Country: England
I agree but I think Rice is sort of a problem tbh. He’s borderline WC at what you say, if not already WC, but he still lacks a lot in terms of overall play because of his lack of agility and his risk minimizing. We’ve played our best football this season with him at 8.
Defensively you want him at 6 and when we have established possession in the opp half/final third you really want him there because of his break up and cover ability (although I think he’s been doing pretty good as 8 in attack as well). But in build up you really don’t want to rely on Rice.
I still think we’re better off with a Jorginho like player at 6 as we get that player and Øde orchestrating play in different areas of the pitch. Frenkie de Jong or Vitinha (not that it’s ever happening), maybe Luiz. With those you get players that could play as dlp but also could switch with Rice and play as 8… I think for me that’d be ideal. More so than the profile I’ve been clamoring for so far as top prio (your Barella and my Paqueta).
All that said, it wouldn’t be enough with just one midfield signing.
Personally I don’t think Rice at 6 is an issue. The issue is when he is at 6, it’s Havertz at LCM. So straight away, 2/3 CMs aren’t incisive enough.
It’s easy to solve, sign a LCM who is good on the ball, one who can dictate from deep, maybe drop into 6 when building and then switch to 8 when attacking.
That way, you have 2 ball playing CMs and Rice can do what he does best.
I'm going to give you guys a Havard-style rebuild that is not only affordable but realistic. I call it the RunTheTrap School of Excellence. @OnlyOne write this down and get it sent to Edu, please.
In:
Exequiel Palacios - £70M. CM/DM
Nico Williams - £50M. LW/RW
Alt-Nouri - £40M. LB
Gyokeres - £70M. CF
Total - £230M
Out:
Jesus - £40M
Nketiah - £20M
Zinchenko - £30M
ESR - £25M
Ramsdale - £40M
Nelson - £8M
Partey - Free
Elneny - Free
Vieira - £18M
Total - £191M
Williams - Gyokeres - Saka
Palacios - Rice - Ødegaard
Nouri - Gabriel - Saliba - White
Raya
Bench: Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Timber, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Hein.
The original plan was to invert one of the full backs to become that. Timber was signed because he has excellent stats in that regard.
It’s also why Havertz was signed, because when you have the full back pushing in you can then have Havertz higher up the pitch, not having to do the incisive passes.
Zinchenko was meant to be one of those guys but he’s a complete liability.
Kiwi permanent LB next season maybeWhy are we after a CB? He is quite literally just a CB as well (left footed). From what I’ve seen and heard he’s very speedy.
Why would Rodrigo want to come?Go big or go home.
Go for Isak (injuries, I know I know, but he scores goals when he's fit)
Go for Leao or Rodrygo
The other strikers are very meh
Maybe Kiwi is gonna leave ? AC were after him in January I believe.
Maybe Kiwi is gonna leave ? AC were after him in January I believe.
60 million euros for a CB when the team is full of CBs. I have lost complete faith in Edu and ArtetaI made a thread on this player but it has yet to be approved (or deleted?). I think it makes sense to make a separate thread on him since news is gathering up regarding him.
60 million euros for a CB when the team is full of CBs. I have lost complete faith in Edu and Arteta
I thought about it and this is only frustrating because it’s the first player we seem to be actively bidding for.
He’s 22, you have to continually upgrade/buy young talent.
WhiteI thought about it and this is only frustrating because it’s the first player we seem to be actively bidding for.
He’s 22, you have to continually upgrade/buy young talent.
No, it’s frustrating because it would be more wasted funds.