Not too different to the 3-3 and 5-3 from last season then? I agree that we need a better defence and am hoping that those aren't our only targets. If nothing else, Ings will be less than five million, Benteke say 20-25 (or knowing us, 40 million) and Milner free, with the wages covered by the departures of the likes of Gerrard and Johnson. So that's a fairly small outlay, which could be 0 if we actually manage to sell some players. Also, you forgot to say "average" in the posts above
Not sure what Ings offers us Borini doesn't already? More than half of Benteke's goals have come from set pieces or crosses - he will get neither at Liverpool. And since his first season, he's been poor bar to Sherwood arriving. Again with Milner, not sure what he offers us that Henderson doesn't already - both Milner and Henderson will be on over £100k a week. Such a waste of resources.
Benteke also good at running at defenders and going behind them. If he is used well ..very good player. My worries is injuries.
Wasn't particularly defending them, but as devil's advocate: Ings is at least English and probably has a slightly better eye for goal. If we do buy Ings (not my first choice by any means), then hopefully we can get enough money for Borini to make it Ings plus a little bit of money in exchange for Borini, which is at least a net gain. I'm not completely sold on Benteke - he's had injuries, and his form has certainly been patchy. But he's better than what we've got now at least. Likely to be relatively expensive though. Milner to provide the crosses for Benteke? I don't know.
Not struggling to justify Milner, he'd be a very good signing, especially as a free (+signing on fee). Milner, Can and Hendo fighting it for the two B2B roles (assuming we sign a DM) offer a solid hard to beat type midfield with plenty of energy to be able to support attacks too.
But that's the thing - we don't need a powerful, B2B type. We need players who can dribble with the ball and carry it from deep. Only Can can do that and Coutinho if he plays in a deep/CM position. I have concerns over Milner doing that because has only ever done it for Villa and that was just for 1 season.
Milner can dribble with the ball, he's done it at Leeds, Newcastle, Villa, Man City and England. Only the latter two haven't given him a regular central role but just look at who he was competing with, he suffered like Gerard did for England because hews versatile
Yes, and Man City was the only big club in that list. We've signed numerous players who have played well at a mid table level but fail to replicate it on the bigger stage. He's played on the wing for the majority of his career. Plus, I think a DM is far more urgent than a CM. Recent links with Kondogbia are encouraging.
When Milner as played in the middle for City he's like good. He was up against some exceptional players for a starting position and as I said, punished for being versatile. We can't just but players from top clubs, they won't join us because we got ****all to offer. We basically need a whole new team, we obviously can't afford to buy a full team so we need to be sensible. Milner is a very sensible and quality signing. I agree about DM too
So if he's only good enough to start for a mid table club, then why do we want him? I'm sure you'll point out that Sturridge/Sakho/Coutinho couldn't get into the first team at big clubs but the difference is, they were all young and had potential. Milner, in his prime, simply wasn't good enough.
Who said he's only good enough to start for a mid table club? I think he's good enough to get in all but Man City and Chelsea at CM!
That is what you implied when by saying he was a starter for the likes of Villa, Newcastle etc but he couldn't get into the City side. He would be a good squad player, that's for sure. But for £100k plus, it's poor value. Shall we nip this in the bud, and say I won the debate? I should be working!
