Depends on the situation! If we were in a sticky position where we were being bombarded so couldn't sacrifice defence but needed something more going forwards: If he were replacing Lucas for example- he'd be giving us more creativity without really sacrificing defensively too horribly. I'd think usually we'd have better options on the bench though for coming from behind. If we didn't already have Allen- I wouldn't advocate signing him... but he's solid enough for coming off the bench usually when we need a player who is a midfielder, hardworking, can tackle, and does track back but can create chances. He is a decent squad option. Coutinho is a better option if available... maybe Lallana and Can would be too... I'll wait to pass judgement there.
Why do you think that? We currently have Gerrard, Lucas and Can to play holding. I expect Lallana to play AM, centrally or from wide, or as a false 9. I like Coutinho best creating from the midfield next to Henderson. The more I think about Lallana as a false 9 the more I see it happening.
Allen still does nothing that I would expect any other midfielder to be able to do. Not have a huge ego and just pass it simple. Excellent positional sense? He drops back 10 yards into space and sometimes gets the ball to pass it another 10 yards elsewhere. Again, I would expect any midfielder worth their salt to do that. The better ones actually move forward 10 yards to get the ball out from a player in a dangerous spot like I saw Schweinsteiger do countless times in the WC. Carrick does the sidewards backwards movement thing but can also spray balls 40 yards and pass it forward. Joe's an even more average version of Carrick. The only thing I can praise him for is that he is very good at pressing and holding position when we don't have the ball, but he's not even the best at tackling or winning the ball back because of his size. Average Joe, will never be anything more. Happy to have him in the squad, at least he'll be average and not (occasionally) muck, but I don't want to see him start games. I'll cheer and applaud him whilst he plays for us, but I certainly won't he hoping he plays.
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Maybe not holding- but not on the three behind the striker. In attack we have Remy, Sturridge, Sterling, John Malkovich (all of whom I expect to get starts)... almost all the rumours out there are for more attacking players... smoke/fire/etc.. I expect at least one more exclusively attacking player that will be first team or challenge for first team. Then of course there is Lambert, Ibe, Suso, TexShearer... all of whom will make cameos and appearances and all of whom are exclusively attacking players. We're not going to sell Courtinho- and we paid big money for Lallana... if they're going to fit in our team they will be in a more central midfield role rather than perhaps the more attacking midfield role to which they are more optimally applied. Allen too- if there is a role for him- it will be central or deeper... despite not being his best spot. ... Lucas is leaving this summer I suspect.