André Schürrle

[Barbara 15,149]

No need for a false 9. I think he has the tools to become an out and out striker. He's got great shooting technique. Can dribble and a good first touch as well. Pace and a decent enough finish. And he's only 22. And most of all excellent movement as well.

yeah, but I'm not sure he won't transition through a false 9 before getting there. I agree I think he can be striker already, I've said it in this thread (or in Torres', not sure) a few times.

If our problem with the striker situation escalates, André can always offer an alternative and if it comes down to that I do hope it's an improvement.

I think his technique is limited. He isn't a disconcerting talented player - something a striker can always use - but maybe that's due to his age. Maybe with time he becomes our very own van Persie

He's fast, he has a decent touch, he shoots well. The technique I meant isn't to shoot, but to create the fancy play before shooting. It's not about flashiness sometimes, but resources to do the unexpected or to make much out of little space, limited chances, etc...

All that said, I'm still not 100% sold on him. I don't fear he'll become the next Marin as someone suggested above, but something about him makes me a bit unsure. I hope it's just because I haven't seen enough of him.

Class and and natural technique can't be learned or taught. The guy either is born with it or not. It doesn't seem to be his case, but I know too little about him to really stand by that statement. For now I'm hopeful and seeing him as a promising alternative, all while being a bit unsure

[Symbol123 175]

He often played as second striker during his time at Leverkusen, it would be interesting to see if he can make that transition to CF.

However this is what preseason was for, if the club had any intentions to try him out in that position then it already would've been done.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I'm allergic to false nines. They cause me to think of Barcelona and the Spanish national team and I immediately feel the need to trow up

Luckily, "false 9" is not in Jose's dictionary and is as far from his footballing philosophy as possible.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

He often played as second striker during his time at Leverkusen, it would be interesting to see if he can make that transition to CF.

However this is what preseason was for, if the club had any intentions to try him out in that position then it already would've been done.

He did play as a striker at times for levekusen, so im sure that position wont be so unfamiliar to him as we think

[Spyker 27]

lol..Bieber making schurlle sing usher....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AMuwjAYBm4

[Symbol123 175]

Looks like some of us were right in our predictions of him being played as Striker- let's see how he does today

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

Good chance for him, hopefully he can nab a goal or two and prove these doubters wrong.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Was ok, really.

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

10/10 for effort tonight, didn't get much service. His runs off the ball were class though.

[yuvala 2,167]

Need to see him play as a striker in another game.

[robsblubot 3,504]

A lot better than Torres!

[Mufassir08 2,400]

A lot better than Torres!

A turtle would be better then torres.

[The_Flash 1,144]

I don't think Andre wasn't great upfront much better when he moved wide

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I didn't think he played badly. Great work-rate, but his movement is not that of a lone striker. I still much prefer him on the wing and thought he did better when he was moved there after Torres came on.

[meetdoscar 335]

Well he plays far more confidently than torres I think he is a really good buy

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

Was unlucky with that chance he hit the bar with, obviously he was offside but it was a good hit and if he had gone a fraction later he would have timed his run perfectly. Some pros and cons with him upfront. Obviously hes very fast and good on the counter, not as strong and can't hold the ball up that well.

[The_Flash 1,144]

I thought that shot was going in

[Blue Armour 4,286]

I didn't think he played badly. Great work-rate, but his movement is not that of a lone striker. I still much prefer him on the wing and thought he did better when he was moved there after Torres came on.

Pretty much what I felt as well. And that he was coming up against centre-backs like Ferdinand and Vidic. A conventional CF would have done better under those circumstances. Still, playing him upfront is always a decent option for the manager...especially with Willian coming in.