How do you actually rate our signings in terms of future use? Considering a lot of people want us to play high-pressure football, do they actually fit this kind of football that we want to play? Do you consider them good signings?
Maguire - 1/10
- Has a severe lack of pace and acceleration, leaving him unable to recover from a high press. I see him having very limited use for a progressive manager as he cannot recover, and requires sitting deep to make up for this inadequacy.
- He is not a great defender even when sitting deep; we have shown multiple times that we have had to sacrifice attacking strength for having two defensive midfielders that will sit deep. Again reduces the effectiveness of a pressing team.
- £80m and wages will make him very difficult to sell and will put pressure on any succeeding manager to play him. Will the next manager sacrifice his game for Maguire and thereby damage the level of effectiveness?
- Passing is pretty average; we are not talking about Van Dijk level here. Again, his limited passing game will make it more difficult to press.
- For me, he is a very poor signing for any future manager.
Wan Bissaka - 4/10
- One of the best defenders in the world when one-on-one and in terms of recovery.
- However, he has no attacking ability whatsoever, which is hugely important to pressing teams that rely on them to attack. This makes him unsuitable to the right-back role for a future manager.
- There is a bit of promise with him, though, as he could possibly be tried in the centre back role in a high press. He has the recovery pace and tackling ability to do this. As a right-back, though, he is not really suitable, so the rating stands.
- He will probably be easier to sell than Maguire due to his defensive ability alone, but again, we will likely be stuck with him if he cannot adapt to centre back.
James - 2/10
- I think it is pretty clear he is out of his depth. Has pace but nothing else.
- He gets an additional point as he should be fairly easy to shift. Won't get much for him in transfer fees, but is on a relatively small wage to what we usually pay players.
Fernandes - 7/10
- Can be very loose with possession which needs to be worked upon, but this might be due to trying to force the issue with very little movement in the team. Still, it could be frustrating in a team that wants to keep possession if he continues to do this.
- Decent at pressing and tackling. At times he makes more tackles than some of our defensive players in games.
- Tends to be the only one that can create something against a settled defence.
De Beek - 7/10
- Good at sustaining possession and with the ball at his feet.
- System-based player who will improve in a higher pressure system and increased movement from the team.
- A team-based player that has the ability and work ethic to make for an important part of such a team. Contributes to goals and creativity.
Unknowns
Pellistri - Looks like has been bought for the youth team.
Diallo - Again, another youth player.
Maguire - 1/10
- Has a severe lack of pace and acceleration, leaving him unable to recover from a high press. I see him having very limited use for a progressive manager as he cannot recover, and requires sitting deep to make up for this inadequacy.
- He is not a great defender even when sitting deep; we have shown multiple times that we have had to sacrifice attacking strength for having two defensive midfielders that will sit deep. Again reduces the effectiveness of a pressing team.
- £80m and wages will make him very difficult to sell and will put pressure on any succeeding manager to play him. Will the next manager sacrifice his game for Maguire and thereby damage the level of effectiveness?
- Passing is pretty average; we are not talking about Van Dijk level here. Again, his limited passing game will make it more difficult to press.
- For me, he is a very poor signing for any future manager.
Wan Bissaka - 4/10
- One of the best defenders in the world when one-on-one and in terms of recovery.
- However, he has no attacking ability whatsoever, which is hugely important to pressing teams that rely on them to attack. This makes him unsuitable to the right-back role for a future manager.
- There is a bit of promise with him, though, as he could possibly be tried in the centre back role in a high press. He has the recovery pace and tackling ability to do this. As a right-back, though, he is not really suitable, so the rating stands.
- He will probably be easier to sell than Maguire due to his defensive ability alone, but again, we will likely be stuck with him if he cannot adapt to centre back.
James - 2/10
- I think it is pretty clear he is out of his depth. Has pace but nothing else.
- He gets an additional point as he should be fairly easy to shift. Won't get much for him in transfer fees, but is on a relatively small wage to what we usually pay players.
Fernandes - 7/10
- Can be very loose with possession which needs to be worked upon, but this might be due to trying to force the issue with very little movement in the team. Still, it could be frustrating in a team that wants to keep possession if he continues to do this.
- Decent at pressing and tackling. At times he makes more tackles than some of our defensive players in games.
- Tends to be the only one that can create something against a settled defence.
De Beek - 7/10
- Good at sustaining possession and with the ball at his feet.
- System-based player who will improve in a higher pressure system and increased movement from the team.
- A team-based player that has the ability and work ethic to make for an important part of such a team. Contributes to goals and creativity.
Unknowns
Pellistri - Looks like has been bought for the youth team.
Diallo - Again, another youth player.
