banduan wrote:

BWooley wrote:

If we make Odegaard a priority, not only can the kid be one of the elitest players in Europe if things go well but also it will lend a nice balance to our front 4 - 2 creative players (Saka / ESR / Ode / Nelson) and 2 goalscorers (Auba / Pepe / Marty / Balo). Play a 4-2-3-1 / 4-2-2-2 hybrid shape. 

it's what we did when ESR and Martin first started together. But it does put a big burden on them knowing where to drop in.

Think we played Saka also in those instances, which leaves too few goalscorers in our team for my liking. Rather play a more direct player + Auba along with these two. Having said that, I completely agree that it does put a burden on them, but that's really what we like about both of them right - good positioning and off-the-ball movement? Hopefully if someone can really spend time with them in training, this partnership should develop. It also reduces the burden on Saka because we can rotate between these 3 with Nelson being the 4th player in line.

Anzac wrote:

Qwiss! wrote:

Sounds like a recipe for getting bullied.

Perhaps, but IF he's following the MC model they use AMs/wingers as their #8s in the same shape.

AW used a startinf midfield of Denilson, Song and Febregas for most of a season, and also used Rambo and Wilshere with Fabregas, or Arteta and Cazorla with Ozil(?).

IMO if Ceballos can be converted from CAM/#10 to play CM in the 2 man midfield then I don't see why MO can't do much the same, as he's more mobile and press resistant. 

Song and Denilson was Denilson sitting and Song playing B2B. Rambo, Wilshere, Fabregas isn't a midfield I remember seeing. Cazorla played in CM mostly with Coq and yes we were regularly bullied. In fact all those midfields had fans crying out for a proper DM every summer.

Ceballos wasn't converted to a CM, he was played there but he's been terrible. That you think thats an argument in your favour is crazy.

Qwiss! wrote:

Anzac wrote:

Perhaps, but IF he's following the MC model they use AMs/wingers as their #8s in the same shape.

AW used a startinf midfield of Denilson, Song and Febregas for most of a season, and also used Rambo and Wilshere with Fabregas, or Arteta and Cazorla with Ozil(?).

IMO if Ceballos can be converted from CAM/#10 to play CM in the 2 man midfield then I don't see why MO can't do much the same, as he's more mobile and press resistant. 

Song and Denilson was Denilson sitting and Song playing B2B. Rambo, Wilshere, Fabregas isn't a midfield I remember seeing. Cazorla played in CM mostly with Coq and yes we were regularly bullied. In fact all those midfields had fans crying out for a proper DM every summer.

Ceballos wasn't converted to a CM, he was played there but he's been terrible. That you think thats an argument in your favour is crazy.

No I'm just saying we've done as much previously under AW with all his AM/#10 types with wanting a B2B/shuttler between 2 playmakers in midfield, and also using AMs on the flanks.  I'm not advocating we do the same but I think any midfield combo with Partey in a 2 or 3 is automatically stronger/better because of him.

Ceballos is another AM/#10 playing CM/DM - IIRC he was a CAM before he went to RM?  
Agreed it has not worked as he is not dynamic like Cazorla, who started as an AM on the flank at Villarreal and CAM when he initially joined us until we signed Ozil, and then on the flank until we signed Sanchez and then he moved to CM.

Reminds me of when I first heard of this Portuguese Ronaldo bloke and kept thinking what kind of cheap knockoff is this.

That shot with Per is adorable. Love that guy.

Its like when video games don't get the rights to real players names

We're also screwed enough as it is by AFCON next year. Need a forward that can rotate in for Pepe and Auba (one not called Saka, at least).

Lacazette and Martinelli presumably. Speaking of midfielders, looks like Tchouameni is Chelsea bound for 35M? Claude - thought you rated him very highly?

Clrnc wrote:

Good to hear that Bissouma is not our first choice. We should be looking at a more technically accomplished passer to replace Xhaka.

We are going to end up with a shit, powderpuff midfield again.

BWooley wrote:

Lacazette and Martinelli presumably. Speaking of midfielders, looks like Tchouameni is Chelsea bound for 35M? Claude - thought you rated him very highly?

That’s a disaster. That’s exactly the right price for him.

35m for Tchouameni is a steal.

Chelsea can send Jorginho over to us once they secure Tchouameni

Qwiss! wrote:

Clrnc wrote:

Good to hear that Bissouma is not our first choice. We should be looking at a more technically accomplished passer to replace Xhaka.

We are going to end up with a shit, powderpuff midfield again.

Definitely. I too long for the days when Arteta and Flamini would steam roll everyone in their way. If we were “a serious club”, or whatever that bullshit is supposed to mean, we would’ve shelled out for some big strong mother fucker last season to get the midfield transition under way. We could’ve done with some monstrous athletic centre back too. Ah well. Mustafi and Dani “Dani Ceballos” Ceballos it is.

I think Bissouma has more to his game than some appreciate too, for what it’s worth.

He’s reasonably press resistant and technically accomplished. He’s not Santi Cazorla back there, but he’s not Nigel de Jong either.

He’s still one of my big hopes for the window.

I agree, Boss.

I suspect Willock will be this summer’s Emi Martinez. European teams will still be broke. English teams will have money and interest in Willock. Rather than sit around waiting for money that might never arrive for Xhaka, Laca and Bellerin, we will cash in Willock

Something about Bissouma gives me Fred vibes. I'm not looking forward to people complaining that he's being asked to do too much when he proves incapable of being the player we actually need.

If we get him, I obviously hope I'm wrong.

Coombs wrote:

Something about Bissouma gives me Fred vibes. I'm not looking forward to people complaining that he's being asked to do too much when he proves incapable of being the player we actually need.

If we get him, I obviously hope I'm wrong.

It depends what we’re asking of him. Can’t imagine this comparison will go down too well, but if it’s no more than what we ask of Elneny, when he’s partnered with Partey, then i can’t see it not working out.

Bissouma’s not going to be splitting the lines with every single pass. But, to me, his passing looks to be a lot more progressive than our Mo’s, he’s also a lot quicker across the ground, a far better tackler, and he doesn’t get flustered too easily when being pressed which means he’s reasonably adept at recycling possession.

As long as we intend to supplement the attack with another option or two, i’d be all over Bissouma, or a player of his profile.

Claudius wrote:

I agree, Boss.

I suspect Willock will be this summer’s Emi Martinez. European teams will still be broke. English teams will have money and interest in Willock. Rather than sit around waiting for money that might never arrive for Xhaka, Laca and Bellerin, we will cash in Willock

Yeah, unfortunately, i can see that happening too. Hopefully we exhaust all our other options (Guendo, Torreira, etc) before resorting to moving Willock.

I can also see him being a bit of a books leveller at the end of the window, if we have a big one, similar to Iwobi a couple of years back.

I don’t think i’ll be too happy about it if/when it does happen, but if selling Willock means we can tick all our boxes (cam, cm, rb and lb) then i guess it is what it is.

Clrnc wrote:

jones wrote:

35m for Tchouameni is a steal.

Would imagine Brighton wants more for Bissouma too. Papers quoting 40m.

In a market where Soumare costs 18m pounds for Leicester we shouldn't be paying more than 20m for Bissouma.

Really hoping Romano is right though, there are much more attractive CM options out there

Have there been any other CM’s linked with us? Just him so far, yeah? It’ll be interesting to see who else he could be referring to.

Could be he's referring to Buendia or Ødegaard possibly, "midfielder" is vague enough that any type of player could fit.

That’s kind of what i was thinking too, i just didn’t want to believe it haha.

Not that i don’t want a CAM, but i want one as well as a CM, not instead of.

I’ve a feeling we’re going to overload the squad with technical ability, which is no bad thing to be fair. Bissouma is actually pretty good technically, but I’m assuming Romano means we’re going for someone who’s more recognised for that being a speciality.

I would personally love that. No links yet so hard to imagine what we are thinking about shape. I doubt Arteta is brave enough to play both Buendia and Ødegaard with Partey behind the forward line.

BWooley wrote:

Lacazette and Martinelli presumably. Speaking of midfielders, looks like Tchouameni is Chelsea bound for 35M? Claude - thought you rated him very highly?

A lot of French journos regard him as the real successor of Paddy Vieira.

Qwiss! wrote:

Clrnc wrote:

Good to hear that Bissouma is not our first choice. We should be looking at a more technically accomplished passer to replace Xhaka.

We are going to end up with a shit, powderpuff midfield again.

Bissouma’s a no brainer isn’t he.

If Partey is out for any length of time we wouldn’t have cover for him.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Qwiss! wrote:

We are going to end up with a shit, powderpuff midfield again.

Bissouma’s a no brainer isn’t he.

If Partey is out for any length of time we wouldn’t have cover for him.

What if Party is away at ACON and Bissouma is too?

Don Pacifico wrote:

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Bissouma’s a no brainer isn’t he.

If Partey is out for any length of time we wouldn’t have cover for him.

What if Party is away at ACON and Bissouma is too?

That’s why you keep Xhaka. Sell Elneny because he’s Africa-bound as well.
Also, this is why one of the French boys like Soumare / Tchouameni made sense. Or someone like Bruno from Lyon. But Aulas!

Surely it makes more sense to just buy someone who isn't AFCON tied though? If there's interest in Xhaka this summer, which there seems to be plenty, then he has to go.

As long as he hasn't actually signed for Chelsea, we should be bidding for Tchouaméni.  He's exactly what we need.

Don Pacifico wrote:

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Bissouma’s a no brainer isn’t he.

If Partey is out for any length of time we wouldn’t have cover for him.

What if Party is away at ACON and Bissouma is too?

Not worried about AFCON absence I mean injuries.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Don Pacifico wrote:

What if Party is away at ACON and Bissouma is too?

Not worried about AFCON absence I mean injuries.

But then who is our midfield at the turn of the year?

I'm with goon, just get someone who isn't AFCON tied.

We will end up with a cut price Sander Berge

Don Pacifico wrote:

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Not worried about AFCON absence I mean injuries.

But then who is our midfield at the turn of the year?

I'm with goon, just get someone who isn't AFCON tied.

Azeez, Willock, Maitland-Niles and Chambers could cover for a while

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Don Pacifico wrote:

But then who is our midfield at the turn of the year?

I'm with goon, just get someone who isn't AFCON tied.

Azeez, Willock, Maitland-Niles and Chambers could cover for a while

I don't for one second believe you genuinely think that's sufficient.  ;D

Definitely do for a few weeks. It’s certainly not worth avoiding a player if you think he’d be the better fit