jones wrote:

That graph/stat is unfortunately no good representation of reality. Hasebe for example according to this graph is one of the most progressive passing centre midfielders in Europe. Problem is hes a CM only in name any more and has played as the central defender in a back three for a couple years now, which of course changes the meaning of "forward pass" dramatically

The terminology of a central midfielder is far too diverse to be able to throw all those names in there together. Fabian, Ndombele or Veretout are all very good players but can hardly be compared, theres little point to throwing them into one graph as if they could be

It's quite interesting if you have knowledge of the players from watching them though. For example the more technical midfielders like Modric and Rakatic seem like they're all clustered towards the middle. The deeper lying playmakers all fall somewhere towards the right etc. 

Suggests to me that overly progressive runs and passes are not necessarily a good trait for every type of midfielder. Gerrard would have probably been off the charts for both yet it's widely recognised as a bad thing as far as he was concerned.   

2 months later

Arsenal came close to a deal for PSG midfielder Christopher Nkunku in January, while Adrien Rabiot is another they've pursued in the past - but I've not heard that either are targets this time round.

BBC

Don't think Rabiot will happen without CL football & revenues to offset his sign on fee & wages.
My impression with most of these players who look to depart for free is that they are essentially mercs for hire to the highest bidder.

In saying that it does not mean that they could / would not be effective or value for money, just that I'd not rely upon them in terms of club loyalty.

That's not limited to Bosman players, the same applies to the overwhelming majority of players these days. Loyalty is pretty much gone from the game, regardless of whether transfer fees are involved or not.

Tam wrote:

That's not limited to Bosman players, the same applies to the overwhelming majority of players these days. Loyalty is pretty much gone from the game, regardless of whether transfer fees are involved or not.

Yup.  🙁

I want this to happen. It’s such a sensible move.

If Sanllehi has any value you'd imagine it would be for transfers like this. Buy his mum a Villa in Antigua or something.

Definitely go and get him. He's still young enough and good enough that you could move him on even if he's acting up.

Problem with a player acting up is it reduces the interest so i wouldn't count on recouping value if that's the case.
We are only in with a sniff as he is acting up otherwise PSG wouldn't be selling and Champions League clubs would be circling.
That said, getting him is the quickest way of getting rid of Xhaka so i'm all in.

Bold Tone wrote:

Problem with a player acting up is it reduces the interest so i wouldn't count on recouping value if that's the case.
We are only in with a sniff as he is acting up otherwise PSG wouldn't be selling and Champions League clubs would be circling.
That said, getting him is the quickest way of getting rid of Xhaka so i'm all in.

Surely we could get him and pay for the whole thing with Xhaka's fee. That makes it not a major risk. And yeah he would probably drop a level again if he acts up here, but you'd still move him. A bit like Balotelli, smaller clubs will always be willing to take a risk. Seems like the sort of risk we need to take too. I don't think we'd end up in another Ozil situation.

Agree, Qs. We get him for free. We put some of his salary demands in a signing on bonus to reduce his salary, so he is easy to move if he acts the fool. This not rocket science. A tall, skilled, athletic B2B doesn't fall out of the sky everyday

We've been after him since he was a teenager too. He'd take our midfield up a level instantly. And maybe we'd catch him at the right age to mature into less of a problem. Wouldn't hurt sharing a dressing room with Laca and Auba instead of Neymar too.

Plus it’d piss Jones off. What’s not to like.

Qwiss! wrote:
Bold Tone wrote:

Problem with a player acting up is it reduces the interest so i wouldn't count on recouping value if that's the case.
We are only in with a sniff as he is acting up otherwise PSG wouldn't be selling and Champions League clubs would be circling.
That said, getting him is the quickest way of getting rid of Xhaka so i'm all in.

Surely we could get him and pay for the whole thing with Xhaka's fee. That makes it not a major risk. And yeah he would probably drop a level again if he acts up here, but you'd still move him. A bit like Balotelli, smaller clubs will always be willing to take a risk. Seems like the sort of risk we need to take too. I don't think we'd end up in another Ozil situation.

This is a guy who clashed with Emery by refusing to play as a DM.
http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3502674/paris-saint-germains-adrien-rabiot-at-early-crossroads-for-club-and-country
He is already "entitled" and coming on a free so we are going to have to pay mercenary wages.
https://thefootballfaithful.com/rabiot-rejects-spurs-below-his-level/

Yeah, weird thing to hold against him.

Claudius wrote:

He rejected Spurs? Wouldn't we all?

flobaba wrote:

Yeah, weird thing to hold against him.

Geez guys.
Put 2 and 2 together.
I don't see a guy with a record like this joining a Europa club below Tottenham on a free transfer accepting anything less than an Ozil-sized pay cheque.

You make it sound like he has an Ozil-sized reputation to toss on the table. He also needs to sit down, be humble

flobaba wrote:

Plus it’d piss Jones off. What’s not to like.

Why you always hating though