Transfer Rumours Let's ignore the big ****ing elephant and blame the latest manager, again. Are we nearly there yet?

Versatility and studying Kimmich
Martinez completed his €7m move from Defensa y Justicia to Ajax in the same summer Matthijs de Ligt departed for Juventus.

The Argentine was seen as a long-term replacement for the club's former captain at centre-back but his success in Holland, and his attractiveness to United and Arsenal, is down to his versatility too. Martinez can also play at left-back or in central midfield.

Indeed, having started his first season at Ajax in De Ligt's old position, one in which he had played the bulk of his football as a young player in Argentina, he soon found himself stepping into the midfield role vacated by Frenkie de Jong six months earlier.

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"At the beginning of the season we were looking for a brain for central midfield," said Ten Hag at the time. "We knew Martinez had played in central midfield, but could he do it in Ajax's system? We tried him there and we saw good things."

It is a testament to Martinez's tactical intelligence that, in unfamiliar surroundings, and without any knowledge of English, let alone Dutch, he was able to adapt to probably the most demanding role in the Ajax team, dictating the play from the base of midfield and providing a bridge between defence and attack.

 

He'll be the new Keano - how ****ing good is that - watch out Erling Haaland - just saying.

 

Interesting read on how Martinez could be deployed in a more fluid role...

He will play in both the back line and the midfield within the same games, the positional interchange between players across the first two lines is constant and fluid in a Ten Hag system, it's also non-negotiable.

You can read a little bit about it here from where it begins with 'At the back, Ten Hag has developed an odd system...':

https://www.rdftactics.com/post/erik-ten-hag-ajax-tactical-analysis

If you want a very detailed (very long) insight into how it might look with de Jong thrown into the mix (he left Ajax in the summer Martínez arrived) then this might help wrap your head around that:

https://tacticandtechnique.com/a-view-on-ajax-amsterdams-astonishing-2018-19-season/

Martínez's ability to play in both areas is vital, just like the second piece underlines why de Jong's versatility is vital, and makes you realise why Ten Hag made him his #1 priority.

Together they will completely transform the build up phase, they are a collective game-changer.

 

But we should look elsewhere no?

Jeeeeeezzzz.

 

I think the negotiations on all transfers so far including De Jong needs to be applauded.

Much better than under that incompetent buffoon Eddie.

 

Well yeah, it's not like they are over there begging de Jong to join us, which is what the media (some) would like people to believe. (and some clearly have believed)

Pleeeeeeaaase Frenkie, please. We'll pay you loads.

It's ****ing obvious de Jong is open to coming or they'd have walked away. He just wants his deferred wages from a club that have attempted to **** on his head in full view of the watching media.

As anyone would.

 

Good game and a decent result (4-1) in Melbourne. The first half featured our first team players and despite going behind McTominay and Martial put us ahead at the interval. Martial looked sharp and seemed dialled into the game for a change. In the second half we made ten changes with Rashford playing up front. he seems energised and scored a great goal taking on and excellent through ball from Bailey who was showing strengths and defensive frailties in equal measure. The stand out youngster (again) was young Savage - the lad has a great eye for a pass and very quick feet and reminds me very much of Scholes - we should definitely see him in the first team this season

 

As I posted earlier, the pressure is all on Barca.

De Jong and United just need to sit back.

I've read today that both Bayern and Barca and Lewandowski have all agreed to the move. Yet it's still not completed but nobody's mentioning why. All about their finances - that's the elephant in the room.

BTW I also read an article saying Barca owe a total of 88m Euros in deferred wages!!

So 17m to De Jong is just a drop in a clusterfck ocean of Barca's own making.

 

Official:

Eriksen signs for Utd.

good signing IMO

 

EVERY single signing saying Ten Hag was a massive factor.

Don't recall many saying that about Ole

OK I'll stop. Promise.

 

And Raphina for 55m. All up in the air unless they get the money for DeJong. This is the classical example of a club/individuals/group refusing to see the reality. They think they should still shop in Harrods when their budget indicates Aldi.

 

And that's an insult to Aldi tbf

Look at this dickhead...



No **** sherlock

 

I very much prefer Aldi! I find things easier there. lol

 

When you do, do you look for something else?

I'm in a silly mood. Loving our signings atm

 

Well, they have so much alternatives! Branded and brand-less options that all taste the same. So I tend to go for the brandless instead of waiting for when the branded which is always out of stock is available. I’m never the one to focus on designers over function.

 

I only mention Aldi because I know (as I use them) that they are vfm. Harrods is about expensive brands and showing off. That’s exactly what a **** poor club like Barcelona shouldn’t use.

 

Eriksen's stats are really quite impressive - what an addition he is going to be

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12645649/christian-eriksen-to-man-utd-dane-set-for-key-role-for-erik-ten-hag-at-old-trafford

 

Stats are nice, but I've watched him play as well. He's very good.