Joakim Mæhle

[SpartanSpur]

Maehle certainly feels like a great restoration project for Conte and his team.

He clearly plays well under a quality manager for his national team. Certainly has the tools to do well in a Conte side and can play both RWB and LWB (I'd have him slated for the former). Poor club form may make him easily obtainable. Seems an ideal target really.

 

[Yiddo100]

Surely if this were to happen it would be nearer the end of the window and both Doherty and royal leave, unless he comes in over Spence I think 2 WBs each side is enough

 

[wadewill]

It’s glorious when our full name is written out ?

 

[DodgyLasagne]

Mate you can't support a Football & Athletic Co Ltd.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Surely if this were to happen it would be nearer the end of the window and both Doherty and royal leave, unless he comes in over Spence I think 2 WBs each side is enough

I don’t think 2 each side is enough, personally. Assuming you go into the season saying Sess/Perisic is enough just at LWB. Bit of a concern for me since we all know Sess is so far the epitome of injury-prone and while Perisic is usually a pretty healthy guy, he still is 33 in what will be a far more physically demanding league.

Maehle makes sense to me for added versatility. Also, we have the huge bonus with Perisic that if everyone stays healthy he can be versatile enough to start further forward and play at a high level, if needed. I’ve said I feel like Yannick Carrasco as the sort of auxiliary-wingback and wide forward would be perfect but after hearing how much he may cost maybe Maehle is the more cost-effective way of rounding out the squad.

So, for me, Doherty, Perisic, Sess, Spence and Maehle is a good group that offers versatility and some really good bench/impact sub ability.

 

[VancouverSpurs]

Are there really lists of scouts in attendance at every game? I wonder why this is done? For the benefit of the players or the hosting clubs?

 

[curlacious]

It’s glorious when our full name is written out ?

The Game Is About Glory Co Ltd

 

[Timberwolf]

I think 2 on each side is fine tbh. Davies can always cover the left side in a pinch and Tanganga the right (if he stays). Bringing in someone like Maehle as 3rd choice on both sides just seems excessive to me when we have loads of other positions in need of strengthening (and I think it's highly unlikely he would join under those conditions anyway).

City and Liverpool each got through last season with 3 proper full-backs each, using midfielders and CB to cover when required - no idea why we suddenly need 5.

If we want even more cover our best bet would to bring in a proper utility player who can cover multiple positions like Milner does at Liverpool.

 

[Tucker]

It’s glorious when our full name is written out ?

Begs the question why the other teams full names weren’t used. ?

 

[TPdYID]

our best bet would to bring in a proper utility player who can cover multiple positions like Milner does at Liverpool.

Like Dier attempted in his RB, CDM and CB days? or Chadli when he was played across the whole of the midfield?

How well received or appreciated were these players? They're always the first lambs laid to slaughter.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I think 2 on each side is fine tbh. Davies can always cover the left side in a pinch and Tanganga the right (if he stays). Bringing in someone like Maehle as 3rd choice on both sides just seems excessive to me when we have loads of other positions in need of strengthening (and I think it's highly unlikely he would join under those conditions anyway).

City and Liverpool each got through last season with 3 proper full-backs each, using midfielders and CB to cover when required - no idea why we suddenly need 5.

If we want even more cover our best bet would to bring in a proper utility player who can cover multiple positions like Milner does at Liverpool.

I think the logic is that Conte will want the option to sub off the WBs in most games next season to keep energy levels up as a result of the 5 sub rule. He did so at Inter. As such having at least 5 wingbacks suddenly becomes a lot more appealing, as one injury could remove that option and at least 4 will be getting regular game time.

City and Liverpool are totally different to a Conte side when it comes to FBs/WBs. City have Walker who is a total freak athlete and Cancelo and Zinchenko tend to spend more time playmaking from deep than making lung busting runs up and down the pitch. They are also in the market for more FBs this summer. Liverpool rarely rotate their primary FBs, they somehow keep them going all season (something to do with asthma allegedly).

 

[Ben1]

I don’t think 2 each side is enough, personally. Assuming you go into the season saying Sess/Perisic is enough just at LWB. Bit of a concern for me since we all know Sess is so far the epitome of injury-prone and while Perisic is usually a pretty healthy guy, he still is 33 in what will be a far more physically demanding league.

Maehle makes sense to me for added versatility. Also, we have the huge bonus with Perisic that if everyone stays healthy he can be versatile enough to start further forward and play at a high level, if needed. I’ve said I feel like Yannick Carrasco as the sort of auxiliary-wingback and wide forward would be perfect but after hearing how much he may cost maybe Maehle is the more cost-effective way of rounding out the squad.

So, for me, Doherty, Perisic, Sess, Spence and Maehle is a good group that offers versatility and some really good bench/impact sub ability.

Personally doubt Maehle or Spence sign under those circumstances. Spence has 6 good options including clubs like Dortmund, he will not want to be a third rotation guy. Maehle may not be starting atm, but its a tough sell to him that maybe you'll play some games if everyone is injured.

We can pretend there will be mass rotation and it'll work. Conte will have a preferred 11 though, always does and the back up will rotate in. Maybe a third option very rarely, but he's used Davies left and a winger right before.

All grand in theory but I just don't think the minutes would be there, no matter how many times people preach about 5 subs and 2 games a week.

I'd be stunned if we start with 5 wing backs.

 

[Timberwolf]

I think the logic is that Conte will want the option to sub off the WBs in most games next season to keep energy levels up as a result of the 5 sub rule. He did so at Inter. As such having at least 5 wingbacks suddenly becomes a lot more appealing, as one injury could remove that option and at least 4 will be getting regular game time.

City and Liverpool are totally different to a Conte side when it comes to FBs/WBs. City have Walker who is a total freak athlete and Cancelo and Zinchenko tend to spend more time playmaking from deep than making lung busting runs up and down the pitch. They are also in the market for more FBs this summer. Liverpool rarely rotate their primary FBs, they somehow keep them going all season (something to do with asthma allegedly).

Good points. I suppose I just think it's unrealistic to expect any wing back worth their salt like Maehle to join as a 5th choice, hence the utility player idea. Also not sure if it's wise to clog up the squad with shitloads of specialist wingbacks in case Conte leaves and we switch to a back 4 again.

Like Dier attempted in his RB, CDM and CB days? or Chadli when he was played across the whole of the midfield?

How well received or appreciated were these players? They're always the first lambs laid to slaughter.

Personally I never really saw Dier as a utility player, he simply changed roles over the years. First season he was mostly RB, then moved to CDM and finally CB. Don't think Dier was ever really used as a full back after his first season. Chadli was only used in CM cos Sherwood is a moron.

If we had a genuinely good utility player like a slightly younger Milner no-one would be complaining on here.

 

[WiganSpur]

I think 2 on each side is fine tbh. Davies can always cover the left side in a pinch and Tanganga the right (if he stays). Bringing in someone like Maehle as 3rd choice on both sides just seems excessive to me when we have loads of other positions in need of strengthening (and I think it's highly unlikely he would join under those conditions anyway).

City and Liverpool each got through last season with 3 proper full-backs each, using midfielders and CB to cover when required - no idea why we suddenly need 5.

If we want even more cover our best bet would to bring in a proper utility player who can cover multiple positions like Milner does at Liverpool.

A sensible signing imo could be to sign a CM that can cover at RWB. Will probably get a lot of stick for this but outside shout for me would be Oxlade-Chamberlain, reckon he could cover both positions well. A better version of Sissoko if one is out there would work too. I guess it depends on if we want a star quality CM or not, and whether we want to give Sarr a chance as a 5th option.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Good points. I suppose I just think it's unrealistic to expect any wing back worth their salt like Maehle to join as a 5th choice, hence the utility player idea. Also not sure if it's wise to clog up the squad with shitloads of specialist wingbacks in case Conte leaves and we switch to a back 4 again.

It's certainly something to consider however Perisic (33) and Doherty (30) are hardly long-term prospects that would clog up the squad were Conte to leave in a year or two. Perisic would likely been seen as an attacker for most other managers too.

If Maehle were to join I imagine he'd be backing himself for a starting place anyway, just like Spence would. Aside from someone playing in the Kane/Son/Lloris position nothing is locked down to the point where an incoming player would be accepting a bench role (arguably Romero and Dier also).

He had 15 starts and 11 sub appearances in Serie A for Atalanta last year, he could easily get similar or better here whilst being at a bigger club and much better paid.

 

[SambaSpurs]

Good points. I suppose I just think it's unrealistic to expect any wing back worth their salt like Maehle to join as a 5th choice, hence the utility player idea. Also not sure if it's wise to clog up the squad with shitloads of specialist wingbacks in case Conte leaves and we switch to a back 4 again.


Personally I never really saw Dier as a utility player, he simply changed roles over the years. First season he was mostly RB, then moved to CDM and finally CB. Don't think Dier was ever really used as a full back after his first season. Chadli was only used in CM cos Sherwood is a moron.

If we had a genuinely good utility player like a slightly younger Milner no-one would be complaining on here.

Maehle would back himself to get ahead of 5th choice in the pecking order though. Doherty, Sessegnon, Spence and Perisic. If you asked non-spurs fans I reckon they would say he would be the second best if he can translate Denmark form. That’s also if everyone is fit, which knowing our medical department, across 5 players in a high intensity position probably won’t happen for a large portion of the season.

I do think the wing backs will be changed with 20-30 mins left almost every game next season with 5 subs. He’ll get the starters to run like crazy for the first hour knowing they’ll be subbed. Tanganga and Davies are not really an option to sub on if you want to maintain attacking quality.

 

[WiganSpur]

Maehle would back himself to get ahead of 5th choice in the pecking order though. Doherty, Sessegnon, Spence and Perisic. If you asked non-spurs fans I reckon they would say he would be the second best if he can translate Denmark form. That’s also if everyone is fit, which knowing our medical department, across 5 players in a high intensity position probably won’t happen for a large portion of the season.

I do think the wing backs will be changed with 20-30 mins left almost every game next season with 5 subs. He’ll get the starters to run like crazy for the first hour knowing they’ll be subbed.

If we can get the squad in place I think 5 subs really suits this Conte team for a whole host of reasons. It's vital that we don't fritter away this opportunity to invest.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I think 2 on each side is fine tbh. Davies can always cover the left side in a pinch and Tanganga the right (if he stays). Bringing in someone like Maehle as 3rd choice on both sides just seems excessive to me when we have loads of other positions in need of strengthening (and I think it's highly unlikely he would join under those conditions anyway).

City and Liverpool each got through last season with 3 proper full-backs each, using midfielders and CB to cover when required - no idea why we suddenly need 5.

If we want even more cover our best bet would to bring in a proper utility player who can cover multiple positions like Milner does at Liverpool.

Moura / Kulusevski could cover RWB in a pinch too.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Maehle would back himself to get ahead of 5th choice in the pecking order though. Doherty, Sessegnon, Spence and Perisic. If you asked non-spurs fans I reckon they would say he would be the second best if he can translate Denmark form. That’s also if everyone is fit, which knowing our medical department, across 5 players in a high intensity position probably won’t happen for a large portion of the season.

I do think the wing backs will be changed with 20-30 mins left almost every game next season with 5 subs. He’ll get the starters to run like crazy for the first hour knowing they’ll be subbed. Tanganga and Davies are not really an option to sub on if you want to maintain attacking quality.

Potentially very ideal for seeing out a game when we're ahead though.

 

[mr ashley]

Moura / Kulusevski could cover RWB in a pinch too.

Although we’ve never seen them do it.