Nigel De Jong

[cujo101 75]

With Rodwell joining Man City and De Jong entering the final year of his contract, I believe that he would fit the bill as a 1st choice defensive midfielder. Better than Mikel, Essien and Meireles, he would release Lampard from having to cover for Mikel's poor passing ability. Of course City wouldn't has to sell him to us..

[capriccioso 2,545]

I've heard a lot of things about Mikel but never have I seen someone with the audacity to act as though he is at fault for the failure of the pivot rather than Frank "I attack when I want" Lampard.

If anything, Lampard should make way to save Mikel from being outnumbered all the time, rather than Mikel's one-off poor passing game being cited as a reason to try someone new with Lampard.

[Hamilton 2,120]

Don't hope on such a move, we would be playing alot with 10 if De Jong plays..

[Kojo 4,676]

I've heard a lot of things about Mikel but never have I seen someone with the audacity to act as though he is at fault for the failure of the pivot rather than Frank "I attack when I want" Lampard.

If anything, Lampard should make way to save Mikel from being outnumbered all the time, rather than Mikel's one-off poor passing game being cited as a reason to try someone new with Lampard.

What?, this isn't about who is being the bitch and who isn't, if you're shit you shouldn't be in our first team squad, simples.

[Hamilton 2,120]

His manager says deal with Inter is almost done..

[Wilson 358]

De Jong? REALLY? Fuck off. Out of all holding midfielders you pick him? Lmao. Would rather have Alonso or Schweinsteiger.

[Kojo 4,676]

De Jong? REALLY? Fuck off. Out of all holding midfielders you pick him? Lmao. Would rather have Alonso or Schweinsteiger.

HAHA yeah and i would rather pay a decent price rather than 30 odd million.

[HNKS 508]

Never rated De Jong. I think Mikel is better (when he doesnt give the ball away mindlessly)

[Kojo 4,676]

2010-2011 De Jong was immense, he got a a slight knock up for about a week or two the next season and couldn't get off the bench for the rest of the season.

I would take him for a cheap price, i still think he can end up being a good player. And it's better than some of the shite we've got anyway.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

If we're going to get a defensive midfielder (which we seem to have shown no intent on doing) then I have absolutely no clue why Yan M'Villa never get's brought up or linked. Arsenal have given up their interest, he's basically told Tottenham no thank you and it is reported that a mere 12 million is required. He's defensively brilliant but his vision and passing accuracy is devastating.

Frederic Antonetti aptly summarised it by saying that "M'Vila reads the game like Claude Makélélé, has the presence of Patrick Vieira and can pass the ball like Yaya Toure."

[capriccioso 2,545]

What?, this isn't about who is being the bitch and who isn't, if you're shit you shouldn't be in our first team squad, simples.

A large proportion of his shitness is caused by the lack of a DM partner who has an ounce of common sense in how to play there (hi, Frank).

Not even Makelele could hold down an entire midfield by himself.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

De Jong, M'Vila, Tiote. One feels either of those would be an improvement on what we have.

[Kojo 4,676]

A large proportion of his shitness is caused by the lack of a DM partner who has an ounce of common sense in how to play there (hi, Frank).

It is not, even in a 4-3-3 Mikel was utter shite, no excuses about it. Lampard was actually staying back a lot in that City game.

[Kisho 33]

De Jong, M'Vila, Tiote. One feels either of those would be an improvement on what we have.

Tiote or Mvilla yes please!

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

I'd rather have 2 strong DM's rather than 1 Strong DM and a Deep Lying playmaker. We have enough creativity and our defence will need all the help it can get.

[Kojo 4,676]

I'd rather have 2 strong DM's rather than 1 Strong DM and a Deep Lying playmaker. We have enough creativity and our defence will need all the help it can get.

No, imho Mikel can do it, just put him back by himself and buy 9 strikers and put them all up front. Mikel will just deal with the rest.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

I'd rather have 2 strong DM's rather than 1 Strong DM and a Deep Lying playmaker. We have enough creativity and our defence will need all the help it can get.

And for the entire summer almost everyone here were dying to get Modric... like i said before, it would have been a suicide to play him with Mikel in midfield. I still belive Lampard and Mikel/Essien could sort it out togheter, at least i think we should see some more of it before deciding, but anyway- as i said all summer- with those players (Mata, Hazard, Torres and co) the most important thing is to have a STRONG midfield. We do have enough creativity upront.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

De Jong?! Got to be kidding me!

It's not about his ability (he is a garbage anyway), it's about him as a person, what a piece of shit!

I will never want this type of players (De Jong, Hunt, Alves, etc.) anywhere near our club no matter how good they are.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

And for the entire summer almost everyone here were dying to get Modric... like i said before, it would have been a suicide to play him with Mikel in midfield. I still belive Lampard and Mikel/Essien could sort it out togheter, at least i think we should see some more of it before deciding, but anyway- as i said all summer- with those players (Mata, Hazard, Torres and co) the most important thing is to have a STRONG midfield. We do have enough creativity upront.

Oscar can play like a Deep Lying Playmaker anyway. He drops deep and basically goes to wherever the ball is.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

The thing is we haven't been linked with any dm's so it's frustratingly futile pushing forward one position against another.

Nonetheless I've already mentioned Witsel before who would be a perfect partner to any of our DM's being Mikel, Essien or Romeu. His defensive capabilities and general play make him a far greater asset than Lampard in the pivot nowadays. A new look combination of Witsel and M'Villa is jaw droppingly tantalising but for some inane reason it look's like nothing is going to change in the midfield department. It's just bizarre since Sahin look's like he's leaving, a guy we've been after since he was 17 and M'Villa is free after all the big clubs wanted him but aren't in for him now (similair to Aguero's situation who only had City as an option, but M'Villa has kept the option to stay available).Also if we put Josh in over Lamps then it just puts all the pressure on the DM as his defensive capabilities aren't there yet.

I'm just a little afraid that we'll be left in a United situation with a sparse midfield. It's just pointless buying all these attacking players but leaving them with no defensive engine to keep our team shape strong. Our team with a capable pivot is a whole different proposition to the lackluster one we've seen so far. We leave far too much work for our defense in our current situation. Realistically I can't see terry being dropped and Luiz loves coming forward, theirs so many potential holes! Forwards would revel in this opportunity. I hope Mikel and Lampard can pick it up because easing the defensive responsibilities on our magical trio of Oscar, Hazard and Mata will make such a difference. A lot relies on our pivot this season...