QuincyAbeyie do you think it was leaked by our team? To what end, and who looks silly?
Martin Zubimendi
flobaba oh, I definitely think it was leaked by our team. Ornstein doesn't get as much information on Arsenal these days, but in my experience he doesn't really lie - he usually just stops talking. So when Ornstein says that the anticipation inside Arsenal is that Zubimendi is coming, I'd say the anticipation inside Arsenal was/is that Zubimendi is coming.
Whether the leak was on purpose is a different question. It might've been because supporters were unhappy with the lack of signings, or someone talks when they shouldn't.
Gazza M I disagree with that, he is exactly what we need there. We basically need a younger and more mobile version of Jorginho which is what Zubimendi would cover. A metronome passer who controls our tempo. Every top club in Europe want him, there is a reason for that.
Thomas Partey has played 20+ games as our CM this season, his passing range is pretty good but hasn't really spiced up our play. Our bland play is more down to our No.10 and wide players, well one wide player because Saka is superb.
Zubimendi leak was obviously timed to quell unrest after we did nothing in the January window. Not that him to Real is a done deal either, these things are still always open until they are not. How many times were Chelsea and City ready to take Rice away from us?
Gazza M reckon he's the next Denilson? 100% completion of 5 yard, sideways and backwards passes?
SimplyThePest interestingly, he has very similar progressive passing distances and completion percentages to Partey. Other interesting player in the wild is Pavlovic at Bayern. But he doesn't start a lot because he has two incredible mids ahead of him and he's always sick, but at 20 years of age, he is one to watch
He's a good player but De Jong is better IMO. Barca have a lot of talents in that area especially with Bernal coming back from injury, so I believe they'd be ready to do a deal. Only potential stumbling block are his wages.....
Yeah. I’d take Zubi over him. Watch some Zubi games. He can help us with speeding things up. Thing I like about him is like Ousmaane Dembele, he is very two footed which means he can distribute both sides quickly and even when under pressure. Note that Partey has a right side bias.
And then we can solve the other aspects of speed with Ekitike and Nico
Zubi is top of my list. I do wonder if this Real stuff is why we are back on Guimares, who I'd also be happy to sign. I'm not sold on DeJong, he's a good player but wages, injuries and generally never quite reaching his potential make me a bit luke warm on him.
Claudius And then we can solve the other aspects of speed with Ekitike and Nico
I've got tickets for Athletic v Rayo Vallecano when in Bilbao in a couple of weeks time - looking forward to seeing Nico in action.
Would be a blow to lose him. Orny seems to think he's still coming.
I don't think there's much truth to the Guimaraes rumors personally. I don't think any of the big sources have run with them and it's just been lower tiered sources saying that Berta likes him. If we truly are after Isak this summer, we wouldn't go after both IMO.
Ornstein seems pretty convinced that the reports Real are in for Zubimendi are false. I think we will get him and I think he's going to be a very good signing for us. I've been very excited with what we have seen from Rice in the last 2-3 months and have less hesitation about letting him be the long term all action 8, especially with someone like Zubimendi holding it down behind him. That partnership could be great next year - I hope we get him in early so he can start training with the team as soon as pre-season starts to limit any adjustment period.
Zubimendi looks pretty good defensively. More of a metronome passer, doesn't have Partey's range/creativity I don't think, but still looks a top player to me.
CPM I wouldn't pretend to be an expert but this video seems to suggest otherwise.
The analysis of Zubimendi seems all wrong to me. I think he's more progressive than any of our midfielders, and I think all the stats are essentially wrong because they don't take the reality of La Real into account.
I at least am not looking at stats. I use match comps to judge potential transfers. There's a good number on Zubimendi, and this is the picture I get: surprisingly robust defensively, very precise tackler, turns beautifully with great ball control, keeps it simple, plays deft and tidy passes, and very good resisting pressure. Lots of short, sideways, and backwards passes. Less adventurous than Partey, but steadier as well. He would be a good complement to Rice and our more dynamic inverted fullbacks.
Much less stiff than I imagined. Two footed as well.
Don Pacifico Reminds me of Mikel Arteta.
Really don't like what I've seen of him if we're bringing him in to be an upgrade on Partey and Jorginho. His touch seems very loose and he holds onto the ball far too long for my liking only to end up passing it wide or backwards.
On the plus side he's very combative and switched on defensively and tackles quite hard, but we have enough of those qualities in Rice and Merino to a certain extent.
Overall I reckon he'll end up being solid yet frustrating player, and end up exacerbating our horseshoe of death pattern and being the target of frustration from the fans.
Big Willie I don't think he's an upgrade per se, he's a replacement for them. Partey has been quite good for us this season, so that's an important bit of squad maintenance. Also, Zubi's fitness record the last few seasons is impressive, he's played a lot of matches. He'll be steady and reliable.
We just need a player like this with Partey and Jorginho done. Watch Real Madrid to see a team without a playmaker. They lack structure.
Horseshoe of death is fine by the way. It’s what we do when we find teams out of formation that is the bigger issue. And that we have to solve with speedy forwards
- Edited
I don't think Zubimendi will be an upgrade either, and it's rather hard for him to be in any case, given how good Partey and Jorginho have been. I do expect a slight drop off but what he does offer is being a ready made replacement who is the best player on the market in his position. I don't think there is anyone better who isn't potential.
Reijnders but he’s not really available.
That would have been an alternative way, and my preferred way, to set the midfield up with Rice moving to DM.
Coombs Jorginho was pretty good when he got a run in the team but barely gets any minutes now.
Don Pacifico massive defensive liability against speedy midfields. But his passing is beautiful
CPM Zubi's fitness record the last few seasons is impressive, he's played a lot of matches.
Touch wood this is true, but if we bring him in and he plays 90% of matches at or near the level of our current starters it'll benefit us. We've had too many campaigns disrupted through the midfield.
I think there's a big disconnect between the perception of Partey and what we have actually seen over the last 2-3 seasons. Partey when he first came in was a monster both defensively and with ball progression/press resistance. However, we really haven't seen that player in the last 2-3 seasons. He's had some good games for sure but I find myself getting more frustrated with his performances over the last 2 seasons than any other player on our squad, barring guys like Sterling. He very rarely shows off his passing range these days and he gets the easy passes wrong far more than any player should. Zubimendi will instantly provide an improvement in ball retention and eliminating stupid mistakes that either make our defenders have to scramble to save him or create a break. I also think Zubimendi will speed up our buildup and play. He doesn't dwell on the ball - cycles it quickly and can get us moving the ball quickly from side to side even if it's not that highlight worthy line splitting pass.
- Edited
samthegooner the stats from comparison matrix don't support your assertion (in terms of passing accuracy).
https://www.squawka.com/en/comparison-matrix/?compare=dVeeG6AtjPSApMbfx9rag
Not sure how they get their stats, but Partey also loses the ball less often, and in general, apart from when it comes to aerial duels, the Ghanaian appears to be superior. I think most are biased against Partey for obvious reasons. He's been solid for us this season.
I don't want us to waste funds on him , he will be outmuscled, out paced and run over in this league.
flobaba Partey's legs have gone, last couple of seasons seen players breeze past him. Not surprising, he has been injured a lot and is 30+. That is all a recipe for physical decline. I think he has adjusted somewhat this season but it is time to move on.
When he first joined us and at Atletico this guy was a monster physically.
I honestly doubt it unless we change how we set up and have another playmaker in Rice's position. We'll see I guess but I'm not confident we'll be better off with Zubi in place of Partey, at least from an attacking/creative perspective.