One is more than enough for me.. would much rather add those funds to the CM role... really need to get someone quality there... not convinced by the names being mentioned so far.. Need to get thr most out of the budget we have.

We don’t need both Buendia and Odegaard. One is enough.

Willock mostly played as part of a midfield 3 for Newcastle in their 5-3-2. I'm not convinced he has the technical qualities for us in the role behind the striker. He certainly has the eye for a run and for goal. I think he's better suited to the deeper roles bursting forward. He and Partey would have to learn how to make that work.

He certainly doesn't have the technical qualities to play behind the striker.

We saw how lost he was in most of his appearances for us.

In the very few occasions he's played as a good ol' CM, he has looked very promising.

Willock doesn't fit into our system.

We need to sell while his value is maximum and get in players that do instead of shoe-horning players in.

What is our system? And what type of player would you say fits into it?

Gunner89 wrote:

Willock doesn't fit into our system.

We need to sell while his value is maximum and get in players that do instead of shoe-horning players in.

Then change the system. I don't want to lose such a talented young player to hang onto a system thats finished 8 in the league.

The system is great. 235 offense. Willock doesn’t fit our standard application. But we have to decide how we want to build depth. Do we want like for like replacements? Or do we want players who can change the game? Willock, Martinelli, Chambers at RB are players who change the game for you and give enough flexibility in different situations.

The system is a bore that lacks goals. If it can't accommodate a player like Willock then its a problem.

235 offence Lowest goals scored at home for 30 years or something.

flobaba wrote:

What is our system? And what type of player would you say fits into it?

apparently no one.

Clrnc wrote:

235 offence Lowest goals scored at home for 30 years or something.

Since 73/74. 50 years almost. 

We didn’t concede goals. That’s a plus. Good foundation to build on.

For me a guy like Willock is a system breaker. If we want to run at a team, there’s nobody better. As long as Parteh can hit passes and we have one of ESR or Odegaard wide, he can fit. Just switches it up

Only problem with that system breaker theory is that’s probably the reason why the kid was sent on loan in the first place - the perception that he couldn’t fit into the system. Ceballos, El Neny were deemed better fits.

It comes down to what you want from players beyond your first 11. Exact replicas or alternatives? For example, I think great alternatives at right back would be Hakimi and Chambers, depending on game. And both are versatile enough to play together.

Agree with that. We've got Tierney, Pepe, Saka, ESR, Partey, Gabriel, and maybe Saliba. Leno at a stretch. The squad we build around them should fill in the gaps, cover their weaknesses, and amplify their strengths. This means have alternatives that are actual alternatives, and it also means building our own squad with our own game - not necessarily trying to copy other teams.

Hakimi and Chambers sounds like an excellent duo for right back. Willock would be a great option to have, but if you can convert him into a more perfect starting player, I'd do that.

Very few players in the same team are similar enough in ability to be regarded as “replicas”. Unless and until all or most individuality is stripped from them ala City/Barcelona in favor of the system. The superiority of system play is what Arteta is also trying to institute in our football as well in my opinion. In that light, a Willock in central midfield will find it more difficult to blend in, than say even a Pepe, as the discipline required for the position is extreme. His (Arteta’s) mentor has had issues with players like Yaya Toure, like Henry, like Sterling, etc. Whether Willock has what it takes to evolve into this system specific role is unknown at this point.

I see Willock as an alternative in 3 of 4231 or in 2 if we switch to 4123. I don’t see him as a CM double pivot player. He’s an attacker

Claudius wrote:

We didn’t concede goals. That’s a plus. Good foundation to build on.

Which is why 235 offence is laughable. It was mostly 451 defence.

Claudius wrote:

I see Willock as an alternative in 3 of 4231 or in 2 if we switch to 4123. I don’t see him as a CM double pivot player. He’s an attacker

I would love to see us play 4123, and rotate ESR, Odegaard, and Willock in those places.  But that implies playing Partey as a single pivot--which is what I was hoping when he came, but so far does not seem the way to get the best out of him.

In most games it asked too much of Partey. But if a team is going to lie deep, might as well replace a CM with an AM.

Claudius wrote:

In most games it asked too much of Partey. But if a team is going to lie deep, might as well replace a CM with an AM.

The 4123/433 gives us other options in regards to the 235/325.  Firstly the 2 #8s as the 2s are both able to slot into the channels as part of the front 5, and allows the FBs to bracket the #6 during transition/out of possession, and still be available to overlap as the extra man in attack rather than being used to make up the front 5 in the first place. If nothing else it reduces the time needed to establish cover into the 5 channels before we take the handbrake off the attack.

It's possible Buendia plays next to Partey. Between Odegaard, Bissouma and Buendia we could sign any 2 of them and have positions filled, but maybe Bissouma + Buendia is the best bet.

Claudius wrote:

In most games it asked too much of Partey. But if a team is going to lie deep, might as well replace a CM with an AM.

Partey instantly looked better whenever he was asked to play a deeper role. When he started too high, he was almost anonymous. Sure, when he was basically alone in midfield because Ceballos was overlapping to protect Xhaka, he looked stretched, but that isn't what a normal 433 would look like.

Partey can take over Xhaka's DLP role, playing differently with riskier but quicker passes. Bissouma could do the mopping up.

banduan wrote:

Partey can take over Xhaka's DLP role, playing differently with riskier but quicker passes. Bissouma could do the mopping up.

This is the hope. Bissouma can actually be turned into a box to box action man like Kante. He covers the entire field well. He scored 2 excellent long range goals against Everton and Blackpool this season. I think people really underestimate his all around game

https://www.premierleague.com/video/single/1857497

Bell says we have made our first offer to Norwich for Buendia, over 30m.

Not only that but he says it’s been accepted

I'm gonna yell if we actually sign him. He's perfect for us.

Apparently it’s not been accepted - translation issue.

But talks are ongoing

Klaus wrote:

I'm gonna yell if we actually sign him. He's perfect for us.

He is isn’t he. Fancy our chances of creating chances/scoring against anyone with him in the team

Think this gets done

He's fantastic Dools. One of the best technicians around. You just cannot press this midget. Tough as nails too.

Clrnc wrote:

Bell says we have made our first offer to Norwich for Buendia, over 30m.

Get the fuck in. Like cream in a donut.
Buendia and Bissouma. Let me upgrade you!!

Klaus has wishlisted him from absolutely nowhere early 2 years ago where Norwich just got promoted to now we are having a chance to sign him.

Indeed Klaus. He’s also got a tasty finish on him

Nice. I can’t imagine we won’t get this done.

Just entering his prime too, the perfect age to sign someone.