I’d doubt it. Both untried in the league. Neither are world class. Soumare is very inconsistent, could be a good signing or could be meh!
Boubakary Soumaré
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Personally, I don’t think Pogba is good enough in the defensive phase to be this player. I think he should be the main creator, instead of buying a 10 to be the main creator. We then need the ‘other’ player I am speaking of to help him a bit with the attacking/creating, and also help the DM behind them with the defensive part. Pogba being this player will likely not help the DM enough I don’t think.
I doubt, even a specialist 10 we may buy will offer more creativity than Pogba. It’s near on impossible to buy a midfielder who will create more chances than him, so just let him be the main creator. Soumare is the type who can do a bit of both, which would mean the midfield has enough creativity and enough stability. For me, this player needs to be a great passer and mover too, to help us control possession. Saul would be the dream partner for Pogba for me, in front of a DM. Koke would do too. Both have great work rate, not quite offensive enough to be 10s, and not defensive enough to be DMs. Both with great ball control and workrate to influence all over the pitch.
I agree a little bit but Pogba has all the necessary tools and is more than capable of filling this role. Whether he'd want to is another matter. Personally I would rather sort out our DM and AM positions and let Pogba go but that is for another thread.
Soumare has already said he wants to stay until the summer. THis isn't happening now.
Doesn’t mean we can’t sign him now. Would still make sense.
It was reported by local Lille media afew days ago that Soumare wants to see out the season at the club. But the question is, do Lille want to cash in now and use the money on the replacements Campos will have inevitably lined up?
They could possibly force him out, but if he wants to stay there isn't much they can do.
Would you stay at a job if they said to you we'd prefer you'd leave?
If a deal isn't imminent it's fairly standard procedure to say you want to stay when asked. Could go either way.
I’d let Pogba to it he insists he wants to, but I can’t share the willingness/desire to do so that many on this forum seem to have. I can almost guarantee that we won’t buy a midfielder as good as him if he left. We do need quality in midfield, but in my opinion, it’s quite obvious that Paul Pogba isn’t where the current shortage in quality comes from.
Regarding his role, I don’t think both Pogba and a #10 in a 3 man midfield is the best idea. Tbh, I don’t think a 10 in a 3 man midfield is a good idea at all, unless there’s an exceptional case where he has rare off the ball defensive qualities. To compensate for a pure 10, you either have 2 defensive midfielders, who more often than not struggle with the technical quality to regularly supply the 10 with the ball anyway (which is what would happen if we persist with this ‘McFred’ thing that everyone seemed to love), or we have a deeper player with great on the ball ability, but chances are, he’s not that great off it, and the midfield is too open.
A 6 and a double 8 is ideal I think. Teams rarely play with 10s as they lose too much stability and control in midfield as a result. Some 10s have had to reinvent themselves as 8s, others play as an 11 (or 7 if you’re a leftie, like Mata). But there’s a reason Mata is rarely played in a midfield 3 now
Especially if you walked straight into a new job paying you 400% more..?
An even better point.
We don't know his reasons for staying, could be personnel. If a concrete bid came in and he had the chance to move i'm sure he would reconsider - only reporting what's been made public.
If you're a player why comment on it at all?
Not deciding where he will choose until after meeting PSG on 26th will only leave us 4 days to get a deal done or maybe have to chase someone else. Hope we have another lined up and ready, or we wait until the summer.
We stand a better chance than Chelsea tbh, considering they already have abundant talent in midfield positions.
Bruno and this lad. Fm muppet signings and this one makes a lot of sense especially with Ed seen in France this week. Fingers crossed he chooses us but I’m pretty confident he will. We need him more and will pay more. It seems like we are probably (hopefully) going to be more ambitious than Chelsea over the next few years in the market. If we can keep pogba and sign those 2 we have a great midfield next season all of a sudden. I do think pogba really wants to leave and if that’s the case just get him out but I think if he sees good players coming in he’ll want to be part of that. Sancho or chiesa next!!!
edit - actually all these players are fm legends...
edit - actually all these players are fm legends...
I think both Soumare and Bruno will come with the intention to prove their worth and capabilities. The urgency, high tempo, creativity that we've lacked in midfield will be brought by these signings. I think these guys fit the counterattacking profile as well. Also, if we do get Poch in the summer, I think he could get the best out of these players.
January Transfers
Bruno - 55m (No. 10/8)
Soumare - 45m (No. 8/6)
Summer Transfers
Cavani - Free
Kalvin Phillips - 30m or Partey - 40m
Sancho - 85m or Vinicius Jr (part of Pogba deal) or O Dembele - 70m
I think these would bolster our team tremendously. With Matic & Pogba most likely out in the summer and with Herrera and Fellaini not replaced, bringing in 3 central midfielders is a requirement.
January Transfers
Bruno - 55m (No. 10/8)
Soumare - 45m (No. 8/6)
Summer Transfers
Cavani - Free
Kalvin Phillips - 30m or Partey - 40m
Sancho - 85m or Vinicius Jr (part of Pogba deal) or O Dembele - 70m
I think these would bolster our team tremendously. With Matic & Pogba most likely out in the summer and with Herrera and Fellaini not replaced, bringing in 3 central midfielders is a requirement.
I think this lad is going to the very top and will be an absolute star for whoever can get him. I'd be delighted if we can get him
I'm surprised you can get signal for YouTube down in your drain
Fixed.
Why would he want to stay until the 26th for the PSG game anyway?
I’ve never seen this lad play as don’t really watch French football?
What sort of midfielder is he?
What sort of midfielder is he?
The only one I would disagree on is Cavani. Maybe he'll make me eat my words, but he's really looking like he's at the end of his career.
Maybe Lille want to keep him for that game. The same sort of thing Sporting wanting to keep Bruno Fernandes for the Benfica game tomorrow night.
Theres about 18 points that separate them in the table. They'll probably lose anyway even with him in the side.
This one looks unlikely then, it seems. A shame because honestly, I think two new midfield addtions (and seemingly good ones) could make our season.
Looks unstoppable on his day, but very raw currently. Loves to run with the ball, not a great passer by any means. Big physical player, gets around the pitch pretty well. He could honestly be very good or a massive flop. I’m not getting the hype that he’s going to transform us into serious top 4 contenders, possibly in time, but it’s a big ask.
Why does it seem likely or unlikely?
As far as I'm seeing it looks more likely now than it ever has? Or have I missed something.
He is a player you would rather on your side than against you. Tough tackler, Ball winner, and covers a lot of ground.
Still a bit to learn, but he is only 20 yet.
Cheers.
Let’s see what happens with this one. If you said to me before the window opened that we would sign two new midfielders, I’d have laughed at you.
Here’s hoping!
Arent the rumours saying he won't be leaving and certainly not in January?
What is it with clubs wanting to hold onto their players until after big games. We should also wait until after Liverpool before entertaining offers for Lingard.
Honestly where is that coming from? I've read it multiple times now in this thread and I am wondering who has actually seen him.
Soumare has 20 successful tackles and 16 interceptions in 18 games. For comparison an actual ball winner like Camavinga, who is 3 years younger, has 87 successful tackles and 30 interception in 19 games.
One that is currently better in his position than anything we have. It would allow us to bed in Garner or Levitt as well.
Good shout for Camavinga, too. But I don't think we are in for him, which we are for Soumare.
De valuation coming up
Maybe that just suggests Lille have the ball a lot more, and Rennes are more defensive? Stats can be misleading.
Except he isn't. He might be talented, but this idea that he's better than McTominay and Fred currently is a stretch at best. And I don't rate Fred all that much.
His midfield partner Benjamin André has 58 successful tackles and 40 interceptions in 19 games. His midfield partner is the ball winner, Soumare is not.