Increased Costa Living - The Transfer Thread

We probably shouldn't base a player from one performance, but Lukaku was absolute shit this weekend. No where to be seen.

 

A loan for Zouma wouldn't be terrible for me. The poise, maturity, strength, and confidence that Ake has shown has been really great. He was first in to cover Luiz at 1-0 up, so a big statement there.

That roster of CBs is decent, but I wonder how this injury impacts his future. How bad is the injury (and what was it, again?).

We need some serious depth and quality to begin to challenge in the league, CL, and Cups next season. I'm not sure this covers it. I'm also not an expert on who else is out there and available. van Dijk seems more reasonable and "gettable" than say, Laporte, Bonucci, Varane, Koulibaly, etc.

 

Van Dijk is considered one of if not the best CB in the league. It is an interesting predicament for us. Is AC or Ake a long term solution? I think they are, but it isn't my call. Akes is more than proven in the league. AC might be knew of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. Gaz, while not perfect has been pretty good and bags a lot of goals for a CB. Dave has been outstanding and for me is likely our most viable captain. Luiz has been a God send but he's tailed off as the season has progressed. What he offers that none of the other 3 currently in the squad is his passing ability. We lose a lot if he's out. Zouma just doesn't have the feel of a CB in a back 3. Not saying he can't get there, but right now he's not really what we need back there.

Luiz is 30. Gaz is 30. Zouma doesn't fit. If Van Dijk is in and so is AC, who is out? Does Ake get the boot? I hope not because he's as valuable as Dave in terms of being able to be played all over back there. For me, Ake, Luiz, Gaz, and AC are in and Dave can move out wide. If Van Dijk is in that's a pretty packed defence.

 

Ninja put it well.. same way I wouldn't judge Eden off of that or the United performance.

 

I don't agree with that at all. Diego helped create the first opportunity for Hazard by holding off his marker and making a great pass to Eden. He created his own chance that he couldn't put away by somehow winning the ball against a defender. The third goal was a direct result of Costa holding the ball and making a great pass to Fabregas.
Costa held up the ball pretty well in the game, while Lukaku, when he did manage to get the ball, didn't do much with it. That's part of the reason why Everton had so few chances.

Couldn't disagree more. He's a hack, and on a bigger team he'd get 3 reds a season.

 

Very good player. But.........is that really the first place we need to strengthen? Also, if we "won", how much did we have to pay? The rumors are City were planning to pay Stones like money - that's got to be a lot of our transfer kitty right there.

Personally, I think Zouma isn't going to get a lot of love in this system - he's not good enough on the ball for Conte, imho. I also wonder if we view Ake as the long term Luiz replacement, but their games aren't THAT similar - I haven't seen any evidence that Ake's passing range is that good.

 

Even if we got Veratti, I feel like he is still incredibly useful. This team should have 4 useable midfielders. With the CL, Fab will be that much more necessary and even without it he has absolutely proven he is worth rotating in.

 

The interesting thing is in the start of the 3-4-3 look fab would be brought in to play in the middle of 4 next to Kante or Matic. Lately he's being brought in for the front 3 and were shifting our look a little. I would get of we sold him but I'd like for him to stay as well. We need to stock pile all the talent we can and he gives us a different look that's extremely useful in a long season with a lot of games.

 

All the papers today are pointing towards van Dijk moving to Liverpool this summer.

Or this.
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation....or-loan-to-make-room-for-southamptons-50m-man

 

Don't know what you want me to say - Costa had a pretty good game, especially in contrast to Lukaku.

 

Will I agree it is harsh to judge someone on one game his continuing habit of disappearing in big games and his inability to score away from home have me baffled why we are chasing him and with such a price tag. There are other options and Everton will certainly squeeze every cent they can.

 

I understand why we're chasing him. He's a good player! He scores a lot of goals and he's a physical monster. But to me, the problem is that his fee is largely a projection of how good he becomes around better players and with more development. And my concern is, I haven't seen his development in possession, and he's not much better when surrounded by a wealth of attacking players for Belgium. That makes me concerned his game will never adapt to a style a top team requires, since the clubs against whom he scores most of his goals simply don't play us the way they do Everton.
So do I understand the reasons for wanting him? Sure, it's not like I think Lukaku is a trash player, he's not. He's obviously very good! But I'm very worried people are assuming improvement to come that will in fact not come.

 

For once, I think nice has made a good point here. I would rather be after talent who makes those around them better. Not hope that our existing infrastructure make a very expensive player better.

His goalscoring is on par with Griezzman internationally if we want to look at the international argument:
Lukaku (23): 56 apps, 20 goals / 0.36 goals per app
Griezzmann (26): 41 apps, 15 goals / 0.36 goals per app

But well below talents like:
Suarez (30): 91 apps, 47 goals / 0.51 goals per app (wow)
Lewandowski (28): 86 apps, 43 goals / 0.50 goals per app (wow)

 

From the little I've seen, we already have players like this.

 

I feel we should be able to buy who we want without making a 90m sale, but I'll certainly take it.
Dybala: I don't think he's going anywhere.
Griezz: On his way to United
Aubamayang: Only wants Madrid or Barca
Morata: Gettable?
Lukaku: Gettable, obviously.
Kane: A fantastic young striker. Would rather have him than Lukaku, but I doubt Levy sells. He and Alli will be in Madrid soon.
Mbappe: Not willing to shell out based on one season, though Monaco will love to do this.
Belotti: Not sure about quality, but possibly gettable. Huge buyout.
Aguero: Seems to be on his way out, but a douche.
Muller: Has fallen dramatically and could be on his way out? Only 9 goals this season, but still only 27. Versatile. Not sure he wants to go anywhere and I dont want a reclamation project.
Lacazette: Wants CL. 25. Gettable. Meh? Still, .76 goals per game in France.
Icardi: Fantastic talent, but unlikely to move. Inter's captain.
Alexis: Not a central striker.
Martial: Is he a central striker? Jose doesn't seem to rate him.
Cavani: Meh? 0.78 goals per game