Billy could fill in at CB too. :drool:

Make it happen Wengy.

If this is the guy we decide to pursue, sorting out the logistics will take ages. Third party ownership and and an extremely sticky agent, they'll be plenty of ups and downs. As for the player, I don't know too much about him but from the opinions I've gathered, this guy could be a mega signing.

doesnt help that he has ties to jose and romans bum chum mendes as well.

Must say I'm sceptical about this. Had heard great things about him, but he did not impress me in the world cup at all. Not much to go on, but he looked surprisingly slow. Couldn't close down players quickly and easily beaten for pace. Is he quality? Anyone seen him more than a few times in the world cup?

yep. ive mentioned him a few times on here in the last few months after seeing a few sporting games in april/may. he really went on a tear in the second half of last season, showed alot of consistency in his performances. you can tell he enjoys the defensive side of the gme, is physically dominant, and his passing from deep is generally steady. matic is an example of someone that isnt exactly spry but he copes just fine in the epl

he was out on loan and somewhat forgotten in 2012 then came back and started to crush the buildings to many peoples surprise. downside is you can never be sure how well these qualities will translate to england. all the traits that make him dominant in portugal may only be enough to make him a solid player here rather than the second coming of vieira he's hyped to be. if wenger goes to the trouble of buying him, it would be a big valudation of his ability

I really like his composure on the ball and he seem to know what to do with the ball before he actually receives the ball. That is a good quality. My concern is really that i'd like a central midfielder with a bit more pace/mobility who could really improve our pressing, which is really poor.

He reminds me of Song. Would much rather go for Bender or Martinez.

Thanks Gazza. Pretty good summary. A little more hopeful of his quality

Kel Varnsen wrote:

My concern is really that i'd like a central midfielder with a bit more pace/mobility who could really improve our pressing, which is really poor.

No one man will improve our pressing. That's a tactical deficiency.

we definitely do not press well as a team. i think it's obvious. too often, it's just one guy pressing (and too late, at that) and the players behind him don't fill the passing angles correctly. when you're late, it becomes like a ball possession drill and we look like fools chasing the ball. atletico really impressed me with their pressing last season.

carvalho is definitely more of a holding mid than a pressing CM. he's more gilberto than vieira, though he's a tough tackler. personally, i think we need a holding mid because of ramsey's forward runs, and arteta's lack of athleticism. it's especially true if sanchez and walcott are on the wings.

yep, he'd sweep up behind the pressing of sanchez, ramsey, and theo. similar to busquets and matic, who rarely press too aggressively high or wide.

Didn't know we had so many Portuguese league viewers here.

setanta/eurosport australia ftw

for all yer general non-epl euro league needs 🙂

I made a point of watching a fair few Porto games last season; that's why I think that Fernando to Man City is a class signing for them.

Then there's William Carvalho who, without doubt, is being pushed by his representatives . All the signs are there. Sporting Lisbon need a sale, Carvalho fancies a big move and there's a deal to be done. Not at £35m there's not. Maybe at a much reduced price he would represent value but don't hold your breath.

For flip sake 😆
He knows nothing.

"All the signs are there" 😆