Austria played Sabitzer as an attacking midfielder in front of a very workmanlike central midfield Monster Energy Dusseldorf mainly played him in a midfield three since the end of the 2019-20 season, and prior to that he was mainly a RW Considering how we appear to be setting up to move the ball with short, quick passes through midfield (and Mason also had us set up that way) the best way to improve the way we move the ball is with players who can ping the ball around quickly and accurately, and this is where a Sabitzer or Aouar enter the conversation as they can move the ball around in the exact way we need our CMs to do so This is the issue with Ndombele: his instincts are to play a central through ball, which would be great at Dortmund as he's be loading bullets for Haaland that was, but our midfield has always been set up to get the hockey assist, be it how Redknapp deployed Modric or Poch deployed Dembele, so what we need this season is a CM who can ping the ball and send a winger on their way to lay it on a plate for somebody coming through the middle - but Ndombele doesn't do that, making him an auxiliary weapon
Been plenty of players like that though. If the attitude isn’t right then their careers end up going down the pan.
Welllllllll However I'm definitely behind Levy in this one...hope he takes City to the cleaners and gives the Kane brothers a mental breakdown
I hope he waits for Real to sign Mbappe and flogs him to PSG with penalty payments for any resale to the Premier League.
I think he's been Bayerned already. Year left on his contract, won't renew, plays in the Bundesliga...
W Winning the league with PSG will have the same kudos as winning the Europa piss pot with us , good luck in Paris Harry and watch out for the dog **** on the streets
Alternatively... We loan in Griezmann for the year, and in return we loan him to Barca Let's just see how that fits with his brother's checklist New challenge ✔️ Champions League football ✔️ Spurs not digging in their heels over the transfer fee ✔️ Checkmate, you Gavin Barwell-looking knobhead!
Kane was always due to be out for this match, after England progressed in the Euros. This is not new. The problem is who we happen to be facing. Need to break a few legs as payback. Noticed this in the replies: please log in to view this image
That’s Ings off the list, surprising move, though Villa are indeed making some good signings with that Grealish money.
A shame we couldn't send Lamela to Sevilla after our opening game On the other hand, I think Graham Roberts might be up for a sub appearance...
That was suspiciously quick Not in a "Villa overpaid for him" quick, more a "Have Southampton given up?" quick like the summer where Swansea sold Sigurdsson and Llorente with no opposition at all
Where did that come from? Villa's wage bill going through the roof. Does Ings and Watkins work as a pairing? Can't really see it. Some players are back early. Bielsa's notorious for pushing his. Leeds also got well beaten by Ajax. Shame.
I agree RE: the Watkins and Ings dynamic, but I think Villa do have a lot of potential in their side to be dark horses for a European spot (Europa League or Conference League, rather than Champions League). They’ve signed Buendia, Ings and Bailey, whilst Tuanzabe on loan is reportedly close. Then there’s links with Cantwell and 1 or 2 others. I’m sure they’re not done yet. It could be too much change in one window (as you guys have experienced in the past ), but at least they’re trying to reinforce their squad and are bringing in good quality to an already decent side.
And they've generally been buying young, but Ings could be a good move if Watkins is going. There's been no rumours about it at all, as far as I can remember, though. Can't see them playing 4-4-2, they're signing wingers so 3 at the back's out and neither will take the bench.
Watkins is very versatile though. Started at Exeter as an attacking mid and then played LW, RW and ST for Brentford, so there could be scope that he moves out wide or behind Ings if they don’t fancy going with a 442. Either way, both players would expect to start I’d imagine so Smith must have a plan.
