Ramires

[Barbara 15,149]

Its strange his decline in form coincided with Jose's return but he is now almost untouchable

I don't think his decline coincided with Jose's return... I mean not entirely. I still believe the previous season was the odd season, not the norm. He somehow produced beyond his capabilities. Sometimes it happens with athletes in many sports.

But his first part of the season (2013) was actually a good one - a realistic one. I think that is the best Ramires can offer to us. He was consistent back then even if some of his chronic issues were still there (bad passing - but it wasn't at its worst; yellow card machine; lack of football brain).

That's the Ramires we could realistically hope to see imo. The Ramires of 2012 is a once in a lifetime thing imo.

I think we should keep him. I think a player like him as a squad member adds value to the team, after all, sometimes we may need stamina and athleticism. There are some matches that ask for that and as I said in my previous post in this thread, he does give his best every minute.

.....................Matic..................

..Ramires.....................Fabregas

This could be Jose's plan against the bigger sides.

No chance he is letting him go.

the triangle would be inverted imo - or at least it should. No more Ramires near the wing and adventuring himself in the attack.

I'd be completely crazy/ecstatic if Mourinho dropped his beloved 4-2-3-1 (something I don't think he will) and moved to the 4-3-3 instead.

Then I think this should be the midfield against 80% of our opponents - which are bottom and mid-table teams and small/medium force Europe teams

Matic

Oscar - Fabregas

But when we play stronger teams, or when we need to defend a result (in an away leg for example, after winning the home leg) we could invert the triangle and replace Oscar (or Fabregas, it'll depend on their form) for Ramires.

Matic - Ramires

Fabregas (Oscar)

I won't be an hypocrite and deny that Ramires helped us win those big matches we won, but his presence shouldn't come with the price of limiting our attack beyond it's already dreadful limitation. We weren't much creative and Ramires had a big part in that in the matches he played in the wing. I'd rather Matic to go forwarder than Ramires. He's a natural DM but even him has better vision and pass than Rami does.

[DYC. 7,542]

the triangle would be inverted imo - or at least it should. No more Ramires near the wing and adventuring himself in the attack.

I'd be completely crazy/ecstatic if Mourinho dropped his beloved 4-2-3-1 (something I don't think he will) and moved to the 4-3-3 instead.

Then I think this should be the midfield against 80% of our opponents - which are bottom and mid-table teams and small/medium force Europe teams

Matic

Oscar - Fabregas

I think Mourinho should take note of City and Liverpool against the smaller sides and go with two strikers. Both City and Liverpool benefited massively because of the presence of two strikers.

Willian - Fabregas - Matic - Hazard

Costa - Lukaku

There's no need for three-man midfield against sides that just sit back and give you all the opportunity to play until you reach the final third. Centre-backs aren't used to 1v1 situations because they usually face a lone striker so most really struggle when they are in such a situation. And luckily, both Costa and Lukaku aren't lost if they find themself in wide/wider positions.

I would absolutely love to see that but I doubt that will be the case.

[HD3D 1,038]

The Spanish media claims Real Madrid is going to insist on Ramires because it believes the player will force his way out like Modric did.

Since this is the club that payed 100 million for Bale, what are the odds we could slap 35m out of them for Ramires?

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

If Jose actually sees him as a key player, I doubt he let's him leave even if it's a mouthwatering offer for the fans.

[Jype 6,398]

The Spanish media claims Real Madrid is going to insist on Ramires because it believes the player will force his way out like Modric did.

Since this is the club that payed 100 million for Bale, what are the odds we could slap 35m out of them for Ramires?

If Luiz went for 48m, there's definitely hope for Ramires to go for around 35 million if Real Madrid really are in for him.

Still undecided on whether I'd want him to stay or go. First I would need to know what kind of football Mourinho is planning for next season and what box-to-box midfielder replacements there would be available in the market. Not many better than Ramires, I would suppose, because then Real Madrid would be after them and not Rambo...

He's actually a pretty good player when properly utilised so if Jose still sees him as a key player and will alter his tactics to get the best out of him, I really wouldn't mind him staying but if the idea is to play him in a similar role to what he played last season I wouldn't say no to anything over 25m.

[yuvala 2,167]

Do you guys think that Ramires actually became less-good (worse) or is it just the fact that now we have a different set of players who are more gifted + our system is starting to change ?

[bababoom 4,478]

Imagine getting £35-40 million for Ramires... If Real want him that bad they'll splash the cash.

I think our board may have learnt a lot from the likes of Porto and A.Madird, when they sell they make sure to get huge profits.

[iseah100 5,612]

Imagine getting £35-40 million for Ramires... If Real want him that bad they'll splash the cash.

I think our board may have learnt a lot from the likes of Porto and A.Madird, when they sell they make sure to get huge profits.

Lol Ramires for ≥£25

Rakitic £15m

[zolayes 14,489]

Do you guys think that Ramires actually became less-good (worse) or is it just the fact that now we have a different set of players who are more gifted + our system is starting to change ?

Willian can do everything Ramires could better and even more.

[yuvala 2,167]

Willian can do everything Ramires could better and even more.

Well yea but it wasn't really what I was asking.

Do you think that Ramires became less of a player or do we just have better players now and that's why he's had a pretty bad season ?

[zolayes 14,489]

Well yea but it wasn't really what I was asking.

Do you think that Ramires became less of a player or do we just have better players now and that's why he's had a pretty bad season ?

last season he was very poor at times ,,,

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Who do you replace him with if you do decide to sell? I can understand relegating him to a squad role but he's versatile and has some key attributes that can benefit any team. Unless you can get a better replacement with similar attributes, we shouldn't sell.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Who do you replace him with if you do decide to sell? I can understand relegating him to a squad role but he's versatile and has some key attributes that can benefit any team. Unless you can get a better replacement with similar attributes, we shouldn't sell.

Paulinho?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Who do you replace him with if you do decide to sell? I can understand relegating him to a squad role but he's versatile and has some key attributes that can benefit any team. Unless you can get a better replacement with similar attributes, we shouldn't sell.

He's a fairly unique player in the sense that he can run all day long (seemingly) and is capable of scoring goals and creating stuff....occasionally. He's also massively inconsistent and is amongst the stupidest players I've ever seen. His lack of composure, his temper (which has cost us) and the fact that you never know what you'll get from him with the ball at his feet are problems.

To a certain extent we've already replaced him with Matic. If we get Fabregas then you'd expect those two to start and Ramires be reserved to a 60th minute role to secure the game and matches against teams who will look to dominate possession against us. Is that worth more than the £25 million Real Madrid have offered? Possibly. If we get Tiago then maybe we can do without him, and then there's Van Ginkel and Chalobah who show promise defensively.

He's got three years left on his contract and he's 27. This is probably going to be the peak of his transfer value although you could probably wait a year and still get £18 million + for him whatever type of season he has.

As much as I disliked what he contributed last season, I can see the logic of keeping him or at least holding out for more money from Madrid.

[LAM09 6,751]

Talk of a swap deal involving Modric coming to us. Would be more than game for that!

[Tomo 21,733]

Talk of a swap deal involving Modric coming to us. Would be more than game for that!

Imagine the reaction of Madrid fans if Perez actually does that

[didierforever 7,349]

Paulinho?

not even close to what rambo gives us!!!

i expect rambo to be played in a 3 man mid when we play deep against big teams away. or on the right wing to shut off those wings. rambo's versatality wont be covered by paulinho. infact i expect rambo to be a continous 60th minute or a 70th minute substitute, to close off the game, dont think paulinho is very suited for that role too. i mean a 3 man mid of paulnho - matic -cesc is asking for trouble in the last minutes since 2 of those are not really known for their defensive work.

[bushman 2,043]

According to the latest, Real Madrid is prepared to pay 25m or more for Ramires.