (captained English youth teams) and was at Arsenal till moving to Valencia. Hard to believe he only turns 20 this month. So strong on the ball and so intelligent with his progression and passing. A lot of room to grown but already so good in that 8 role.

also, Adams been my Utd dream signing for years now. Oh well.