Couldn't disagree more. I think every squad benefits from having 2-3 players that have versatility and the ability to plug gaps. In the past we've had the likes of O'Shea, Park and Rooney to some extent who could play multiple positions and offer us depth and tactical flexibility.I'm not a big fan of players who are positionally ambiguous, it makes squad planning very difficult. Your signings depend on knowing the primary position of your players and the primary position of the other signings you make.
We need 3 midfielders and a left back this summer. Signing Lewis Skelly as our left back and finding out he's not really a left back and we need to try him in midfield is a bit of a disaster as we already made our midfield signings. Likewise signing him as a midfielder and finding out he was more suited to left back all along isn't great.
The other issue is as a left back he's inverting whereas I feel we'll benefit more from an overlapping attacking full back.
As a midfielder, has MLS shown he's got the passing range for it? Or is he just a good ball carrier? In Mainoo we already have a midfielder who's got a limited passing range for a midfielder.
There's the bonus of being versatile enough to fill a position that isn't your primary position, in case of emergency - that's obviously useful. There's also knowing for a fact the player you're signing can play multiple roles to a high standard as you've already seen it over a good sample size.Couldn't disagree more. I think every squad benefits from having 2-3 players that have versatility and the ability to plug gaps. In the past we've had the likes of O'Shea, Park and Rooney to some extent who could play multiple positions and offer us depth and tactical flexibility.
For me Lewis-Skelly would be a great signing at the right price (£30-40m max) and would provide us with good cover and a nice selection of options at LB alongside Shaw and Dorgu. With Shaw in his last year, we can basically use this season to hopefully nail down Dorgu's future position (which I personally will be at LB if he is to make it here), then see is either Leon or Amass are up for it.
Given our dire lack of depth at CM going into next season, we genuinely do need to add 3 players here. I struggle to see us doing this unless we find a 3rd signing on a free or very cheap like a Norgaard. Alongside LB, Lewis-Skelly offers us an additional CM option too, leaving us room to potentially go big on two CM signings (eg. 2 of Anderson, Wharton, Guimaraes, Fernandes) as well as a LW.
Yeah the English premium on players is always even higher when they have played for senior teamWhere do people reckon MLS will be cheap? We managed to get Heaven for a song, but MLS has played for England. Id be amazed if Arsenal don't put 60 mill on his head
How long was Ayden or Chido on their books?The player looks really good IMO but I think the young man that was born in London and been on their books since he was 8yrs old to move to a club in the north of England would be a big step for a teenager as it is so different.
I cannot see it happening.
Pretty sure they were at the end of their contracts whereas this young man has committed himself to a 5yr contract I believeHow long was Ayden or Chido on their books?
Pretty sure they were at the end of their contracts whereas this young man has committed himself to a 5yr contract I believe
I think he meant that Chido and Heaven were with Arsenal a long time and they moved to United. He is a third choice LB at Arsenal and they need to trim their squad.Pretty sure they were at the end of their contracts whereas this young man has committed himself to a 5yr contract I believe
Makes me wonder why he had signed a long term contract then.I think he meant that Chido and Heaven were with Arsenal a long time and they moved to United. He is a third choice LB at Arsenal and they need to trim their squad.
The player looks really good IMO but I think the young man that was born in London and been on their books since he was 8yrs old to move to a club in the north of England would be a big step for a teenager as it is so different.
I cannot see it happening.
He is not exactly with a minnow club at the moment and he is just into a 5yr contract and he is a home grown player.He’s hardly signing for Oldham or Barrow! If countless Europeans and South Americans can adapt then why can’t a lad from London? Perhaps he should sign for Palace or Brentford and remain close to his roots rather than make a name for himself at the biggest club in the country, if not the world. Sorry but I think this is a bit of a nonsense view.
No, but an Arsenal fan site match recap said he was dreadful:Anyone watch him play in the Cup?
I see he was hooked on the hour mark.
Fair assessment of his performance.No, but an Arsenal fan site match recap said he was dreadful:
"Myles Lewis-Skelly: arguably the most disappointing Arsenal player this season. Looks a shadow of the young man who burst onto the scene last year. He has hardly played and it would seem for good reason. He looks slow of foot and in decision-making".
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/f...tch-report-another-competition-bites-the-dust
Looks like he will be given the same treatment as Baleba on here then.No, but an Arsenal fan site match recap said he was dreadful:
"Myles Lewis-Skelly: arguably the most disappointing Arsenal player this season. Looks a shadow of the young man who burst onto the scene last year. He has hardly played and it would seem for good reason. He looks slow of foot and in decision-making".
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/f...tch-report-another-competition-bites-the-dust
Fair play to Baleba, he does start, before being constantly hooked at half time!Looks like he will be given the same treatment as Baleba on here then.
If he were playing, he'd certainly not be looking to move.Fair play to Baleba, he does start, before being constantly hooked at half time!
Lots of players burst onto the scene and that’s as good as they ever will be.
A young player needs to play, so I’ll reserve judgement on him until he gets games.
Thought he was mostly alright against a Championship side, but with moments of headfreeze and some wild missed passes. Looks a bit nervous and out of flow to me.Anyone watch him play in the Cup?
I see he was hooked on the hour mark.
What style of a midfielder is he?The Arsenal-fans I have seen that are opposed to letting him leave are saying that he should be used in midfield because that's where he looks the best
What style of a midfielder is he?
Good progressive passer
Good ball carrier/ball winner
Whenever I've seen him (only a few times, admittedly) he's seemed a remarkably safe and uninspiring passer of the ball. Just tended to move it on quickly to whoever was nearest.What style of a midfielder is he?
Good progressive passer
Good ball carrier/ball winner
Whenever I've seen him (only a few times, admittedly) he's seemed a remarkably safe and uninspiring passer of the ball. Just tended to move it on quickly to whoever was nearest.
Yep, I certainly wouldn't see him as an upgrade on Kobbie. He seems pretty timid to me.Mainoo backup.
What makes you think that?Looks like he will be staying at Arsenal then.
No one seems to know what sort of midfielder he is unless you know something else?What makes you think that?
Whenever I've seen him (only a few times, admittedly) he's seemed a remarkably safe and uninspiring passer of the ball. Just tended to move it on quickly to whoever was nearest.
What qualities are they? Genuinely don't see anything beyond a fairly tidy squaddie. He has time on his side but that's about it. I'm sure he'll have a decent career at some midtable side eventually but from what I've seen he's not a starter for top sidesWould be a hell of a signing, a monster of a midfield talent. How they are wasting him at the back is a mystery to me. He'd be a better signing than these run of the mill, basic everyday midfielders that are being touted for big money. In these days of high pressing and counter pressing a player with his qualities is invaluable.
Interesting to see this, thanks. The eye test backs it to to.You're not wrong - as per his stats I posted on the first page, he is in the 0th percentile for 'Forward Passes' and 'Progressive Passes' per 90. He plays the, or near enough the, fewest forward passes of any full-back in the PL.
Signing this guy at all seems daft. Signing him to play CM seems even more daft.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/myles-lewis-skelly.491637/post-34145147
You're not wrong - as per his stats I posted on the first page, he is in the 0th percentile for 'Forward Passes' and 'Progressive Passes' per 90. He plays the, or near enough the, fewest forward passes of any full-back in the PL.
Signing this guy at all seems daft. Signing him to play CM seems even more daft.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/myles-lewis-skelly.491637/post-34145147
He’s probably the most press resistant teenager in the world.What qualities are they? Genuinely don't see anything beyond a fairly tidy squaddie. He has time on his side but that's about it. I'm sure he'll have a decent career at some midtable side eventually but from what I've seen he's not a starter for top sides
