Axel Witsel

[ebzrascal]

You make it sound like we can only buy 1 player, in which case a back up to Kane is the obvious priority. That is obviously not the case. Dembele could stand in for Dier, just like he could stand in for Kane. Chadli could stand in for Kane too, but those options would weaken us - and we have money in the bank (allegedly) to stop that happening.

Very well put !! and we have the money because in the last week of the transfer window we bid for Witzel and Berahino and we had already signed Son and Njie at that point.. If we were to sign two players of the level of Witzel and Berahino in January I think we would go very very close to winning the league. Poch has said we need "more" before we can challenge and I think Levi should back him in the next window!!

 

[ebzrascal]

It's called spending stupidly when there are holes in the squad which needs to be addresses first, how many times does this need to be said, the priority is a backup to Kane so it is pointless spending big money when other areas needs to be addressed first.

Keep saying this but Dembele can do a job there when Dier is out, why can't you see this?

We do not need to spend big money for a specialist role when we have other players who can do a job there, its nonsensical and greedy.

I can`t help you mate some people just don`t have the vision to see the big picture and opportunity that is available to us. We have coped with injuries thus far but who knows what it will be like in March, April, May plus we run more than everyone else apart from Liverpool and I seem to remember last season we started to look tired in games and it cost us points. If we intend to go for the Europa, FA Cup and make a Title Challenge we need to strengthen. If we are aiming for fifth/sixth then I agree we don`t need any additions..

The main reasons I am in favour of Witzel and Berahino is they already have a playing relationship with our players through their international connections. So I would expect them to hit the ground running..

 

[bceej]

In the Witsel-Dier argument, I'd say for defensive stability we should aim at another player who has spent a while in CB and CM/DM.

Not many about - the discipline that Dier shows is exemplary. Obviously Milos would do this job but once again our 'sign or play reserves' policy has lost us a player. I don't know the ins and outs of it but it doesn't make sense to me.

Must be a few in the Scouting Thread...

Riechedly Bazoer seems a talent who would tick the boxes.

 

[Japhet]

In the Witsel-Dier argument, I'd say for defensive stability we should aim at another player who has spent a while in CB and CM/DM.

Not many about - the discipline that Dier shows is exemplary. Obviously Milos would do this job but once again our 'sign or play reserves' policy has lost us a player. I don't know the ins and outs of it but it doesn't make sense to me.

Must be a few in the Scouting Thread...

Riechedly Bazoer seems a talent who would tick the boxes.

Completely agree about Veljkovic. Seems tailor made for what we need and is already at the club. Seems ridiculous to be losing him.

 

[Sweech]

In the Witsel-Dier argument, I'd say for defensive stability we should aim at another player who has spent a while in CB and CM/DM.

Not many about - the discipline that Dier shows is exemplary. Obviously Milos would do this job but once again our 'sign or play reserves' policy has lost us a player. I don't know the ins and outs of it but it doesn't make sense to me.

Must be a few in the Scouting Thread...

Riechedly Bazoer seems a talent who would tick the boxes.

It's not just Milos.

There's a few in the youth team who could conceivably "do a job" in that position should we really require it.

It's certainly not something worth taking the risk of chucking countless millions at it.

 

[Sweech]

I can`t help you mate some people just don`t have the vision to see the big picture and opportunity that is available to us. We have coped with injuries thus far but who knows what it will be like in March, April, May plus we run more than everyone else apart from Liverpool and I seem to remember last season we started to look tired in games and it cost us points. If we intend to go for the Europa, FA Cup and make a Title Challenge we need to strengthen. If we are aiming for fifth/sixth then I agree we don`t need any additions..

The main reasons I am in favour of Witzel and Berahino is they already have a playing relationship with our players through their international connections. So I would expect them to hit the ground running..

We're not challenging for the title mate.

Especially certainly not on the backs of January signings.

All signings need a bedding in period as very rarely do players just take off running. January is no exception.

 

[bceej]

It's not just Milos.

There's a few in the youth team who could conceivably "do a job" in that position should we really require it.

It's certainly not something worth taking the risk of chucking countless millions at it.

Other than the contract issues, the reason I mentioned Milos is that he can hold his own against men, versatile, strong in the air, positionally astute and disciplined.

Winks and Amos have played well in DM in the U21s but do not know if they have the positional nous to play a primarily defensive role in midfield and silently impose themselves on games.

 

[Ledleys Knee]

Would be another Capoue or Paulinho. Just not what we need and not attuned/suited to our system.

I don't think we can easily nor should upgrade on our current Dier, Alli, Mason, Bentaleb quartet. We've never had it so good

 

[Ledleys Knee]

Completely agree about Veljkovic. Seems tailor made for what we need and is already at the club. Seems ridiculous to be losing him.

Veljkovic hasn't played CM for the U21s for nearly 2 years. He's been very much made into a CB

 

[Bus-Conductor]

you make a really good point lots of people on the forum said Alderweireld was shit and was not good enough for us so to be honest don`t think we have many future premier league scouts here... I suspect Witzel would be a super signing for us I dont see him give the ball away cheaply and he protects it Dembele style with his strength. He usually plays the ball simply to the more attacking players but he is capable of going on a run with things open up. If we ever want to challenge for the title rather than trying to scrape into forth place every year then we need to buy players of this level. Why do we need to wait for the stadium to be build to try and challenge when with all the chaos at Chelsea, City, United and Arsenal an opportunity presents itself this year.. last time we had this chance was under Harry and we under invested in January and blew it lets have a go this time!!

I don't think I, or anyone else said Alderweireld was shit, I said all along I liked him as a player, I just questioned the rationale of the signing when we had the very promising Dier already in his position and I worried it would hamper his progress.

And I am saying there is a similar argument here. I like Witzel, but we have players like Mason, Bentaleb and others emerging. Personally I think Witzel is a very good cm with a good skill set.

And it wasn't under investment that was the problem in Redknapp's last season, it was a manager with no tactical or coached acumen who couldn't win a game for two months even though he had players like Gallas, King, Modric, Parker, VDV, Bale & Adebayor.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Veljkovic hasn't played CM for the U21s for nearly 2 years. He's been very much made into a CB

He played there last week when we beat Chelsea u21 and was, according to Ehiogu our best player.

 

[Japhet]

Veljkovic hasn't played CM for the U21s for nearly 2 years. He's been very much made into a CB

Dier hadn't played in CM for a long time, but he seems to have switched back pretty well. Just saying.

 

[Ledleys Knee]

Dier hadn't played in CM for a long time, but he seems to have switched back pretty well. Just saying.

But it was Poch coming in that was the prompt for him being specialised as a CB. He's not high-tempo enough for a Poch midfield

 

[bceej]

Veljkovic hasn't played CM for the U21s for nearly 2 years. He's been very much made into a CB

See Dier. Point is he CAN play both well.

 

[Matrix]

In my opinion it's a no brainier. He will improve our squad and would be good to be a starter.
You never know he could give us a little something when we invetiably start flagging come Feb/March and need a bit of squad rotation. Specially if we are still in both Cups as well. All it takes is a couple of injuries.....

 

[Ledleys Knee]

In my opinion it's a no brainier. He will improve our squad and would be good to be a starter.
You never know he could give us a little something when we invetiably start flagging come Feb/March and need a bit of squad rotation. Specially if we are still in both Cups as well. All it takes is a couple of injuries.....

£20m for a squad player, who'd become our 4th best CM?

Remember it only cost us £9m combined to assemble our current fantastic CM quartet.

 

[ebzrascal]

£20m for a squad player, who'd become our 4th best CM?

Remember it only cost us £9m combined to assemble our current fantastic CM quartet.

OMG what a ridiculous comment Witzel obviously not be a squad player he would be a member of the squad who would add depth. He would no way be our 4th best Central Midfield Player.. He would challenge Dier and Bentaleb to improve and they at 20/21 years old would benefit from his experience. He is Dembele like in keeping the ball and is even more physically powerful. He plays the ball simply and allows players with more skill to play their game. In short he would improve us.

Please, Please, Please stop going on about the fee £18-£20 Million it does not come out of your bank account.. It will not affect the stadium, It will not bankrupt us and if we don`t spend the money it will go into ENIC`s pocket not YOURS!! ie you will not get a cheaper season ticket..
Anyone who watched the Chelsea game could surely see half the players were knackered after 60 mins.. Mason went off injured and Dembele had an injury scare but ran it off. The way Poch plays with intensity running more than any other team means we need a deep midfield.. If we had the level of injuries of Arsenal and Liverpool we would be struggling no doubt about it...

BTW Dembele was £15 Million on his own so not sure where this £9 Million comes from!!

We need a Striker and CM just like we did in the Summer.....

PS if Pirlo wants to come play for us during the MLS off season I wouldn`t say know maybe Poch would allow him to run less than everyone else as he is quality

 

[Sweech]

OMG what a ridiculous comment Witzel obviously not be a squad player he would be a member of the squad who would add depth. He would no way be our 4th best Central Midfield Player.. He would challenge Dier and Bentaleb to improve and they at 20/21 years old would benefit from his experience. He is Dembele like in keeping the ball and is even more physically powerful. He plays the ball simply and allows players with more skill to play their game. In short he would improve us.

Please, Please, Please stop going on about the fee £18-£20 Million it does not come out of your bank account.. It will not affect the stadium, It will not bankrupt us and if we don`t spend the money it will go into ENIC`s pocket not YOURS!! ie you will not get a cheaper season ticket..
Anyone who watched the Chelsea game could surely see half the players were knackered after 60 mins.. Mason went off injured and Dembele had an injury scare but ran it off. The way Poch plays with intensity running more than any other team means we need a deep midfield.. If we had the level of injuries of Arsenal and Liverpool we would be struggling no doubt about it...

BTW Dembele was £15 Million on his own so not sure where this £9 Million comes from!!

We need a Striker and CM just like we did in the Summer.....

PS if Pirlo wants to come play for us during the MLS off season I wouldn`t say know maybe Poch would allow him to run less than everyone else as he is quality

Have you not been paying attention?

We spend what we make. Period.

Whether it goes into ENICs pocket is irrelevant. We simply don't spend what we don't bring in. It's been this way for years.

If we're spending 20 mil to get Witsel in who are we selling to make that money? Then for the striker we need even more than a squad CM how ch so are we going? Where are we getting that money from?

 

[ebzrascal]

Have you not been paying attention?

We spend what we make. Period.

Whether it goes into ENICs pocket is irrelevant. We simply don't spend what we don't bring in. It's been this way for years.

If we're spending 20 mil to get Witsel in who are we selling to make that money? Then for the striker we need even more than a squad CM how ch so are we going? Where are we getting that money from?

Have you not been paying attention we offered approx £20 million for Witzel and £22 million for Berahino according to media reports.. So the money is obviously there... We always pay in Levy instalments (over 5 years) and we sold at least five players who were on big wages..

 

[Matrix]

£20m for a squad player, who'd become our 4th best CM?

Remember it only cost us £9m combined to assemble our current fantastic CM quartet.

Hmmmm that's up for debate. Let's not get carried away just yet.
As it stands Witzel plays in the midfield of what is considered the best international team in the world.
Plus I'm sure our younguns would learn a thing or two off of him. He has experience, he could be a major influence on them.