Not intending or wanting to decry him, he's a water carrier type. He knits the play together. Most teams have at least one of them. Last night, Liverpool played 3 of them. I think that he does have the ability to be more progressive than he currently exhibits but he's still very much learning the game. I think that he's still some way off 50 PL starts. MP seems happy with him, which suggests that he's largely doing what he's told. It may be interesting to compare him to Skippy when he's got a few more starts under his belt. If I have a criticism, it's that he's pretty hopeless in and around the box but that goes for pretty much all of our deep-lying midfielders. Moussa Sissoko's come on in leaps and bounds in all other areas but he can't shoot either, nor could Mousa I.
I have a different perception of what controlling the midfield is though. Modric and Dembele controlled the midfield. Modric via his skill, vision and creativity. Dembele with his skill, power and box-to-box prowess. Winks doesn’t control the midfield, he’s too unambitious, making five yard passes often to the side or back isn’t an art or skill. Talk of him getting more experience seems to be the excuse yet we’re three seasons in now and what’s changed since his debut? We’re too good a team now to be waiting for Winks to come good. Other academy players have had less time in the side yet been far more effective. Winks has just hit jackpot in that Dembele and Wanyama have gone from being undroppable to unreliable in the space of 18 months, meaning he’s got way more game time than he should have (same applies to Sissoko, albeit he’s grabbed that chance with both hands). It’s why it’s so imperative we bring in a new CM. We cannot rely on Sissoko all season to do the business, it’s unfair on him and he’ll burn out at some point.
And yet that's what we'll have to do. We're not going to bring in anyone of a high enough calibre this transfer window. We may get rid of some deadwood at the end of the window (other chairmen know that Levy has to sell before we can buy) but realistically how much will we get for GKN, Wanyama, Llorente, Janssen and Dembele anyway? Due to age, form, injury record or any combination thereof, I would say very little.
I’m still holding hope we can do something. Those you mentioned won’t net us more than about £30m (if lucky) and so it then depends on how much we actually had for transfers in the first place. Berge has been quoted at £23m and he’s someone I’d happily see us get. Ideally I want two in if possible though. I know it won’t be easy but it’s a crucial stage for the club. Even just one CM could massively help us out.
I've been reading a few reports about Eriksen's (stalled) contract negotiations and how we're planning to double his wages. However, i get the impression with him that it's the lack of investment in the squad that will see him go for big money in the summer. He knows he's good enough and wants to win trophies.
Agreed, and it's not like we haven't been here before in recent seasons where that extra bit of quality/depth, if brought in at the right time would have got us over the line. By the time Levy wakes up and smells the coffee, Poch, Eriksen, Kane, Son and Dele Alli will have long departed.
I see that bearded Ed Sheeran popup near enough everyday on Twitter and he’s always talking ****. He’s got the face of someone you’d happily high-five with a chair as well.
Josh Maja has rejected a new deal at Sunderland. He's been one we've been scouting recently. In great form this season with 14 goals in 22 games and just 20 years old. Wouldn't surprise me if we made a move a Dele-esque move for him and allowed him to stay there for the season.
I hear Huddersfield and Crystal Palace are front runners. Surely, if Spurs have shown any interest, now would be a great time to pounce. Unfortunately, it would surprise me. I'd be delighted too, of course.
Beijing Sinobo Guoan (say that three times quickly) have made a formal approach for Dembele according to Sky. This was also reported by others last night, saying they'll pay him £9m a season. Best of luck if he goes, been superb for us but can no longer be relied upon.
You'd like to think so! We'd be a smart choice for him as well, he'd have no better chance of getting much more game time with those than he would with us. He's likely aware we're in need of someone to backup/ challenge/ partner Kane too. Could be a smart signing if we go in for him.
Won't be a cripple when he gets old by exiting the PL, will die from lung cancer due to the Beijing pollution.
Hmm not sure about that. If he's a cf he's better off at palace cause all their strikers are **** and also he would never play in front of Harry (generally injury free, fit and always wants to play). If he's a wide forward you guys would be good as you have a coach who would embrace you and theres a lot more opportunity for rotation
He might play more often at Palace, but look at the form of their strikers. Universally appalling, despite having some respectable options. Benteke was an awful fit for Liverpool, but he should be banging them in at Selhurst, as they play his style of football. He's got worse, if anything. He may have limited opportunities at Spurs. At Palace he'd risk being benched for an out-of-position winger, though.
Yes but he will have a chance to break in at palace (if he's a cf) and show what he can do. He will never get that opportunity for spurs unless Harry is injured or suddenly sold or unless miraculously he is even better than Kane.
It's tough to say. Janssen did actually get a lot of game time in his first season, including games where he partnered Kane. Problem is, he and now Llorente haven't been able to take their chances (albeit Llorente has been criminally misused by not playing to his strengths). I'd like to think if Maja signed and impressed, he'd get a similar amount of chances to what Janssen did and then it's down to him to show Poch he'd deserve more. We've also been using Son/ Alli/ Lucas as second strikers this season as well. I'd be surprised if Woy threw Maja up front straight away while they're in a relegation scrap. Those sorts of clubs never seem to take those sorts of risks. Genuinely think he'd get just as much game time here as he would there and we've got much better resources to get the best out of him.
We are also competing in many competitions. With only one reliable out and out striker who is often over worked, I'm sure once he's up to speed, he'd have plently of opportunity to impress if he joined us.
