CHOULO19

Alright, calm down. We're just debating football, there's no need for fanaticism from either side.

I agree, I don't think here was ever a real option for him. But I have hard time picturing him as the victim here after reading his rumored wages!

I've always wondered how people who have their heads painted on buses feel about it. Must be sooo awkward...

I don't see you saying the same about De Rossi and Roma? Ultimately it is up to the player if he wants to leave. You are right united are not stupid and so they won't keep an unhappy player, especially if that player is on 240k/wk! What they will do though, imo, is make sure they sell him to someone who is not a threat to them.

Well I still have my doubts about his ability to play in a 4-3-3, tbh. And I don't think those doubts will go away until I actually see him playing there for us. I have absolutely no problem with that. Just please try to discuss in a more civilized manner, alright?

Tbh, you've only seen Mikel in arguably his worst season with Chelsea. There are various reasons why he, and everyone else who played in the pivot last season failed to deliver. That is of course not to say that he is not partly responsible. That would be VERY interesting.

Well if you go by the reported values it's only 3-4m more. Don't reckon that'll make much difference to Chelsea.

Well if my opinion is that illogical, you should be able to disprove it without having to resort to insults and attacks, don't you think?

Tbf, he was doing pretty well in the French league last season..

What does Wallace have to do with anything? If they want Wallace on loan we should be the ones doing everything to make it happen regardless of De Rossi.

How about for starters you try to discuss with a bit more respect? I managed to put my point across without insults, sarcasm, or even trying to discredit your opinion by saying you don't know/watch football. How about you try something similar for once? Regarding the point you made, like any football stat, it does not tell the whole the story. I've also seen Oscar bullied off the ball and shrugged off by opposition players countless times this season. He's also aggressive in defending and can't defend 'tactically' meaning containing the opposition and forcing them to certain areas while blocking passing angles. I'll say it again: Playing Oscar in 4-3-3, imo, defeats the whole purpose of playing 4-3-3 because you'll be back the issues we had this year with two isolated players in central midfield being outnumbered by opposition.

Just because that gamble paid off doesn't mean that every gamble will, though.

39m for potential? Absolutely mad..

Marking is one thing and general defensive ability is another. We know he has the work rate to chase around a player all game, but can he tackle? Block channels and passing angles? Does he have the defensive discipline to contain the opposition and not commit to silly challenges? Can he get physical with opposition central midfielders and fight for the ball? I have my doubts..

I've already answered all those points, stating them again we'd just be going in circles. No offense mate, but your main argument seems to be "Oscar can play in 4-3-3 because I believe he can". Well I can't see it. I've never seen him play there and the only time he's played in central midfield with us he was terrible. Ultimately I think if you want to Oscar in 4-3-3 you will need to wingers with better defensive work-rate to balance out the team or you will be back to the main problem we had this season of two isolated players in central midfield being out numbered every time. I agree to some extent (Can you really say Oscar is similar to Ballack, Scholes and Totti phisically and interms of defensive ability), but his ability to play in 4-3-3 and how well it works depends on who is playing next to him in the formation. Oscar in 4-3-3 with Mata and Hazard on the wings will result in the same mess we had this season..

I agree that he most likely leaving united, but I think the only way we will get him is that if we're the only team interested..

I don't get it. What's your point? Are you saying that Arteta and Pirlo do have defensive ability? Because Pirlo certainly doesn't. Arteta defends much better than Oscar does and in any situation I don't want us to be modeling our midfield after Arsenal that's for sure. The reason why Pirlo works in that Juve midfield is that they play with wing backs that always track back and give them numerical advantage in midfield. Similarly the reason why Lamps worked well in a 4-3-3 is because we had wingers with excellent defensive work rate like Robben, Duff, Malouda, Kalou..etc (But still Frank is a much better defensively and physically than Oscar). So if you want to play Oscar in a 4-3-3, you will basically need on the wings people other than Harzard and Mata.

Still not convinced that united would sell to a direct rival for the PL. A transfer like that could cost them the tittle.

Remember when giovani dos santos was supposed to the next Ronaldinho?

All the players that participated in the Confeds are not going to Asia. The club already said no to Gala, why would they say yes to Monaco?

What the actual fuck, people?!! I get you are bored, but this type of thread derailment is NOT acceptable. Please take it to the appropriate thread or there will be warnings issued next time!

BUt you realize he won't just attack but will have to defend as well, right? Everyone seems to forget that for some reason. Do you really want Oscar defending in central midfield where most of the fighting for the ball happens? He simply does not have the strength or defending ability to do so. Also on the attacking side, playing in that crowded midfield area means Oscar will have a lot less time and space on the ball as opposed to playing in the hole like he does for Brazil; even if he sometimes drops to receive the ball, he will mostly have that ball on his feet in that hole where he can dribble at the defenders or slip a pass behind them.

I know what you mean and I completely agree (even said something similar my self a few weeks back without the Messi comparison), but you will get absolutely slatted here for saying this!

What in the world is wrong with Kalou? Definitely one of the better squad players we've had. We could have really used someone like him last season.

Or he put the transfer request to go to Tottenham or another team where he is all but guaranteed a starting spot.