BORUSSIA DORTMUND have refuted claims that Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Ilkay Gundogan.
Watzke's comments on Gundogan's future echo those made by Dortmund's sporting director - Michael Zorc - who rubbished Sky Sports' sensational claim last weekend. He said: "There is no signature, no contract, no offer, no request and not even contact. "The last time I talked to Manchester United was in November 2014 and that was about a different topic."
You may get both, you know how it goes the clubs talk as much crap as the papers. NOT FOR SALE one week SOLD the next.
Anyone know what German football fans think of Bayern Munich (obviously I don't mean their own fans)? Their dominance of domestic football has got so extreme that it's practically a given now that if one of their "rival" teams has a top quality player(s), Bayern put an end to any potential challenge to them by signing that player(s). Are they admired because they're such a good team, hated because of their monopoly of the domestic game or have fans become indifferent and accepting that second place is effectively a title of it's own now?
Gundogan is a very good mf for what he offers (possession) but after a decade, I'd finally like a midfielder who can tackle. Do the simple stuff to stop the opposition's attack as well as win possession. And then as a bonus drive forward. I'd much rather we went for Carvalho who ticks all those boxes (or Pogba but that aint going to happen).
Tackling is all but banned. In coming years it will be illegal to go to ground at all. The best defenders and midfielders today, rarely slide in. As long as they can win the ball back, thats what matters.
But the best can tackle without going to ground. Close down and dispossess. Look at Matic. Gundogan and players like him (including Carrick) rely on anticipating and cutting out passes rather than closing down or tackling. A box to box mf who can tackle has been missing from our side for 10 years.
I prefer the interception style personally but when you said tackling, I assumed you meant going to ground.
The anticipating, reading the game and interception style is good but not always effective. When you have the likes of Vidic and Rio in their pomp behind you, the few games where the opposition manage to play around you in midfield dont seem to matter. But it's a risk. And with building a new back 4, buying new CBs and RB as we are, we cant afford the luxury that Gundogan brings. I'd much rather the steel that Carvalho will offer in front. And dont underestimate him, he's an intelligent footballer who can pick a pass once he wins possession.
