No Retreat, No Surrender - El Espartano Alvaro Arbeloa Manager Thread

Did I just read you want Colombian Luis Suarez?

 

I would send out GG on loan for a year or two to gain playing experience. My option for the Joselu replacement is Muriqi - big guy, physical and can pounce on half chances and strong la liga experience. Budimir was another name we were linked to past few years but at 34 I would pass.

Only problem with Muriqi is he's having a very strong year so your paying way above market.

 

I honestly dont see what the problem is with GG as the main ST backup. Other than the coach completely refuses to sub him in for an untouchable. He is already here, cheap, and a homegrown player.

Its pointless to buy a backup striker when the manager doesnt even sub out the main one.

 

My thoughts exactly. If, hypothetically, Vini was to leave, I would like to see what a Bellingham-Mbappe partnership up top would look like, think it would be quite well balanced. Then you’d have Valverde, Arda, Nico and Munoz in support. The latter two could probably play anywhere across the front four, then add to that a classic no.9 and we’re set IMO.

Re: Rodri, not sure if it’s a case of one or the other with Tchouameni, I think he’s capable of playing as the 8 next to Tchouameni in a double pivot. We’ll still need to address the depth behind those two, so Thiago and possibly another mid. Cama would be used primarily as a LB and the 5th choice CM/DM.

The good thing is we already have a decent number of buy back options/loans/in house solutions to fill the depth chart adequately. Biggest decisions will center around the Vini-Mbappe partnership/situation, everything else cascades from there.

 

GG is good for back up ST. IT's just Arbeloa seems lately had problem with him

 

Arbeloa postures like a tough man with kids like Asencio, Gonzalo, and Carreras, but turns completely submissive around Carvajal, Junior and Mbappe.

He only goes after players who can’t push back or go cry to Papa Flo.

 

I think we first need to figure out Bellingham's position and role is in the team outside of the "he runs" stuff..

IMO enough with experimenting. If Junior leaves, get a striker to play along Mbappe and maybe god damned RW.

 

A midfield trio of Rodri, Tchou and Bellingham works very well in my opinion. The problem is how to accomodate Fede then. And I think maybe the answer is to play him as RW which he's done before with not to shabby results.

That also helps with Trent's tendency to go forward and play out his fantasy of playmaking as Beckham regen. Fede helps with defensive work on the right flank more than any other right wing would.

It's an undercooked idea, but what do you guys think?

 

Agree.

He's at his best at RW (e.g. vs City, Atleti at home).

I still prefer a traditional RW but the reality is that Fede isn't going anywhere.

 

Fede is such a limited player with the ball. Best to convert him to right wing and let him run. He can put a shift in defensively so it would help.

4-2-3-1 makes the most sense. But Mr Big Balls would have to be ok with moving to the pivot. Which he would never do.

 

Don't forget Jude.

If Xabi was accused if not having a spine to stand up the the players, neither does Alvaro. He just saw what Xabi did to get him into trouble and decided to walk on eggshells.

 

I don't think Jude is maximized playing CM. I think management should find a way to play him as a false 9 again. Otherwise, I just see him as an above average midfielder who doesnt deserve to be an automatic starter.

 

I would love to see Jude in the Brahim role up top when Mbappe was injured - but that would mean dropping one of our forwards.

 

All the more reason to sell one of Mbappe/Vini.

Those two will never work as a pair.

 

Unfortunately Florentino will never accept that. I've been saying the same thing for the past two years. Some people refuse to see the writing on the wall because of their ego.

 

3 managers, one GOAT level man manager, another an up and coming hot young manager, and the other a yes man.

Not one of them came close to making it work.

At this point, the board themselves need to be held accountable if they insist on this experiment next season for gross incompetence.

 

He risks having to resign the same way he had to before. I hope he either moves on from one of them or he hires a manager with full control on how to deal with this enigma.

 

Lmao, boys...



This is just too much to unpack

 

I like it

 

Just the fact we have nobody willing to join that's at the top of the coaching game right now.

Then the fact we are talking about Mourinho who had that ugly reaction to Prestianni's racist insults to Vini, and could now potentially coach Vini.

Then the fact that Mbappe is liking the rumours about Mourinho, signalling there's probably actual talk about Mourinho joining inside the club.

And lastly, disrespecting his current coach Arbeloa by liking that post.

 

Junior will twist Perez’s desperation over that renewal to get the manager he wants—that's why I think Mourinho is very unlikely

 

Why not? Perez has explicitly demonstrated that disrespect towards the coach has no consequences, in fact it is rewarded.

 

It's Vini for me from those two options.

Best to end things while value is very high and he is movable- Because Mbappé isn't.

And let's be honest, if you have to be stuck with one, surely it is Mbappé who is chasing Balons and has more professionalism on the pitch.

 

Arbeloa to come out with a press conference to say this too was his fault.

 

Fede best performances have come from him playing RM and RB.