The College Dropout

That really grinds my gears. Jadon Sancho does that as well. He’ll be 60 / 40 to win a duel and completely bottle it. Didn’t watch this game but every time I see Edozie he looks really bright but doesn’t do much where it matters. A lot of potential for sure but needs to develop.

That’s part of it isn’t it? There’s less incentive to knuckle down and make it work. Half a dozen Italian clubs will stump up the wages and a decent fee. Like how Michael Owen came running back to England to join us. That Florian Thauvin attitude.

My theory is that we are bad at producing or trusting young CMs so if they’re mobile they get moved to fullback. Trippier, Reece James and TAA I think played a fair amount of football in academy’s at CM and James definitely played CM for Wigan (and occasionally Chelsea). Like Rico Lewis often plays CM for junior England sides. Same reason we produce a lot of AMs and wide players. Half of those would be CMs (Mount, the lad at Wolves, even Foden) if they were brought up in Spain. I look at the England core central midfielders Rice, Phillips, Henderson, Bellingham. None of them came through elite academy’s. Chelsea would have stuck Rice at CB.

I think it’s more cultural. Italian footballers are like British footballers who like home comforts. Particularly ethnic Italians (excluding Emerson, Jorginho, Ogbonna) tend to struggle. Someone on Twitter said ‘Italian players get a whiff of adversity in the premier league and want to run back to mama’ and I think there’s a level of truth to that. I have no doubts about his ability to perform in the PL. But culture is always a risk with foreign signings - particularly Italians.

Just Livramento - 6 + CB say Anderson - 6.5/7 + LB say Hall 7/7.5 + RW of Szob level 9.5 athe biggest weaknesses in the squad coming into the window of as a lack of quality depth in defence and a weak spot at LB. The depth we seem to be addressing. But our first choice LB is ropey a lot of the time. Because of the money spent on Livra I do think he plays a lot of minutes WITH Trippier as an option with one of them moving to LB the which might mitigate that issue. The second weakness was guile and class going forward. Adding another Bruno / Isak level forward thinking player 2x. I think Tonali will be a great signing but he’s not that cute on the ball and similar story with Barnes - but Barnes could score a lot. Still think we’re missing 1 quality wide man/midfielder.

True. But you are really living and dying with Moyes with this approach. When he goes there isn’t another manager that can take that style forward.

West Ham leadership is rudderless. If they had proper leadership they could consider moving on from Moyes, keep Paqueta and Scamacca and try and build a more progressive term and manager. As it stands they are looking to pay a premium for the likes of Maguire. Who is a good player but no better than what they already have. And once Moyes goes you’re left with a squad that only an inferior PFM can manage. I prefer leadership like Brighton where you sign players that can play under progressive managers even if the style is different. You get higher fees when you sell as well. It’s also loads more fun as a fan. Looks like Paqueta is actually available if they want a DM, CM and AM. Loan with option to buy please.

What was the point of this response? More needless pedantic posting. I’ve added you to the ignore list so don’t bother replying to me again.

Aye. No way could he have deputised for Trips. Far too inexperienced at this level and he’s not super young either. He needs a lot of games. TCD right again.

Hope he gets 1700+ minutes this season in all senior comps.

Seeemingly an RCB and thatvwilll be us in terms of permanent transfers unless something changes obviously.

https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/11095/12929273/the-inside-view-on-the-tactics-of-tomorrow

White has been a success. He’s fully legit. Caicedo wil be a hit. He’s the best of the lot. Physically he’s A1, his positioning is excellent, great interceptor, strong in the tackle, wins his headers, passes through the lines, smart player can play in multiple positions well. MacAllister is solid. Good at 6,8,10 but not outstanding. Will function well at Liverpool. They need mobile players that can do a bit of everything.

Aye we’ve spent a lot of money on non-elite English players. I don’t think that approach is great value for money. I like Barnes and really like Tino though.

Aye.

Didn’t say they didn’t rate him. Livramento was highly rated at Chelsea’s academy from early. He’s been capped at every junior England age group and was a standout performer in the academy. But Rheece James is that guy. Chelsea and Tino knew that. Still think Tino will be a great signing. But if James stays injury free he won’t be a regular for Wngland

No. Rheece James is just better. That’s why they let him go. Massive fan of Tino. Massive ceiling. But James is him.

I like him a lot. But there’s a good reason Chelsea let him go. Not a slight on Tino. But James is the most talented RB of his generation. If he can shake the injuries he’ll be regular FB. I also think he’s the most capable of being a complete CM out of him and TAA.

Saying similar in another thread. Almiron can still be key, his pressing is excellent and infectious. But we need more quality options in the squad.

Yeh he’s not top 6 good. It’s not just down to 1 missing thing. It’s a general lack of quality. Touch. Vision. Technique. Dribbling etc.

He’s a good footballer. But is he good enough to be a consistent starter for a top 6 club? Is Murphy? Is Gordon? Mahrez. Foden. Saka. Salah. He’s a good few levels below. I’m not being pessimistic. Almiron deserves to be here and play in the CL. But the squad is missing quality in that area of the pitch.

I think we can do better than Burn in that role. Arsenal and City play similarly but their defenders are better (obviously).

Why are you being needlessly pedantic? Im sure you understand the point that I’m making.

Bruno and Trippier do this for us a lot. Especially when they combine + Almirons movement.

Danny Simpson did it twice. Still never a top 6 player.