Gianelli Imbula

[BlueLyon 9,359]

He is like poor man's Toure/Pogba.

But IMO lacks what we would need most from those two; goals.

[supporter 3,088]

IMO Imbula is a box to box similar to Pogba and able to play in the position of Matic because he has more tactical sense than Paul Pogba. It's like Ramires to be exact.

By 12 million euros (8.67 million pounds) his signing would be the great bargain of the year. It would be perfect for us. This guy has is like Pogba but without so much glamor.

Hopefully this news is confirmed soon and we can regenerate our staff with a great player like Imbula.

Regards.

[Azul 1,615]

I can see this happening after that there has been talks of us partnering up with Marseille.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Mourinho will eventually buy his physical and powerful box to box player and his left footed rightwinger.

This is the first time he has a team that doesn't have this type of players.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

For such little money it's no brainer. Chelsea scouted him 3 years ago and wanted to sign him from Guingamp in Ligue 2. Our scout Gil Hilton said that he's big fan of his talent and he only moved to Marseille for further development.

Fantastic left foot, has engine in him, is big, strong, fast, technical and has eye for a pass, especially long balls. Can constantly take players on in the middle and join the attack. I have watched him so many times already. He is still inconsistent but at least he has full season of constant playing now, missed only 1 game in the league in which he was suspended.

He is further developed Ruben Loftus-Cheek but is better passer and better in defence. He could easily take Ramires and Mikel role in the team. There's the guy called Allan from Udinese who also would be good for that.

[blu35_army 551]

is he faster and good shooter than ramires? is he good tackler than Mikel?

[Waterfall 893]

No one's faster than Ramires even right now.

[DYC. 7,542]

I was thinking £15-20 mil for a possible transfer. But for €12 mil he's easily worth a go. Even better, he could be sold for a higher fee in two, three years if it doesn't work out.

This is the kind of player the team needs in the squad, replacing Mikel or Ramires. Big, strong, athletic physical presence in midfield. Mikel is big and strong but barely uses his body, is slow, lacks mobility and is the furthest thing from aggressive. Ramires is fast, aggressive and energetic, but is pretty lightweight and (seriously) lacking on a technical and tactical level.

I'd prefer Xhaka or Casemiro, but Imbula would be good too. Especially at that price.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

I was thinking £15-20 mil for a possible transfer. But for €12 mil he's easily worth a go. Even better, he could be sold for a higher fee in two, three years if it doesn't work out.

This is the kind of player the team needs in the squad, replacing Mikel or Ramires. Big, strong, athletic physical presence in midfield. Mikel is big and strong but barely uses his body, is slow, lacks mobility and is the furthest thing from aggressive. Ramires is fast, aggressive and energetic, but is pretty lightweight and (seriously) lacking on a technical and tactical level.

I'd prefer Xhaka or Casemiro, but Imbula would be good too. Especially at that price.

How do would you rate Xhaka? Heard some really promising things about him.

[ChelseaFC12 134]

He's the same age as of Pogba just 22 years old.

[DYC. 7,542]

How do would you rate Xhaka? Heard some really promising things about him.

I think he's a fantastic talent. After a slow start at Gladbach, he's grown into a key player for them. Arguably their best player in a surprisingly succesful season for them. And already very experienced even though he's just 22. Though he remains unproven at the highest level of course.

He combines technical and tactical prowess with physicality. Height, body, fit (in terms of durability and little injury troubles), good in the air, aggressive. Though he really needs to work on that last part and become more effective when challenging for the ball. He's been picking up far too many yellow cards.

Very good passing range, good touch, comfortable on the ball and even capable of getting past a player. A dominant presence in midfield, he can really spray the ball around, and on a good day he's capable of bossing the centre of the pitch. He's also very good defensively, though he's not a true holding midfielder like Busquets or Matic. More in the Xabi Alonso mould if I had to pick a player to compare him with.

He's the type of player that would not just improve the squad, but also provide some real competition in the middle. Possibly a hidden gem looking at the lack of hype and his potential to become a starter. I would love for him to join.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Im curious to know that if we'll get Imbula or someone like him, will he be our only new midfilder who plays centrally this summer, and by that i also mean a more attacking midfilder like Koke and Isco.

I guess Imbola will come in the place of Ramires/Mikel, and i think it leaves only one more place for another midfilder which probably will be an RW. Unless we sell someone (Cuadrado?).

[BlueLyon 9,359]

He should come only if we sell Ramires. There is no need for two similar players who dont even have regular spot in this team.

Imbula is b2b and would not replace Mikel in any sense. He is nothing similar to holding midfielder, except that he is tall and quite strong. But that doesnt make you DM right away. He can play next to Matic like he plays next to Romao in Marseille, but he cant be the lone DM next to Cesc for example. Just doesnt have the positioning sense and loves to go forward alot. Plus his talent would be massively wasted as DM unless you want Mikel 2.0.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

He should come only if we sell Ramires. There is no need for two similar players who dont even have regular spot in this team.

Imbula is b2b and would not replace Mikel in any sense. He is nothing similar to holding midfielder, except that he is tall and quite strong. But that doesnt make you DM right away. He can play next to Matic like he plays next to Romao in Marseille, but he cant be the lone DM next to Cesc for example. Just doesnt have the positioning sense and loves to go forward alot. Plus his talent would be massively wasted as DM unless you want Mikel 2.0.

So you dont think he can take the DM role in case Matic cant play?

From what i've seen from him i think he can. If he "loves to go forward", its something that a manager can tell him not to do when he plays instead of Matic.. a player is not a robot that do the same things over and over with no transformations. And especially when he's 22 years old, his positioniong can be improved if its a real problem. In Marseille i saw him this season a few times playing the lone DM role, they played something weird like 3-3-3-1, when he's the only central midfielder (Romao played one of the 3 CBs). So its not new to him.

I agree that its not his best position though.

In the best formation with him (probably be used in big games) we'll play with Matic as the DM, Imbula as Box to Box, and Cesc as #10/DLP. Im still questioning if its good enough to go forword. I think everyone of us would like to see a more established CM next to matic and Cesc, someone that without a doubt could take our midfield to the next level. But if Imbula comes we need to get it from him (unless Oscar or Willian will play the #10 role in a satisfying way to Mourinho in any kind of game).

[iseah100 5,612]

Haven't seen much of him, but from what I hear he'd come relatively cheap. Low risk high reward.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

So you dont think he can take the DM role in case Matic cant play?

From what i've seen from him i think he can. If he "loves to go forward", its something that a manager can tell him not to do when he plays instead of Matic.. a player is not a robot that do the same things over and over with no transformations. And especially when he's 22 years old, his positioniong can be improved if its a real problem. In Marseille i saw him this season a few times playing the lone DM role, they played something weird like 3-3-3-1, when he's the only central midfielder (Romao played one of the 3 CBs). So its not new to him.

I agree that its not his best position though.

In the best formation with him (probably be used in big games) we'll play with Matic as the DM, Imbula as Box to Box, and Cesc as #10/DLP. Im still questioning if its good enough to go forword. I think everyone of us would like to see a more established CM next to matic and Cesc, someone that without a doubt could take our midfield to the next level. But if Imbula comes we need to get it from him (unless Oscar or Willian will play the #10 role in a satisfying way to Mourinho in any kind of game).

Well I havent seen him that much, but from what I did, he has way too much talent to be DM. He is something similar to Yaya when he goes forward and dribbles. He doesnt score much though. But neither did Yaya back in Monaco days.

Imbula could most probably play as DM and he did play DM in past, but I dont think thats his best position or ability. He seems to enjoy to play more with the ball rather than just destroy opponent play.

And finaly, he is a talent, not finished product, I dont think he would just step in our team and boss it like Essien did. Far from that. But he has potential to be quite good. However I wouldnt buy him for holding mid here. Either use him as b2b or dont buy him at all.

If we plan to sell Mikel and Ramires for some reason, we should target a top CM and Imbula as b2b. Mourinho will want someone to instantly improve us and I dont think Imbula is that guy. More like one for the future like Zouma.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Well I havent seen him that much, but from what I did, he has way too much talent to be DM. He is something similar to Yaya when he goes forward and dribbles. He doesnt score much though. But neither did Yaya back in Monaco days.

Imbula could most probably play as DM and he did play DM in past, but I dont think thats his best position or ability. He seems to enjoy to play more with the ball rather than just destroy opponent play.

And finaly, he is a talent, not finished product, I dont think he would just step in our team and boss it like Essien did. Far from that. But he has potential to be quite good. However I wouldnt buy him for holding mid here. Either use him as b2b or dont buy him at all.

If we plan to sell Mikel and Ramires for some reason, we should target a top CM and Imbula as b2b. Mourinho will want someone to instantly improve us and I dont think Imbula is that guy. More like one for the future like Zouma.

You can't just diminish the DM role by saying he has too much talent for it.

[bababoom 4,478]

If anyone watches Ligue 1 regularly can you tell me about kondogbia, how come we're not interested? how does Imbula compare to him? he impressed me a lot in the CL.

[the wes 7,212]

If anyone watches Ligue 1 regularly can you tell me about kondogbia, how come we're not interested? how does Imbula compare to him? he impressed me a lot in the CL.

kondgobia is a smashing player hes reminds me of young yaya toure the way he runs at players

[iseah100 5,612]

kondgobia is a smashing player hes reminds me of young yaya toure the way he runs at players

What are the chances we get him?