Mount as competition with RLC for the LCM position.
Would like Barkley to be sold, Sarri hasn't been playing him of late which could be an indicator he's probably seen enough.
Not hugely fussed with Kovacic, good thing about him is that he can cover all 3 positions in the midfield. Thought he did well once Kante went off injured and played the RCM role.
I'd agree with Kova if he were only about £15m but I think we all know RM are going to put a ridiculous valuation on him that far outweighs his actual worth.
I'd personally get rid of both in favour of Mount and there is always one of Gilmour, McEkkers or McCormick to fall back on in emergency.
If another opportunity to sign a real top class midfielder arises, then yeah but I'd hate to see us pay £30/40m again for another Bakayoko/Drinkwater/Kova where they academy could supply for free.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Tielemans looks pretty good for Leicester and wouldn't be the worst option.
comment by Sideshow (U11809)
posted 7 minutes ago
I don't think we need six midfielders under Sarri, so my ideal midfield going into next season would be RLC, Mount, New CM, Kante, Jorginho.
Instead of targeting a no.8, I think we should be looking to sign a box-to-box midfielder who can also cover for Jorginho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd agree with that, however if the ban is upheld I'd uot be unhappy with one of those academy lads.
Even if we can sign players unless the right player becomes available I'd still rather see one of those lads.
Last thing I want to see is another £40m misfit, who's no better than one of the lads.
Mount for sure. He'll need some work but has all the natural instincts in his game to do it, and RLC's come on so well that he can probably be trusted to be 1st choice next season with Mount as his backup.
Kovacic is a good player but not a Sarri player. Fits the traditional tika taka setup using playmakers in the advanced midfield roles much better. Barkley's just out of his depth, got the explosive qualities RLC has but panics and his zero on pitch intelligence. Was worth trying him this season, see if Sarri could coach something extra into him - he hasn't grown (like RLC has) so we move on.
comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 7 seconds ago
comment by Sideshow (U11809)
posted 7 minutes ago
I don't think we need six midfielders under Sarri, so my ideal midfield going into next season would be RLC, Mount, New CM, Kante, Jorginho.
Instead of targeting a no.8, I think we should be looking to sign a box-to-box midfielder who can also cover for Jorginho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd agree with that, however if the ban is upheld I'd uot be unhappy with one of those academy lads.
Even if we can sign players unless the right player becomes available I'd still rather see one of those lads.
Last thing I want to see is another £40m misfit, who's no better than one of the lads.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My heart says Kante, Jorginho with RLC/Mount rotating and Barkley as the utility will be enough, but my head says we may need an elite or borderline elite midfielder in there somewhere. if we are to compete with City/Liverpool.
If we were playing Klopp's football we could have got away with it as his system caters for an understrength midfield but for Sarri's system that's the most crucial area.
Understrength was probably the wrong word, but i don't think the quality of depth is there with those 5 as a group.
I’d put myself ahead of kovacic brummie lol. But no the guy should be released. Barkley and mount atleast homegrown and can grab a goal. If we want another workhorse in midfield we could get one who atleast adds goals to general tidy play.
My heart says Kante, Jorginho with RLC/Mount rotating and Barkley as the utility will be enough, but my head says we may need an elite or borderline elite midfielder in there somewhere. if we are to compete with City/Liverpool.
—————————-
This is a good summary of how I feel..having Mount and RLC would be a nice duo to have, both from the academy, and suit style of play. But I also feel that if we want to aim for City/Liverpool’s level we *have* to be ruthless in areas that can be improved just as they have. If is not a big priority as other areas but if we could get someone like, say, Bruno Fernandes to start and RLC as immediate back up/super sub, I think we have the basis for an extremely strong midfield. If we did that Mount would have to go on loan again, I know you wouldn’t be a fan of that Brummie but I would be for that as well, if it is at the right club..somewhere in a top 5 league.
Kova and Barkley..they’re not great but fine as squad players. I still wouldn’t be against signing for Kova for anything upto 30-40m (going rate for a squad player). I know this kinda goes with the ‘signing average players for 30m’ thing, and while he has been average I think if, under a future manager, we ever wanted to switch to a two he’d be much better suited and also he is still talented, young and has potential to improve. I also think it’s important to have some sort of back upfor Jorginho that Sarri trusts, as does Sarri.
KK if we didn't have the threat of being banned the following summer (should we get our ban suspended) i would have said go with those five and reassess the following summer, but if the midfield (as a whole) doesn't push us up to that level it could be two years before we can strengthen.
Although that said LB and ST has to be sorted before we can even think of CM.
comment by DL11 (U21614)
posted 5 minutes ago
KK if we didn't have the threat of being banned the following summer (should we get our ban suspended) i would have said go with those five and reassess the following summer, but if the midfield (as a whole) doesn't push us up to that level it could be two years before we can strengthen.
Although that said LB and ST has to be sorted before we can even think of CM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is were I'd prefer us to use an academy player for our back up in midfield, as I think we can get away with it.
The money saved I'd like to see us use to try and fund a stellar type signing at CF and LB.
If a suitable Centre mid became available all well and good but that apart DL11 has it spot on over those positions.
I think we have to keep Barkley, if only because he's English and I still think he can become a player. Kovacic has to go, he does nothing. Mount would be nice and I still think we need another. We are light for cover there.
Barkley has to go, guy's clueless.
We need to lose Barks, Kova, (Baka permanently), Drinkwater, Alonso, Zappa.
Consider offers for Willian Pedro Azpi
Do we still own Morata...he needs to go too if so
Aint convinced with Higuain either...I want to be
Cahill will be off to...good luck toi him...brilliant servant for pennies..he'll walk into most Prem back fours
comment by Tablighi Jamaat (U15973)
posted 38 minutes ago
Barkley has to go, guy's clueless.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don’t think he’s clueless. But when he can’t control a football it’s a worrying sign for a pro footballer
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Tablighi Jamaat (U15973)
posted 38 minutes ago
Barkley has to go, guy's clueless.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don’t think he’s clueless. But when he can’t control a football it’s a worrying sign for a pro footballer
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I really thought he'd nail down a place this term post his health issues....hasn't...been disappointing
He's had some good spells this season but he can't do it on a consistent basis.
Probably OK for a squad player but if we want to get closer to City and Liverpool, we need an upgrade on him.
But the priority is still a centre forward and left back for me. With a midfield 3 of Kante, Jorginho and RLC it's not the main area of concern.
Yeah agree sheriff. Looks to have all the traits to be a good player. But never seems to kick on. Do wonder if drive is an issue.
Having said that. Do I think Barkley is good enoug? Probably not but he is the epitome of where we are as a club.
I also feel he gets a tough rep when he has arguably been better than kovacic but for whatever reason kovacic gets more of a pass because he looks prettier.
Drinkwater, Barkley, Cahill, all British players who sent to have got a tough review from our fans but never as bad as the moratas or bakayokos who got chance and Chance over and again.
All I ask is our players get a fair crack at it so we can judge correctly.
He had a good period October to December but lost his way when the team started playing badly. We were p!ss poor in the new year - he wasn't the only one. The only two consistent performers throughout this season have been Rudiger and Hazard (although Azpilicueta has been acceptable for the most part). Would much rather see Barkley in a Chelsea shirt than Kovacic. We still need another midfield option though.
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 47 minutes ago
He had a good period October to December but lost his way when the team started playing badly. We were p!ss poor in the new year - he wasn't the only one. The only two consistent performers throughout this season have been Rudiger and Hazard (although Azpilicueta has been acceptable for the most part). Would much rather see Barkley in a Chelsea shirt than Kovacic. We still need another midfield option though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kante?
And I thought azpilicueta was poor this year
Sign in if you want to comment
Kovacic, Barkley or........
Page 1 of 2
posted on 7/5/19
Mount as competition with RLC for the LCM position.
Would like Barkley to be sold, Sarri hasn't been playing him of late which could be an indicator he's probably seen enough.
Not hugely fussed with Kovacic, good thing about him is that he can cover all 3 positions in the midfield. Thought he did well once Kante went off injured and played the RCM role.
posted on 7/5/19
I'd agree with Kova if he were only about £15m but I think we all know RM are going to put a ridiculous valuation on him that far outweighs his actual worth.
I'd personally get rid of both in favour of Mount and there is always one of Gilmour, McEkkers or McCormick to fall back on in emergency.
If another opportunity to sign a real top class midfielder arises, then yeah but I'd hate to see us pay £30/40m again for another Bakayoko/Drinkwater/Kova where they academy could supply for free.
posted on 7/5/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/5/19
Tielemans looks pretty good for Leicester and wouldn't be the worst option.
posted on 7/5/19
comment by Sideshow (U11809)
posted 7 minutes ago
I don't think we need six midfielders under Sarri, so my ideal midfield going into next season would be RLC, Mount, New CM, Kante, Jorginho.
Instead of targeting a no.8, I think we should be looking to sign a box-to-box midfielder who can also cover for Jorginho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd agree with that, however if the ban is upheld I'd uot be unhappy with one of those academy lads.
Even if we can sign players unless the right player becomes available I'd still rather see one of those lads.
Last thing I want to see is another £40m misfit, who's no better than one of the lads.
posted on 7/5/19
Mount for sure. He'll need some work but has all the natural instincts in his game to do it, and RLC's come on so well that he can probably be trusted to be 1st choice next season with Mount as his backup.
Kovacic is a good player but not a Sarri player. Fits the traditional tika taka setup using playmakers in the advanced midfield roles much better. Barkley's just out of his depth, got the explosive qualities RLC has but panics and his zero on pitch intelligence. Was worth trying him this season, see if Sarri could coach something extra into him - he hasn't grown (like RLC has) so we move on.
posted on 7/5/19
comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 7 seconds ago
comment by Sideshow (U11809)
posted 7 minutes ago
I don't think we need six midfielders under Sarri, so my ideal midfield going into next season would be RLC, Mount, New CM, Kante, Jorginho.
Instead of targeting a no.8, I think we should be looking to sign a box-to-box midfielder who can also cover for Jorginho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd agree with that, however if the ban is upheld I'd uot be unhappy with one of those academy lads.
Even if we can sign players unless the right player becomes available I'd still rather see one of those lads.
Last thing I want to see is another £40m misfit, who's no better than one of the lads.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My heart says Kante, Jorginho with RLC/Mount rotating and Barkley as the utility will be enough, but my head says we may need an elite or borderline elite midfielder in there somewhere. if we are to compete with City/Liverpool.
If we were playing Klopp's football we could have got away with it as his system caters for an understrength midfield but for Sarri's system that's the most crucial area.
posted on 7/5/19
Understrength was probably the wrong word, but i don't think the quality of depth is there with those 5 as a group.
posted on 7/5/19
I’d put myself ahead of kovacic brummie lol. But no the guy should be released. Barkley and mount atleast homegrown and can grab a goal. If we want another workhorse in midfield we could get one who atleast adds goals to general tidy play.
posted on 7/5/19
My heart says Kante, Jorginho with RLC/Mount rotating and Barkley as the utility will be enough, but my head says we may need an elite or borderline elite midfielder in there somewhere. if we are to compete with City/Liverpool.
—————————-
This is a good summary of how I feel..having Mount and RLC would be a nice duo to have, both from the academy, and suit style of play. But I also feel that if we want to aim for City/Liverpool’s level we *have* to be ruthless in areas that can be improved just as they have. If is not a big priority as other areas but if we could get someone like, say, Bruno Fernandes to start and RLC as immediate back up/super sub, I think we have the basis for an extremely strong midfield. If we did that Mount would have to go on loan again, I know you wouldn’t be a fan of that Brummie but I would be for that as well, if it is at the right club..somewhere in a top 5 league.
posted on 7/5/19
Kova and Barkley..they’re not great but fine as squad players. I still wouldn’t be against signing for Kova for anything upto 30-40m (going rate for a squad player). I know this kinda goes with the ‘signing average players for 30m’ thing, and while he has been average I think if, under a future manager, we ever wanted to switch to a two he’d be much better suited and also he is still talented, young and has potential to improve. I also think it’s important to have some sort of back upfor Jorginho that Sarri trusts, as does Sarri.
posted on 7/5/19
KK if we didn't have the threat of being banned the following summer (should we get our ban suspended) i would have said go with those five and reassess the following summer, but if the midfield (as a whole) doesn't push us up to that level it could be two years before we can strengthen.
Although that said LB and ST has to be sorted before we can even think of CM.
posted on 7/5/19
comment by DL11 (U21614)
posted 5 minutes ago
KK if we didn't have the threat of being banned the following summer (should we get our ban suspended) i would have said go with those five and reassess the following summer, but if the midfield (as a whole) doesn't push us up to that level it could be two years before we can strengthen.
Although that said LB and ST has to be sorted before we can even think of CM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is were I'd prefer us to use an academy player for our back up in midfield, as I think we can get away with it.
The money saved I'd like to see us use to try and fund a stellar type signing at CF and LB.
If a suitable Centre mid became available all well and good but that apart DL11 has it spot on over those positions.
posted on 7/5/19
I think we have to keep Barkley, if only because he's English and I still think he can become a player. Kovacic has to go, he does nothing. Mount would be nice and I still think we need another. We are light for cover there.
posted on 7/5/19
Barkley has to go, guy's clueless.
posted on 7/5/19
We need to lose Barks, Kova, (Baka permanently), Drinkwater, Alonso, Zappa.
Consider offers for Willian Pedro Azpi
posted on 7/5/19
Do we still own Morata...he needs to go too if so
Aint convinced with Higuain either...I want to be
posted on 7/5/19
Cahill will be off to...good luck toi him...brilliant servant for pennies..he'll walk into most Prem back fours
posted on 7/5/19
comment by Tablighi Jamaat (U15973)
posted 38 minutes ago
Barkley has to go, guy's clueless.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don’t think he’s clueless. But when he can’t control a football it’s a worrying sign for a pro footballer
posted on 7/5/19
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Tablighi Jamaat (U15973)
posted 38 minutes ago
Barkley has to go, guy's clueless.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don’t think he’s clueless. But when he can’t control a football it’s a worrying sign for a pro footballer
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I really thought he'd nail down a place this term post his health issues....hasn't...been disappointing
posted on 7/5/19
He's had some good spells this season but he can't do it on a consistent basis.
Probably OK for a squad player but if we want to get closer to City and Liverpool, we need an upgrade on him.
But the priority is still a centre forward and left back for me. With a midfield 3 of Kante, Jorginho and RLC it's not the main area of concern.
posted on 7/5/19
Yeah agree sheriff. Looks to have all the traits to be a good player. But never seems to kick on. Do wonder if drive is an issue.
posted on 7/5/19
Having said that. Do I think Barkley is good enoug? Probably not but he is the epitome of where we are as a club.
I also feel he gets a tough rep when he has arguably been better than kovacic but for whatever reason kovacic gets more of a pass because he looks prettier.
Drinkwater, Barkley, Cahill, all British players who sent to have got a tough review from our fans but never as bad as the moratas or bakayokos who got chance and Chance over and again.
All I ask is our players get a fair crack at it so we can judge correctly.
posted on 7/5/19
He had a good period October to December but lost his way when the team started playing badly. We were p!ss poor in the new year - he wasn't the only one. The only two consistent performers throughout this season have been Rudiger and Hazard (although Azpilicueta has been acceptable for the most part). Would much rather see Barkley in a Chelsea shirt than Kovacic. We still need another midfield option though.
posted on 7/5/19
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 47 minutes ago
He had a good period October to December but lost his way when the team started playing badly. We were p!ss poor in the new year - he wasn't the only one. The only two consistent performers throughout this season have been Rudiger and Hazard (although Azpilicueta has been acceptable for the most part). Would much rather see Barkley in a Chelsea shirt than Kovacic. We still need another midfield option though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kante?
And I thought azpilicueta was poor this year
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