You don't understand what I'm saying, again. In this case I was using Son as an example of a good player who does not fit the system.
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Transfers Summer Transfer Thread 2023! - Closed (Maybe)
- Thread starter Fattynomates
- Start date
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Lacks the slide-rule passing, but fuck it......
Biss >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Deliveroo Dembele.
Oh I understand just fine....... "again".
You said Son is a counter point to this statement: "Good players [Barnes} can play in any system."
Unless you think Poch, Jose, Conte & Mason all play the same system then you're wide of the mark on that comment.
Frankly we didn't look like we had a system when in possession high up the pitch today. Things take time.
He did not play well in Conte's system once he established it in his first full season, and he's not playing well in Ange's system right now.
Back to the issue of game-time.....
Unless te plan is to sell Skipp AND PEH and convince ourselves that an equal to Biss is gonna be happy to ride our bench with no Europe(*) then the following is about as good as it gets this season:
Biss (Skipp)
Madd (GLC / Benta (Sarr)
Madd (GLC / Benta (Sarr)
(*....And no we're not gonna pay 50m for Lavia only to starve the kid.)
ndombele was meant to be good on the ball, bissouma is good on, off and off the pitch. proper footballer absolutely love him. saying all the right things and showing good hunger for the game.
What else exactly is a "squad player" meant to constitute????? (This is like the whole Winks/Davies/PEH thing all over again..... "They're ok as a squad player..... Just don't play them otherwise we'll crucify them for not being as good as the #1 in their position" *** )
See above post about Biss/alt #6....... No HQuality player is gonna wanna sign up just in case our #1 gets a season long injury. with out at least Europe to balance out the game-time.
(***Rant not exclusively towards you; just that the whole "squad player" thing blows my mind!)
Or Dier & Tanganga......... (They're actually back there to play football you know..... Not to debate homeland politics or talk about their favourite movies!)
I feel like the three essential elements of a squad player are:
1. Content to not be playing at any given time
2. Offer versatility of some kind
3. Can be trusted to offer reliable performance thrown into any situation
Winks, Dier and PEH would never be content with the limited role of a squad player the way Ben Davies is. I suspect Lo Celso wouldn't either.
Someone like Tanganga just really isn't good enough to be playing at this level, so he doesn't quite work as a squad player.
Skipp might be on his way to that sort of role if he's content with it. Lucas Moura was a good one. Erik Lamela was too. Not guys who thrive at CL-contender level starting every week, but handy clubs to have in the bag that will bring some reliable attributes when called upon.
"Another first team option" (*) pretty much ensures he won't be, by depriving him of the chance to prove himself....... On the basis of effectively one game...... (No fresh start... All Conte-era baggage; just "you didn't score against Brentford so get to the bottom of the pecking order"!)
Now if a plausible buyer surfaced.... Broader alt. options could be explored, but binning the bloke off on opening day is absolute mayhem.
(I get the distinct impression that people think "transitional season" actually means finished squad by September 1st...... Look at ETH at United.... He didn't get every piece to his puzzle in one window....... He had another year of toxic Ronaldo, perennial-dud Martial and Wegorst on loan! ......Think back to Poch...... He spent season #1 trying players out.... Working out who could get the job done for him..... etc. etc.)
Right (we differ in defining them, but nevertheless).... By your definition, this whole idea that we can get another equally high quality alt. to each of Maddison & Biss to sit on their arse on a weekly basis is utterly preposterous.
FWIW my def.: If you're genuinely considered (by the gaffa; not shit-talking no marks on the web) not to be good enough to be a backup in your primary position then you should be on the trf list.... The idea that there's this hinterland where players are "squad players" yet shouldn't be played if the #1 is unavailable is a nonsense.
..............2 x 11s and a few additional players to beef up the depth.
Many people insisted that no Europe could be a positive; but seem to not grasp the ramifications of the additional game-time when it comes to squad building.
........Indeed. And if we're looking for a reliable, immediate impact; I doubt very very much if that player is a ST.
A good - but not great - ST may still end up costing us 60-70m..... Whereas we could get a proper banger of a Wfwd for that money.
He got a Golden boot under Conte, FFS! ...........That Conte wrecked his own team in year two doesn't negate the very real point that Son has been a high product player in multiple systems here.
Yeah, you don't go out and sign a squad player, it's a role a player settles into over time.
I do see what you mean..... Milner @ LIverpoool being the quintessential.
......But my deeper point is 1) it's BS to condone a player being in the squad only to then kick off about it if injuries etc. dictate that they get played.
2) In our current predicament GLC is feasibly as good as it gets for a Maddison understudy.
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There are plenty of players who have knowingly taken on squad player roles.
Nathan Ake to City type things. I get it.
WE don't go out and sign a squad player, how about that?
If someone's going to sign for Spurs to not play it's either
1. a backup goalkeeper or
2. a young prospect for the future
I’d be all over this. Not the leading CB we’re crying out for but given VdV went straight in tothe XI no reason he can’t be backup for both him & Romero.
Also, I miss Berger’s flowing locks. Not loving this look