LFEE

We can do that with someone better and possibly cheaper though if smart about it? Never said this at all. Not sure anyone has. It’s clearly not that simple and I’ve tried to nuance where I can without turning into war & peace. Think you’ve assumed a few things ?

Who you doubting it like? ?

What you on about…Your eyes lit up when I told you Rose & Crown used to have topless barmaids upstairs ?

We finished 4th and a cup final without them and they’ve been playing in a consistently better team yet best they got was 5th so does that not say something about the players we already have here ? You can always argue stuff like that both ways and I’m certainly not putting their relegation solely at their door but there’s got to be questions asked of them as they were part of the collective. Lot of Leicester fans were mention on here questioning him and his attitude for parts of the season. You can’t say they were completely blameless. They might of been successful going one way as per stats show but what about the other way which is needed the way we play. He will have more chance of standing out if he takes all the FKs. Penalties and set pieces. If he came here he’d quite likely be off all 3. Possibly the odd FK and corner. Look at the difference of Bruno Fernandez either side of Ronaldo signing and leaving to see my point. If we assume so then we are left focusing on the rest of his game. He’d bring some more potency from long range possibly and has an eye for a pass. So possibly a more mobile Shelvey ? It’s going to be a fascinating watch either way. I just wonder however us getting ECL so quickly has worked against us wanting to sign him more than him now wanting to the move. So despite not qualifying Spurs are still in with a very good shout of signing him. If he’s coming as a 3rd quality midfielder addition and happy to play squad rotation then fair enough but I think he’s at an age he will be expecting to start every game. This and the talk is we are only going to make two quality midfield signings is what is making me think and I guess hope we look elsewhere if having to be smart with our money. That and I think Gordon and even Willock will play at times more centrally than they have previously. Anyway if he’s picked next game I might force myself to watch England and see if I can warm to him as a player a bit more. Not seen him do much previously in an England shirt but I’m guessing that’s down to him not getting much of a look in then unfortunately timed injuries at the World Cup.

Miggy just scored for Paraguay ??

I know that’s where you were leading the argument but mine is with my eyes and not just stats. Stats don’t show you how teams panic when ASM is brought on or double up etc creating more space for others. So when judging him you don’t look at his stats as such but probably an improvement in others. Let’s be honest until last season only one of them was playing in a decent team with structure. He’s doing all this for a fraction of the wage and without any transfer fee required. Just hopefully has a more injury free season to get a bit of rhythm back. If I was a defender I know which I’d rather face. As a spectator I also know which one I’d rather watch. Anyway let’s see what happens. Proof always in the pudding. I appreciate I’m in the minority on this debate ??

Yep. Someone who can dribble past their man is priceless in football and he along with Isak to lesser extent are the only two players we have who can. So would rather preserve with ASM as he won’t cost us £40m+ and 3 times the wages ASM is on and ultimately forcing us to up the rest of the squads wage structure. He could be given a pay rise and still be comfortably in our current structure. I think 23/24 could be his defining season with us. Just need his full back to learn to hold their position and allow ASM the extra space rather than crowding his lanes. So basically I’d be aiming to play ASM on the right more for 35mins a game and manage his fitness better. His defensive work no worse than Maddison’s in my eye’s especially the way he was applying himself. If we didn’t have Trippier the thought of Maddison would be more appealing in some ways but all the corners and FKs you see him taking and building his stats you’d probably still have Trippier taking for us. Think we could spend £40m+£125kpw more smartly. Especially when Maddison is starting to pick up knee injuries and he’s no younger than ASM. Not saying he’s not got ability but he reminds me of a modern day David Bentley.

I can’t argue with that going one way but what (those) stats never show you is how many goals and chances created for the opposition did his lack of defensive ability and discipline create? His lack of pressing and overall attitude when the chips were down has to be questioned this season also. Same goes for Barnes. It’s alright having these great attacking stats as both wide forwards but their team was getting overrun constantly. I’ll put my argument a different way to maybe something we can all relate to on here. When we had HBA everyone wanted shot of Simpson because he wasn’t creative or as comfortable on the ball and Debuchy with all his technique and attacking stats would be perfect to work in tandem. Ultimately it was a shit show and we were constantly overrun down that side due to lack of balance physically and in discipline. Putting Maddison in our team creates more problems than it solves IMO unless we are trying to fit him in as some kinda 10. Hope I’m proven massively wrong if it goes through but until then it’s a hill I’m happy to die alone on ?

Nearly a year on and I’m still underwhelmed about the Maddison links. Hope he proves my judgement massively wrong if he comes. It’s been done before ? Wouldn’t put him in elite category so gives me a bit hope we are looking for someone physically much better along with the vision and guile we require.

That and they own 60% of Chelsea in an around about way it would seem. Which seems a bit dubious ?

Pardon the music…

You’d imagine first week in August for all 4 parts.

Exactly. Wasn’t meant as a trick question. Certainly would be welcoming of Barella also as I was Pistone & Santon. It just got me thinking that if the later two were rated albeit nowhere near as highly and flopped then no guarantees with Barella especially when I added the caveat I couldn’t think of many Italian midfielder successes on these shores. Hence asking the question. There is a wider point even that they struggle everywhere apart them homeland which maybe true also. Lets be honest in the pantheon of great EPL central midfielders in the last 30years I doubt Eranio, Dalla Bona, Jorginho (lesser so) and even Di Matteo (best of the bunch) will make anyone’s dream teams ?

I’d argue had no success anywhere ? So not sure what point you are trying to make with him?

Not sure. Maybe it’s the culture and therefore London aside they’ve struggled a bit integrating. I’d like to think since the 3 foreigner rule was scrapped and the whole of the UK’s squads are more diverse geography wouldn’t be much of a thing now and it’s just a case of playing catch up and more will try it. If I was being very primitive I’d still say it’s the pace and physicality of our league. Modern refereeing will help and has helped foreign players settle better hence why it has seeped in more and more despite the frustrations of many a home crowd.

My argument is only as limited as the scope it requires to prove it. It’s never been about the quality of Italian midfielders with their careers elsewhere. They would be two examples that would make a great litmus test as on paper their style would be suited and they’ve certainly proven themselves elsewhere. However I’d still have lingering doubts about both being as effective. Not saying they wouldn’t be but none of our big teams have ever been seriously linked with them over the years which makes you wonder. Dalla Bona made 55 appearances in 3 years for Chelsea. Apart from his name nothing in particular stood out about him. So I’d suggest Chelsea made a mistake although that’s probably a bit harsh. Wasn’t he similar to Connor Gallagher now?

Who’s part of it from True Faith?

Ok let’s stick him in then for argument sake. We are up to 3 approx in 30 years approx. So like I said. You don’t get many Italian centre midfielders that have been great. Even then 1 who’s had a couple of decent seasons for Derby. 1 that’s been hit and miss for Chelsea and now Arsenal. Then Di Matteo who’s been the best of the bunch.

Didn’t set the world alight though did he? Probably looked canny for a Derby County side.

Neither midfielders and both disappointments.

Chelsea fans didn’t think so. He’s been ok but definitely has his limitations. He’s nowt special but happy to have him as one which I was before the other day. Only one that comes to mind which is the point I’m making. In the many decades of the ability for EPL teams to sign them it’s very rare and also rarely successful. You should’ve quit at Di Matteo ? Biggest EPL flop ever? Certainly up their for Liverpool as worst transfers made. ? You are all reaching now…

Exactly. Do people not know how a news cycle works? ?

I’m still waiting on someone giving me a centre mid from Italy who’s been a success???‍♂️ All I was presented with was a reserve GK… a centre forward that played 10 times before his career ended and a few No.10’s that were hit & miss ?

This thread is for rumours and reports. The realistic is for forum suggestions. We had an unrealistic thread too for the same thing but that has never raised its head for a while. Threads are fine as they are if used properly.

Is the not a bit OTT? ? He’s been canny but wouldn’t say anymore. Probably bit better in European competitions. Which leads me to the question I wanted to ask. How many Italian midfielders have been a success in the EPL? I’m sure there must be some but can’t name any at the moment.