Ansu Fati

[Flobadob]

I’m all for bringing Fati and Johnson in. I’ve got zero attachment to about 50% of our winger options and think about that percentage of them aren’t good enough. Perisic is past it IMO, first competitive match last night where the pace is high and he looked like the old man he is, pre-season didn’t fool me. Gil clearly is not going to cut it in this league, he can’t stay fit, doesn’t have any end product, he has about 1 goal/assist or something ridiculous like that here or out on loan in the last season or 2 and he’s far too weak to compete. Signing Fati means we can upgrade ST by moving Son there and signing Johnson means we can move Kulusevski to 10 where he’ll be a better fit as well. These are both 100% the right moves for us right now. We can get them sorted and worry about if we need another ST in January as we’ve heard from our ITK

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Agree, I can see the following:

LWF - Fati & Johnson
RWF - Kulusevski & Solomon
CF - Son & Richarlison

The above has a lot of flexibility aswell with multiple players being able to play in other positions. I think ultimately that's what Ange wants.

Johnson doesn't play LWF mate so in the above you'd switch Solomon and Johnson but otherwise yes.

Also Johnson can cover up front so you'd actually have something like:

LWF - Son,Fati,Solomon,Perisic
RWF - Kulu,Johnson
CF - Richy,Son,Johnson

But really you'd have : Fati, Son, Solomon, Kulu, Johnson, Richy as the 6 core attacking players.

Fati on loan is an ok deal but its not enough if we really want to have a decent league finish (top 4 push) and FA cup run.

 

[Marty]

Comparing Maddison, a proven top PL player who was their player of the season, and Johnson, who was excellent in the Championship and fairly average in the Prem, isn't a valid comparison.

I don't think anyone should have any problem signing players from relegated or lower level clubs if the player is a standout player who can really elevate us. That doesn't mean you should be shopping at those clubs regularly for players who don't quite fit that criteria.

Compare Johnson to a Gini Wijnaldum or Andy Robertson then. Both signed by Liverpool from relegated clubs who went on the have fantastic Liverpool careers including being key players in a CL win and a PL title.

I remember Robertson especially being a WTF signing, nobody had any idea what Liverpool wanted him for. Most didn't even think he was better than Moreno.

We know Johnson has talent and his G/A return last season wasn't shabby at all considering the side he plays for.

 

[mil1lion]

Knowing Ansu
Knowing Fati

 

[SG7]

I think with Richys struggles and personally I think Sonny looks I'll suited to the left wing slot we have to make a decision.

Son is so important to the club both commercially, on the pitch and in the dressing room so we should find a role for him and in this system being the striker looks the best role for him and with his pace and movement I think he will excel there.

Don't know why people assume Son can just seamlessly adapt to a central role. He is anything but a sure thing to transition, especially while he's in poor form.

Now if we make that decision and then rely on Solomon and Perisic can you imagine the outrage?

No. I think those two + Son are reasonable stocks at LW.

We do not need another LW.

RW should take far higher precedence. Kulusevski is the only one who plays there in a natively and there are questions over his pace.

 

[StanSpur]

Not convinced by what i've seen of Fati as yet so a loan with option/obligation would be best then the coaches can make a solid assessment over the year. I do think we need to see Son come into the middle and take the Kane role so Fati and Johnson adding legs to the front line would be good as Kulu just isnt that pace and son seems to have lost a step

 

[StanSpur]

Don't know why people assume Son can just seamlessly adapt to a central role. He is anything but a sure thing to transition, especially while he's in poor form.

No. I think those two + Son are reasonable stocks at LW.

We do not need another LW.

RW should take far higher precedence. Kulusevski is the only one who plays there in a natively and there are questions over his pace.

I think because he has put up very good numbers since he's been at the club and can score with either foot. He's a smart footballer and people (myself included) think he can adapt. Yes the form is an issue but relieve him of the need to stick to the touchline and give him freedom to roam and i think he will find the spaces again to be more effective

 

[Albertbarich]

Don't know why people assume Son can just seamlessly adapt to a central role. He is anything but a sure thing to transition, especially while he's in poor form.

No. I think those two + Son are reasonable stocks at LW.

We do not need another LW.

RW should take far higher precedence. Kulusevski is the only one who plays there in a natively and there are questions over his pace.

It's not for me to think he can do it, I think Ange believes he can and the evidence is there as he takes Richy off and puts Son there

If that's the case then we would need another left winger.

 

[elfy]

Do find it strange we are going for two wingers when Vlahovic is apparently for sale.

Ohwell, if Ange wants a Fati so be it.

I don't think we have any chance of getting Vlahovic without European football.

For sale or not, just don't see him interested

 

[Timberwolf]

I still don't really get the logic of buying Johnson, Fati and no striker.

Unless we sell a forward we'd have Rich, Son, Fati, Kulu, Solomon, Perisic, and Johnson competing for 3 spots in the team with no European football. And arguably not a single one of them is a proper striker (I still see Rich as more of a converted wide-forward than a natural number 9).

Just doesn't really add up for me and seems like an odd way to build a squad.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Sure, but the subtle details are relevant - we got close to £100m for our greatest ever player in the last year of his contract who wanted to leave, cannot find a suitable ready-made successor because he does not exist and players quoted to potentially replace him have issues (dodgy knees, lengthy spells on the sidelines, betting bans or play in weaker leagues) and the “proven” players may not be massively keen on coming to a club, out of Europe with a track record of winning nothing.

I have issues with Levy not loosening the purse strings but don’t see an obvious solution to the problem currently. So aren’t the club exploring options that could improve the team given the position we are in?

I think we can do better than a single non-PL proven player on loan.

Surely a loan (with an option) should be seen as a good thing? The Kane money should be spent wisely.

I don't mind the deal itself but not if he's the only attacking reinforcement.

I would be gobsmaked if Johnson doesn't happen. They are on the verge of finalising Batshuayi who i'm sure is part of their replacement plan. Once that happens im sure we will finalise our deal. I feel like him joining is very very likely at this point. TBH for me going into the season with Richy, Son and Scarlett as our striker options isn't particularly inspiring more so then whether or not we get both Johnson and Fati.

I agree tho, if Fati is the only addition to the front line it would be underwhelming but I doubt it will be the case.

Nothing would surprise me tbh.

 

[Mr Pink]

It will be fati with BJ

(And keep Sanchez)

 

[Aay_Jay_Dee]

New league, first time joining a new club, only 20, huge injuries previously, stronger and more intense league.

Its not going to be plain sailing for him. We are going to have to be patient with him if it does happen. Even though he is a big name he is still a very young player.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I still don't really get the logic of buying Johnson, Fati and no striker.

Unless we sell a forward we'd have Rich, Son, Fati, Kulu, Solomon, Perisic, and Johnson competing for 3 spots in the team with no European football. And arguably not a single one of them is a proper striker (I still see Rich as more of a converted wide-forward than a natural number 9).

Just doesn't really add up for me and seems like an odd way to build a squad.

I think Ange sees it as this season Richy is absolutely a n.o9 for us, Son can also fill in there and so could Johnson and by improving the wide areas the forward in the system would get more/better chances.

Then next summer we can re-assess.

 

[SG7]

I think because he has put up very good numbers since he's been at the club and can score with either foot. He's a smart footballer and people (myself included) think he can adapt. Yes the form is an issue but relieve him of the need to stick to the touchline and give him freedom to roam and i think he will find the spaces again to be more effective

Playing off Kane, one of the best hold-up strikers in the world, and starting at LW/LF.

Playing centrally requires a very different skillset and mentality. There is no evidence he can play this role at Premier League level, especially for a team trying to finish top 4.

people (myself included) think he can adapt.

Sorry but just thinking he can adapt is not enough. He is an unknown quantity at CF, he cannot be trusted to lead the line centrally for a full season; certainly not if we want to get serious about competing at the top.

Right now, we have zero players in our squad who are proven top-4 standard central strikers. We are currently relying on Richarlison in this position, who is absolutely not at the required level and cannot be trusted. It is ridiculous that we're supposedly targeting another expensive LW when it's one of our best-stocked positions in the squad.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

It will be fati with BJ

(And keep Sanchez)

Would be happy with that, just concerned it will just be Fati on loan which would be very underwhelming and not enough quality.

 

[felmani26]

I still don't really get the logic of buying Johnson, Fati and no striker.

Unless we sell a forward we'd have Rich, Son, Fati, Kulu, Solomon, Perisic, and Johnson competing for 3 spots in the team with no European football. And arguably not a single one of them is a proper striker (I still see Rich as more of a converted wide-forward than a natural number 9).

Just doesn't really add up for me and seems like an odd way to build a squad.

Maybe Veliz will be that guy eventually or even Scarlett but I do agree.

Suggests a shit load of foreplay with little penetration approach for the interim.

 

[Tucker]

To be honest I'm not overly fussed about a CM even if one or both of those were to go. Not with Bentancur to come back. It's definitely fourth priority behind two attacking players and a CB.

Fati, Johnson and a CB would be a promising end to the window. Just the two attackers would be OK but nothing more. Only one or no signings is pretty bad.

Tbh after last night I’m more worried about CM than any of the others. We’ve one game a week until January now. It’s clear to me a press resistant player is key to the system. Without Bissouma or Maddison, the midfield just doesn’t work.

 

[Guntz]

Gil must be off somewhere.

No way we sign Fati/Johnson if he’s staying.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

Potential for huge upside here with very minimal risk if it’s a loan with an option in our favour. Happy to sign him alongside BJ.