Gazza M wrote:
I think we're looking for someone more metronomic/stable to replace xhaka
See it the same. Elneny falls naturally into this role given his engine and temperament. He was trying the weave the web on the weekend. Over last season I think Xhaka finally gained marked distance in doing it better than him but both not up to what we should be starting with. I think the MLS has a bunch of players that play this role well; I wonder if we scout players from there still. Haven't heard a lot of noise or from the likes of Karbassiyoon for ages.
Whatever the case, I think one of the main criteria really should be physical endurance. Anytime the stats were made available, Xhaka and Elneny were covering 10.5km+ a game playing this kind of role. If we are still often stifled this season with frontline inconsistent movement, big spatial distances between players and limited cohesion in the midfield 2-3, all the more important new individual can put himself about. I was just mulling the other day about getting Ramsey or Wilshere back on a modest contract to play the role but neither can probably meet that required endurance. Ramsey probably hasn't played that role for 6 years.
