Rex wrote:

Herrera can play as a central midfielder of course, but he isn't very good at it. He is energetic and good at closing people down, but he doesn't actually like tackling, or is very good at it, and his tracking back once the play has passed him is suspect.

Quite the opposite IMO.

Not really noticed that weakness in his game (suspect at tracking back) but some highly regarded CMs (Alonso, Busquets, Arteta etc) share that weakness too.

I think most people overrate how good a CM should be defensively, playing without the ball is the easiest thing to do in the game IMO. Ultimately how good you are on the ball will determine whether you are a top CM or not.

Rex wrote:

He won't solve anything for Man U in my opinion, and if he plays as a central mid it will be to the detriment of the team.

He's a far better footballer than anyone they've got in midfield IMO. I have seen Herrera in a CM role before and he impressed me. I think consistency is his major problem. He's threatened to explode few times before but always ends up having a dip in form (probably normal for a midfielder his age). And he's frequently substituted in the 2nd half of matches, dunno why, fitness issues maybe?

I hope he never settles otherwise he could turn out to be a brilliant signing for them. He's a truly gifted footballer - touch of Wilshere or Iniesta about him.

chelsea, united, pool all sealing or close to sealing significant deals.

these convos we're in must truly be deep. and meaningful

Rex wrote:

Well, they have already had that money from their sales, so...

They need more.

Gazza M wrote:

chelsea, united, pool all sealing or close to sealing significant deals.

these convos we're in must truly be deep. and meaningful

like the one fabregas had with wenger? wreck the team, but what an incredible convo we had...

Tactics wrote:

Rex wrote:

Herrera can play as a central midfielder of course, but he isn't very good at it. He is energetic and good at closing people down, but he doesn't actually like tackling, or is very good at it, and his tracking back once the play has passed him is suspect.

Quite the opposite IMO.

Not really noticed that weakness in his game (suspect at tracking back) but some highly regarded CMs (Alonso, Busquets, Arteta etc) share that weakness too.

I think most people overrate how good a CM should be defensively, playing without the ball is the easiest thing to do in the game IMO. Ultimately how good you are on the ball will determine whether you are a top CM or not.

Rex wrote:

He won't solve anything for Man U in my opinion, and if he plays as a central mid it will be to the detriment of the team.

He's a far better footballer than anyone they've got in midfield IMO. I have seen Herrera in a CM role before and he impressed me. I think consistency is his major problem. He's threatened to explode few times before but always ends up having a dip in form (probably normal for a midfielder his age). And he's frequently substituted in the 2nd half of matches, dunno why, fitness issues maybe?

I hope he never settles otherwise he could turn out to be a brilliant signing for them. He's a truly gifted footballer - touch of Wilshere or Iniesta about him.

Herrera was played at 10 every time I saw him last season with Mikel Rico and Iturraspe bossing the midfield. Despite playing at 10, he hardly scores or assists.
I'll say this - if Man U plan on playing him at CM in a 4-2-3-1 formation, they are going to need a monster DM to make it work decently.

Rex wrote:

Herrera was played at 10 every time I saw him last season with Mikel Rico and Iturraspe bossing the midfield. Despite playing at 10, he hardly scores or assists.

That's my opinion too, but I only watched Bilbao a handful of times last season. Every single time Herrera had two other midfielders behind him doing the defensive work. I don't know, maybe he can play deeper in the field, but he wouldn't be my pick if I wanted a central midfielder from that club.

Man U would have been a lot better off with either of Mikel Rico and Ander Iturraspe. In fact, if we can't get Schneiderlin, then Iturraspe would be my pick. He is brilliant.

Clrnc wrote:

But Origi is a good signing, and Markovic is even better. Fantastic player

Absolutely - smells somewhat like Spurs' strategy last season - buy a bunch of players knowing that your one superstar is going to be sold for a bomb at some point in the window. If these reports are right, they have spent a good 80m now (25 for Lallana, 25 for Markovic, 10 for Origi and 9 for Lambert, 12 for Can?)? If they get Shaquiri as well now, all signs point towards Suarez leaving and them bringing in a bunch of attacking replacements. With this and United strengthening, the battle for The Prize is heating up ! At any rate, at least Pool fans can't now complain about not having the financial strength to compete.

Rex wrote:

Herrera was played at 10 every time I saw him last season with Mikel Rico and Iturraspe bossing the midfield. Despite playing at 10, he hardly scores or assists.

This is true, he only played #10 last season but they mainly used him in CM prior to last season.

Rex wrote:

I'll say this - if Man U plan on playing him at CM in a 4-2-3-1 formation, they are going to need a monster DM to make it work decently.

He played a lot of matches in CM alongside Iturraspe in a 4-2-3-1 under Bielsa. Sometimes they changed shape, with Iturasspe being the sole holding midfielder and both Herrera and De Marcos playing slightly ahead of him (similar to the role Xavi and Iniesta play at Barca) in a 4-3-3.

He's not a true #10 despite playing there for Bilbao, he's a technician but his passing isn't particularly great in the final 3rd. He's more adept at playing passes between the lines, not a throughball specialist like Ozil or Cesc, he's the guy that gets it forward to those guys. I'd say he's best in a box to box role.

Mikel Rico had a good season but I don't think he's good enough for ManU (yet). Iturraspe is good enough IMO but he'll be competing with Carrick for a place in the team. I know Carrick is getting on, but they are in more urgent need to replace the jokers that play next to him (Cleverly, Fellaini, Giggs, Anderson etc) and I think Herrera is the right choice.

BWoolley wrote:

Clrnc wrote:

But Origi is a good signing, and Markovic is even better. Fantastic player

Absolutely - smells somewhat like Spurs' strategy last season - buy a bunch of players knowing that your one superstar is going to be sold for a bomb at some point in the window. If these reports are right, they have spent a good 80m now (25 for Lallana, 25 for Markovic, 10 for Origi and 9 for Lambert, 12 for Can?)? If they get Shaquiri as well now, all signs point towards Suarez leaving and them bringing in a bunch of attacking replacements. With this and United strengthening, the battle for The Prize is heating up ! At any rate, at least Pool fans can't now complain about not having the financial strength to compete.

I'd trust that Rodgers already have a plan on how to gel them on compared to the mess Spurs got themselves into.

Talking about Spurs, can see Lamela flourishing easily under Pochettino.

Rex wrote:

Man U would have been a lot better off with either of Mikel Rico and Ander Iturraspe. In fact, if we can't get Schneiderlin, then Iturraspe would be my pick. He is brilliant.

good shout.

Swansea sign Bafe Gomis from Lyon on a free transfer and are about to sell Michu to Napoli.

Spurs squandering that quantity of money is the exception not the rule. Can't believe they whiffed so badly on their signings, they were annoyingly good for a while.

Should grab N'Koulou off 'em.

Only N'Koulou interests me.

Thauvin is the marseille man to get

They just signed Batshuayi also.

65m for Herrera and Shaw, that's ridiculously high.