Thiago Alcantara

[bushman 2,043]

All I read KDB wants to play for Dortmund. Perhaps, he is tired of being jerked around.

As for Thiago, now, that´s a deal for 18m. Even Manures were there to watch him.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Why on Earth buy him when we use Oscar in the same way? It also means Oscar will continue to be stuck on the right meaning less play time for De Bruyne. Where's the upside to this?

When has Oscar been used in the same way?

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

When has Oscar been used in the same way?

Exactly! People keep talking about Oscar in a central role, but he didn't play one meaningful game there all last season despite our complete lack of depth. In a 4-3-3, sure, he could play central midfield, but in the 4-2-3-1 we've been playing for years, he's an attacking midfielder.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

Great talent, but if he leaves I reckon he'll end up at United or Munich.

[Leif 6,006]

I personally see Oscar, in the future, being one of the best #10's in the world. This will of course be when Mata slows down or (hopefully not) Oscar is sold.

I see De Bruyne's future as a winger for the most part then possibly being moved into a central role like Schweinsteiger. Really though, De Bruyne can play anywhere.

I see Thiago's future in a deep role. An Xabi Alonso role. He's a decent dribbler and a decent finisher, but a superb passer with superb vision. His absolute best role for the moment would no doubt be a centre midfield role, something he'd likely get at a team like United, but if he's under the right manager (hi Jose) and can change his game a bit I think he could be the next best thing when it comes to deep playmakers. (Just remember that Pirlo was originally an attacking midfielder and then became what is now arguably the best deep-lying playmaker of the last decade.)

Oscar is great at splitting passes which cut open a defence.

De Bruyne is great at whipping in a cross or cutting in and taking an accurate long shot.

Thiago is great at dictating play and hitting long balls over to the flank or to a striker.

So why not have all 3?

[Special Juan 27,439]

Be funny if we do get him to see all the United tossers moaning and saying how we have tapped him up.

[Mouri_Matic 560]

I personally see Oscar, in the future, being one of the best #10's in the world. This will of course be when Mata slows down or (hopefully not) Oscar is sold.

I see De Bruyne's future as a winger for the most part then possibly being moved into a central role like Schweinsteiger. Really though, De Bruyne can play anywhere.

I see Thiago's future in a deep role. An Xabi Alonso role. He's a decent dribbler and a decent finisher, but a superb passer with superb vision. His absolute best role for the moment would no doubt be a centre midfield role, something he'd likely get at a team like United, but if he's under the right manager (hi Jose) and can change his game a bit I think he could be the next best thing when it comes to deep playmakers. (Just remember that Pirlo was originally an attacking midfielder and then became what is now arguably the best deep-lying playmaker of the last decade.)

Oscar is great at splitting passes which cut open a defence.

De Bruyne is great at whipping in a cross or cutting in and taking an accurate long shot.

Thiago is great at dictating play and hitting long balls over to the flank or to a striker.

So why not have all 3?

You forgot we also have Hazard but again very good post.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

Love people who talk about kdb getting messed about. Signed and loaned out for a season...treated like shite lol

[Special Juan 27,439]

Liga BBVA ‏@Todo__LigaBBVA 32m

Thiago Alcántara será jugador del Manchester United en las próximas horas

In proper language, to be announced in next few hours to United.

[Leif 6,006]

Lukaku

Hazard, Mata, De Bruyne/Schurrle*;

Kondogbia, Thiago.

Oscar is still being bled into the team and it's up for dispute whether he should or shouldn't be a starter yet. If he can earn his place in the side then he'll be in the side, whether it's in place of Mata or Thiago.

Oscar currently offers more than Thiago when it comes to pressing the opposition and getting the ball back, but that does not mean he should be in a deep role. He isn't a player who really dictates play. More an attacking midfielder than a playmaker (which Thiago is.) Oscar starts in an advanced position and then tracks back when he needs to. That'll all completely mess up if he's told to start deep and then venture forward when he likes.

Why not go with that line-up (or something similar)?

*(I put Schurrle on the right, despite me saying he's kind of useless there in his thread last week, as I'm starting to see a bit of Bayern in us. Under Jose he could replicate what Muller currently does at Bayern Munich which would have everybody happy. He may get his place ahead of De Bruyne, he may not. We'll have to wait and see.)

[Leif 6,006]

Isn't David Moyes still on holiday? I hope he's not off to United Perfect Scholes replacement.

[Leif 6,006]

I think United will sign Strootman and not Thiago but let's see

[Hutcho 8,443]

Exactly! People keep talking about Oscar in a central role, but he didn't play one meaningful game there all last season despite our complete lack of depth. In a 4-3-3, sure, he could play central midfield, but in the 4-2-3-1 we've been playing for years, he's an attacking midfielder.

He is, and a very good one. But he is not better than Mata. So logic dictates we should push him a bit deeper to integrate him into the team. IF we have a very good proper DM then it could work quite well as he would have more freedom and create the link between defence and Attack.

He is an AM, however the truth of the matter is, that for him to be a regular in the team he would have to play centrally, but deeper or on the right, and i think he can do very well in a deeper central role.

[Clevemayer 764]

I'll say this again in any Topic regarding the transfer of an more creative DM, my formation clearly would be:

----------Lukaku/Strker----------

Hazard-----------------DeBruyne/Mata

---------Mata/DeBruyne---------

---Mikel/DeBruyne/DM-----Oscar

Oscar will rock that DM spot clearly... period... I'm sure after watching him numerous times now...

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20130619/fc-barcelona/roman-abramovich-jerusalen-thiago-morata-isco_54376101833.html

"Abramovich in Israel to seal off Thagio Deal"

Make what you willl of this but I think its tottal rubbish. Good player but not needed. And Abramovich is probaly in Israel for the birthday of their president; not to sign players.

That is one of the most idiotic media speculations I've ever read. As if Roman has nothing to do in life besides football...

[Beepu 1,714]

I dont see why we cant have all three of kdb, oscar and thiago, why do we have to sell KDB to make space for Thiago if we are indeed interested in him?

We play alot of games each season and the strength of our bench and rotation was obviously lacking last season.

We could go into the season with something like this

------------------Lukaku/Ba/Cavani?-------------------

Schurrle/Hazard-----Mata/Oscar------KDB/Moses

De Rossi?/Kondogbia?--Thiago?/Ramires/Lampard

Strong squad, strong bench, excellent depth.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Looks like he's off to United. Absolutely brilliant signing for them if true...

[Ankit 3,176]

Looks like he's off to United. Absolutely brilliant signing for them if true...

But will he start ahead of Sir Tom Cleverly? After all, Tom is the heir to Iniesta, was it? Or was it Xavi?