Would you cash in on all 3 in January if the opportunity is there?
Personally I would.
Casemiro was good for a chunk of last season pre and post WC if not overhyped. However for months he’s looked well off the pace. I don’t see him improving at this stage of his career. If the Saudis want him I’d snap their hand off.
Varane has been one of our better players when fit imo but he’s too unreliable fitness wise and it’s clear ETH has lost faith. Like Casemiro he’s not going to get any better but I wouldn’t let him go without a replacement being lined up.
Sancho. We know the issues there. Pound for pound one of the worst signings in the clubs history, possibly the worst. He has never really performed for us and it’s clear his attitude is poor. Let him be someone else’s problem.
I say get all 3 off the books if possible. Varane is the only one who needs immediate replacement.
Casemiro, Varane and Sancho
posted on 7/12/23
Survival passion football
posted on 7/12/23
comment by Roy's Keane (U11635)
posted 8 seconds ago
Survival passion football
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For want of a better term...
Maguire Mctominay the future then? Most people on here never wanted them to wear the shirt ever again 2 months ago. Now we can sell Varane and Casemiro. 😂
posted on 7/12/23
Sancho has to go. No question about that. He’s been poor on the pitch and it’s become increasingly clear he’s been poor off the pitch as well.
Casemiro I’d keep until the summer at least. Varane could go if there’s a buyer and a replacement available but I’d also be happy with him until the summer. He’s a still a top defender, but we can’t rely on him to stay fit.
posted on 7/12/23
Is it worth keeping if EtH seemingly has no desire to use him though? Think he’s now played all of slabhead, Lindelof, Evans and Shaw over him recently.
posted on 7/12/23
Don't agree with the way Varane has been treated. He was one of our best players last season and a big reason for the 17 clean sheets.
Maguire has been playing well but with him in the team we basically have to surrender the midfield because we drop so deep as a team with him in it due to the lack of pace he has. Makes it so much harder for our front 6 as a result as it's hard to get up the pitch as quickly.
Mctominay hasn't even been playing that well either but he does have a habit of popping up with goals in his defence.
I thought we'd seen the end of this but the second Erik came under the slightest bit of pressure we have resorted back to Maguire n Mctominay. That was my point about 'survival' football. Not survival as in staying up but the manager keeping his job. That's what I meant.
posted on 7/12/23
injurys to defenders and midfielders has resulted in mctominay and maguire coming into the team. Ten hag is entitled to use them regardless if they were going to be sold in the summer. They are professional football players contracted to play for the club
posted on 7/12/23
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 21 minutes ago
Don't agree with the way Varane has been treated. He was one of our best players last season and a big reason for the 17 clean sheets.
Maguire has been playing well but with him in the team we basically have to surrender the midfield because we drop so deep as a team with him in it due to the lack of pace he has. Makes it so much harder for our front 6 as a result as it's hard to get up the pitch as quickly.
Mctominay hasn't even been playing that well either but he does have a habit of popping up with goals in his defence.
I thought we'd seen the end of this but the second Erik came under the slightest bit of pressure we have resorted back to Maguire n Mctominay. That was my point about 'survival' football. Not survival as in staying up but the manager keeping his job. That's what I meant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shut up you tw@
posted on 8/12/23
Casemiro was a pointless import anyway - so yes.
Varane has far more use then either lindelof or dalot, so as long as they stay he needs to stay. Granted upgrades are always great, but get the upgrades in the right order.
Sancho - external issues aside - could still settle in. The club have recently kept far worse for far longer.
posted on 8/12/23
Sancho leaving won't be a loss on the side currently as he's been exiled. He hasn't been a success and it could be him leaving would be best for both parties.
Both ex-Real Madrid players would be a bigger loss. While the form of one has declined and the injury issues of the other has come to the fore (something we should have known before he signed), we will need them replaced sooner than later. I'd cash in on all 3 of the right offers came in. This season already looks a write off and we might as well take this one to rebuild and rejuvenate with a younger, more committed side.
I'd still get rid of Maguire and McTominay if a good offer came in but that would have to wait till the summer.
posted on 8/12/23
On Maguire / Varane, surely the availability of Lisandro is the key factor. Varane is a better defender and quicker player. Maguire is a better passer and more comfortable stepping up out of midfield. When we have both Martinez and Shaw on the pitch, we they provide quite a lot of options in terms of ball progression, and Varane's defensive qualities are a net positive with regard to his weakness in distribution. When both Lisandro and Shaw were out, initially ETH tried using Varane with Lindelof or Evans and using them as the progressive option, but evidently when Maguire (initially the bottom pick out of all the CBs) got his chance, the manager was evidently happier with the results. I wouldn't be amazed to see Varane getting back into the team if and when we have both Shaw and Martinez playing regularly again though.
So when it comes to January, I don't think the club would be against replacing Maguire, rather than Varane: the biggest reason it's unlikely to happen is that he seems determined to stay. Either way, we're clearly after a long-term replacement for the RCB, and ideally want one who doesn't require such significant trade-offs. Varane's pace + at least Maguire's level on the ball + aerial ability they both have.