Think we need to decide how we want to play first and foremost. If we want to keep up with this brand of football then by all means, get the best defensive mid in the league. I said a few months back I wouldn't take Kante but he's a tier above Coquelin, and the distance will only increase as he gets more games under his belt. He'd be a good buy.

Personally I think we should build a different, more durable midfield altogether, but doing so would mean we'd have to put down serious money. Gündogan and Kroos might be on the market this summer. Just imagine those two behind Özil.

I was intrigued by you mentioning about Kante being suitable most for our kind of football- Why?
Surely he's proved very effective for Leicester,

But then I stopped reading when you said we'd have to put down serious money.

Klaus wrote:

Think we need to decide how we want to play first and foremost. If we want to keep up with this brand of football then by all means, get the best defensive mid in the league. I said a few months back I wouldn't take Kante but he's a tier above Coquelin, and the distance will only increase as he gets more games under his belt. He'd be a good buy.

Personally I think we should build a different, more durable midfield altogether, but doing so would mean we'd have to put down serious money. Gündogan and Kroos might be on the market this summer. Just imagine those two behind Özil.

Exactly, Leicester are a counter attacking team and playing with someone like Kante is possible in that case.  However most teams sit deep against us and that is when the passing limitations because quite clear.  Defensively he looks better than Coquelin but passing wise I don't think he is much better.  For a team like us, who will be pressed and teams will be defensive against, limitations in your offensive play quickly become exposed.

Like you say depends on what direction as a team we are going in. 

In what way is Kante a tier above Coquelin? Do you actually believe that he is or is it just that he's playing for the team who sit top.

JazzG wrote:

Defensively he looks better than Coquelin

No he doesn't. Just happens to play in a well-organised team.

Coquelin is well underrated.

He'll probably fade, his limitations when it comes to attacking play become more problematic for us, he'll fall out of favour with Wenger and we'll ship him to Valencia. Kante on the other hand will join Chelsea and will be embarrassed by Özil on a couple of occasions, but will do nicely overall and make it to the France squad for Russia 2018. You heard it here first.

I don't even think the comparison is apt. Whenever I see Leicester it is Drinkwater who plays that disciplined, mostly defensive role that is the most similar to how Coquelin plays for us (although Coquelin admittedly looks a bit more adventurous offensively when playing with Elneny). Kante, to me, plays more like an all action central midfielder rather than a purely defensive stopper.

That's the impression I was under too.

Kante is superb, will be player of the season for Chelsea.

Kante gives the impression of being all over the pitch, at the same time. Certainly doesn't fit the bill of 'disciplined player who 'just' protects the back 4'. Closest comparison for me would probably be how Ramsey played when he was in God mode, except for Kante not scoring.

otfgoon wrote:

Yep, pretty much. That's why I said he's be a good but not great addition to our pool of midfielders, because he could probably play with either Coq or Elneny, but I don't think he'd be a noticeable improvement on either.

I think he is an improvement on Coquelin and can complement Elneny. Looking at the way he played for France, he can certain do the defensive job well or box to box. Scored a good goal the other day as well.

He has a lot of technique. He doesn't get much chances in Leicester but in a big team he might score more with his style.

What way do you feel he is better than Coquelin?

People bringing up Coquelin's name must have it in their minds that if Kante was bought then Coquelin would be the guy to step aside, meaning it's a DM for a DM.

If Kante starts scoring more, for whatever reason, then most likely it will be because he gets forward more than he currently is. Ergo, he certainly isn't playing as a positionally disciplined defensive midfielder then. Even now, when he is playing much more as a box to box midfielder, he isn't really either scoring or assisting. Now, I'd like to point out that I don't really think either of those things are really why he is on the pitch, but I find the notion of Kante scoring more just because he is at a bigger club fanciful.

kante reminds me more of matuidi.

Good comparison. Another player who isn't a defensive midfielder.

Guys like Kante, Matuidi, Motta, Verratti et al are what you tell them to be on the field. They're central midfielders used in various roles. No need to split hairs. Gennaro Gattuso played further forward than any of them during his peak and if he wasn't a defensive player no one was.

And yes - Kante is a better player than Coquelin. It's quite obvious to everyone outside Arsenal.

Thank you, Klaus, for letting everyone know what's what.

Yeah, good to get an outsiders perspective.