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I will give you an example to illustrate how much your 'facts' can be be misleading.Imagine a world where the stats about long passes were just not kept and someone only used the number 'passing'. So short and long passes would be counted and valued equally. Mikel would rank as the best passer in the world. Now image again that assists are mere passes, so in a world... you get it... Mikel would lead in assists! My point is that when I watch him play, his long balls are of the safest kind - same as his passing in general. Surprising?! Should his long balls be adventurous when every other aspect of his game is the safest I've seen?! Concerning your second point, well I could not disagree more. Reckon Jose disagrees with you as well because whenever fit Matic plays. So, if there weren't a gulf separating the players, Mikel would be able to rotate with Mikel on occasion. Matic plays in more contentious areas of the pitch and his ball retention is a lot better than Mikel's esp because of his better mobility - e.g. he can actually run in possession. Honestly I don't think it's asking too much to get a player who could rotate with Matic. Again, not as good as Matic, just someone who could start against a smaller side instead, so that Matic can be given a rest.

Obviously he is no cuadrado, who was poor before we signed him, but I have to say that I am not a fan of Pedro. Have my doubts whether he will be effective in a more physical league and our system. Barca upgraded on him, big time, and now he's going to give us the edge against them? Btw once again the how ppl worry about Romans money is truly moving. City won't care one bit though.

Well we clearly have a very different view of what a successful long ball is, but I will just point out the obvious that such stats lack qualification.I believe my very own eyes, thank you. Btw did you just compare Mikel to Matic?! As far as I am concerned Matic is the superior player in every aspect of the game. And there lies the problem.

Agreed. Peace expecting Neymar and Oscar to be physically equal is beyond me to be honest - not even considering, like you said, different leagues and styles. In addition to all that, Neymar has a free role in the NT while Oscar is asked to do what he's asked to do at Chelsea. Take Fabregas for example, he ended the season for us the same way he ended all the seasons in his career - tired.

fair enough on the 'retiring' part, but we can call it 'retiring from the elite' then. Matter of opinion and we go back to the "making no mistakes" vs "lacking ability" discussion. Same with Cahill who makes few mistakes, but lacks in a number of areas (pace and technique). I see Mikel similarly, as a player who makes few mistakes, but his lack of quality is a mistake in itself. It's a bad comparison since Cahill is far more adequate than Mikel. Besides, back to my point, I want a better player than Mikel - being more expensive is really irrelevant to me (so is age). Give the squad a couple more options and the best plays! Whoever wants a spot has to show in training. I know what Jose says about Mikel, but I believe more in how Jose used (or not used) Mikel - not much and not often. Overplayed Matic was also one of the players whose form suffered by the end of the season. So, Mikel is not a fit replacement for Matic, at least not in Jose's mind - well go get one then!

He's worth as much as what someone is willing to pay him and offer for him. Right now, that is less than his current valuation (current wages/status). Agree with someone who wrote that the top clubs won't come for him, which means he will prob retire at chelsea - the smaller sides will have trouble matching his wages. Esp considering he's a DM after all. I'd not be as displeased by relying on a poor player like Mikel if we had a large squad with a lot of options, because right now I know that whenever mikel plays, there are certainly things that will NOT happen: forget about goals and assists, he cannot even hit long balls which is pretty sad for a DM. How can we give a chance to youngsters when we have 28yo backup players who offer as little as mikel does?

interesting point on the finance as many here care so much about Roman's money - point taken. I don't (care about wages and the like), but I know some here do and that's why i mentioned his wages. I'd be very content in offering one of the many DMs who are far superior to Mikel 100k+ for a rotation role. The clubs who win the CL do have expensive players sitting on the bench. And they don't have a player as simple and pedantic on the ball as Mikel is. On a personal note, I just don't enjoy watching him play. One of the most boring players I've ever seen play the game. On a more serious note, isn't it a bit delusional to expect to compete in CL without the spending of our opponents?

Arteta is the poor man's Arteta... It's one of those players I cannot believe play for a top club... even if it's Arsenal.

true... one out of eleven... However it's just as silly to say he's useful because he does a job (close out a game) when a vast number of players are capable of doing the same: the so called defensive midfielders. Honestly, for 75K reckon we could do better than Mikel... other clubs have better options on the bench.

This guys is a very good player and at 27 still has got a few years left of playing at the highest level. After paying alsmost 30m for Cuadrado, this guy at 15m seems like a bargain. He will add options to rotate fabregas in both AM and CM, so he (Fabregas) and Oscar will not end up the season the way they did. Characteristics wise I would say he's something between Vidal and Fabregas: more creative but not as combative as vidal. Not very powerful, but high workrate. Interesting player for sure, but I have to say I'd be more excited with Witsel or Morgan from soton.\ BTW, ignore all reports saying he can play as a DM, because he's awful there.

WNDS beat me to it, but I was also unimpressed by Costa. Showed too much of the football when in tight spaces and did not hold to it well enough when Brazil needed it. Still, he's young enough to make these mistakes. I thought Brazil got overrun in midfield after WIllian left the pitch and thought Dunga was going to do the obvious and stick David Luiz in midfield, but I guess the Brazilian "coaches" don't know David Luiz plays (better) there. Yet he was just swapping similar players... weird. Like or dislike Jose, he always sees the game.

There is not much of a long term for Cuadrado as he is 27 and should be at his best. They are both insufficient players, but Costa is younger. Douglas Costa was the worst player on the pitch against Paraguay for me. Subbing Willian for Costa ruined Brazil midfield, but that's the current crop of managers we've got.

They do exist and are legally shaky. They verge into workers rights (aka freedom) territory.

We had him at his best and now Arsenal will have him at his second best - very fitting really.

Would not mind Can at all... he goes from shocker to OK with a brilliant showing in a blue moon, but that's what youngsters do esp in that position... BTW, Gremio, southern Brazil side, has a pretty good DM prospect in Walace: tall and strong 20yo who has sublime technique especially in passing. One of those players who dominate the midfield. Should already be in this very average Dunga side. Hope someone is watching him...

Right otherwise let's sell hazard and buy Diego Tardelli. Or never buy another English player... Or conclude that Neymar is better than messi... The majority of the games are played against the worst opposition one can think of. Even the WC group stage often pits teams against second/third grade opposition. Not to mention motivation or lack thereof. Did you watch Neymar yesterday?! Yes some of frustration because of good defending the rest is just lack of focus. Brazil and Argentina historically bring their b sides to cops America and Brazil a team isn't that great to begin with. Then there is team mechanics which may benefit certain players and styles. Euros >>>> copa america * originally from Brazil and have watched a lot of copa America.

don't take too much from Copa America - second rate competition. He also looked good/better in the world cup...

A few points on the discussion: IMO all our strikers are a bit injury-prone (assuming Falcao indeed joins)They are all good players regardless of formeven when not scoring Falcao movement wasn't too bad and his work rate was there.Falcao is a bet because of his injuries and so was Torres, but the similarities end here: the problem wasn't betting on Torres, but the contract duration and wages. Falcao will be on loan which makes him a good bet in my book. There are many other variables unknown to us which pertain the deals between clubs, agents, and scouts. Favors are currency too in football.

You should be able to answer your own questions - not that hard unless you choose not to see the obvious virtues Oscar has as a player (that Jose and apparently Juve do).Would people rate pogba that highly (I don't btw) were he 33 years old? I certainly wouldn't. Pogba is sought after because he can still improve and probably will. Same with Oscar. Oscar must improve for me as well. He's not good enough for the club to fly higher. I just don't see the logic of selling good prospects tbh. And then watch them deliver elsewhere.

Esp considering Salah is 22!I hope it wasn't a knee-jerk decision by Jose alone and the coaches also saw something off with him: perhaps he did not adapt well ... We will know in time. The prob I have with cuadrado isn't about lack of impact or bad spell, but rather the lack of technique in controlling the football. Never seen another Chelsea player with so much trouble controlling the football - Bertrand comes in as a distant second.

Salah had one thing going for him: he was young enough to improve his game. At least Douglas Costa is younger than Cuadrado. Still not crazy about his game and he is very lightweight. Also he can't defend to save his life.

should go. did not deliver and too old to improve - never understood the signing.

Not a fan to be honest - shows too much of the football most of the time which just isn't good enough at this level. Now he could be part of a group; he could certainly contribute as he has already. Was never a big fan of Luis signing and thought Ryan could provide adequate cover as (again) he already did. Not everyone has mikel's ambition or lack thereof, so best of luck to him. Soton is a good club and reckon the right place for a player of his skill.

Jose did what was needed to help the player. Ppl here ought to heed his words though. It explains a lot about his preferences as a manager. Certain players will never play for him - no matter how much technique they may have.

Remy has been a lot better than I originally thought - very happy about getting this one wrong. Surprised by his movement and runs into space. Question mark remains his fitness, but with Remy, we might have the luxury to give a chance to a youngster as a third option.