Honestly, at the time it was a good deal as Sissoko has a lengthy absence while Ndombele was perpetually picking up knocks and, as he's U21, he was basically a free player for the remainder of the season with the carrot of a transfer fee (that nobody believed we'd pay) enough to entice Benfica into allowing it to happen In normal seasons that's how it would've gone, with him getting some games here and there to get us across the line - but as last season wasn't a normal season, Sissoko was fit so was picked to start games instead and he was left twisting in the wind, and this season he was in a crap position where he wasn't going to start ahead of Ndombele, Sissoko, Lo Celso or Winks while he was also becoming an obstacle for Harvey White
The covid outbreak and the season being stopped didn’t help him as the injured players got fit but I honestly couldn’t see one good thing about him and clearly Jose didn’t either as his minutes were limited. I’ll be very surprised if he’s one that we look at in a few years and see in a top team in any big league.
The one thing I hope is we haven't buggered up his development, considering he was breaking into the Benfica team the previous season There's a bunch of theories doing the rounds about what "really" happened, be it we signed him as a favour to his agent or the one about him being frozen out for refusing to redeploy as a RB, but honestly Occam's razor probably covers it - he was surplus to requirements ahead of schedule
Be interesting to see that one. Magpie in peace. He has had some good times in the team when he's looked very good (like pundits on MotD saying he was better than Declan Rice) but our fanbase is split on him really. Personally I'm not convinced he's good enough for a top 4 club but then again he may be better than Winks... Under Bruce he'll look a donkey for us so he may as well go somewhere else. I think a move away from us would immediately make him a better player.
Sabitzer's name has cropped up yet again, said it before I think he's a great player and he helped tear us a new one in the CL last season. His signing would almost certainly seal the end for Dele though and it'd also possibly put one of Ndombele or Lo Celso in a bit of danger too, because we wouldn't realistically be able to field an XI with Ndombele, Lo Celso, Sabitzer and then Hojbjerg into a midfield unless you played HBIC's favourite "BASTARD DIAMOND" which is possible I suppose, albeit doubtful I'd say.
It's possible to field the lot of them, although you're going to see the word "NEW" a lot in order to make the system work... Hugo; NEW RB, Tanganga*, NEW CB, Reguilon/Sessegnon; Ndombele/Sabitzer, Hojbjerg; Sabitzer/Lo Celso, Lo Celso/Ndombele/Sabitzer, Son; Kane Sabitzer does play as a RW for Monster Energy Dusseldorf reasonably often, while Gio regularly plays RW for Argentina, and with Ndombele also playing as an AM this season it's possible to rotate them around not just from one game to another but also have them switch positions dependant on the opponents or mid-game
Sounds very much like how some Southampton fans spoke about Hojbjerg before we got him and he proved to be the right fit for us.
While Saunders is pretty reliable for Millwall news, the fact he's subtweeting Football BSider casts a degree of doubt on it That being said, it hard not to notice that Parrott's gone from starting games as he was in November to being an option off the bench in the last couple of weeks, although as a couple of people responded it's not exactly Parrott's fault things haven't worked out
Names You're Going To Hear A Bunch Watch The pathetic has fired up their copy of FM21, which means it's time for one of their Sensible Transfers videos. So to spare you a click, ten quid, or five minutes of watching a Youtube video, here's the players they have listed Marcel Sabitzer (CM/AMC/RW, Monster Energy Dusseldorf, contracted until 2022) Yves Bissouma (CM, Brighton, contracted until 2023) Enock Mwepu (CM, G Fuel Vienna, contracted until 2024) The easiest way to break them down is like this Sabitzer: no-brainer, as he's got pace and passing that would not only make him a threat on his own but a useful component in our system, and with that energy drinks-backed irritant hurtling towards The Levy Zone it's certainly possible Bissouma: could be one of those "If you think about it..." signings considering he can be described as Sissoko with a first touch, and considering he'll turn 25 next summer he'll be hitting his peak, and he's been with Brighton for a couple of years so he wouldn't be new to the league Mwepu: here's the "Look how clever we are!" entry that pretends he isn't merely a cheap and effective option on FM that everyone signs every year, although it is worth pointing out Mwepu can be described as what would happen if someone were to Brundlefly Ndombele and Sissoko, as he's got the physicality and stamina of Sissoko coupled with the control and passing of Ndombele There's an issue with Bissouma and Mwepu, though: while we certainly do need to speed up the transition phase and both of them would certainly do it, there reason the transition phase has slowed down in recent weeks is because Sissoko is babysitting Aurier instead of dropping back to receive passes from the back, so both of them would be part of the solution to a wider problem rather than the solution itself - and this also suggests that Bissouma would be the more suitable player as he fits the Sissoko role, while Mwepu is essentially Ndombele Mk.II
Sabitzer 100%. With Dele likely off and Ndombele and Lo Celso both having a mix of failing to deliver and constantly being unfit/ injured, we need someone to add some creativity and goals behind Kane and co. I wouldn't even be surprised if one of Lo Celso or Ndombele are placed up for sale in the summer, I wouldn't blame Jose for losing patience in them, it's getting beyond a joke now how often they're getting injured and/ or unable to play 90 minutes. It's Lamela part two and three. Bissouma is someone we wanted before he joined Brighton if I remember rightly. Mwepu I won't pretend to know much about, Salzburg have been a bit of a goldmine for talent in recent years though.
While all of those transfers are sensible to a degree, surely the real issue is that we only have half a back 4 that Jose really seems to trust - he certainly likes Dier and Regulion, but I still think he has reservations about Toby, and Aurier has improved a lot this season but still has a brainfart in him as we saw at the weekend. Signing a RB Jose can trust would go a long way towards sorting out our midfield issues I think, albeit we still don't have the ideal candidate to partner Hojbjerg - Sissoko isn't good enough on the ball and Winks isn't good enough defensively or dealing with pressure in possession.
I don't see us signing a RB until one is sold to be honest. Doherty has definitely been a disappointment so far but it’s still too early to write him off (albeit at nearly 29, it’s hard to think he’s going to improve much). We’ve always known the deal with Aurier, can be great with the regular brainfart thrown in. There has been links with Milan and Dynamo in the past but whether they return or not who knows. Said before but I think a RB will be a summer thing, should be easier to sell then, replacement will ideally be someone like Aarons or Lamptey, or bringing KWP back for a hefty sum.
RB is a really tricky signing. As much as Regulion is good on the ball and a weapon going forwards because of his pace, he's also stronger than I thought he would be defensively and it helps that he's absolutely rapid as well. Finding a player to replicate that on the right is some task and as much as I'm sad that KWP never made it with us, I don't think he's the answer. The question marks about the other two you mention are also defensive IMO, not that they couldn't develop as they're both still so young. Aurier on his day is as good as anyone but those days aren't every week and every top match he has is matched with a brainfart like we had at the weekend.
I think Reguilon can be a bit erratic defensively at times tbh but in general he’s been great. KWP has looked seriously good for Saints though mate, he’s getting rave reviews and the Saints fans are loving him. He’s showing how much Poch ****ed up by not loaning him out in the two years he spent behind Tripps and Aurier. I feel like Skipp is doing at Norwich what KWP could’ve done had he gotten a loan or two. I really do think Skipp’s gonna return a different beast and may even go straight into the XI let alone as a Hojbjerg back up as I initially expected, those two together would really protect the defence and we know Skipp has a decent passing range too that Sissoko lacks. Back to RBs though there don’t seem to be too many in their prime who are both solid offensively and defensively. That’s why I think Aarons or Lamptey are young enough to be moulded defensively by Jose.
Yeah I agree with this and I've seen what they say about KWP as well, one of those rare transfers where both sets of fans feel like they've won. I always liked him for us but he did lack...something. Something maybe intangible. Perhaps he just needed regular gametime to really show his quality in which case its a shame he never got that here. Agreed on Skippy though, I think he's got a big future with us. Him and PEH would give us a much better balance than Sissoko.
everytime i have seen lampty play he looks really decent. One we let get away really (well tbf, i think he didn't want to stay and wanted game time for obvious reasons). I guess we're lucky we are stocked with James whos really good. I wouldn't have been sad to see lampty as our first choice rb. bags of energy, good getting forward and solid defensively from what i can see. The only downside is he's tiny so anything in the air might be a problem for him but i think for brighton he's a wingback
haven't been watching southampton much recently so can't really comment on KWP but from what i have seen earlier in the air, he's pacey, works hard, not too bad positionally but still doesn't offer enough crossing wise and he is still pretty weak and gets shrugged off the ball too easily. Solid, with potential but nothing outstanding
Yeah he’s a massive talent and I’m really excited about how far he can go. I don’t think someone like Jose would call a player future Spurs captain material just as confidence booster, I think he really meant it. Norwich fans are absolutely loving him, wouldn’t be surprised if he bags their POTY if he keeps going.
Yeah James is quality, very good crosser of the ball. You lot have always generally had good youth though, it’s just so few get the chance in the XI. Lamptey’s height is something that is concerning and I think Jose does like bigger guys so it’s likely we won’t go for him, it’s just someone I’d personally be happy to sign. Guy’s rapid, like a young Walker in that respect.
We have had some quality youth but title winning youth? Still very debateable. Off the top of my head our youth recently (for our team and not) KDB - world class Sturridge - Good enough for a title challenging side Solanke - Rubbish so far Brewster - Rubbish so far Christensen - okay squad player, deffo not good enough for first team Zouma - in and out, will do for now but isn't a leader. Good squad player but i don't think we'd miss him if he goes Ake - everyone bangs on about him but he's not even getting regular games in a leaky city side who don't generally need to defender and he went down with bournemouth. Good player with potential but world class? Abraham - has potential but he'd be at most a bench player for your team and a bench player for a few prem sides. Mount - looking decent, i like him, has potential but nothing super outstanding yet Hudson Odoi - was excellent when he first started, really positive, got injured and has struggled for form and game time. Has looked decent recently Loftus Cheek - unfairly not given much time but when he did he looked really good but has been in and out cause of injury. Since his last injury in the states, he hasn't really been given much time but looked pretty awful when he has. Still could be great and has everything but he's 24 so he needs to get a move on soon. anyway i'll stop here, i'm boring myself haha
