KaKa

Just now, Slim said:

10 - 20 million added onto his transfer fee for us

ten Hag is seemingly using him in a role more suited to him so think he'll keep doing well for them and stay put.

He's not just home grown but club home grown too and so crucial for their European squad registration quotas.

He's been doing a good job of making those forward runs. Decent finish.

ten Hag smart to give him more of a box to box role with Bruno sitting deep.

Really good game. Could go either way this one.

Just now, Gaztoon said:

Should be 1-0 ?

 

 

 

Horrendous fluffed shot man. Had to tuck that away!

Ugarte's numbers are shockingly good man.

If we manage to get him in at just 21 years old, that would be an absolutely outstanding signing, right up there with Bruno, Isak and Botman.

8 minutes ago, Whitley mag said:

That makes sense I’m presuming from the stats earlier Ugarte is press resistant like Bruno, which appears to be the big ask of a good DM these days.

 

I agree though that a number 8 is the other option, someone like Maddison is different to what we have.

Seems to be great at that too. Looking deeper into his numbers today, the guy looks incredibly good for that role. Hope we can make the deal happen.

Check out his possession numbers, which give some indication of his press resistance. You can see it from how good he is at carrying the ball, which is mostly done to avoid pressure, as he mostly receives it in deeper and central midfield areas as a DM:

7 minutes ago, Hanshithispantz said:

Aye it just means everyone has to sit deeper which goes against Howe’s gameplan. Someone in the side who’s job it is to pass to Bruno means that Bruno needs to come back and collect it, you’re better off just playing Bruno as a single pivot.

Think we'll bring in another single pivot that is better than Bruno defensively, but is also an excellent passer e.g. Ugarte. So Bruno can stay high up the pitch as someone that can open up defences when they sit deep, while also being a goal threat.

If we can't land a DM that good then we'll likely just leave Bruno in the single pivot and look to add another 8 that is creative and also a goal threat.

Think the position we target in midfield i.e. a top 6 or 8 for the first team, will depend on which position we can get the higher calibre player in.

1 minute ago, Whitley mag said:

More than held his own recently in their win against Arsenal.

Yeah, he's only 21 too, and so paying the rumoured £50 million fee would still be very good value long term.

Ugarte's passing breakdown is absolutely ridiculous to be fair, looks like the perfect DM to bring in as his ball winning is laughably excellent and his passing is elite too:

Passing

Defense

3 minutes ago, Lazarus said:

How are all these batshit decisions getting past the chelsea board?

 

All the signings, then the sackings and the payoffs, now Lampard?

 

Bonkers.

They don't have a plan they are sure of and willing to stick with.

The Potter thing went very badly and now they are seemingly making decisions based on purely appeasing the fans.

Lampard? Possibly bringing Mourinho back yet again? This is madness.

9 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

 

One of the best things about this transformation is how bad it continues to make Bruce look 

5 minutes ago, Shak said:

Joao Pedro seems like an ideal signing.

 

Isak adds a whole other dimension to our game the way he plays, dropping deep to get the ball and allowing the wingers and CM to go beyond him and exploit the space.

 

From what I've seen and (mostly) read of Pedro he seems like he'd be able to play the CF role in a similar way while also being someone who could play either wide position. With European football next year and the need for a rotation with the way Howe likes to play, Pedro seems to make sense.

 

I don't know if he'll be happy with it but for me Wilson should be used primarily as a substitute. Cracking player to bring on when we're chasing a goal.

Agree 100%.

Wilson scored two yesterday, but there is a clear difference in the quality of our build up and possession without Isak, it's why we were so disjointed most of the game.

Joao Pedro would be a great understudy to Isak because he does indeed have the same profile and style of game, and we could really do with another striker of that ilk, and as you said he can also fill in at other positions so will be very very handy.

Will there ever be a season this entertaining again?! My goodness

1 minute ago, Killuminati said:

I wouldnt even have an conversation at all. Keep Joe at all costs and put a "Hands Off" on him.

Very rare midfielder to find like him. 

Absolutely! I said a few weeks ago that I thought he was one in our squad that was untouchable, as he really sets the tone for this current team.

Another player having a ridiculous turn around at the club

Doing such a great job of keeping things simpler now. Seems to be loving it and this run has really given him confidence, which he previously seemed to lack. Fantastic for him really.

Been so good lately. His game is becoming so well rounded and more efficient.

Another who is really coming along and developing further under some really great coaching from Howe and his team.

4 minutes ago, Kanji said:

He’s worth more than 40m imo. 

Absolutely, and has been for a while now.

If someone comes in with a £40 million bid it gets laughed off.

Probably have to start with a bid of £60 million just to start any kind of conversation!

Best manager in the league.

He's still continuing to improve

This guy is just a problem anywhere he is played on the pitch now.

That bending inward run for his first goal man. Geez.

2 minutes ago, pedro111 said:

Quiet little shout out for Gordon's tackle and control of the ball for Isak's goal.

 

 

 

Yes! Did very well there. Really like him, he's going to be a big player in time.

4 minutes ago, SAK said:

 

13 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

Anyone celebrate Joelinton's first btw? Fucking VAR. 

VAR got us the goal man. It had been ruled out for offside!

18 minutes ago, Miggys First Goal said:

Bruno probably upset because he’s never seen Eddie gan full radge before. 

I've seen a different camera angle that shows the lead up.

Bruno asked if Howe could sign Paqueta if West Ham go down now and Eddie said 'No chance'.

7 minutes ago, LiquidAK said:

Pretty sure schar got the armband after trippier and burn went off. I realise I’m the only one who cares but squad hierarchy is fascinating to me  and fab deserves it after surviving Bruce 

'Surviving Bruce'

Should be a movie made with that title. Starring Schar, Joelinton, Longstaff and Willock