Fit is not clear anymore, as the shift between the 4-3-3 (with GGG comments about sometimes wanting to run it as 4-2-3-1) to the 5-2-3 to finish the season make it anyone’s guess what GGG is targeting. As well as GGG has said he has ‘measures’ for all the roles and when ‘shopping’ he is looking for the biggest impact relative to that measure. As it stands, we didn’t have difficulty scoring but we did have difficulty stopping other teams from scoring. And the changes (that may have impact) thus far are: Add Waterman Add U22 Radejovic Add TAM Saletros Add TAM Franco Add U22 Mbokazi Sell U22 Guti Looking at that, I’m thinking that GGG wanted Guti to be more of an 8, so Saletros probably covers that target so the offense should be similar, but not clear if a bit better or worse. Hard to know how long before we get benefits from Franco. The defensive improvement remains unknown. Waterman was better than Rogers, but slow. Haven’t seen a single minute from Radejovic and we should expect TLD to require ‘an adjustment period’. So I’m now more concerned with what do we do if D’avilla remains ‘too casual’. We need a destroyer that is confident and reliably works the ball out of the back without needing 3 CBs or a second CDM. You know, like the role our maxTaM bench warmer was supposed to play!
Considering it is only December 5th, the Fire have made a number of moves since the end of the season. I think the moves have been overwhelmingly positive. That said, it is way too early to determine what the shape of this team will be in February. It is pretty clear that there are more moves to come. We should stay tuned.
Fit is always important. And difficult. GGG may want a more versatile player, rather than a better #8. You mentioned one example (Griezmann) in a previous post. There are other possibile players I am confident Dje is/will be a “destroyer”. My concerns with him are elsewhere.
I like your thinking overlap and the Fire should take another crack at Patrick Berg. Go get him! A year older and maybe he has a change of heart about coming to the States. Put Berg in front of a back four and behind Dje & Anton in a 4-3-3. Dje's "casual play" will be less damaging in front of a destroyer. Dje just doesn't have the work rate to be a single pivot but could be "class" as a #6/8 hybrid.
I got a better idea. The Gggaffer should sit Dje until the work rate matches his lofty transfer fee. GGG made a lot of excuses for his lax play last season. Second, as recall it took Guti with some hero plays, off the bench, to get us forward down the stretch. He’ll be missed.
Yes, and Pogba has managed to play a total of the 30 minutes over three matches. And this is after playing 12 matches in total the previous two seasons.
...I still would not like him for his constant bitching, whining and complaining at Manchester United
He is an extraordinarily skilled a player, but he never hit his potential and is way, way, way past it now.
In Mbekezeli Mbokazi's last match before departing to the ANC & the Fire he captained Orlando Pirates to an extra time victory in the Carling Knockout Cup.
"Well rested" due to a long drug suspension and not being fit. I am surprised that his transfermarkt value is only €5 million now.