Chelsea sign Michy Batshuayi

[wrd]

Feel like people are ignoring how many other teams have more than two strikers and also play with just one.

 

[FreddieYid]

All I would say is....Its idiotic to pick a formation 4-2-3-1 and then say well, we only need 2 strikers, not 3.
The normal way for any successful club is to build a squad & have the ability to pick multiple formations.
2015/16 - we did not have the ability to pick other than 4-2-3-1; But doesnt mean, Pohettino will always play 4-2-3-1

Pochettino himself ( I have given the quote) he will be flexible to change formation.

The question about, whether Janssen would agree to it or not is secondary.

If both are signing , its becuase they already know they have competition & agreeing to it.

I dont get this "will Eriksen or Alli or Lamela be dropped" question ? Would you ask the same question to Guardiola in his City side or will you ask this to Mourinho ?

Eriksen if he is going to Barcelona, may not argue if he plays from bench. If we want to go to that level, we need to keep players on that edge. Some players thrive , others don't. But doesnt mean they will throw their toys out of pram & walk out. Pochettinho has rotated 2 sets of full backs. We didnt see Trippier or Davies or Rose complain when they didnt get to play. Why do you think it will be a problem for strikers ?

Amen.

There seems to be a lot of people that think we can't buy anyone as good or better than what we have, because 'where's Lamela, Alli or Eriksen going to play?'

Well quite frankly, if the person that comes in plays better then any of them, then they dont.

Or just being super crazy, we become flexible in the ways we can play?!

How many Times have we struggled to break a team down, but not had a plan B?

Well maybe... Just maybe Poch wants to address that.

 

[Sweech]

Poch has up to this point never shown he wants to play 442 or any system that directly involves playing a strike pair. In fact, I do believe a the high pressing system that is the core of his philosophy is ill suited to 442 as the formation is not compact enough.

I know in this country we love a strike pairing but I just don't see Poch altering a philosophy that has served him so well up to now.

Playing a 4-4-2 diamond would fit the Poch system though. Compact midfield + Wingbacks are still the providers of the width.

Also could be looking to explore some of the 3-4-3 formations we saw some PL teams try this year.

 

[Sweech]

What do you expect him to say?

"uhhhh, I am berry appy."

 

[longtimespur]

This is a quote from Pochettino in a press conference in Jan 2016

http://thetottenhamway.com/article/pochettino-says-he-could-play-with-two-or-even-three-strikers

"You can see in my past in Southampton, we played with Rickie Lambert, [Dani] Osvaldo and Jay [Rodriguez]," Pochettino told a news conference on Tuesday.

"If you have the possibility to play with two unbelievable strikers, I am not stupid. And why not play with two or three. If you have unbelievable players, you can't put them on the bench. Unbelievable players always need to be on the pitch.

"You can adapt your system or your philosophy when you have good players. You can play in different ways, always with the basis and philosophy that you have. Becaucse Rickie, Osvaldo and Jay press a lot and they work a lot. You can see in different games, at Liverpool when we won 1-0 in my second season at Southampton.

"It's all about belief. When you have good player, you need to play but only one thing is important: to give good organisation, to plan how we need to play, to work on the training ground, to have good ideas and to play like a team."

People who don't believe those on here who say we can use 3 forwards PLEASE read this posted by arunspurs earlier in this thread. Especially the emboldened.

 

[FreddieYid]

No way will they play together ! Poch is not going to change his whole philosophy.

So lets say we play approx 55 games next season,H stays on top form and doesn't get injured, how many games do you think he will play ? do you think Levy will pay 30m for a forward to play a low number of games that H doesn't play in ?

And let's say he doesn't stay on top form... Or God forbid he gets injured?

And being versatile in the ways we are capable of playing has fuck all to do with Poch changing his philosophy.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

@danieljohn4 can you really see Bat and Jan BOTH being added?

@jetsetyid absolutely no chance !

*Drops mic*

 

[E17yid]

And let's say he doesn't stay on top form... Or God forbid he gets injured?

And being versatile in the ways we are capable of playing has fuck all to do with Poch changing his philosophy.

Even if Kane replicated his early season form (1 in 9) I'd still persist with him over Bats, he's that good. Obviously if Kane gets injured then we need someone like bats to come in and do a job. However Kane is a beast and doubt he'll ever get injured in his life. He's Bruce Willis.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I think we could really regret not signing Bats, Janssen looks a great Kane backup/clone but Bats can cover and also bring something different to the table.

 

[FreddieYid]

What, and you think Martial is in the same league as Kane at the moment? The goals would suggest otherwise.

I don't see the controversy here. Kane is a fucking superstar, a beast, a once in a lifetime striker for a club like us and people are already thinking bats could be as good straight away. It's a joke.

I never said that.

I was challenging your point that he couldn't come in and be an effective option for us up top straight away, hence the Martial reference.

HARRY KANE CANNOT PLAY EVERY GAME FOR US, IN EVERY COMPETITION.

We need to secure the best quality alternative to him.

And as has already been made very clear from Poch's very own mouth is that he is open to playing more than one forward when needed. Maybe late in some games, maybe from the start in others.

 

[E17yid]

I never said that.

I was challenging your point that he couldn't come in and be an effective option for us up top.

HARRY KANE CANNOT PLAY EVERY GAME FOR US, IN EVERY COMPETITION.

We need to secure the best quality alternative to him.

And as has already been made very clear from Poch's very own mouth is that he is open to playing more than one forward when needed. Maybe late in some games, maybe from the start in others.

Yeah, and I'm challenging your point that martial has been effective as Kane, he's done well but not in the same league as Kane. Maybe in a year or two.

Yeah, we need a back up I appreciate that but I doubt we could sign someone who could genuinely push Kane in the immediate future

 

[FreddieYid]

Yeah, and I'm challenging your point that martial has been effective as Kane, he's done well but not in the same league as Kane. Maybe in a year or two.

Yeah, we need a back up I appreciate that but I doubt we could sign someone who could genuinely push Kane in the immediate future

At no stage did I say he's as good as or as effective as Kane?

 

[johnbowel]

Other itk said we are interested in 2 forwards. Whether or not we are signing 2 there is some weird anti-logic going on here - 'we are not signing two forwards because we don't play with two forwards' makes no sense. How would we play with two forwards if we only have one (of sufficient quality)? Perhaps in this scenario actually signing one would be the plan in order to be able to play with more than one. Particularly since Poch played Rodriguez as a wide forward with Lambert central at saints, no? This formation and in fact almost all formations have something in common with player roles, which is generally 2 creators, 2 goalscorers, 2 engines, in terms of primary function in midfield and attack. I'd disregard arguments over striker/forward distinction for a moment seeing as we have no forwards besides Kane of required quality anyway, but last season we signed Njie and Son, both of whom were regarded as forwards, wide forwards rather than simply attacking midfielders in the eriksen, lamela mould. They were both bought as pacey goalscorers, however that has worked out. I think just signing a backup for Kane would be ridiculous as our main problem last season was looking like we had nothing when the ball got to our attacking mids, nothing to stretch opponents besides Kane, who likes to drop and play in players as well. I feel like our entire team would be improved hugely and look far more balanced and dynamic if we had one other forward instead of hoping lamela will suddenly develop the ability to dribble and go past players, and make lots of runs off the shoulder, as at the moment we're a line of number 10s with noone to pass to besides Kane and I can't believe Poch et al fail to appreciate this. Actually, I very much can believe it, having been a football fan for 36 years

 

[E17yid]

At no stage did I say he's as good as or as effective as Kane?

You disagreed with my comment about bats not being able to put in performances as good as Kane in the immediate future and used martial as an example to prove this. I'm merely pointed out Martial's performances haven't been as good as Kane's

 

[Indacupfortottenham]

Why can't Kane play every game in Prem and CL? I hope he does. Other players do it, you don't see Messi or Ronaldo or other big names rested very often.

 

[For the love of Spurs]

Other itk said we are interested in 2 forwards. Whether or not we are signing 2 there is some weird anti-logic going on here - 'we are not signing two forwards because we don't play with two forwards' makes no sense. How would we play with two forwards if we only have one (of sufficient quality)? Perhaps in this scenario actually signing one would be the plan in order to be able to play with more than one. Particularly since Poch played Rodriguez as a wide forward with Lambert central at saints, no? This formation and in fact almost all formations have something in common with player roles, which is generally 2 creators, 2 goalscorers, 2 engines, in terms of primary function in midfield and attack. I'd disregard arguments over striker/forward distinction for a moment seeing as we have no forwards besides Kane of required quality anyway, but last season we signed Njie and Son, both of whom were regarded as forwards, wide forwards rather than simply attacking midfielders in the eriksen, lamela mould. They were both bought as pacey goalscorers, however that has worked out. I think just signing a backup for Kane would be ridiculous as our main problem last season was looking like we had nothing when the ball got to our attacking mids, nothing to stretch opponents besides Kane, who likes to drop and play in players as well. I feel like our entire team would be improved hugely and look far more balanced and dynamic if we had one other forward instead of hoping lamela will suddenly develop the ability to dribble and go past players, and make lots of runs off the shoulder, as at the moment we're a line of number 10s with noone to pass to besides Kane and I can't believe Poch et al fail to appreciate this. Actually, I very much can believe it, having been a football fan for 36 years

Thought the same myself. Lots of 10's looking for passing options, how much better as a team would we be with Sanchez or Martial as a wide forward. Martial is a striker but has the speed and power to play that position, as you say Poch used to do that at Saints anyway.

If Batshuayi is quick and powerful why would we not play him as a wide forward to stretch defences and offer a great goal threat. Two great goal scorers in Kane and Batshuayi offering different threats.

With the Prem, Champions League, League Cup and FA cup we will have lots of games to play and 3 strikers looking at 2 possibly 3 positions (Kane can play both 9 and 10) I see plenty of game time even if we bought both Janssen and Bathsuayi for all involved if they perform well of course.

 

[Jamturk]

Thought the same myself. Lots of 10's looking for passing options, how much better as a team would we be with Sanchez or Martial as a wide forward. Martial is a striker but has the speed and power to play that position, as you say Poch used to do that at Saints anyway.

If Batshuayi is quick and powerful why would we not play him as a wide forward to stretch defences and offer a great goal threat. Two great goal scorers in Kane and Batshuayi offering different threats.

With the Prem, Champions League, League Cup and FA cup we will have lots of games to play and 3 strikers looking at 2 possibly 3 positions (Kane can play both 9 and 10) I see plenty of game time even if we bought both Janssen and Bathsuayi for all involved if they perform well of course.

But we have Chadli, Son and N'jie for this inside forward role with the 1st 2 proving they can score efficently from this position.

We do need another strong Kaney kind of striker who can get to and hold up the ball, of the 3 players above none of them can do this to the standard required.

If Kane gets injured we have noone to hit and stick the ball with.

 

[glospur]

Formation has nothing to do with "philosophy".

You can play with high pressing, wing backs and a direct style with almost any formation. 3-5-2 (or Bielsa´s 3-3-1-3) seems likely if we buy two more strikers.

Lloris
Toby, Dier, Vert
Walker, Alli, Dembele, Eriksen, Rose
Kane, Batshuayi/Janssen​

This is pretty much how we played this season when in possession anyway, except that it was this; particularly when building from the back:

Lloris
Toby - Dier - Vert
Walker - Dembele - Eriksen - Rose
Lamela
Kane - Alli

When we didn't immediately win the ball back with our pressing, or occasionally when playing good teams away from home, we usually dropped back to a 4-4-1-1:
Lloris
Walker - Toby - Vert - Rose
Lamela - Dier - Dembele - Eriksen
Alli
Kane

People get so hung up on the formation and the 4-2-3-1 and whether we should be a 4-3-3, but it's usually only a 4-2-3-1 on the teamsheet. The formation completely changes depending on what phase of play we are in. This is why, like you say. we could comfortably accommodate playing 2 strikers. As long as they work hard and press and defend effectively (which is the most important thing) it wouldn't be much different to what we're doing now.

 

[johnbowel]

But we have Chadli, Son and N'jie for this inside forward role with the 1st 2 proving they can score efficently from this position.

None of those players have been good enough though. Chadli has had a decent scoring rate for an AM in the past (not last season) but doesn't play well off the shoulder, provide options, or function as part of the team imo and definitely isn't a forward. He even said he saw himself as a central no 10 rather than a winger, and has no real pace. He just makes everything feel slow and congested like lamela if you try to think of him as a forward, stretching defences.

As is said about Dier, it's not just about stats but the positions he occupies on the pitch and the shape this gives the team... if we get a real forward of quality I think the difference in our team shape will immediately become apparent.

I actually really like Son as I think he has a lot of quality and besides Kane is the best striker of a football at the club. But his goals record in the league wasn't great. I find it weird the same people who defend Lamela, who has a routinely abysmal first touch (not knocking what he does contribute), attack Son for his. I don't think he's the top quality forward we need though.

Njie hasn't had the chance. Again, I don't think he's the first 11 answer. I know he's had very limited time but it's my opinion he's not good enough.

We need someone to improve our team, an exceptional wing forward/forward to play along with Kane providing options imo. We've been relying on Alli to make up for this deficit in the team but the whole thing feels unbalanced and lots of players playing slightly out of position.

 

[For the love of Spurs]

But we have Chadli, Son and N'jie for this inside forward role with the 1st 2 proving they can score efficently from this position.

We do need another strong Kaney kind of striker who can get to and hold up the ball, of the 3 players above none of them can do this to the standard required.

If Kane gets injured we have noone to hit and stick the ball with.

Don't know enough to confirm but wouldn't that be Janssen's role if Kane was injured.

I am referring more to Batshuayi, watching him for several games this season, yes he can play up top and potentially cover Kane but he and even more so Lacazette who we are also linked with look effective wide as well.

Having two players who can potentially get 20-30 goals a season on the pitch could be effective. As I said United do it with Martial, Poch did it at Saints, it's not anything new and I have felt this season we have lacked an explosive wide goal scorer.

As for Chadli, he might be sold and the jury is still out on Son and Niji, it would depend I guess on whether Poch feels they can take us to the next level.

Look who knows but if we do get both Janssen and Bathsuayi let's not all panic thinking its 3 players competing for just one spot. I am sure Poch has a plan.