Add to the list that's already 3 miles long, the following names, then go off shaking your heads. Luke Shaw Lavezzi Varane. Is there a registered player not coming to us next year??
Tiago is a smart move for me. Last season comparing him with Mikel Avg. Interceptions per game- Tiago 3.2 # Mikel 1 Avg. tackles per game - Tiago 3.4 # Mikel 1.1 Duels Won this season - Tiago 202 # Mikel 86 He may be 33 but he adds experience to that midfield and has been very good for Atletico this season when I have watched him.
He's a fine player and you can't moan at a free transfer. Experience always helps etc. However I wonder if we'd be better off giving more game time to Van Ginkel, Chalobah, Traore etc. I realise we will need a signing or 2 in midfield but would hope for a younger player with bigger quality to play alongside Matic if we are to bridge the gap with City and the European giants.
Looking like we might be changing our strip to red and white stripes if we keep the trend going. A lot of press saying we will meet Filipe Luis's 19.5m buy-out. Courtois, Costa, Tiago, Luis. Atletico fans will be throwing up if they lose all their players.
Koke linked aswell. Could end up with half their side, wouldn't be a bad thing though! Dzeko linked again today too, odds shortened on Sky Bet.
Tiago would be a great move on a free. He can be our new Ballack. If Costa really does come then it makes even more sense. There are plenty of games for Van Ginkel and Chalobah too be gradually introduced, IF and its a big if, Jose really does intend to use our youth and not just buy everyone as usual. We need 2 players for every position so 4 midfielders makes total sense, 2 young ones, (3 really with Matic) plus the experience of Tiago. Think there still might be a move for a really serious midfielder like Poga. What we will need though is genuine pace in the back 4, especially if we get a good run in the CL again. Hopefully Kalas and the other youngster Bouma?? is it, should be played as well. Another very interesting year coming up for us, expect us to be within 2 players of a long term team by seasons end.
With respect to Tiago, he's not even in the same world as Michael Ballack who was a truly world class player. Agree we need 2 for every position though probably 5 instead of 4 for central mid. In midfield we currently have Ramires, Matic, Mikel, Lampard (subject to contract) and Van Ginkel. If we sign someone, I think it has to be better than what we have and I'm not convinced Tiago is, especially coming into a fast league at 33. Lampard and/or Mikel may leave and I think I'd rather replace them with an exciting youth player or a top top class player. Maybe Pogba as you suggest. Jose tends to make these kind of signings. Fringe players he likes who won't play every week but will do a job when required and not cause much fuss. Eto'o to an extent last year for instance, Smirtin and Scott Parker when he was last here etc. I think these places in the squad perhaps need to be going to more youth players for development and FFP reasons. At centre half we have Ivan, Cahill and Terry and some quality youth players in Kalas, Zouma and Omereo (sic?) yet we're still being linked with big name centre backs. Surely one of those youth players can be 4th choice next year?
