The Skipper

Also confirmed by his agent... http://www.football-oranje.com/agent-strootman-deal-done-today-or-tomorrow/

Brilliant.

Have you ever considered a career as a comedian?

Interesting.

I think buying a new CB can be done next season. It isn't an urgent concern.

I'd take him any day. He'd fit in fantastically here. Maybe he needs a change of scenario to truly realise his potential. Benzema at his best is absolutely unplayable. Fantastic player on his day in my opinion.

Spectacular goals and assists only from midfield? They were mostly from set pieces, and it really doesn't matter where he plays to score them. He actually scored a cracker when he did play as a CB against Fulham. Also his assist for the Torres goal against Rubin Kazan was when he played CB. Where he plays doesn't affect his ability to score screamers or provide great assists.

And this is good. The fact that City have to spend another £100m to be "slightly ahead of us until we make one or two additions" is great. If we sign De Rossi for example we'll actually have a squad on par with City with us spending far less, which is fantastic. The squad make up we have at CFC currently is absolutely fantastic considering we've got so many great young players. We're really almost set to challenge on all fronts which is more than what I could've asked for at the end of last season when it looked so bleak. Like you said, add one or two players and our squad is basically perfect. In an ideal scenario (mine anyway) we'd sign De Rossi, ship off Torres and sign Rooney. The squad would be so balanced and flexible tactically for Jose that we'd potentially have the best squad in the PL - and it's been a long, long time since we've been able to say that.

Oh yeah, I actually agree that current Cesc hasn't been anywhere near good enough, if you read my post I wasn't actually saying that current Cesc is anywhere near being the best midfielder in the world - you'll see that I do say that today he's a shadow of his former self and I completely agree with you on how he practically left Arsenal in the gutter by forcing a move to Barcelona. However, Cesc does have the tools to be the best central midfielder in the world in the right environment. Had he stayed at Arsenal and had Arsenal kept their stars (e.g. the Nasris, RVPs, Songs etc.) they could've easily been challenging for the title right now with Cesc being their main player. I believe that United would be a great environment for him to exploit his talents and that's why I really don't hope they sign him as he'd definitely be fantastic for them. I don't think I've overrated him - I acknowledge that he shouldn't be considered as one of the best right now but what I am saying is that if he's under the right circumstances and the right environment he'll show in my opinion that he can be the best. I feel like we're going around in circles though so we'll just have to agree to disagree!

De Rossi is a well rounded midfielder, he's actually quite technically astute. He's got a great passing game, a decent long shot and is a threat in the area from set pieces so he'll be alright offensively but that's not his main game. I don't know why people are desperately looking for an offensive game from a defensive midfielder especially when we have the likes of Hazard, Mata, Oscar, KDB, Schurrle, Moses etc. who can provide the majority of that. Mikel is actually pretty good offensively, he plays with a lot of freedom when he does play for his national team and you can see that he's actually pretty good offensively, but at Chelsea he has the role of a holding player so he doesn't contribute too much offensively because he's been asked to play so. Simple. He's not more Mikel or more Alonso. He's De Rossi.

Zlatan can play as a number 10 right? Imagine it bring late in the game, 1-0 down, Lukaku's on the bench. Drop Zlatan down to the number 10 role and put Lukaku in front of him and just lump the ball up to both big fellas. Could be very effective.

Will reply later .

If he stays fit he'll surprise a lot of people next season.

Well, I never said he's the best or close to being so at the moment - what I did say is that he has the tools to become the best midfielder in the world. I wouldn't compare him to Mata or any number 10 either because he's more B2B than the aforementioned. He's more of a number 8 or 6. Cesc at Arsenal was absolutely phenomenal, well on his way to becoming the best in the world in his position in my opinion - he singe handily bossed games for them, was their talisman and go to guy back then. Why I say he has the tools to become the best midfielder in the world is because he's great at either side of the field. Cesc is great in the final third, the middle of the pitch, and very competent in front of the defensive 16 yard box. He's very well rounded as a player but has that extra finesse especially in the final third - he has the ability to win you games. Technically his game is astute. His mental game is awesome. Physically, he's also not too shabby, and he is very combative when he does play in his favoured role. His passing has been under utilised at Barcelona - in fact he's been under utilised completely there. He's not been good at Barcelona at all in my opinion... He's far better than what he's showing now. What he needs is the right system that allows him to express himself properly. In my opinion, he was on the cusp of becoming the best midfielder in the PL because Lampard and Gerrard were starting to wane when he left. I would love for you to actually name the 20 central midfielders you think that are better than Fabregas right now. As I said before, I honestly hope United do not get him because he is exactly the player they need in their midfield. Easily a world class midfielder, even if he has been a shadow of himself at Barcelona. £25m would be an astute price for a world class player such as Cesc.

Well I said the same as well but that doesn't mean Mikel's going to be on the bench for a year or that it was an instigated PR stunt. This doesn't prove that. I'm happy he's staying. Interested to see if Mourinho can continue his project on him and would love to see him play next to a true DM like De Rossi, which would give him more freedom to use his strongest assets correctly.

Yeah, Cesc does not fit the Barcelona system. He's a great player and has all the tools to be the best midfielder in the world in my opinion, but he needs to go to a team that plays more direct and one that can play him as their main playmaker. United would be perfect for him in my opinion. Hope they don't get him.

No, you're underrating Hazard and Neymar if you think Gotze is better than the latter and as good as the first.Neymar will prove himself next season though beyond doubt to the unbelievers.

Very interesting read. Thanks.

Nah. I'd have Neymar over Gotze in my team any day. Neymar has more talent than Gotze and in my opinion has a higher ceiling as well.

I'd have Hazard and Neymar over Gotze any day though.

No need to be so disrespectful against people who have different views than you.

I know dude I'm Dutch . I'm just saying that his surname is Schuerrle not Schuerlle! Strange lol. Andre needs to learn how to spell his own surname correctly!

It would help if he spelt his name correctly!

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No. Luiz is a great defender to have in a counter attacking system simply because he can produce great long balls from the back and can carry the ball out.