My 2 top choices can thrive as a holding midfielder. Nainggolan/Keita can play anywhere in the centre of the pitch, from CDM to CM to CAM.
The search for a holding midfielder (Summer 2017 version)
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Sadly neither of them are for sale at any price supposedly
Fabinho or Weigl would do nicely and might be attainable. Maybe Jose has someone else up his sleeve like when he signed Bailly out of the blue yet no one had heard of him
Weigl is the natural replacement for Michael Carrick. I used to think Xavi & Iniesta are obsessed with passes.....until I saw Weigl complete 199 passes in a league game. The kid is quality.
Football players are mercenaries - there's no football player money cannot buy. It's not up to the club, it's up to the player.
Diawara is the salubrious linchpin of Sarri's midfield by functioning as the conduit between Napoli's defence and attack, offering locomotion in tight spaces, which bodes well for potentially playing with Pogba who is also press-resistant, physical attributes to dispossess players with consummate ease, and the speed to press aggressively and track back, he brings a much needed semblance and serenity to Napoli by having the confidence to not go for transparent passes, and this is exemplified by his propensity to make vertical passes which breaks the press. He's one that predominantly favours screening the defence instead of diving into challenges and leaving cavernous gaps behind.
Another option is Lorenzo Callegari. From the little I've seen of him, I think he could be worth a punt. His contract runs out in 2018, and as far as I know, he's yet to receive a contract extension. I think he'd be receptive to the idea of leaving PSG, as according to reports, he wasn't disconcerted with the possibility of going to Zenit
Another option is Lorenzo Callegari. From the little I've seen of him, I think he could be worth a punt. His contract runs out in 2018, and as far as I know, he's yet to receive a contract extension. I think he'd be receptive to the idea of leaving PSG, as according to reports, he wasn't disconcerted with the possibility of going to Zenit
Possibly..Although usually when we get linked to players who their clubs say are definitely going nowhere such as Kane, Lewandowski, Bale etc then often they mean it no matter what the media are saying. Nainngolan would obviously be ideal but Roma have been pretty firm in saying he won't be sold also like Rudiger and Manolas.
I'd love for us to bag these sorts of talents again. These days we overpay for obvious names/safe bets usually barring Martial.
Diawara's an interesting option, but I don't think he's far enough along in his development curve to be targeted by United. He's still just a pup (has he turned 20 yet?) and I would imagine Jose would want someone with more experience. Personally, I'd prefer a signing like him to the likes of Matic or Dier.
I loved Goretzka at the Confederations Cup, but haven't seen him for Schalke. I think he could work well in a midfield three - I don't know we need a holding midfielder as such if you have three players as athletic as Goretzka, Herrera, and Pogba.
I can't really see it happening though (think Mourinho wants someone more in the Matic / Carvalho mold), and it's admittedly a bit muppetish, but I guess that's why we're all here...
He had two assists against City I think
Agree with both, fairly mystified why people are so desperate for him. I've seen him described as a Gabi/Tiago type player which is not really what we need. We should be after an energetic, ball winning, defensive shield, the Kante/Wanyama types who have been so instrumental to Chelsea and Spurs successes. I dream of a player like that, not sure who there is though to be honest. I liked the look of Gueye from Everton and Ndidi from Leicester but not sure if they are good enough for the step up
No not at all, I just think if you're after a DM there are much better out there and think half of the people talking about him have never seen him in their lives.
Gueye, Ndidi, & Romeu are good shouts if we're going a bit off the usual suspects. I'd rather go there than Matic & Dier. If someone doesn't come in soon, it's quite possible that Jose 'might' give TFM, Perreira, and others in the squad a look see in the middle during the tour and re-evaluate. The above 3 plus Fabinho, Weigl, etc will still be around, unless activity really spikes up. The CFC-Bakayoko situation could accelerate things, but we have time still.
TFM for free!
I like the sound of that. We need some of those.
I'm not sure Mourinho is looking for one. Surely he'd be interested in Fabinho? There's been so little about it that I wonder if he's prioritised other areas and is hoping that another year of Carrick and co will be enough.
He's definitely looking for a #6. Doesn't look like it will be Fabinho though.
Jose seems to see him as a right back
Not sure if he's been mentioned already but...
Gueye
He's a good player! Everton becoming our feeder club as well.
http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m...les_won/interceptions/successful_take_ons#avg
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Gueye
He's a good player! Everton becoming our feeder club as well.
http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m...les_won/interceptions/successful_take_ons#avg
How do I embed this?
You can apply ball winning pressure anywhere in the three though. If Radja signs he becomes a box to box ball winner and Herrera a DLP.
Are you an Estate Agent?
Not the biggest Bakayoko fan but would be so funny if we got him. Totally worth it, imo.
I think I'd just sign N'Zonzi, who is 28 and should have 3-4 fine seasons left before he starts to decline at all, and who is a really composed short passer, and then overpay for whatever youngster we think is the next great CM, with Herrera able to play as the DM or as a CM. 4 very good guys for 3 spots is perfect, with I guess Fellaini as a change of pace this year and Pereira hopefully able to be the 5th guy for 3 spots by next season.
Fabinho would also be a nice player. He and Herrera would be tough to play against with Pogba pushing forward on the other side.
Fabinho would also be a nice player. He and Herrera would be tough to play against with Pogba pushing forward on the other side.
Weigl is a good shout, and although very young was already showing signs he will be a WC player in 3-4 years. Trouble is hes broken his ankle, so theres a small chance he might not come back as the player before he did it. I think I would like the club to take the gamble though.
Lucky Jose's contract is only 3 years.
A clean break on an anke is a nothing injury. Just a matter of waiting.
Must be a salesman of sorts with that type of pitch! Still, very interesting and informative, have to admit never even heard of the player but certainly presented as one to keep an eye on.I agree and there are a few really big young South American young talents in many positions including midfield at the moment. Of course, we havent had much luck with south american cm and there is always the gamble of them settling with the culture but the prices being mentioned for domestic players especially, I think it would be well worth the gamble.
I think we already have one in Anders Perreira, ideally his loan move has bought him several steps forward to be ready to fight for a starting spot as the talent is there. Ability wise the two Anders and Pogba may be a bit lightweight defensively but the potential in terms of possesion, tempo and feeding our frontline is very good.
So..
Arsenal, Inter & Juve all apparently want Matic too, with Chelsea unwilling to sell to us
Spurs aren't willing to listen to any offer for Dier (they obviously are but they will clearly want a stupid fee)
Bakayoko is predictably going to Chelsea
Any signings in this position that we can pull out of left field like with Lukaku?
Arsenal, Inter & Juve all apparently want Matic too, with Chelsea unwilling to sell to us
Spurs aren't willing to listen to any offer for Dier (they obviously are but they will clearly want a stupid fee)
Bakayoko is predictably going to Chelsea
Any signings in this position that we can pull out of left field like with Lukaku?
Fabinho would be the most ideal candidate. Whether we can get him is another story, we only hear what we read from the media. Fabinho could already be on his way to PSG or somewhere else, but the news is unknown to the public, though id imagine jose already knows this.
What about someone like Krychowiak from psg? He was superb in his final season before moving from spain.
I'd imagine we're all kind of on the same boat in wanting a player who has the most chance of hitting the ground running, no more "risky" type signings, dont want to start piling deadwood again. Granted, every player is a risk, though signing a top quality player reduces that risk.
Shame we couldnt have more players on board before the pre season, we have a huge season ahead.
What about someone like Krychowiak from psg? He was superb in his final season before moving from spain.
I'd imagine we're all kind of on the same boat in wanting a player who has the most chance of hitting the ground running, no more "risky" type signings, dont want to start piling deadwood again. Granted, every player is a risk, though signing a top quality player reduces that risk.
Shame we couldnt have more players on board before the pre season, we have a huge season ahead.
Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht, 22 and apparently Jose was impressed after we played them last season
Y isn't verratti an option? I understand he is primary target for Barca, but certainly we can get in the race...
Because he's got no interest in joining us perhaps?
Why do people think we should bid for everyone and all players would play for us, sad fact is, thats far from the truth.
Another season relying on Carrick?
Well i didnt know about the same...
Hope we will sign a central midfielder or two. If pogba or Herrera get a knock we in trouble when fighting on all fronts.
Crazy thing is that we have no idea at all who we after. Lukaku came out of nowhere.
Crazy thing is that we have no idea at all who we after. Lukaku came out of nowhere.
It depends on whether we are going for a DCM or a CM and move Ander into the CDM instead.
Out of the CDM's available and the ones you have mentioned above it would likely be one of Weigl(Dortmund), Dendocker(Anderlect), Geis(Schalke) or Fabinho(Monaco). However it seems that Mourinho wants a PL proven CDM and it would mean looking towards Ndidi(Leicester), Romeu(Saints) or Gueye(Toffees) who neither are top tier CDM's.
However if we deploy Ander in the CDM role it widens the options available in the market. I'm all for Nainggolan. I think we could replicate the Pirlo-Vidal-Pogba midfield that really strolled the Serie A. I really wanted Vidal back in the days and I think Nainggolan could be a similar player for us. An all action midfielder that contributes heavily in both defence and attack and has both goals and tackles in him. A player that would invest 100% and play for the badge no matter the costs. If he ever was to leave Rome this year should be it, he wont get a better chance to come to a bigger club and compete for trophies. Roma have sold some of their best players already, so it is not likely that they will be competing for any trophies next year.
The only thing concern is whether Ander would be able to just sit back and be our CDM or if Mourinho finds him too "small" to take up that job. It would limit some of Ander's forces, especially his high pressing nature, but I do however believe that he has the attributes and the brain to transform his game into being a CDM instead.
It does also seem like he is close to agreeing a new contract so it might be pure speculation that he even want's to move.
Other alternatives for the all-action CM would likely be Milinkovic-Savic(Lazio), Goretzka(Schalke), Matuidi(PSG), Seri/Cyprien(Nice).
Agree with the logic here, I think we should sign two midfield options for squad depth/rotation.
A solid established, and a young emerging talent. If we sign one midfield option, we'll be signing another next year when Carrick does finally retire.
Nzonzi seems a good option, far cheaper and more mobile than the heavily linked Dier or Matic. Matic to me at 28 and in decline seems like a 40mil stop gap "can do a decent job" signing that will need us to go back in for another CM/DM next summer. Dier would be solid, but would need to put in some excellent performances to silence the doubters.
Best young midfield talents seem to be Keita, Weigl, Reneto Sanches, Diawara or Goretzka.
Isnt Jack Wiltshire available for 9 million? Bit of a wild out there suggestion, but if fit, couldn't he do a job? Admittedly a risk and not expecting all to be in favour, jus throwing it out there..........
I reckon Mourinho could work wonders with Krychowiak. Dude was a beast for Sevilla.
The guy who scored that great header against us? He was a RB though wasn't he? Or is he a holding player too?
He's been their CDM for the past couple of years with Tielemanns more advanced as a CM.