Don't know a great deal about the lad so been trying to find some articles on him and found this (this was before he was linked with us): Sounds promising Also sounds like a player that won't be sitting on the bench, direct replacement for Barton? Or does anyone think that Pardew actually would take Nolan out the team and leave Joey in the team?
I think squad rotation is very much on the agenda next seaason so I think he, Barton and Nolan will be rotated. I expect Tiote to be rested/suspended for a fair few games too so Cabaye would be a direct replacement.
Rotation would also keep Gutierrez in form, since he'll be less likely to go through his complacent spells.
Considering he's a holding midfielder this can mean only one of two things; 1) Pardew plans to play two holding midfielders like Brazil did at the world cup with another three midfielders further up and a lone striker. 2) Ashley is going to cash in on Tiote. I know which is more likely Still, looks like excellent value for money & I hope he brings one of their strikers with him!
That would be true if he was a holding midfielder. He's a box-to-box/playmaker. Think French Barton, except younger and without the baggage.
I think he's been used in a more defensive role this season, but the season before that he scored 13 and assisted 7 in 32 league games (15 and 11 in 46 overall), so he's more than capable going forward too.
Yeah he was reported as a target for Le Arse a couple of years ago and he was seen as a tough tackling defensive/box-to-box type then. Sounds like he can do a bit of everything, I'm quite excited.
He is a penalty specialist according to numerous sources and this is backed up by his 17 attribute on FM (Y). He is also supposed to be good at his corners and free kicks .
So drop him in midfield with Tiote behind Jonas, Ben Arfa (or Nolan) and a new left/right winger, behind a striker. Winner. Barton rotates if he stays, and we only have to play Danny Guthrie in super emergencies. Yay!
