I would imagine they will want to avoid paying the clause straight away as a mark of respect to Atletico and are trying to negotiate a structure. Not all Spanish clubs operate the same way as Bilbao do when it comes to this
Saúl Ñíguez
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
Why not?
Probably in the summer but I don't see him leaving in this window
Are they able to turn down an offer if the buyout clause is met?
Do you think the Premier League would suit Saul? Which other players does he resemble in terms of play style?
I think he will reject us even if we match his release clause. He has a good position at Atletico who are absolute miles ahead of us now. BTW as good as he is, why do we suddenly see need for him when we already have Schneiderlin who plays in the same position and can barely get a look in? Just so we have another player for van Gaal to despise and bench parmanently?
It would be highly irregular to just pay the clause without negotiation - but in short, no. Player still has to agree though.
Excellent, cheers mate.
For when we sell Herrera....
Fair enough, thanks for the clarification.
If we're planning on sticking with a 4-2-3-1 for the medium term future, Saúl and Goretzka would be the top options from the younger lot - because they can both do a bit of everything - defend, press, carry the ball forward, and score (sporadically) - plus they have a bit of size about them unlike a lot of other options who are a bit unsuited to the Premier League. Martínez + Schwiensteiger was arguably the best midfield duo of the last sort of half-decade. Saúl + Goretzka would represent a very shrewd piece of business from that perspective, because the duo could develop into something approaching Martínez + Schwiensteiger's class - given their individual skillsets, which are very similar to the former Bayern duo.
Overall, our midfield is not as strong as it appears at first glance (especially for a double pivot). We need more numbers on top of quality:
Schneiderlin still has a lot to prove, moreso in terms of passing and intelligence on the ball. Might not be apparent against Premier League opponents (a lot of whom sport dross in midfield), but if/ when we go up against the stronger European teams, that particular weakness will be exploited unless we play him in a midfield 3 as a water carrier of sorts where he is instructed to always release the ball quickly to better midfield passers.
Carrick is almost done.
Schweinsteiger is still rather good, but Van Gaal's system stifles him (he thrived more under Heyneckes), he should ideally be rotated very frequently to preserve his fitness, and is removed from his pomp as a midfield general - though you do see flashes from time to time. Will progressively get worse, so ideally we should not build around him beyond the duration of his contract.
Ander's best position is in a midfield 3 where he has the license to roam and improvise.
Saúl + Goretzka would cost maybe €50 million combined, and we'll have an exceptional base once they hit their stride. Plus, despite his decline, Fußballgott is an exceptional leader and mentor; he could be someone they could tailor their games around, which is a good thing given his stature as a modern midfield great. Would add Neves to the list if we can't acquire one of those two, he too has exceptional potential. Though ideally, we would sign someone like Gündogan - who can start contributing from the get go (or atleast once he gets used to the league). Though maybe the ship has sailed with that one.
Overall, our midfield is not as strong as it appears at first glance (especially for a double pivot). We need more numbers on top of quality:
Schneiderlin still has a lot to prove, moreso in terms of passing and intelligence on the ball. Might not be apparent against Premier League opponents (a lot of whom sport dross in midfield), but if/ when we go up against the stronger European teams, that particular weakness will be exploited unless we play him in a midfield 3 as a water carrier of sorts where he is instructed to always release the ball quickly to better midfield passers.
Carrick is almost done.
Schweinsteiger is still rather good, but Van Gaal's system stifles him (he thrived more under Heyneckes), he should ideally be rotated very frequently to preserve his fitness, and is removed from his pomp as a midfield general - though you do see flashes from time to time. Will progressively get worse, so ideally we should not build around him beyond the duration of his contract.
Ander's best position is in a midfield 3 where he has the license to roam and improvise.
Saúl + Goretzka would cost maybe €50 million combined, and we'll have an exceptional base once they hit their stride. Plus, despite his decline, Fußballgott is an exceptional leader and mentor; he could be someone they could tailor their games around, which is a good thing given his stature as a modern midfield great. Would add Neves to the list if we can't acquire one of those two, he too has exceptional potential. Though ideally, we would sign someone like Gündogan - who can start contributing from the get go (or atleast once he gets used to the league). Though maybe the ship has sailed with that one.
If he is good enough he should suit anywhere.He has grown very fast so in the future could be more expensive.
In this interview he says that he admires Gerrard,since he considers that they have a similar style(is in spanish sorry)
http://futbolesmaravilloso.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/saul-niguez-mediocentro-de-gran-calidad.html?m=1
I think the player will have interest in joining us, otherwise there would be no point sending a delegation over there. All about convincing them to sell now
We need a young central midfielder since Carrick and Schweini are getting old whilst Fellaini isn't good enough. Good choice if true!
any Better Call Saul jokes yet?
Buy first, and then decide if he's any good for the team.
The Perez strategy of player recruitment, what can go wrong.
I'm just resigned to us signing players. I was probably most excited when we signed Schneiderlin and van Gaal would rather he was dead now.
FFS not the delegation again.
the 3 amigos?
He'll be a regular in the team now.
We are still the bigger club.
Hopefully he can join this month, Mata and Herrera can help him bed in.
Well if he could replace Carrick, as suggested, I don't see how this isn't sensible. I have probably never seen him play so don't know myself.
He could win the title with ATM this season. Why would he move here in Jan?
He's fantastic to have in a side that is well versed but is in danger of becoming a bitter disappointment when out on his own
Perhaps one idea is to sign a deal for the summer, which is quite smart if true.
A bit like Khedira. High-work rate, good tackler, defensively disciplined. He doesnt offer a lot going forward, despite scoring the odd goal here and there. He is a versatile CM. For Rayo, he also played quite often as CB. He is a good player, but most people would be awfully disappointed if they´d see him playing for us week in week out.
If we are after a midfielder from Atletico, we should be all over Óliver. He is one of the biggest midfield talents in the world (imo). He´d be perfect for a team, that fancies possession. He doesn´t flourish in Simeone´s system (where he is usually shifted our wide).
Yeah, Torres' distribution is excellent which none of our current midfielders have bar Carrick and that's a guy who could be had as he doesn't fit Simeone's system right now and needs games at his age to grow.
This.
No doubt that Saul is a very good player BUT, I don't know if he is what we should be after. I'd always thought we should be looking at the likes of Torres, Tielemans, players of that ilk. I'm more biased toward Youri Tielemans or maybe Ruben Neves. He is more defensively adept than attacking (not as a defensive player) as you have described spot on. I feel we should be looking at players that can unlock defences. But he is a good player though! Aaaargh!
I don't think Van Gaal is big on creative midfielders. He wants solid solid solid.
Don't get your reply tbh...
i see no reason why he would leave this January or during summer, Atletico have a better project than us. Unless we are getting Pep, Simeone, or to an extent Pochettino, I can't see him coming with LVG still at the helm.
Need players with speed and creativity then looks to sign a DM.
Maybe Carrick is going and needs to be replaced now or in the summer.
Managers dont really matter if we offer the right incentives. People move to clubs managed by Rodgers, Benitez, AvB Rainieri and all who arent exactly top notch either
And hopefully if we get Saul then Fellaini will be sold.
The real reason we want him is he is left footed central midfielder. We have every CM who is right footed apart from blind, who anyways plays in defence. So he will be used to bring "Balance" as per LVG's philosophy. I also expect us to sell Fellaini in the summer, so we can make space for him.
Carrick may also retire, so you can say we will need a midfielder or 2. I do hope we go for Tielmans/Bazoer though, but he may be too adventurous for LVG
Carrick may also retire, so you can say we will need a midfielder or 2. I do hope we go for Tielmans/Bazoer though, but he may be too adventurous for LVG