Part of that is Poch and part of that is circumstances. He's very particular about what he needs from players to integrate, but he's integrated a bunch of players recently at FB and in midfield and even up front. Guys like Walker-Peters and Winks, Moura and Lamela and Dier are their rotation options. I think he can do better, but I also think they lack options. Injuries are also likely to happen given their high intensity style and small squad.
PSG are really desperate for midfielders at this time, with the strong possibility that Marquinhos and Draxler or ADM could be chosen pairing in midfield when the CL resumes against us (Verratti, Diarra and Rabiot all look to be unavailable). As such, they are linked with a host of midfielders, the latest being Renato Sanches, according to RMC.
As of today, this is the team that PSG would put out against us for the first leg: Buffon/Areola Kehrer. Thiago Silva. Kimpenbe Meunier. Marquinhos. Draxler/ADM. Bernat Mbappe. Cavani. Neymar We know that their front 3 is All-World and the obvious source of worry, but the rest of the team is hardly impressive, especially that midfield (that's how desperate they are there, entirely comprised of guys playing out of position).
De Jong to Barca now official. Apparently they are paying him 16 mil a year net. How is their wage structure sustainable?
Saw the fee, 75 rising to 86 - which I thought was fair business given his standing in the game. He passes the eye-test, but this signing is really about analytics. His numbers are incredible and they give Barca the confidence to spend that kind of scratch on someone direct from Eredivisie.
I agree that he fits them perfectly. I was just a little shocked by the price and especially the wages. Even in this market that's a hefty price for a kid who's unproven in a top league. But I'm a huge fan and I think he could be special. Side note, we should be all in on De Ligt.
De Jong's signing with Barca is perfect for them, timing wise as well. Busquets is 30 now and while he's still a top holding mid in the game, he hasn't been at his consistent best in the past year or so. Barca will have the option to move him in a year or in the summer of 2020 to clear out some salary and the way for de Jong officially. Smart move on his part in terms of his career too. He'd progress only so much in Ligue Un with PSG, whereas Barca will make absolutely elite in relatively short order.
Whatever amount we're willing to spend on Koulibaly we should use towards De Ligt. Koulibaly is better right now but De Ligt's ceiling is sky high and hes 8 years younger.
A look inside Ajax's talent factory. www.espn.com/soccer/blog/espn-fc-united/68/post/3757094/for-most-clubs-losing-top-talent-is-a-killer-for-ajax-its-their-business-model That factor is the main reason I am intrigued and interested VdS's candidacy as DoF. That club is a good mine in terms of the quality players they produce. VdS could be a major way into that pipeline, starting possibly with de Ligt.
The hesitation I have with De Light is that signing him would be curtains for Tuanzebe and he's not been given a shot. The exception being if we would sell Jones, Rojo and Smalling somehow and bring in De Light. We'd then have Bailly/Lindelof/DeLight/Tuanzebe - which would be good, but we'd be making somebody really unhappy for a long time. I'd feel for Tuanzebe because he's done everything asked of him, every step of the way. EDIT: VDS for DOF is a non-starter, he's said he's not interested in the job. Who can blame him, he's CEO a higher role at a job at the club of his youth. Cannot actually beat that. He might be lured away in a few years, but he's gonna want to win some trophies first I'm sure.
I disagree. Jones and Rojo have had enough chances and are clearly not MUQ. They both need to go. Bring in De Ligt and let him compete for a starting role with Bailly and Smalling alongside Lindelof. Tuanzebe can spend a season being the 4th or 5th choice. With Smalling and Baillys injury history, he'll get more games than you think.
I'm all for selling Jones and Rojo, but if those are our only CB departures, we'll have 4 CBs with first team experience AND Tuanzebe. There'll be no playing time for him at all. We may as well loan him out to a Newcastle or Soton level team.
As far as the de Jong deals goes, it's also worth noting the excellent job from Barca to completely rejuvenate their midfield in a major way for years to come in just 6mos. Last year at this time, the question and worry was what they'll do in that department (and how Busquets and Rakitic will be replaced). Question answered and in a very definitive way with the arrivals of Artur and in the summer, de Jong. Their set for a long time there potentially.
Piatek to AC Milan is done www.bbc.com/sport/football/46976744 A terrific move from Milan on 2 fronts (signing a young, very productive striker, plus getting rid of Higuain in the process). Speaking of Higuain, that move is done as well, according to Sarri.
The system (was at his best under Sarri at Napoli) and having Hazard in his rightful place feeding the ball and opening space for him, will be huge for Higuain. That being said, did not realize how poor he's been so far this season as well. Will be interesting to see how it goes for him in the Prem.