Schurrle signing confirmed; will wear #14

[The Skipper 20,593]

It's common knowledge that putting Schurrle on the right isn't much better than putting Ramires on the right

No it isn't common knowledge, that's just your opinion. Why do you keep comparing him to Ramires as well when they're clearly very different type of players?

[Amblève. 4,995]

It's common knowledge that putting Schurrle on the right isn't much better than putting Ramires on the right, so I've no idea how this will work unless he genuinely is just a bench option.

Bingo. Ramires at least can shut down that right flank though.

[themightyblue 443]

He's an upgrade on Moses definitely but I'm going to be pulling my hair out if he's slotted into the XI and pushes Hazard onto the right in the process.

Under Di Matteo I felt Hazard was actually better on the right as he went through the centre more and showed off his tricks more, but he's definitely becoming more of a threat on the left now, playing the role Ronaldo, Jese, Bale (sort of) etc. play. That 'i'm going to play like a striker but be on the wing' sort of role.

It's my opinion that putting Schurrle on the right isn't much better than putting Ramires on the right, so I've no idea how this will work unless he genuinely is just a bench option.

Regardless; Hopefully he's more consistent for us than Podolski is for Arsenal. I see them as similar players.

Corrected

[Leif 6,006]

No it isn't common knowledge,

It is if you follow the Bundesliga avidly. Or the German national team avidly. Ask around.

Why do you keep comparing him to Ramires

I compare him to Ramires because he's played on the right before not to great success while putting in 'lots of effort' which is exactly what I'd see from Schurrle playing there. It doesn't matter if they're different types of players. If you try Hazard as a false-9 vs. a team like Juventus you have the right to compare him to Torres after the match and see where they have strengths/weaknesses in that position compared to eachother even if they're originally different players, no?

Everything people say Schurrle is good at - Work rate, getting the ball back, 'trying hard' - is everything which can be applied to Ramires.

Everything people say Schurrle is weak at - Finishing, crossing - is what can also be applied to Ramires.

They have very similar qualities and weaknesses and thus it shouldn't be out of the question to compare them.

So that's why I compare him to Ramires. We've seen plenty of Ramires on the wing so it's a comparison which can be made.

[Beepu 1,714]

I think some people are really underrating schurrle here, he may not be the ideal signing but he is far from the useless piece of crap that people describe him as here. At least thats what i get from reading this thread.

[Leif 6,006]

Kießling typically ends the season, as a centre forward, with more goals and assists than Schurrle.

Kadlec and Carvajal (not anymore as he's re-signed with Real Madrid) have on average created more chances for teammates per game than Schurrle has. They're full-backs.

Schurrle is a winger with pace who is like a counter-attacking machine. In 2005 this would be the best signing possible. But for a team now looking to control and dominate possession with 'attractive' football (although it remains to be seen whether Mourinho will try and change this before it's even fully implemented), signing such a hit-and-miss player who often finds himself wandering into the striker position despite having woeful finishing is just baffling.

Despite being deployed on the left, his stat percentages work out at spending around 60% of his time on the field throughout a season right behind the striker, not being this 'work horse on the wing' which seems to be the main justification behind 'he offers depth' as to why we should sign him.

People say that Hulk shouldn't be signed as he shoots when he should pass - but this is also the case with Schurrle.

He took the most shots in the entire Bundesliga this season and got 11 goals. Most of these goals (I've checked) were in big scoreline games vs. mid-table to relegation-level teams and were more often than not 'icing on the cake' goals after the game had already been won.

The real hard worker of Bayer's team is Castro but there's little point discussing him right now.

Then there's the whole headache of "Where would he play?" If you've ever actually caught a rare glimpse of him playing on the right wing or central striker (where he's decent as his hold-up play can go under-appreciated) you'll see he goes missing more than he contributes to the team. From bad touches to plenty of fouls against, he loses his confidence on the right.

Hazard is at his best currently on the left. If you'd rather 'balance' and less explosiveness and magic from Hazard, then sure, shove Hazard on the right and put Schurrle on the left. Problem solved. Is that really what we want to do though?

He's credited as being a 'long shot' specialist but this couldn't be farther from the truth. When you take the most shots in the Bundesliga, most from outside of the box, of course one or two have to go in and make a Youtube highlight reel! Similar to Meireles in that regard.

The same people who loved Sturridge and would defend every move of his seem to be the people most behind this move - and they're really similar players when you look at their strengths and weaknesses. Those of us who tore our hair out when Sturridge would shoot instead of pass and take long-shots that went far into the crowd when he should have picked another option will be getting the same clumps of hair being torn out again next season.

He raises more questions than he does answers.

Edit: Just so it doesn't seem like I want to shit on him completely, the positives I see in him are rather decent interceptions and nice soft hair which reminds me of a lamb.

Edit #2: Just some fun stats because everyone loves (or hates) those. This is only league stats.

He averages less than 80% completed passes per game (depending where you look and who you trust it's between 76-78%) & averages 0.5 won aerial duels per game.

He scored 1 winning goal this season.

He completed 37 tackles this season compared to Oscar's 86.

He made 46 interceptions this season which is far and beyond anything our attack players have managed this season.

He committed 30 fouls this season compared to Hazard's 25, Mata's 15 and Moses's 13.

He was dribbled past 39 times this season, compared to Mata's 29 and Hazard's 25. (I thought he was amazing with his defending?)

He took 122 shots and scored 11 goals. Hazard took 63 and got 9 goals. Mata took 70 and got 12.

He made 40 key passes this season. Hazard made 65. Teammate Carvajal made 47 while Castro made 80.

He was caught offside 29 times compared to Hazard's 5 and Moses's 6. Castro was caught offside 4 times.

He was dispossessed 71 times. This is compared to Castro's 43 and Hazard's 62.

16 out of his 58 crosses were successful.

I don't see much there suggesting he's a good defensive or attacking option aside from his interception count. Just an all-rounded average player.

Now don't say I don't back up my opinions.

Third and final edit: If you even give a shit, you may be thinking - "Oh ok Mr. Know-it-all (Admit it, some of you have stabbed me and shat on me in your minds multiple times), who should we sign then?" If you really want to know, PM me and I'll be happy to explain in detail.

[lucio 5,418]

we've always been best as a counter attacking team. and with schurrle added to hazard and ramires even more so.

[edenhazard17 281]

Im not against Son, I just thought that we are 'close' to getting schurrle anway. Yes from the little that ive seen schurrle they seem to have some similarities.

As you said, both can play as striker, ss and winger although Son usually plays on the right wing compared to schurrle on the left.

I believe schurrle is the faster player which is one of his major strengths. Son is more technical though and a better dribbler than schurrle. Great left foot but also cuts in from the wing like schurrle, not a traditional winger. Both as you mentioned hard worker, Son in particular would track back.

Son is pretty average at aerial duels though (wins only 38% of his aerial duels), even though he is quite tall especially for asian standard.

I would not say no to Son, but there are no concrete interest from Chelsea. I dont know how much Son would cost either, but Schurrle would offer somethign that non of our current attackers have and the deal seems to be close to done.

Im hoping there will be a korean or asian player at Chelsea sometime in the future. Interesting to see how football is growing in Asia.

Fingers crossed, mate.

I think Son Heung-Min is one of the biggest prospect footballer from Asia. It would be great if we could get him, before clubs like MU, City or Arsenal pay attention. Shame, we already have a lot of player with similar position to him.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Why would anyone want to be a counter attacking team? With the funds and players we have it seems illogical to me.

Schurrle is basically a less technical version of Hazard with a selfish streak. The club should focus on strengthening our weaknesses like the midfield, attack or defence before overpaying for a player not too dissimilar from Moses or Hazard.

Sick of the idiots that run the club, looks like another year with yet another unbalanced squad. Disgusting.

[nono 791]

To me personally counter attacking admits inferiority from the get go.

[SinineUltra 1,170]

To me personally counter attacking admits inferiority from the get go.

Then again didn't see anyone crying when we did just that against Barcelona last season.

Let's wait and see how Mourinho will play this team. None of the transfers are even confirmed and already some of you know exactly who we have bought, how we will play and how bad we will do UNLESS we break the budget FIFA style.

[The Skipper 20,593]

It is if you follow the Bundesliga avidly. Or the German national team avidly. Ask around.

No, I doubt anyone actually comes out and says "this guy is merely better than Ramires on the RW". That's rubbish. Again, don't really know why you're so hellbent on comparing him and Ramires in that position when clearly the difference between Ramires and Schurrle is that Schurrle is used to playing on the flanks and Ramires isn't whatsoever - so comparing them is useless in my opinion. There similarities stop at them both being hardworking players.

I compare him to Ramires because he's played on the right before not to great success while putting in 'lots of effort' which is exactly what I'd see from Schurrle playing there. It doesn't matter if they're different types of players. If you try Hazard as a false-9 vs. a team like Juventus you have the right to compare him to Torres after the match and see where they have strengths/weaknesses in that position compared to eachother even if they're originally different players, no?

Name me games where Schurrle has started and finished at RW this season. There isn't enough evidence around to suggest that Schurrle is like Ramires at RW so you have to look at his attributes. Schurrle is a decent dribbler, very direct, has great acceleration and has played on the flanks for seasons now so one would think that he'd fair far better than Ramires at RW.

Everything people say Schurrle is good at - Work rate, getting the ball back, 'trying hard' - is everything which can be applied to Ramires.

Everything people say Schurrle is weak at - Finishing, crossing - is what can also be applied to Ramires.

They have very similar qualities and weaknesses and thus it shouldn't be out of the question to compare them.

So that's why I compare him to Ramires. We've seen plenty of Ramires on the wing so it's a comparison which can be made.

No, you don't compare Ramires to Schurrle simply because they play in different positions. One is more acclimatised to the middle while the other is used to playing on the left flank as an inside forward. Just like how you think comparing Hazard to Torres (because Hazard has played one game as a false 9), it's retarded.

Why you're even saying Schurrle is poor at finishing - probably due to the stat that he's missed the most clear cut chances (20) in the Bundesliga (a bogus stat in my opinion as they're strangely defined) - is strange. RVP missed 22 clear cut chances this season according to Opta, does that mean RVP is a poor finisher? Of course not. Why you're even saying his crossing is poor is also bewildering considering he averages 0.5 crosses a game (just using this stat to back up that he isn't the sort of player that crosses the ball, he plays as an inside forward at Leverkussen). If you think Schurrle's qualities are only the fact that he's hard working you need to go out there and watch him play more often.

His pace and directness is what we've been lacking many times last season. He adds physical presence in the 3 behind our centre forward, something we've been lacking again this season. At £17m, which is around the fee big clubs pay for squad players, he's a good signing that like I said before, will pleasantly surprise a few of you on here.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Why would anyone want to be a counter attacking team? With the funds and players we have it seems illogical to me.

Yeah, because signing Schurrle concludes that we'll primarily be a counter attacking team even though our best talents are Mata and Hazard right?

Schurrle is basically a less technical version of Hazard with a selfish streak. The club should focus on strengthening our weaknesses like the midfield, attack or defence before overpaying for a player not too dissimilar from Moses or Hazard.

Yes, because Schurrle is going to be our only signing this season...

Sick of the idiots that run the club, looks like another year with yet another unbalanced squad. Disgusting.

Again, because signing Schurrle means we're not going to sign anyone else and we're just going to go into the season with the squad as it is now even though we're only in June right? So, so disgusting. God.

[The Skipper 20,593]

To me personally counter attacking admits inferiority from the get go.

Yeah you're absolutely right. I mean look at Bayern against Barcelona, a possession based side, last season where Bayern were set up as a counter attacking team. They were so inferior right?

By your logic, Bayern beating Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate should be disregarded because they were set up as a counter attacking team. Bayern were clearly the inferior team .

[Leif 6,006]

No, I doubt anyone actually comes out and says "this guy is merely better than Ramires on the RW".

Most Bundesliga followers agree that ever since he switched to Bayer his career has completely stagnated. His progress has stopped. He's regressed as a player since he was at Mainz, but this could be attributed to the fact that he was more like the 'main guy' there and was thus instilled with confidence. He seems like a confidence player a lot of the time.

It's often noted, just like Marin, that there was a point he could have been the next big thing in Germany. There was a notion that he could have made that switch to a team like Bayern Munich. It never happened, he settled for a 'big' but not as big team and slowly but surely started to make less noise and headlines. The hype died down. He no longer showed the confidence, killer instinct and brute force that he showed as a youngster. The reason he gets picked for Germany, which has been confirmed by the coach, is simply down to the fact that he cuts in which offers Lahm the chance to get forward where-as players like Podolski or whoever stay wide quite a bit more. They agree mainly that he should have stayed as a striker but now it's too late to go back because whenever he does play as a striker he messes it up.

so you have to look at his attributes.

That's exactly what I've been doing. I've been discounting what positions they play (Ramires and Schurrle) and looked directly at their attributes and explained where there similarities start and end. They do possess around the same quality (or lack-of) of crossing and finishing. They also have very similar work-rates and interception stats. There, attributes looked at.

Why you're even saying Schurrle is poor at finishing - probably due to the stat that he's missed the most clear cut chances (20) in the Bundesliga

I wasn't even aware of this stat until literally right now. I say he's poor at finishing because I've watched him all season. The amount of scuffed shots and shots dragged wide is bewildering. He's even been boo'd plenty by Bayer fans because of it. I remember the Irish commentator at the time I first saw/heard the booing saying he understood the fans frustration (but of course agreed it wasn't nice to boo) because of his either too selfish play at times or stupidly passing to a player when he's right in front of goal and should have taken a shot.

[nono 791]

Yeah you're absolutely right. I mean look at Bayern against Barcelona, a possession based side, last season where Bayern were set up as a counter attacking team. They were so inferior right?

By your logic, Bayern beating Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate should be disregarded because they were set up as a counter attacking team. Bayern were clearly the inferior team .

To counterattack you admit right from the start that your midfield is not good enough to hold possession. Barcelona lost for a number of reasons. On average a team that dominates possession will beat one that doesn't. This is why we are superior to the likes of Stoke etc and Barcelona are superior to us.

[Styles 9,790]

To me personally counter attacking admits inferiority from the get go.

Bayern Munich averaged 37% against Barcelona in the semi-finals this season and beat them 7-0 on aggregate. But guess what? Bayern actually averaged 64% possession over the course of the entire season. Some games you will have to play differently so it's wise to have different options in your squad i.e. players like Schurrle who are comfortable in a counter-attacking team.

[Super-Mario 74]

so did we had another options ?

Di Maria- Real wont sell him, if they do it, it will be for huge money.

Hulk - Overrated as hell, could not even accomplish in Russia. Also hes a defensively weak winger. The future of football are winger withdefensively strengthen.

Pedro,Müller, James Rodriguez and Lucas - arent available

Nani - United wont sell him to us