How Much Better Can We Get? - The Transfers, Rumors & Lies Thread

I just don't know how some of these stats are determined and recorded. Like "def actions" is this an actual tackle/challenge, or could the player just be making half assed attempts to defend.

Is it one of those where they give a guy like Mbappe credit for a def action because he took three steps back even though he's walking while every other player on the field was sprinting.

And I don't believe even Kroos having 100 forward passes with a 100% accuracy, is this one game or for a whole season.

 

He took a big L in the Mbappe saga's. But every reporter did. I think he has been much more careful in his reporting since. I think he was the first to link us to Mastantuono hard right after the PSG links to Franco.

These days I take every report with a grain of salt, but give them more validity when a handful of sources report the same thing.

 

The Mbappe saga was understandable, it was clear the player backed out of some form of verbal agreement.

 

Vini, Rodrygo, and Reiner were all bets the club made. I have zero inside scoop but wouldn’t be surprised if the plan was always knowing some wouldn’t be at the clubs level and sold. Reinier didn’t work out, Rodrygo has been good but has two better options ahead of him in his natural position, and Vini a big success.

If we do end up selling Rodrygo it will be a profit and cover some of the expenses from the other two. Still have Vini who’s still in the upper echelon of forward. Not bad outcome all said and done.

 

Endrick and Franco the next set of expensive bets. Intrigued to see how both pan out. Fede and Casemiro were low cost signings that ended up being high reward. Made good profit on Odegaard.

 

I hope the board take Xabi’s lead on Rodrygo situation. As the decision will have implications to how we tactically set up. I can see why Rodrygo might work better in Xabi’s scheme than in Carlo’s.

Personally, I’d sell Rodrygo if

• He’s not motivated / demand star treatment
• Or an offer comes in at >80ME & we can buy Stiller at <50ME

 

I won't be surprised if the club keeps Rodrygo another year to see how he does under Xabi and also to assess how Jr's attitude changes or doesn't necessitating his sale. It also wouldn't surprise me if Rodrygo did exit this summer but if he does, I'd expect it to be an Ozil type exit -- right before the window closes.

 

I don't know how we add Mastantuono into the attacking mix without making some room. Guler may exclusively move to midfield, but that still leaves little for Franco if Rodrygo is staying

 

He will have to be patient and beat the likes of Brahim first. He's a 17 year old who isn't delivering consistently in Argentine League yet. Spanish media overhyping that he's ready to start and will start are BSing.

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I have a feeling the club isn’t big on any available midfielder and won’t sign one unless CWC is a disaster in midfield.

Xabi’s first tough job will be to make Cama, Tchou and Arda get to the next level as midfielders.

Just like Mbappe and Trent, probably got their eyes on someone specific unattainable now, and are willing to wait patiently.

Just speculating….

 

Maybe we're waiting to see if the CWC brings out a surprise star option as well. Would be such a Perez move to buy the star/in form player of the tournament.

 

Starting spot doesn't really open up if Rodrygo stays as well. You don't keep Rodrygo as a bench option.

 

For Arbeloa's Castilla.

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If Rodrygo stays, I think he'll be sacrificed in favor of the system. Mbappe-Vini-Rodrygo-Bellingham is extremely hard to sustain.

As for the midfield, Modric is leaving, Ceballos' situation is up in the air and he's unreliable, Kroos left without an heir and Bellingham is out for the first 2-3 months of the season. Ideally, Rodrygo staying should have no bearing on the necessity of getting a midfielder.

Rodrygo's situation can shift. No doubt he has the talent and the IQ but he has a lot of speaking to do on the pitch and consistently. "Feliz" doesn't cut it.

 

The problem with that front 4 is that none of the four are really playmakers. It is very unbalanced.

Bellingham is not a creative 10 like say a Pedri or a Isco. He can run with the ball but does not often unlock the opposition with a key pass, and one of his major strengths is getting into the box so he can get on the end of key crosses not generate them.

Mbappe/Rodrygo are fairly direct players, not the sort to generate a key unlocking pass or to habitually participate in the build up. Rodrygo's case could be different if he was playing on the left.

Vini is the only one that can sort of generate "key passes" but he has been playing more as a striker, and trying to get on the end of passes rather than generate them. I've always thought that he should have been shifted deeper once Mbappe arrived. Similar to how he was playing 2 years ago.

None of the four are bad players per se in a vacuum, but together (at least how they been structured the last year), they lack the key player to begin the play and do not seem to know how to play off each other.

This is why, the most logical play, assuming they keep playing 4-3-3 or some distorted shape where the right wing tucks more into the midfielder (you can say 4 midfielders - it is just semantics) is to swap Rodyrgo for a more creative presense in the starting eleven. Because really, the other 3 are not getting swapped. Getting Rodrygo to accept a super sub role is another story altogether.

 

No point keeping Rodrygo as a bench option. His value will only plummet by next summer. If he's staying, it's as a starter.

Guler will likely get Modric minutes in midfield. Franco and Brahim will fight for rotation minutes in attack. 6th midfield spot only opens up if Ceballos leaves.

 

Is Bellingham going to accept a deeper role? Many reports suggested that he wasn't happy when the former coach put him there; there is no doubt he likes to be high up the pitch and score goals. There are a lot of variables that XA will need to account for, and it's too early. That's why I think the stories about his starting XI or Rodrygo staying are probably not very accurate.

 

Media went dead silent on Zubimendi. Something is up.

 

Because Ornie pretty much confirmed he's joining Arsenal.

Maroto backtracked and said Zubi to RM won't happen.

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I didn’t see that. Time to explore other options.

 

It’s hilarious that dude backtracked as well. What a donut.

 

Source is ASs but

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"Carreras and Zubimendi need to wait until after the CWC, if all goes well, they will be with the team in the US"