Ozil and Mkhi are going nowhere though. If either of them were leaving, then I'd say yes bring in Coutinho, but as it stands we don't need yet another attacking MF player. The £27m for a loan is an eye watering amount too. I'd much rather we spent that on a CB. It looks like Rugani has agreed terms with us, but we still need to work out a deal with Juve. Rumours are £37m to be paid at the end of a two year loan deal. Also still potential for a deal for Upamecano too, although reports are that Liepzig want up to £92m for him
I thought that initially, but I'm not so sure anymore. Eriksen is the heartbeat of that Spurs team and is a fine player. Coutinho did some great things with Liverpool, but he's been fairly anonymous at Barca. He'd have to come in and absolutely smash it to be anywhere near a suitable replacement for Eriksen
I agree CB and LB definitely a priority however I'm not sold on rugani tbh he hasn't impressed for Juventus I don't think he's worth 37 million. Regarding couhthino I think if that type of player becomes available you sign him then worry about how he will fit in later. Also maybe signing him will force mhki or ozil out preferably mhki
Mkhitarian has been a disappointment. I doubt he'll be here after this Season. He's nothing more than a decent squad player at this point. Think about it this way. If you look at Klopps Liverpool - would they play with the same intensity with Ozil in the No.10?.. The answer is NO I mean he's a quality player but for me he only makes sense in a posession based side. For high pressing fast paced counter attacking team like we are now building under Emery - Coutinho is better suited.
Like I said I’d take him if we could. But with Ozil and Mhki in the squad and us needed to spend money on our defence, it’s just not a priority for us atm.
--------------------------Leno--------------------------- Bellerin-------Sokratis-------Luiz---------Tierney ----------------Caballos-------Torreira--------------- -----------------------------Ozil-------------------------- --Pepe---------------Lacazette--------------Auba-- Although I think Emery will go..... --------------------------Leno--------------------------- Bellerin-------Sokratis-------Luiz---------Tierney --------Caballos------Xhaka-------Guend--------- --Pepe---------------Lacazette--------------Auba--
At home or easier away games: --------------------------Leno--------------------------- Bellerin-------Holding-------Luiz---------Tierney ----------------Caballos-------Xhaka--------------- -----------------------------Ozil-------------------------- --Pepe---------------Lacazette--------------Auba-- Away or tough home games: --------------------------Leno--------------------------- Bellerin-------Holding------Sokratis-------Tierney --------Caballos------Xhaka-------Torreira--------- --Pepe---------------Lacazette--------------Auba--
We are definitely going with 3 at the back with luiz in the team. I was against it but it looks like that's how we will go
Maybe but we stuck with a backfour throughtout PreSeason. Also with Tierney in now - he is definetely more of a fullback as opposed to Kolasinac who is more a wingback.
It's just that I think luiz will be exposed in a 4 and Emery will know that as he sold him at a loss when he was at psg and Tierney is yet to be proven at this level, bellerin is out so in the short to possibly mid term we are going with a 3. I hope not because I hate it but that's my feeling
One of the reasons a 3 for us didn't work last season was because our defenders were so static. Mustafi, Sokratis and Monreal (okay he's mobile but has slowed massively) just didn't have the mobility that a back 3 needs to work effectively.
Definitely we are better placed with a back 3 with luiz as he is one of the best cb's in the world at playing the ball at the back however it's not a formation I like i woukd have preferred we got upamanceo and played 4-2-3-1 But you can't have everything I guess