robsblubot

that's why both are only good players, not even great. One could argue that Luiz characteristics are rarer especially in CBs, which could give the team an edge, while another may say it Cahill's composure is a better quality. My take is that they are at about the same level, despite being completely different players - both well below what JT used to be.

fair enough but just don't praise Emenalo for taking favors from the likes of Kia...

wow! Give the man a medal! So Emenalo in Kia's pocket, one of the sleaziest agents out there (actually he's not a licensed agent)... His stuff in MSI (2004-07), which brought Tevez and Mascherano to Corinthians in Brazil was the most obvious money laundering event ever.

I've changed my opinion on him a couple of times and have finally reached a few conclusions that perhaps showcase how I see him: 1. David Luiz is rarely average: he either stands out as one of the best performers or he has a shocker. Don't fool yourself: he had fantastic performances against us twice! His shockers are rare, but not as rare as they should be though. 2. (because) David is a really stupid player on the pitch: he's either 100% physically and mentally fit in which case he plays his best, or he has a shocker because he can't adapt his game to different conditions (e.g. niggling injury and/or a special opponent with certain characteristics). He's a very technical player - I'd say he's the CB with the most technique in the world by a fair margin. I've seen him play live and his first touch and passing are truly special especially for a CB. He's a terrific passer: short and long. In the end Jose was more right than wrong: David did very well in CM under him and I thought both Brazil and Blanc misused him in that they never attempted to play him there - even in tough away games. Blanc had marquinhos asking for minutes and never (or rarely) used Luiz in midfield say against barcelona in Spain... that's blanc (the other french wenger) . On one hand I dislike this signing because I don't rate him highly enough as a CB. As a rotation player however, he becomes more interesting because of his ability to play in the middle and even cover as a fullback. It really depends on how Conte is going to use him. Any change that can potentially make Mikel play less is a good change in my book as I honestly think Mikel is a team-breaking player - he should never play. Though now I am worried about Chalobah a bit. I'd have preferred a different type of signing, perhaps two specialists (the Marcelo guy and a proper CB), but I guess as a panic buy (yes it was!) Luiz does provide cover we did not have. Emenalo and cia never fail to disappoint. I wish to know how they are rated come end of the season, but I suspect it's more towards money than anything else.

Conte is very italian as is his playing style. Fabregas will have a hard time playing for Comte and since I am not a fan of Fabregas, that works for me. Reckon that players with low intensity won't see many minutes. It's a long season though. Really can't think of anything wrong with his starting lineups to be honest. It's still not good enough to challenge for anything, but that's hardly his fault.

Kante is indeed an excellent player, but we already knew that. Our defense line is still pretty poor in quality and numbers... some of the passes from the back are just fucking awful. Need a ball playing cb asap. I don't we played that well especially in the first half. Much better in the second, but the schedule has been very nice to us and the opposition, esp today, so very poor. Not entirely sure we can challenge top4 without signing players.

Bingo! Can't double team with fabregas who has no energy nor power for the task. can certainly discuss matic against his peers, but the odd one to fit any system is always going to be fabregas.

Opinions vary and I wouldn't call it the classic version, but it's considered the one with the best match engine: actions on the pitch resemble more the real thing. I don't play it anymore (last was 13) but tried the demos. personally I don't buy them because it's basically the same game, with an updated roster at full price - makes no sense. So when feel like playing I just download a roster update for the database. sorry for the OT. Think we have a FM thread where latest versions are discussed. on de Vrij, acquiring someone after a bad injury can be a good strategy to get a better deal. However in this case he would be a gamble because it sounds like he has chronic knee problems in which case only if heavily discounted/loan.

Interesting player all rounder as a defender and can even cover in rb. of course never seem him play in RL but I did sign him in FM... (2012 as I am a purist)

It is indeed a monumental challenge to improve on the likes of ivanovic, Cahill, and mikel.... Most players start as average players; some improve and some improve a lot becoming world class; scouting talent pertains discovering the players with true potential before they show it to the world. Have you realized that what you say is a vicious cycle? The moment a player becomes world class, he has a lot of options and we don't seem to be able to compete with the other top clubs, but we also don't play the odds with unknown players, so we do nothing... And hence miss out on the players about to become world class.

Liverpool has made an offer for gremio's Luan (23). 35m pounds apparently but barca is also interested. very interesting player: plays 2nd striker or winger with a lot o movement, great footwork, and a few goals on top of that.

Just curious about whether it's too costly or difficult to find a homegrown gk even a 3rd one?

zouma's injury is one of those that when he's back he still isn't... he will need time. My problem is not with Roman - he may or may not feel like splashing the cash in one of his hobbies. My problem is and has been with the lack of creativity (read lack of talent) from our people in change or transfers. If you don't have the funds for the expensive players, you find alternatives: go for lower leagues... Portugal, Brazil... buy younger... anything! It's just ridiculous that we have senior squad players who add nothing: not good enough to start and too old to improve.

should we not keep him then? perhaps they know something we don't...

Then this is the exact right time to go for him - never mind our folks aren't that creative.

The other Gabriel is better - Jesus from Palmeiras (younger too)

Yes it is a big difference, but not as great as that. I also don't think Leicester would be top4 with or without Kante - football isn't tennis after all. The same board that left us without Ramires for half the season - without any replacement regardless of quality - for no apparent reason other than incompetence. The same board that makes bids to important players in the final days of the transfer window, when their clubs have no chance to find proper replacements. Board that has no creativity in finding the less expensive solutions, and depend on all or nothing deals - and end up with ridiculous signings. Not even going into the squad players right now, but merely seeing who actually get minutes with the managers should be enough to see how inadequate they are. Hey fair enough that you think they are doing well. I have zero confidence that the problems of this squad will even get solved by these same folks.

are you implying that we have a great squad with great players in every position and all that was required was a ramires replacement (we lost ramires mid season) as the icing on the cake? If that's the case, and it certainly reads as such, sorry but I suspect you may be alone there. IMO the fact that the board only goes after players like Kante, after a fantastic season, or Koulibaly who is hardly a find himself, shows a lack of creativity which is frankly what most people complain about.

reckon Ozil was far more established and played a much bigger role than James though.

Indeed he does look good and 21! - any similarity with Gilberto silva is not a coincidence since Gilberto spent a season at gremio while Wallace was in the youth team. luan also from gremio is an interesting player too, but apparently he is Barcelona bound for a Pedro role. Impressed by Gabriel Jesus and his intensity - very interesting player. yeah tell me about it - finally some potentially top players in the horizon (in numbers too).

Nope. Suspended in one of the stage group matches - Wallace got in and never left playing the last four matches including the final. Many said Wallace and luan fixed the team which did not look so great in the group stage. wallace btw would be perfection the pl... Tall, strong and technical.

Lost his place to gremio Wallace in u23 Brazil, who is the better player btw.

he used to play like a 29yo when he was 24... friend of mine - arsenal fan - told me exactly that.

'clause which forces them to buy him permanently next year' that's called a sale with first payment starting after 12mo

Take away his handful WC games where he played poor opposition, and he has very little to show. he is a potential player priced as the end product.