N'Golo Kante

[LAM09 6,777]

It is sad to see him out for another lengthy period. I still believe he's the only WC player in our squad, but next summer will be the perfect time for both parties to part ways.

There's no place for sentiment nowadays, especially when it comes to the club's highest earner or thereabouts.

[Mário César 996]

so...until februrary? jesus christ 

that's a lot of games we will miss in january and february 😕 

[Clockwork 1,794]

4 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

It is sad to see him out for another lengthy period. I still believe he's the only WC player in our squad, but next summer will be the perfect time for both parties to part ways.

There's no place for sentiment nowadays, especially when it comes to the club's highest earner or thereabouts.

Reece James is not world class or you forgot about him?

[LAM09 6,777]

3 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Reece James is not world class or you forgot about him?

I still think he's on the cusp. If he stays fit & keeps putting in such performances, there won't be a question in my mind. 

[Clockwork 1,794]

Just now, LAM09 said:

I still think he's on the cusp. If he stays fit & keeps putting in such performances, there won't be a question in my mind. 

He is the best at his position, the term world class is subjective but for me he is world class.

[LAM09 6,777]

1 minute ago, Clockwork said:

He is the best at his position, the term world class is subjective but for me he is world class.

If we're talking about WB, I still think Hakimi is ahead of him. 

[Tomo 21,733]

I actually blame Lampard and Tuchel for his injury record.

Apart from Tuchel in the first few months both have just shoehorned him in most games when it was obvious his minutes and fitness needed managing carefully. 

[LAM09 6,777]

12 minutes ago, Tomo said:

I actually blame Lampard and Tuchel for his injury record.

Apart from Tuchel in the first few months both have just shoehorned him in most games when it was obvious his minutes and fitness needed managing carefully. 

Mismanagement and overreliance on him goes further back than that.

Didn't Sarri essentially force him to play against Arsenal in the EL Final?

 

[Tomo 21,733]

18 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

Mismanagement and overreliance on him goes further back than that.

Didn't Sarri essentially force him to play against Arsenal in the EL Final?

 

My bad I forgot about that.

It was a lot worse with Lamps and Tuchel for me though because by then it was already clear Jorgi and Kova was more than fine vs 80% of opponents.

[Clockwork 1,794]

59 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

If we're talking about WB, I still think Hakimi is ahead of him. 

So if PSG offered Hakimi for James you would take it? I wouldn’t.

 

[Vesper 29,012]

34 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

If we're talking about WB, I still think Hakimi is ahead of him. 

Hakimi's defence is nowhere near Reece's

the only RB that might make a case no longer plays RB (Kimmich)

cointig Kimmich, there are only 4 great RB's, and TAA is super flawed on defence

you know the position is in the shitter globally when the 5th most valuable RB on TMarkt is Emerson Royal!!!!

[LAM09 6,777]

27 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

So if PSG offered Hakimi for James you would take it? I wouldn’t.

 

I wouldn't because I believe the latter has a higher ceiling & has a connection with the club. I was just stating who I think is the better WB right now.

20 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Hakimi's defence is nowhere near Reece's

the only RB that might make a case no longer plays RB (Kimmich)

cointig Kimmich, there are only 4 great RB's, and TAA is super flawed on defence

you know the position is in the shitter globally when the 5th most valuable RB on TMarkt is Emerson Royal!!!!

I agree. My thought process was based on the position they both tend to play (WB), where defending is a second priority & they can get bailed out.

Defenders in general are weaker than even a decade ago. The emphasis on attacking play has certainly played a part.

[Vesper 29,012]

9 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

I wouldn't because I believe the latter has a higher ceiling & has a connection with the club. I was just stating who I think is the better WB right now.

I agree. My thought process was based on the position they both tend to play (WB), where defending is a second priority & they can get bailed out.

Defenders in general are weaker than even a decade ago. The emphasis on attacking play has certainly played a part.

I fucked up my count

5 counting Kimmich

4 if you do not

 

Joshua Kimmich (and next season is his last full sub 30yo one, talk about time flying! As he is a deep holding,, play making DMF now, he can last longer at WC level)
Reece James 
Achraf Hakimi   
Trent Alexander-Arnold    
João Cancelo  

 

MASSIVE drop after those 5

[King Kante 1,500]

4 hours ago, LAM09 said:

It is sad to see him out for another lengthy period. I still believe he's the only WC player in our squad, but next summer will be the perfect time for both parties to part ways.

There's no place for sentiment nowadays, especially when it comes to the club's highest earner or thereabouts.

If James isn't a WC RB to you, I don't know what you're looking for. 

Additionally, Mount is close to being WC If you can appreciate off the ball work and not just be obsessed with OPTA stats. 

3 hours ago, Mário César said:

so...until februrary? jesus christ 

that's a lot of games we will miss in january and february 😕 

Even if be comes back at the start of March that gives him 13 league games (so essentially 1/3 of the season) plus the important end of the FA Cup and CL. Still plenty of football left for him. 

It is obviously disappointing, and I do not expect him to re-sign; because of the offers he will get elsewhere. However, he still has a important role to play this season. 

[LAM09 6,777]

52 minutes ago, King Kante said:

If James isn't a WC RB to you, I don't know what you're looking for. 

Additionally, Mount is close to being WC If you can appreciate off the ball work and not just be obsessed with OPTA stats. 

Someone that's been actively contributing for a number of seasons. Hakimi delivered at Dortmund, Inter's best player during his spell, and has continued the trend at PSG.

I'd better steer well clear of the second part of your post.

Edited October 19, 2022 by LAM09

[robsblubot 3,529]

Not terrible news for us if this issue goes away.

he will have wc time to recover and come back stronger or not.

It’s a big blow to France tho—don’t think they can compete without him.

[Blue Armour 4,311]

3 hours ago, robsblubot said:

Not terrible news for us if this issue goes away.

he will have wc time to recover and come back stronger or not.

It’s a big blow to France tho—don’t think they can compete without him.

It's possible that both James and Kante coming back fit and fresh for the new calender year, after the World Cup, might give us a leg up over the other clubs in the final run-in

[manpe 10,861]

9 hours ago, LAM09 said:

It is sad to see him out for another lengthy period. I still believe he's the only WC player in our squad, but next summer will be the perfect time for both parties to part ways.

There's no place for sentiment nowadays, especially when it comes to the club's highest earner or thereabouts.

The perfect time would have been this summer imo. It was clear he's become injury prone and it was the last summer we could have got any money for him, now he'll leave for free.