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Hahaha, I shall be applying my boilerplate "If-the-manager-wants-you-I'm-100%-in-welcome-to-Spurs" approach while secretly glad I posted the underwhelming YouTube compilation early doors so I can throw in my hat with the cool kids in the Called It First gang after he gets skanked for speed and skill for the third time by Troy Deeney
"What needs to be done? First of all is to be realistic," he said. "I know where the best players in the world are. I can, not here, but if we sit together having a coffee I can give you a shortlist of the best players in the world per position. For some it is easier to do it. For others it is more difficult because that is not realistic so the most important thing is to be realistic."
We need him to be good enough also though. Worthy of a team aiming for CL and trophies.
We have one of the best strikers in the world and a workmanlike back 4, as well as pace in the top half of the pitch. We don’t need an amazing player, just someone who can stop opposition MF crashing through to the defence again and again; if he can get it to the front 4 then even better.
Sometimes you just need a dude. There's usually just a guy or two who is fine but works really well in that system or does one thing really well.
Aurier needs an upgrade, I would agree, as he’s not consistent, and maybe a faster LB - but they’re not being used as WBs, so it would seem to be more of a flat 4 so defensive ability is more important. That’s why Sonny, Lucas and GLC do so much tracking back (and hence why N’Dombele can’t get in at the mo).
Decided to look up the differences between Hojbjerg and Sissoko to see what we are potentially looking at here:
PL Statistics Hojbjerg Sissoko Games Played 109 233 Shots 143 216 Shot Accuracy 28% 32% Big Chances Created 4 34 Assists 4 24 Passes/Match 52.52 36.04 Crosses 88 459 Crossing Accuracy 32% 22% Tackles 240 275 Tackle Success 66% 78% Blocks 34 54 Interceptions 176 158 Clearances 126 176 Recoveries 922 1,264 Duels Won 625 1.061 Duels Lost 591 1,384
Significant trade offs here in just a general comparison. No doubt significantly better in almost every aspect of defensive duties, but offensively way worse in some key areas offensively.
I mean, just imagine someone who shoots more than Sissoko with even lower shot accuracy. It's not like we would buy him for his scoring proficiency, but still.
I don't see the most important stat to compare to Sissoko's game. Time Spent Pointing.
Or time walking on the pitch.
Be fucked, let's face it we only have a run at him because the big boys either don't need or want him.
