When Sandro got injured last year, Paulinho was exactly what was needed. Dembele has dodgy hips too. The cover in that role was vital and in order to sustain the level we have (Dembele/Sandro) 17m was the price to pay. I too would like to see Holtby in that middle '2' alongside Sandro or Paulinho. He plays it for Germany if I recall?
In terms of Holtby I believe that for the German U21s he played as a no.10 this summer, and has pretty much always done so, also that is the position he mostly played at Schalke. But I certainly think he has the engine, willingness and ability to play in that '3' very effectively. I believe he came out and said he wanted to play a bit deeper as well if I recall correctly. I completely see what you're saying regarding cover to Sandro and Dembele, from what I've heard and seen of Paulinho he appears to have many of the best attributes of both, so in that sense he is ideal. HOWEVER Paulinho has clearly been bought in with a view to be taking up a starting place - certainly we as a club are not in the position to be spending £17 million on a player for the bench. Therefore, as neither of Sandro/Dembele are likely to be dropped when fit and on form, as they were so often when playing together last year, it is fair to say that those three will probably be playing together for a decent amount of time fitness and form permitting. I'll say it again - Paulinho is a fine player and £17 million was the going price to pay for a player of his quality at his age, so we paid it. I just worry a little bit as to whether we will lose a bit of creativity when those three play together, and whether he was exactly the player we NEED at that price. Certainly if we get priced out of a move for the desperately needed striker having pent £17 million on Paulinho I'll be pretty pissed.
Come on now guys, you are starting to sound like scousers, gooners and chavs. Wishful thinking has driven many of them to the edge. Act now to save yourselves.
Just to make it clear for you, you guys have two chances of signing Bale. They are slim, and none. To quote Don King, "and slim just left town"
http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/18/tottenham-working-on-7million-deal-for-new-neymar-neilton-3888482/ Have you been "raving" again, Spurcat (stay off the Es) ??
Im talking about Spurs fans predicting United will fall. Its all very insulting. Its not like United are Liverpool or something embarrassing like that.
Oh please. Get over it. Have a listen to yourself and ask why you care so much what we're writing on our board.
"Its all very insulting" Always a strange experience for supporters of the Empire to be subjected to the kind of WUMmery usually reserved (by them and others) for their PL inferiors.
If he really is the new Neymar do we think that Santos would let him leave for £7m, when they've just sold the old Neymar for £50m Either he's going to cost a hell of a lot more than that, or he's not the new Neymar!
