Adrien Rabiot | signs 1 year deal at Juventus. See you all next year

[Abraxas]

If the team is playing well and her son is starting every week and getting paid on time, I expect her to be happy as Larry.

But while I agree with the rest of the post, I think we need to consider what happens if he's playing questionably and ends up being benched for a while. Players go through bad patches. He's not always been great at Juve either. I don't want to be hearing shit from Veronique if her son is not playing.

Is there anything particularly special about Veronique?

I've seen agents pipe up plenty of times if there is an agenda to be served. It's what they're in the business of doing. We had plenty of players protecting their own backside last year, probably advanced through their agents and publicity guys. That seems to be the modern player.

It would be nice to think we can control all the agents and only get into bed with the ones that we can exercise control over, but in the real world, they're all interested in self preservation and money. It's tough to do. Mostly we have to get the right players and personalities to limit problems. If Rabiot is the right character to fit into our team, work hard and do his job it's probably going to be okay.

 

[JPRouve]

Is there anything particularly special about Veronique?

I've seen agents pipe up plenty of times if there is an agenda to be served. It's what they're in the business of doing. We had plenty of players protecting their own backside last year, probably advanced through their agents and publicity guys. That seems to be the modern player.

It would be nice to think we can control all the agents and only get into bed with the ones that we can exercise control over, but in the real world, they're all interested in self preservation and money. It's tough to do. Mostly we have to get the right players and personalities to limit problems. If Rabiot is the right character to fit into our team, work hard and do his job it's probably going to be okay.

Clubs mostly have to behave normally. One thing that people seem to always forget is that Football clubs aren't innocent actors in Football.

 

[Abraxas]

Clubs mostly have to behave normally. One thing that people seem to always forget is that Football clubs aren't innocent actors in Football.

Absolutely. The clubs are not these benevolent entities either. The players are useful in as far as they contribute or have economic value and that's about it for the most part. The footballing landscape is fairly depressing if we are to get into the nuts and bolts of how it operates.

But still, clearly we have to pursue the right characters. If you're already starting with the wrong ingredients you can't really be surprised when the lunatics begin to think they can run the asylum, whether it's the player or the agent. I've been within many an organisation where the employer acts well, brings in a great initiative and employees see that inch and take a mile. So if you're going to act decently as a club you better recruit well, and same for the players...think about what club you're joining and the promises they offer and whether they demonstrate what they say.

 

[MadMike]

If we replace De Gea with Costa, then maybe I can be on board with that game plan (even then we still need to replace AWB/Dalot with a better RB in the build up), but as it is, I think our build up and chance creation will suffer a lot still if we don't get a press resistant, voluminous passer in the mould of Veratti/De Jong and replace Eriksen with Rice/Mount/Rabiot. Eriksen has 10 assists this season in 2600 mins this season, he is at 90+ percentile for assist, xA, progressive pass, shot creating action, 89 percentile for passes attempted. He's weak defensively, but he's also a big source of creativity in the team, especially when our wide forwards like to shoot more than create (bar Sancho, but he has other issues)

Some good points here. I'll try to address them

First off, about the Liverpool comparisons, ETH has mentioned that he wants another GK so probably that is coming. Martinez is excellent at picking balls through the lines. Fernandes is for us what Trent is for them, but without the problem that he can't defend. He's allowed to try things and lose the ball considering his output in goals, assists and chances created. What we need is better press, some forwards that keep the ball better and if they could score goals too that'd be great.

But here's what some people seem to forget about possession. If the opposition is holding the ball, your own possession stat goes down. It doesn't matter if you have 3 midfielders who are excellent at circulating the ball, if they can't press and chase the opposition and force them into an early error, they will advance to your 3rd of the field and the only time you get the ball back is when they make an attempt at goal or unforced mistake. I think the problem with Eriksen is that he is undoubtedly a voluminous passer and chance creator, but that mostly manifests when we control the game already. Either because the momentum is with us or the opposition has ceded ground. He doesn't help with getting the ball back as much as we want. The fact he cannot press with the others and he's gassed at 60' means we also cede ground and control to the opposition, which means our possession stat goes down too. So while he helps keep the ball, he he's also part of the reason we don't have higher possession. You can add players with less voluminous passing and better press and have your overall possession stats go up.

Mount, like all Chelsea players, had a very poor season. But a glimpse at last season's stats shows better G, xG, A, xA and SCA (shot creating actions) than Eriksen. Less voluminous passing for sure, but more carrying of the ball, more take ons and all the while having more defensive actions than Eriksen. Possibly the reason we are linked. Rabiot is kinda between a #6 and an #8. He has less passing and chance creation than Eriksen or Mount, but way more defensive actions. He adds another aerial presence to the only one we currently have (Casemiro). And he can replace Casemiro in the line up when he is injured, suspended or simply rested. He can play DM.

The problem I have with this thing about the voluminous passer that can also beat the press and press himself is... who is it? Verratti is at PSG and a bit of a crock too, he ain't coming. FdJ, snubbed us last year and said again that he wants to stay at Barca. So if not them, who? We end up where we do, partly by process of elimination.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

The problem I have with this thing about the voluminous passer that can also beat the press and press himself is... who is it? Verratti is at PSG and a bit of a crock too, he ain't coming. FdJ, snubbed us last year and said again that he wants to stay at Barca. So if not them, who? We end up where we do, partly by process of elimination.

Rabiot I don't have an issue with, he's a free agent and even on big wage is manageable in a squad role. It's the Rice/Mount link who I am very uncomfortable with, partly due to the price and partly due to their skillset, and at 24 we will look to build the midfield around them for the next 4-5 years at least.

I don't know who the De Jong/Veratti alternative is, but that's down to our scouts to find a gem. Strangely enough, based on stats, Hojbjerg might be a good cheap alternative, 87 percentile on passes attempted, 92% pass completion, 79 percentile at progressive passes, 81th percentile on interception, 87th on clearance, in top 40 ish of all players in Europe on passing stats. If an unfancied player in a turd Spurs team can have those strengths from publicly available data, surely there must be prospects out there who doesn't cost 100m, who have comparable strengths or can grow into the role?

 

[limerickcitykid]

Rabiot's final season at PSG he attempted 89.8 passes per 90 with 92.5% completion. 97th and 99th percentile. Also 98th percentile for passes into final third, 97th percentile for progressive passes. Looks like a great voluminous passer with progression from deep.

In 20-21 Mount averaged 59.17 passes per 90 (68th percentile for midfielders) with 81.5 completion. He was also 90th percentile for progressive passes and was 96th percentile or better for progressive carries, shot creation, and xA. Voluminous passer in higher area of the pitch with an outrageous production output while also maintaining a decent defensive showing in the 71st percentile for tackles.

 

[dutchred]

I wouldn't get both Mount and Rabiot, One or the other. Given that Casemiro and Bruno will be 2 certain starters, then only one of Mount or Rabiot will play. I would then rather see Eriksen, Mainoo and Iqbal as back up to one of them and Bruno. The biggest need is a back up for Casemiro and niether Mount or Rabiot is that

 

[criticalanalysis]

Like the Eriksen transfer but a better and more athletic player for the position we need.

Won't be screaming outstanding quality but when the going gets good (like first half of season for the Dane) I'm sure he'll play a big part of our game.

If he's on 'reasonable' wages i.e won't disrupt changing room etc then it's a no brainer on a free. Him over Mount for god please. Then hopefully another midfielder addition of better or at least of similar quality on top of a striker and keeper.

 

[Erik the Red]

I would say Paul Pogba being routinely crap and/or unavailable was more significant to Man United than the comments of an agent in the press. That was really the crux of the issue around Pogba. We invested a lot to get not enough. Somewhere along the line his agent piping up is probably neither here nor there for me.

In football when things go well all these sideshows don't really have any bearing, they become a talking point when the results and direction are poor and we're looking for reasons outside of the obvious. The obvious usually being that the recruitment/coaching is bad.

If he was playing questionably I'd say we're right to worry about all the other stuff, but he's not. He's scoring for fun and playing well so whatever we think of his mum it doesn't seem to be causing anything problematic that would be worth turning our nose up at a free transfer for.

Agree with all the issues stated here about Pogba. He massively underwhelmed, and was often injured or "unavailable". However, it was also very distracting to have his agent spouting his diatribe right before a big tie, saying Pogba is being badly treated, wants to leave, etc,. Good to see Pohba's maintained his fine form and he's been equally as impressive for Juve this season as he was for us last time around.

 

[FrankWhite]

Rabiot's final season at PSG he attempted 89.8 passes per 90 with 92.5% completion. 97th and 99th percentile. Also 98th percentile for passes into final third, 97th percentile for progressive passes. Looks like a great voluminous passer with progression from deep.

In 20-21 Mount averaged 59.17 passes per 90 (68th percentile for midfielders) with 81.5 completion. He was also 90th percentile for progressive passes and was 96th percentile or better for progressive carries, shot creation, and xA. Voluminous passer in higher area of the pitch with an outrageous production output while also maintaining a decent defensive showing in the 71st percentile for tackles.

Good knowledge. I am warming up to the idea of Mount and Rabiot replacing Fred, Sabitzer and Mctominay. It would greaterly improve our starting 11 and midfield depth. Especially due to how elusive that De jong alternative has been. Mount is a 10/8 and Rabiot is a 6/8. If we can do this trade for little to no money and replace Mcguire with Kim, we can focus our budget on a Striker and a Goalkeeper.

 

[luke511]

If we were to sign Mount and Rabiot we still need a CDM to cover Casemiro in the lone 6 role, Rabiot doesn't play there. He's either in centre midfield, or in a double pivot with someone else. A midfield with him as a lone 6 and Bruno and Mount in front will get found out.

 

[Hanky panky]

Not sure about him. Potential new virus when we just got rid of couple of them.

 

[El Jefe]

Pointless tranfer. Stocking up players because they are free tramsfers makes no sense. Unless he's ready to come here and be a backup player which I seriously doubt, it will be a waste of a signing.

He's a good player but a starting midfield of Casemiro, Rabiot and Bruno doesn't improve us much.

We also have to ask why none of our rivals our linked with him when everyone is looking for new midfielders at the moment.

 

[Borys]

Will he really be a first choice midfielder for us? I think he's ok and right profile, but at the same time definitely a budget version of whoever we should be getting (Caicedo, Rice etc). So IMO not a good sign we're after him.

 

[JPRouve]

If we were to sign Mount and Rabiot we still need a CDM to cover Casemiro in the lone 6 role, Rabiot doesn't play there. He's either in centre midfield, or in a double pivot with someone else. A midfield with him as a lone 6 and Bruno and Mount in front will get found out.

Rabiot does play there, he was Thiago Motta's understudy and it's probably his best position/role. He simply prefers/preferred to be an all action player.

 

[luke511]

Rabiot does play there, he was Thiago Motta's understudy and it's probably his best position/role. He simply prefers/preferred to be an all action player.

Have you an example of a time where he played as a lone 6?

 

[JPRouve]

Have you an example of a time where he played as a lone 6?

For PSG, he was Thiago Motta's deputy in their 433.

 

[luke511]

For PSG, he was Thiago Motta's deputy in their 433.

Any specific fixture to use as an example? I’m struggling to find one, I see him in a 2 with Motta, Matuidi or Verratti.

 

[JPRouve]

Any specific fixture to use as an example? I’m struggling to find one, I see him in a 2 with Motta, Matuidi or Verratti.

PSG barely played in two with Motta or Matuidi. Where have you found that? PSG main midfield was:


-------------Matuidi------Verratti
-----------------------Motta

He has played there a lot but a high profile example would be the 4-0 against Barcelona. But it's one out nearly hundreds of games.

 

[luke511]

PSG barely played in two with Motta or Matuidi. Where have you found that? PSG main midfield was:


-------------Matuidi------Verratti
-----------------------Motta

He has played there a lot but a high profile example would be the 4-0 against Barcelona. But it's one out nearly hundreds of games.

Whoscored, so in the times he played as a 6 he had Matuidi and Verratti to partner him, a defensive midfielder and a deep lying playmaker, this would work because it's a great balance. If Casemiro got injured, I don't think Bruno and Mount can replicate that support from those PSG partners, it's a different ball game.

 

[JPRouve]

Whoscored, so in the times he played as a 6 he had Matuidi and Verratti to partner him, a defensive midfielder and a deep lying playmaker, this would work because it's a great balance. If Casemiro got injured, I don't think Bruno and Mount can replicate that support from those PSG partners, it's a different ball game.

So to you Thiago Motta wasn't a lone 6? Also Matuidi wasn't a DM, he was for PSG an attacking box to box while Verratti has generally been a CM in the mould of Xavi, neither deep nor high.

 

[luke511]

So to you Thiago Motta wasn't a lone 6? Also Matuidi wasn't a DM, he was for PSG an attacking box to box while Verratti has generally been a CM in the mould of Xavi, neither deep nor high.

He was I’m not touching on that, with a midfield 3 of Matuidi, Rabiot, Verratti there’s a lot of deep support as any one of them can play as a 6, I don’t see that interchangeability with Mount, Rabiot, Bruno.

 

[JPRouve]

He was I’m not touching on that, with a midfield 3 of Matuidi, Rabiot, Verratti there’s a lot of deep support as any one of them can play as a 6, I don’t see that interchangeability with Mount, Rabiot, Bruno.

Rabiot played the same role, with the same deep support. Rabiot has literally played all the roles in PSG's or France's midfield, if there is one player that is able to change roles it will be him. Also Matuidi was a subpar DM and wasn't able to play as one at a high level, not even in a midfield two.

 

[luke511]

Rabiot played the same role, with the same deep support. Rabiot has literally played all the roles in PSG's or France's midfield, if there is one player that is able to change roles it will be him. Also Matuidi was a subpar DM and wasn't able to play as one at a high level, not even in a midfield two.

This is the potential problem though, is he going to get the same level of defensive support off of Mount and Bruno? Two attacking midfielders?

 

[JPRouve]

This is the potential problem though, is he going to get the same level of defensive support off of Mount and Bruno? Two attacking midfielders?

It's not a problem, I mentioned it because you used it as an argument as if it didn't apply to Thiago Motta or frankly any good midfield in the world. No good midfield has an isolated player.

And he has done it with Draxler and Lo Celso. You do realize that Rabiot is a strong defender?

 

[luke511]

It's not a problem, I mentioned it because you used it as an argument as if it didn't apply to Thiago Motta or frankly any good midfield in the world. No good midfield has an isolated player.

And he has done it with Draxler and Lo Celso. You do realize that Rabiot is a strong defender?

Sorry I was referring to Rabiot not Motta in that instance, I should’ve specified. If he’s done it with Draxler and Lo Celso then fair enough, I’m intrigued to see how it would fare in the Prem.

 

[JPRouve]

Sorry I was referring to Rabiot not Motta in that instance, I should’ve specified. If he’s done it with Draxler and Lo Celso then fair enough, I’m intrigued to see how it would fare in the Prem.

I know who you were referring to. Both players had the same teammates and played in the same system. But most importantly you seem to have the wrong idea of what Rabiot strength are he is a solid defender from midfield that has excellent workrate and positioning, his flaw is that he has generally been too conservative with his passing. You are essentially worrying about his strength which is a bit surprising.

 

[croadyman]

Pointless tranfer. Stocking up players because they are free tramsfers makes no sense. Unless he's ready to come here and be a backup player which I seriously doubt, it will be a waste of a signing.

He's a good player but a starting midfield of Casemiro, Rabiot and Bruno doesn't improve us much.

We also have to ask why none of our rivals our linked with him when everyone is looking for new midfielders at the moment.

Completely disagree it's a pointless transfer,however I do have concerns about this one 6 and 2 8's setup in midfield. I am particularly worried when it comes to games like City and scousers away

 

[Teja]

I wouldn't get both Mount and Rabiot, One or the other. Given that Casemiro and Bruno will be 2 certain starters, then only one of Mount or Rabiot will play. I would then rather see Eriksen, Mainoo and Iqbal as back up to one of them and Bruno. The biggest need is a back up for Casemiro and niether Mount or Rabiot is that

Agree with this. Unless EtH sees Mount as a versatile JLingz type attacker and not a CM.

Seems unlikely. We need a hardworking ball carrier CM through the middle. It seems like Mount will do well at that role.

I am still concerned that we don't have a player who can just keep things ticking. That responsibility falls on all 3 of our CMs instead of having a specialist.

 

[croadyman]

Agree with this. Unless EtH sees Mount as a versatile JLingz type attacker and not a CM.

Seems unlikely. We need a hardworking ball carrier CM through the middle. It seems like Mount will do well at that role.

I am still concerned that we don't have a player who can just keep things ticking. That responsibility falls on all 3 of our CMs instead of having a specialist.

Yeah that metronome as some would call it. Erik doesn’t seem to see anyone outside of De Jong for this and he doesn't want to come

 

[FreakyJim]

I know who you were referring to. Both players had the same teammates and played in the same system. But most importantly you seem to have the wrong idea of what Rabiot strength are he is a solid defender from midfield that has excellent workrate and positioning, his flaw is that he has generally been too conservative with his passing. You are essentially worrying about his strength which is a bit surprising.

Funny how we differ in our views of this player. Couldn't disagree more. Maybe this season he was decent at all those things, but never excellent. He's slow(ish), he's easily bypassed and his time at Juventus was mostly disappointing. Fans wanted him out last summer. Described often as "lazy". Whenever I watch him I feel like he's not very good at anything. His best position is attacking midfielder imo, like he was when first started at PSG. He lacks mobility, positioning and general attitude to be a proper midfielder. But that's just how I see it.

 

[thomas porter]

I personally think eth sees Rabiot as an upgrade on Fred and expect us to sign someone like Romeo Lavia as our backup 6 that we can rotate with Casemiro and groom to be his successor.

p.s. i'd prefer we sign Caicedo than either Rabiot, Mount, or Lavia but realize we're working with a budget and need quality in multiple roles.

 

[luke511]

I know who you were referring to. Both players had the same teammates and played in the same system. But most importantly you seem to have the wrong idea of what Rabiot strength are he is a solid defender from midfield that has excellent workrate and positioning, his flaw is that he has generally been too conservative with his passing. You are essentially worrying about his strength which is a bit surprising.

No the worry is about relying him to play a position hasn’t really played for a long time and doesn’t like playing, in the hardest league.

Casemiro, one of the best 6s there is, will have his work cut out for him against good opposition with Mount and Bruno as his partners, so the point applies tenfold to Rabiot. He‘ll be a fantastic signing as an 8, but it seems risky to rely on him to play as Casemiro’s cover as a lone 6 given he doesn’t play there for Juventus, apparently doesn’t like playing there and has Bruno and Mount as the 2 midfielders in front of him.

 

[JPRouve]

Funny how we differ in our views of this player. Couldn't disagree more. Maybe this season he was decent at all those things, but never excellent. He's slow(ish), he's easily bypassed and his time at Juventus was mostly disappointing. Fans wanted him out last summer. Described often as "lazy". Whenever I watch him I feel like he's not very good at anything. His best position is attacking midfielder imo, like he was when first started at PSG. He lacks mobility, positioning and general attitude to be a proper midfielder. But that's just how I see it.

Anyone that describe Rabiot as lazy is speaking nonsense. And his best position isn't and has never been attacking midfielder and he didn't start as an attacking midfielder at PSG.

You basically described someone else. As an example his first games for PSG were as the central midfielder in Ancelotti's 4321, with the likes of Pastore, Néné or Menez as attacking midfielders.

 

[croadyman]

No the worry is about relying him to play a position hasn’t really played for a long time and doesn’t like playing, in the hardest league.

Casemiro, one of the best 6s there is, will have his work cut out for him against good opposition with Mount and Bruno as his partners, so the point applies tenfold to Rabiot. He‘ll be a fantastic signing as an 8, but it seems risky to rely on him to play as Casemiro’s cover as a lone 6 given he doesn’t play there for Juventus, apparently doesn’t like playing there and has Bruno and Mount as the 2 midfielders in front of him.

Precisely and it's why we still need a deep lying playmaker to partner Casa or a mobile 8 such as Caicedo/Rice to stop us getting overrun

 

[FreakyJim]

Anyone that describe Rabiot as lazy is speaking nonsense. And his best position isn't and has never been attacking midfielder and he didn't start as an attacking midfielder at PSG.

You basically described someone else. As an example his first games for PSG were as the central midfielder in Ancelotti's 4321, with the likes of Pastore, Néné or Menez as attacking midfielders.

I don't know, I remember he impressed me mostly with his play around the box and his runs in it. Like a new Matuidi. But sure, maybe he hasn't been played in a AM role per se. He really was at his best in his first PSG years, then I've been very underwhelmed by him whenever I've seen him play. He was shit at Juve up until this season as well.

 

[MadMike]

Pointless tranfer. Stocking up players because they are free tramsfers makes no sense. Unless he's ready to come here and be a backup player which I seriously doubt, it will be a waste of a signing.

He's a good player but a starting midfield of Casemiro, Rabiot and Bruno doesn't improve us much.

We also have to ask why none of our rivals our linked with him when everyone is looking for new midfielders at the moment.

We tried to sign him last summer when he wasn't free. Seems ETH likes him. The argument that we're only in for him because he's free is rather hollow.

 

[JPRouve]

I don't know, I remember he impressed me mostly with his play around the box and his runs in it. Like a new Matuidi. But sure, maybe he hasn't been played in a AM role per se. He really was at his best in his first PSG years, then I've been very underwhelmed by him whenever I've seen him play. He was shit at Juve up until this season as well.

Rabiot largely played and impressed as Thiago Motta's deputy, it's later that he showcased the ability to play Matuidi's role effectively. If you think that his best years are his first ones at PSG then you are talking about Rabiot playing as a regista. If you prefer Rabiot from 2019 to today then you are talking about a player that plays higher as a box to box.

 

[croadyman]

We tried to sign him last summer when he wasn't free. Seems ETH likes him. The argument that we're only in for him because he's free is rather hollow.

Yeah that's actually a very good point

 

[Hughes35]

This is just like the Eriksen transfer for me, an absolute no brainer.

Really good player, Only 28 so not really a risk of him falling off a cliff in terms of performance, fills a position we need etc.

Sign him, sell Fred and / or Mctom..........makes us stronger and frees up funds for other positions we need. Give Rabiot a 5 year contract and either keep him for 5, or sell after 3/4 and make a profit. Just makes too much sense.