DYC.

It's risky though, playing three midfielders who have never played with each other, in a away game against a tough side as well. And I have a question for those who say Romeu should start, what is that based on? He has played just one league game at the highest level in his career so I'm interested. Or is it just for the sake of starting a new player?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ushvFs96JNk&feature=player_embedded This is the Yuri Zhirkov I was hoping to see at Chelsea, what a shame..

That's the issue that needs to be dealt with.

They still play a slow game in Italy so he could succeed there. Though I agree that there's hardly any, if any, room for his type in today's game (in Europe).

A CM who'll hardly defend and is static.. don't know about you but that doesn't sound good. He's a pure AM, Riquelme-esque.

My thoughts exactly, though I'd play like that in (most) away games, especially against stubborn teams who will mostly defend and try to hit us on the break, and a serious option against Utd and Spurs (because they also play 4-4-2).

Very harsh. He was the only good thing about Liverpool last season and therefore won the Liverpool Player of the Year award. He won the PFA Fans' Player of the Year award too. He's a good player and most importantly, he's intelligent and he loves to move(!). I think he'll surprise a lot people here looking at most of the comments.

Think Frank Lampard of two, three years ago. Not of the same class he was back then though.

Yeah he can play a through ball, not his specialty though. I think most are just very disappointed we didn't sign a playmaker (I already gave up so I'm cool), which is understandable, but Mereiles is a good player imo. And another plus, we've pissed of Liverpool fans yet again

15 according to the rumours.

We've got our marquee signing

He was hilarious .

Ridiculous.

This ladies and gentleman, is why you need a plan B and C .

Borini's signed for Roma. A great move for him though he'll face some heavy competition.

You guys are crazy, comparing him to Kalou. He's a lot more talented than him, he's just 'stupid' and he lacks discipline. He can become a good winger with the right mind-set and good guidance, he has the pace, flair and skill for it. That or he can end up like Quaresma, waste of talent (though Quaresma's a lot more talented).

Nahh don't think so, not complete enoguh. A 10 is also expected to score goals, have the ability to dribble, move into dangerous attacking positions constantly and support the striker. Xavi doesn't possess those qualities and we don't know how Xavi would do in a advanced position where he doesn't have the same amount space and time on the ball to play his game. He was supposed to be Spain's most advanced central midfielder during the World Cup but kept moving into deep positions and didn't offer a lot/enough offensively. Pure CM for me.

Xavi's not a 10 though, he was seen as Guardiola's successor wasn't he? Don't know about Iniesta but Iniesta's not a 10 too if you ask me, more of a attacking CM. He starts from the centre of the pitch a lot and then moves into advanced positions most of the time. I still think Ancelotti was trying to convert Josh into a deep-lying playmaker.

True, his philosophy is perfect for a player like Josh and for us fans. Let's hope he gets the time to make it happen as it's gonna take a while. I really am starting to think the Modric deal won't happen though..

That's what I always believed at first but our system and the English game doesn't supoort it. He'll probably end up as a CM, I hope an attacking one like Lampard (of course not playing the same way).

It's gonna be pretty hard for him to make it as a 10 since he's played the DM role more than the 10 role at the highest level..

Kick and Rush, frentic pace of the game.. all things which don't support the use of a 10. But like Spike said, England has Rooney and in his current form he's brililant. He plays the same role as Messi but he's focused on linking midfield and attack more than him so he deserves a mention.

The work permit thing is a rule set up by the FA, not the same here and in many other countries.

Nahh they used to be but they bought a lot of players and replaced Ferrer, who was a joke of manager sorry, by a good manager, now they have a solid team. Plus Vitesse obviously belongs to Roman (indirectly).

- Playing regularly at Vitesse means he could make the NT and play the neccessary amount of games (think Alex) - At Vitesse he can show whether he falls under the 'exceptional talent' category