While he definitely could've played more than he has, I'm not sure what he was expecting when he joined. Micky and Romero were clearly the first choice pairing, we were out of both cups and had no European football. What was he expecting? In any event, we should turn down all bids for him. Based on what we say against City, he's a top prospect.
Agreed . He looks really good and with (hopefully) those extra games there will have to be some rotation. But Ange has said already that he needs another CB hasn't he? I'd be more inclin d to just keep Phillips in the squad for next year and save the cash to splash on statement DM and CF.
One thing Dragusin definitely underlines is we need to think about: using longer switches A lot of our play this season is about playing the shorter, high-percentage passes - but the obvious issue there is you don't wrongfoot opponents by playing shorter passes in the same area, but switching them to the other side with a single accurate pass certainly would, as demonstrated by that early sequence against the Mansourites where Hojbjerg chipped one out to Johnson on the right that they didn't expect As things currently stand only Dragusin (and, come next season, Bergvall) routinely look for those passes and that is something we need to consider, because the way we're set up can create a lot of space in areas defenders aren't immediately covering and that is something we could exploit
I do think that another CB feels like an extravagance not that we don't potentially need one, but if you draw up a list of the three positions we need to address this summer nobody is going to say left-footed CB for one of those
Makes more sense if Ben is not staying. Mind you, we will have a whole preseason to get Emerson up to speed in that role!
If you want to compete properly then you need 2 good players for each position. Romero, Van de Ven & Dragusin and possibly Ash Phillips would be fine but if he’s gonna be loaned out again then Spurs need to sign another centre back or you could even say 5 CB to cover injuries and Europa etc.
It's an odd one with our U21 CBs as both need playing time, though logically only one should be a nailed-on loan for next season for that same reason Personally I'd keep Dorrington as he brings the ball forward like Romero to make him a like-for-like option, so Phillips gets a little seasoning elsewhere
The club/ Ange made a big deal of needing a new CB, signed the guy and then barely played him. If I were in his shoes, I’d be questioning just why they pushed so hard for me, especially when there was a concrete offer from Bayern that he ended up rejecting in our favour. There’s also been heavy rumours Ange wants another senior CB for the summer, with Calafiori constantly cropping up who’s also been linked with Juve and Leverkusen, if he comes in then that’s just gonna further reduce any game time for Dragusin as his options of filling in at LCB like on Tuesday night become non-existent. Add that to where there’s been recent games where we’ve wasted starts on Emerson and Skipp that he could’ve played in along with potential opportunities from the bench and can anyone really blame the guy for potentially looking at a quick exit? Ange’s treatment of him has been poor, frankly.
The only way it would possibly make sense is, much like Poch, he wants time to drill his tactics into players which pre-season offers - but January does not, which is why Poch was off and on with Lucas for a while after he signed That being said, if that is the case that does open up the question as to why various U21 players haven't had opportunities given Ange's tactics are consistent from the first team right down through the academy teams, most obviously not using Donley as Maddison's understudy more often
I’d say he just simply lacks the bollocks. Many other managers haven’t had problems throwing in their youth. Mainoo could be on the plane this summer, Miley at Toon would’ve been spoken about a lot more but for his injury, Howe threw him into the XI at the Parc des Prince. Similar for Hinshelwood at Brighton, even scored against us in that battering at their place but then was ruled out for months not long afterwards. Trusting in youth is deemed a gamble, even though I’d argue there’s less of a gamble when playing the likes of Donley and co than it is constantly playing underperforming players. Ange isn’t willing to gamble. I had high hopes he’d break the mould in recent years but he’s no different to his predecessors in that regard. I’ve said already I have a gut feeling Santiago could depart this summer and I think more will follow suit in the coming windows. We’re graveyard for youth nowadays.
DH I more less said this in a previous post, but as many have said if they're not ready you shouldn't just throw them in. I def would like to see more of our talented youngsters given a run out. Perhaps the trip to Oz and Asia will give some indication where they stand as many first teamers will be involved in the Euros and other internationals.
Thing is they’ll never be ready if they don’t get the chances. No young player is immediately going to be Harry Kane, Kane himself wasn’t “Harry Kane, the superstar” when he broke through. They need that trust from the manager though to get started, trust that so far hasn’t been afforded them. With the season our 23s have had, coinciding with injury issues, suspensions and poor performances of first teamers, to have not had some genuine chances thrown their way now, I don’t see when they ever will. We’re only going to add more senior players this summer to have a deeper first team squad as well so it’s just gonna be bleaker I’d say.
I saw a lot of the class of 2012-13 home games, (so my opinions on Kane then are a matter of record on the 606s) . My summary opinion of him was that he : 1. was physically slower and (appeared) weaker than Obika 2. played the "percentage game" in his passing/attempts 3. showed intelligence in his movement in the front 3 (of the 4-3-3) 4. had a utterly ferocious shot on him #1 was worked on time, so for the current U21 forward prospects I would say if any of those are ticking the boxes on 2-4, get them out on loan now and out the pipeline ASAP.
Should Leeds fail to get promoted, I wouldn't mind looking at Crysencio Summerville. Not just because he has the coolest name in football (Crysencio Jilbert Sylverio Cirro Summerville), but also because he looks to be developing really nicely. Could be a long term option for LW. Could be linked to the Rodon deal.
Sounds like Madrid have now changed their stance on Modric and will now offer him a new deal. That’s that dream crushed.
Graeme Bailey claims Santi Gimenez will be our top striker target. There was also a link flash up but I can’t remember who the source was of possible interest Morgan Gibbs-White.
Too small he'll never make it in the PL. We never win with Bale all he can do is run fast for a bit. Ardilles and Villa. Can't remember who said it in the media. Villa might work he's like an English player but Ardilles is too delicate to succeed Oh and don't forget our one season wonder Kane..
Football BSider seem to be running that one, though he was linked a couple of months ago by somebody a little less engagement farmy
