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Mousa Dembele

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
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Selling Dembele would be idiotic, especially with Onomah out on loan. We do not have enough central midfield options and he offers something completely different. We're not going to get a big fee for him at his age, so we might as well keep hold. He's been a bit off form this season, but he's a fucking good player.


We could call Onomah back from Villa. We could also look to bring a player in. My choice would be Kovacic and according to ITK Modric could even be vaguely possible.
 

Spurrific

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2011
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We could call Onomah back from Villa. We could also look to bring a player in. My choice would be Kovacic and according to ITK Modric could even be vaguely possible.

Even with Onomah, I don't know if he's ready for the Prem, or if he ever will be. We have zero chance of signing Modric, he starts every game for Madrid when fit. If we sold Dembele, we'd just see a midfield of either Wanyama-Dier or Wanyama-Sissoko a lot more.
 

DanielCHillier

Well-Known Member
Feb 26, 2014
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Even with Onomah, I don't know if he's ready for the Prem, or if he ever will be. We have zero chance of signing Modric, he starts every game for Madrid when fit. If we sold Dembele, we'd just see a midfield of either Wanyama-Dier or Wanyama-Sissoko a lot more.
Wanyama-Winks
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,391
Even with Onomah, I don't know if he's ready for the Prem, or if he ever will be. We have zero chance of signing Modric, he starts every game for Madrid when fit. If we sold Dembele, we'd just see a midfield of either Wanyama-Dier or Wanyama-Sissoko a lot more.


I agree, but selling Dembele doesn't mean we have no choice other than what we've got. I love the Moose but his injuries are becoming a problem now and we'll lose him sooner or later. If a deal could be had that suited everybody and we could bring in a suitable replacement I'd be OK with it but sad to see him go.
 

Trix

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2004
19,337
329,025
Long-term I think that'll be the best central midfield, but Winks' form has been patchy and he seems to be struggling for injuries. There is no reason to make ourselves short of options by selling Dembele imo

I love Dembele, but when was the last time he strung a run of games together? Even not playing regular and just covering injuries etc he can't be relied upon. As long as we were to bring someone else in to replace, i'd let him go for a decent fee. Heart would say keep him, but my head would definitely win out and let him go.
 

Ron Burgundy

SC Supporter
Jun 19, 2008
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23,267
I think what's become clearer in my eyes is that, undeniably brilliant though he is at his best, he's becoming less and less reliable.

He's no longer a no-brainer to start and he's truly fit about one game in every three it seems. Whether we sell him now or not, we need more options in CM.

Right now, outside of Moose, for the CM2 slot we really have:
- Winks, though young and proving to be a little patchy
- Sissoko, who's improved but is just not skillful enough and never will be, IMO, and that's an issue when you consider the balance of the rest of the side
- Eriksen at a push
- Dier I don't see as an option there frankly, he's a CB who can play at DM if required

We could choose to stick with that, though it feels light on depth and, IMO, quality

Frankly given that, I don't think (even if we think his time is up) we're in a position to sell him now. Even if we have a player coming in, I think it's bad move mid-season unless the offer is truly crazy.

We do need to strengthen that position - Barkley is an option and I think will play there long term (here or otherwise) - and if nothing else I'd be inclined to bring back Onomah (limited though he off the ball is at present) to improve the depth and options
 

tiger666

Large Member
Jan 4, 2005
27,978
82,214
Right now, outside of Moose, for the CM2 slot we really have:
- Winks, though young and proving to be a little patchy
- Sissoko, who's improved but is just not skillful enough and never will be, IMO, and that's an issue when you consider the balance of the rest of the side
- Eriksen at a push
- Dier I don't see as an option there frankly, he's a CB who can play at DM if required

Vic?
 

Ron Burgundy

SC Supporter
Jun 19, 2008
7,705
23,267

I see him as the more defensive minded of the two - call him CM1 or DM.

He's more technically accomplished than I think most of us gave him credit for, but the (fantastic) discipline with which he approaches that role means I think he needs to be complemented by a more forward thinking player.

An aside, he's the absolute business and I'm chuffed to have him back
 

WiganSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
15,974
32,682
Long-term I think that'll be the best central midfield, but Winks' form has been patchy and he seems to be struggling for injuries. There is no reason to make ourselves short of options by selling Dembele imo
I don't think a January sale is very sensible. But in the summer I think it would be wise to replace him with some fitter legs.

I don't know what's going to happen re. Onomah but you'd think we could have something along the lines of Wanyama, Winks, Dier, possibly Sissoko and a new signing as midfield options.
 

brendanb50

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2005
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3,890
I don't think a January sale is very sensible. But in the summer I think it would be wise to replace him with some fitter legs.

I don't know what's going to happen re. Onomah but you'd think we could have something along the lines of Wanyama, Winks, Dier, possibly Sissoko and a new signing as midfield options.

This - providing we can keep him (generally) fit, he's worth keeping until the summer.

Unless a decent targeted replacement is in someway available now i think moving him on would be counterproductive short term. He's still got plenty to offer when on the pitch for us.

Just such a shame that his strong form in the last few years has come at the expense of his age/fitness. He's been excellent under Poch (arguably our best player barring Kane) and i'll be sad if/when he has to go.
 

brendanb50

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2005
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3,890
Best player under Poch? Don't buy that. Over Verts, Toby, Eriksen? I'd put Vic above him too.

I did say arguably. All your noted players have been exceptional and Toby/Eriksen have both been voted player of the year but for me Dembele for a while made us tick. He broke through lines of midfield and defense and helped us produce our most consistent and exciting football.
 

WiganSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
15,974
32,682
Could be of interest to Everton and help us get Barkley
I hope we don't replace Dembele with Barkley.

They are radically different players. Barkley is a CAM for a start.

We need to replace Dembele with a box to box central midfield player. Someone who can tackle, press, can run all day along with a decent range of passes. This is where we need to spend the big bucks in the summer.

Not saying I don't want Barkley. He'd be a good squad option further forward but i'm not keen on him as a CM. I'd rather Alli play there than him.
 

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
I don't necessarily disagree with you @WiganSpur , but remember that Mousa was a striker when Fulham signed him.
 

StanSpur

Ronny Rosenthal
Jul 15, 2004
2,436
2,042
I can see him wanting to go to Milan. His time with us is limited as he cannot be relied upon fitness wise and at his age he would see the Italian league as an opportunity to play at a slower pace more suited to his style (quite a few players play until their mid to late 30s in seria a) and with Milan, possibly the chance to win some medals (more likely than in England at the moment with the level of competition and the likely dominance of City for the next few years).

I do hope however he can wait until the summer as I think we need the bodies, but if he wants to go we can't (and shouldn't) force him to stay
 

midoNdefoe

the member formerly and technically still known as
Mar 9, 2005
3,107
3,166
I did say arguably. All your noted players have been exceptional and Toby/Eriksen have both been voted player of the year but for me Dembele for a while made us tick. He broke through lines of midfield and defense and helped us produce our most consistent and exciting football.

While being an utter beast in defence/ breaking up opposition play...
 
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