robsblubot

fair enough I hope you are right, but I still think Jesus is twice the player who makes Arsenal a far better team, for example. Regarding the " carefree attitude" bit, I don't think it belongs in the modern game, but again, I hope you are right.

Yeah I know his numbers look good, but that's not how I rate striker these days. Lukaku had good numbers too, and I wouldn't have signed him. Barca as well as fans were not very worried about losing him btw) -- colleague of mine is a Barca fan. It's really the same issue I had with Luakaku: if he scores plenty of goals, but makes the team easier to beat, then is he really helping?

I've always thought Aubameyang was overrated. He's a good finisher, and a skillful player on the ball. He severely lacks in mentality, which translates into low work rate and teamwork. This makes him an odd choice for Tuchel style of play or any high press. I think he was a flop at Arsenal and was again a flop at Barca. He starts very well, scoring often esp against the weaker sides, but seems to fizzle out as the season unfolds and matches become tougher. With that out of the way, I'd really love to be wrong and that he ends up delivering for -- turn arounds like that aren't unheard of in football.

What? maybe I'm not making myself clear, it is my opinion after all. Please don't conflate characteristics and quality. While I don't yet know how much Koulibaly will help, I already know he's no Rudiger in characteristics, as in style of play. He's a far more limited CB even if still a good one. We are on the Tuchel thread here, and my original point was about how much losing Rudiger, and not getting a player of the same style, would hurt his strategy. I haven't seen enough of Fofana, but perhaps he may be able to fill that void left by Rudiger. That's all there is to it.

thanks stand corrected. Still he moves like 33+ though... perhaps fitness? And no, he does not move like Rudiger, which was my main point.

Koulibaly is 33 and moves like Thiago Silva. Simply not comparable with Rudiger imo. Regarding the quoted post, Eden was never a leader. Quite the opposite -- he was the guy who needed getting dragged to deliver.

I feel very strongly that sacking Tuchel would be a massive mistake. Everybody plays the same way these days: it's all pressure high up. for that reason, the ball playing ability of your defenders is constantly tested. That's why the 3 CBs currently playing aren't good enough. Thiago Is the best player on the ball, but he lack physically due to his age. Fofana may help with that, but once again, there was no coming back from the losses we had without work/signings. Missing Reece and Kante is also a big problem for the same reason as they are excellent transitioning the ball from D to attack.

Totally agree it’s both, but for me mentality is an important part of quality, as is physique. Also, when Rudiger pressed high up the pitch, he was a de facto additional midfield player, same as when he ran with the football and that’s all gone. I will point back to what happen to Liverpool when they lost VVD for a season. Given this is a permanent situ, maybe tuchel will have to change formation, but that’s not easy and a bit late for that.

Although Pulisic has stagnated (in a bad way), and seems to be annoyed at something/someone, we can't win games conceding the way we do. Can't chase 2 goals away from home, or even at home every match. Sometimes we will find a way to score, but more likely than not we will come short and lose out. In my view, when people start talking about lack of fighting, will, grit, it's usually really just lack of quality. The job of a big club is to have enough abundant quality that it should find a way to win even when the other side wants it more. Defense is very concerning atm and no, the 3 CBs don't work very well. They are all older players who lack mobility, which is the striking difference from the past seasons. When playing 3 at the back, it's VERY important that the CBs have the mobility and quality to step into the midfield for both pressing and build up. The CBs we've got now cannot do that because they lack physically (pace/mobility). Ironically Azpi still can do some of it, but he never had the ball playing quality to do that well. Not looking good and I don't think there is much the manager can do without the right players IMO.

all fair points, but I think you are downplaying how much we are missing Rudiger. He was a far more than just a CB and would join the middle and even the attack putting pressure against the opposition at all times. Losing him and Kante is just too much. I suspect the club will have the understanding that it's akin to Klopp losing VVD for a season.. it would always have a cost. I'm sorry to say that, but koulibaly is nowhere near Rudiger quality or style of play.

200m sneaky bid for Guimaraes would solve all that. 😉 there was always a cost of losing both rudiger and andreas without proper replacements tho.

That too but I also think D got weaker and with fewer options.

Werner was never a problem tho. Understand he had to leave after sterling was signed, but he was a good player winning silverware! D on the other hand… kinda predictable tho (did warn about it).

Defending is in shambles. We will have a hard time winning matches when conceding as many goals.

and yet, in terms of his role, he is an "8"

nothing except that he did not pass the ball and always preferred runs and spins. That's the polar opposite of what the modern game is all about, which is what Sterling was coached into. He also never pressed to save his life, which is yet another advantage Sterling has. I'm being honest here... if I'm playing a CL game against strong opposition, I know which player I'd pick. BTW, think folks here are downplaying his Madrid flop. It speaks a lot about about his mentality, or the lack thereof.

oh wow West Ham signed Paqueta.... The PL is getting tougher and tougher. For the the real special player we missed (albeit last season) was Bruno Guimaraes, but Paqueta is definitely quality and will likely be a top player for West Ham.

It's not that I think Sterling is one of the greats mind you, but because I think Hazard is an extremely overrated player especially around here (not so much elsewhere). The extra flair Eden might have over Sterling is easily made up for a lot more work rate as well as the ability to pass the football (as oppose to take it home).

What's up with this obsession with Zaha? 🙄 He's terrible and there is a reason this 29yo striker left united and spent his career at Crystal Palace chasing nothing.

You are right he’s no eden… he’s better.

Antony is really good and I hope he does not go to United 😕

Italy international, but oh boy no redeeming qualities for me. Folks criticized Alonso, but at least you always knew what his virtues were -- as well as his deficiencies. Emerson however, plenty of weaknesses and no clear virtue in my book. Best of luck, but we are far better server by the current selection of LBs.

I disagree with the overall notion here, but that's opinions. I feel somewhat more strongly about is having both Haaland and Lukaku in the same sentence. 😉

Club to Tuchel, "we couldn't get any of your striker targets except Lukaku -- please talk to him and his manager to see if there is interest." Lukaku will say Tuchel convinced him of something only footballers say, while in reality the money (and Luakaku's agent) did all the convincing needed. 😉

Too slow with transfers; even if you land a target, it will be way too late to challenge for anything as it takes time for players to gel in a new team. Nothing new here, but disappointing to see that we haven't figured this one out yet. I still think we are weaker than the CL season as of now.