Ruben Neves - Player watch

Bonjers

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He’s still quite young and I honestly have been a fan of his from a distance since he came to England. That said, I do not see the Tony Kroos or Pirlo level ability in his performances.

Those are two all time greats, but I concur with a lot of the sentiments on here. You can be slow and be an effective midfielder from deep. I haven’t seen the nuance from Neves in the Prem that shows he will one day reach that level for a top side.
He sits too deep for us at times, almost like an another centre back, particularly against the teams where we're the ones expected to push forward. I don't think that's an issue in his game, it's something Nuno wants him to do to help us bring the ball out from the back.

I'm hoping that when we bring Vallejo into the team, he can step up the pitch again and have more influence in the final third.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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How's he been so far this season?

It's clear that we need a deep-lying playmaker and Neves is possibly one of the very few who would be attainable if we were really serious about him. However, I was looking at stats today, and although stats aren't always the be all and end all, his pass percentage in the premier league is 73%. Now, when compared to players of his type, such as Jorginho, Verratti, Thiago, Rodrigo, etc, they all have around mid 80's above.

For those who watch him often, is he really that careless on the ball?
 

Lay

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How's he been so far this season?

It's clear that we need a deep-lying playmaker and Neves is possibly one of the very few who would be attainable if we were really serious about him. However, I was looking at stats today, and although stats aren't always the be all and end all, his pass percentage in the premier league is 73%. Now, when compared to players of his type, such as Jorginho, Verratti, Thiago, Rodrigo, etc, they all have around mid 80's above.

For those who watch him often, is he really that careless on the ball?
He plays at a far worse club than those players though.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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He plays at a far worse club than those players though.
And so does Moutinho, who has a 82.2%.

Like I said, it's not a massive issue, it's just that i'd expect a player of his type to look after the ball better. He's been known to try too many hollywood balls, as opposed to playing the simple pass.
 

André Dominguez

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How's he been so far this season?

It's clear that we need a deep-lying playmaker and Neves is possibly one of the very few who would be attainable if we were really serious about him. However, I was looking at stats today, and although stats aren't always the be all and end all, his pass percentage in the premier league is 73%. Now, when compared to players of his type, such as Jorginho, Verratti, Thiago, Rodrigo, etc, they all have around mid 80's above.

For those who watch him often, is he really that careless on the ball?
His short passing is fine. He just risks a lot of through passes, second or third base passes, which are easier to intercept, or tries to make forward passes in tight spaces. He's not a top team player IMHO, and I don't think he will ever be. If he was still at Porto he would be at the bench much probably.
Will make a good career highlights nonetheless.
 

Adnan

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How's he been so far this season?

It's clear that we need a deep-lying playmaker and Neves is possibly one of the very few who would be attainable if we were really serious about him. However, I was looking at stats today, and although stats aren't always the be all and end all, his pass percentage in the premier league is 73%. Now, when compared to players of his type, such as Jorginho, Verratti, Thiago, Rodrigo, etc, they all have around mid 80's above.

For those who watch him often, is he really that careless on the ball?
He's been found wanting ever since Wolves got promoted from the Championship. It's no surprise Wolves dropped him after the crap he's served up for a while now.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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He's been found wanting ever since Wolves got promoted from the Championship. It's no surprise Wolves dropped him after the crap he's served up for a while now.
We desperately need someone to control games from deep, but from what im hearing, Neves isn't that player.
 

Adnan

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We desperately need someone to control games from deep, but from what im hearing, Neves isn't that player.
I've followed his progress for over a year now and his performances leave alot to be desired. Not very mobile or agile and struggles to beat the press. Signing him would be a very big mistake from the evidence at hand and would set us further back IMO. But it seems YouTube has done a number on many fans regarding his actual ability.
 

ZAKU-RED

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I remember wanting us(Barca) to take a look at him as a possible Midfield reinforcement back when he was at Porto as I thought at the time he could fit us.

But compare him to some of the other similar players like him in terms of style, he really lacks quite a bit compared to them in the mobility department. Seems like one of those guys that need mobile CMs next to him in order to be effective.
 

André Dominguez

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I remember wanting us(Barca) to take a look at him as a possible Midfield reinforcement back when he was at Porto as I thought at the time he could fit us.

But compare him to some of the other similar players like him in terms of style, he really lacks quite a bit compared to them in the mobility department. Seems like one of those guys that need mobile CMs next to him in order to be effective.
Come on. He wasn't even a 2nd choice on Porto's squad, and would usually play as a CM, because he lacked discipline and aggressiveness to be deployed as a DM. He would never get Danilo's place unless he leaves the club.
 

WolfInSharp'sClothing

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Does anyone still rate him? Think he can be the deep lying creative midfielder we are looking for?
Wolves started off the season poorly, despite some decent results in Europe.

One of the issues was Neves was playing far too deep, as the deepest player in a 3 man central midfield. He had a lot of the ball in areas where he could spray some passes around, but was having little influence on games and stepping on the toes of defenders, especially Coady.

A lot of praise has gone to Traore this season, but getting the best from him also meant going back to the 3-4-3 (5-2-3) formation that was so effective in the season we won The Championship. That meant Neves playing alongside Moutinho in a 2 man central midfield and he has been pushed further forward. As a result, he is having much more of an influence on games. More passes in the opposition half, more tackles, more interceptions, the stats speak for themselves.

My point is, I'm not sure he will ever be a top deep-lying creative midfield player, simply because that role doesn't really exist anymore. It is a little bit of a luxury nowadays in the same way as the classic number 10 position. Look at the sides that are performing the best at the moment, they all have a defensive minded player in that deep holding role. Rodri at City, Fabinho at Liverpool, Ndidi at Leicester. These are all big, defensive minded players who could play at centre-back if they wanted to. Neves will never be that player, so he is best suited to playing a little further forward. There is so much more to his game that he is almost wasted playing too deep.

That doesn't mean to say that he can't come deep, collect the ball off the defence and ping it around, but he can also get on the ball and create chances further up the pitch, which he is doing very well since his position change.

The way United are setting up at the moment, I think Ndidi would be more suitable.
 
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12OunceEpilogue

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Wolves started off the season poorly, despite some decent results in Europe.

One of the issues was Neves was playing far too deep, as the deepest player in a 3 man central midfield. He had a lot of the ball in areas where he could spray some passes around, but was having little influence on games and stepping on the toes of defenders, especially Coady.

A lot of praise has gone to Traore this season, but getting the best from him also meant going back to the 3-4-3 (5-2-3) formation that was so effective in the season we won The Championship. That meant Neves playing alongside Moutinho in a 2 man central midfield and he has been pushed further forward. As a result, he is having much more of an influence on games. More passes in the opposition half, more tackles, more interceptions, the stats speak for themselves.

My point is, I'm not sure he will ever be a top deep-lying creative midfield player, simply because that role doesn't really exist anymore. It is a little bit of a luxury nowadays in the same way as the classic number 10 position. Look at the sides that are performing the best at the moment, they all have a defensive minded player in that deep holding role. Rodri at City, Fabinho at Liverpool, Ndidi at Leicester. These are all big, defensive minded players who could play at centre-back if they wanted to. Neves will never be that player, so he is best suited to playing a little further forward. There is so much more to his game that he is almost wasted there.

That doesn't mean to say that he can't come deep, collect the ball off the defence and ping it around, but he can also get on the ball and create chances further up the pitch, which he is doing very well since his position change.

The way United are setting up at the moment, I think Ndidi would be more suitable.
I haven't seen much of Wolves this year so this was interesting, thanks. Has Neves got into the box any more than last year playing in a more advanced role?
 

WolfInSharp'sClothing

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I haven't seen much of Wolves this year so this was interesting, thanks. Has Neves got into the box any more than last year playing in a more advanced role?
No, still not his game. By further forward, I didn't mean advanced. He's in no way playing an advanced role, but he's just not very, very deep like he was at the start of the season! So rather than playing most of his football in our half, he is now in and around the centre circle and within shooting range when we go forward.

Won't be long before he fires one in from just outside the box (again), but I don't think he will ever score from open play from inside the box!!
 

WolfInSharp'sClothing

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12OunceEpilogue

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No, still not his game. By further forward, I didn't mean advanced. He's in no way playing an advanced role, but he's just not very, very deep like he was at the start of the season! So rather than playing most of his football in our half, he is now in and around the centre circle and within shooting range when we go forward.

Won't be long before he fires one in from just outside the box (again), but I don't think he will ever score from open play from inside the box!!
Right got you, in my mind I had him given licence to maybe get into the box while Moutinho sat. Different players and different set-ups etc. but one thing I like about Pogba when he's in that hallowed 'advanced left side of a midfield three' is his availability to break into the box, which I worry about him losing if he's playing too deep. Not an issue for you with Neves but I wondered whether he'd start getting 18 yards (or less!) from goal, not that he needs it as you say.

If you found what I wrote interesting (there's always a first!), this is a much more detailed analysis of the situation.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...l-change-has-helped-turn-wolves-season-around
Thanks for sharing Adam :cool::wenger:
 

Alabaster Codify7

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For me, Neves is like the personification of Wolves this season.

Highly touted and impressive last season, faded into the background somewhat this season. Not doing terribly but barely noticeable at the same time.

I no longer want him at United, I fancied him last year.
 

L1nk

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he's technical and has a good long shot on him but i think he lacks mobility and would get found out playing in a more expansive style of play. Would prefer Longstaff over him.
:lol: deary me, what an awful take
 

Gordon S

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Still somehow only 22. Would not mind him a here, clever passer and adds a few goals and assists every season.
Would probably cost a fortune however.
 

Jibbs

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I would want United to sign him before even thinking about signing Grealish or Madisson. Just the kind of player we need.
 

Adnan

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We definitely don't need him. His immobility would be a issue in a team that wants to play a more expansive game. I hope we stay away from him personally and target a more mobile DM.
 

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I'd take him here because he's quality. But I'm not sure he's the exact right answer to the question we're asking. He's not a defence-shielding, tempo-controlling DM. He's more about the highlights-reel decisive actions - assists, little dribbles, and obviously that absurd catalogue of wondergoals. He's essentially the Pogba of deep-lying midfielders.

Again, if he was what we could get, I'd be over the moon. But I think we should be aiming for a better fit, especially as he's hardly very attainable; Wolves don't need our money, haven't spent so much on their 'project' just to start dismantling it, and have purportedly already slapped a £100m price tag on him, which is far beyond what he's worth.
 

Kostov

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We definitely don't need him. His immobility would be a issue in a team that wants to play a more expansive game. I hope we stay away from him personally and target a more mobile DM.
Adnan how does this guy compare the Rodri now that both are playing in the PL? I’d still have him here in a heartbeat.
 

Adnan

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Adnan how does this guy compare the Rodri now that both are playing in the PL? I’d still have him here in a heartbeat.
Rodri plays in a team that plays a more expansive brand of football. Neves plays in a team that plays a pragmatic style which really help him. Put Neves as a DM in a expansive attacking team and he would be exposed badly. I've been following his progress at Wolves and his immobility and inability to beat the press are glaring weaknesses. One game in particular against Huddersfield he was awful and the press was a big issue for him. A more mobile DM should be targeted IMO.