Roberto Soldado

[EnfieldYiddo]

Absolutely unbelievable finisher. He's a pure target man that knows how to make runs off the last defender's shoulder and is also adept at finding space in the box. He's not extraordinarily tall but he's got great leaping ability and knows how to attack balls in the box from all positions in front of the net. He will always look to score the goal and he's a striker that plays with a ton of confidence in himself to convert chances.

That being said, he's not great at playing others into advantageous positions. He's not a guy that's going to charge forward with the ball at his feet and really put defenders on their heels as a result. He plies his trade by finding the openings and relying on others delivering him the ball. He's also really strong on the ball and once it comes to his feet he's usually good at keeping possession to find the opening or playing to others to attempt to find more space while off the ball. But, what he lacks in creativity on the ball, he makes up for his intelligence off of it. I think that would be a big reason why AVB would love him. He's just fantastic at finding space in and around the box or by catching defenders sleeping. And, if he gets a clean shot on goal, chances are he's going to score.

Valencia Season: 39 matches, 27 goals, 6 assists, 105 shots, 52 shots on goal (49.5% accuracy).

For reference:

Edinson Cavani Season: 39 matches, 38 goals, 5 assists, 179 shots, 80 shots on goal (44.7% accuracy)

Robin Van Persie Season: 48 matches, 30 goals, 8 assists, 168 shots, 78 shots on goal (46.4% accuracy)

Cheers Snarf.

So correct me if I'm wrong but what I've gleaned from your analysis is:

We would be getting a player who wouldn't necessarily suit our counter-attacking strengths (lack of pace/driving at players?)

We would be losing the link-up play Ade provides on his good days.

Those were the negatives I detected.... But.

We would have someone actually in and around the 18 yard box when balls are delivered in (that would be a sight to behold)

He sounds like a slightly stretched out, more consistent and intelligent Jermain Defoe?

Cheers again though might youtube him to get an ever so slight idea of what he's about.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Absolutely unbelievable finisher. He's a pure target man that knows how to make runs off the last defender's shoulder and is also adept at finding space in the box. He's not extraordinarily tall but he's got great leaping ability and knows how to attack balls in the box from all positions in front of the net. He will always look to score the goal and he's a striker that plays with a ton of confidence in himself to convert chances.

That being said, he's not great at playing others into advantageous positions. He's not a guy that's going to charge forward with the ball at his feet and really put defenders on their heels as a result. He plies his trade by finding the openings and relying on others delivering him the ball. He's also really strong on the ball and once it comes to his feet he's usually good at keeping possession to find the opening or playing to others to attempt to find more space while off the ball. But, what he lacks in creativity on the ball, he makes up for his intelligence off of it. I think that would be a big reason why AVB would love him. He's just fantastic at finding space in and around the box or by catching defenders sleeping. And, if he gets a clean shot on goal, chances are he's going to score.

Valencia Season: 39 matches, 27 goals, 6 assists, 105 shots, 52 shots on goal (49.5% accuracy).

For reference:

Edinson Cavani Season: 39 matches, 38 goals, 5 assists, 179 shots, 80 shots on goal (44.7% accuracy)

Robin Van Persie Season: 48 matches, 30 goals, 8 assists, 168 shots, 78 shots on goal (46.4% accuracy)

And with every team in the league trying to double cover Bale, there will only be more space for Soldado to work his magic. Pair him with a creative wing forward like Aubameyang, or a creative midfielder like Moutinho, Beñat, or Rakitic, and I think we'd see our goalscoring ability skyrocket next season.

 

[Misfit]

Soldado, to his credit, does a good enough job as a hold up guy if needed. He's not best with his back to goal but he'll do more than just a token effort by a small guy. He'll be looking to play it off quickly and get towards goal though.

Long way of saying, he can play up front on his own in a 4-3-3.

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

One qualm I'd have and I think Levy may too is he turns 28 in under a week, really depends how much we can get him for I guess.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Soldado, to his credit, does a good enough job as a hold up guy if needed. He's not best with his back to goal but he'll do more than just a token effort by a small guy. He'll be looking to play it off quickly and get towards goal though.

Long way of saying, he can play up front on his own in a 4-3-3.

Yeah, it wasn't my intention to make him sound like an absolute derpfest when trying to hold up the ball and play others in. He can do it, but he's at his best when he's pulling defenders off of players that are great with the ball at their feet or finding pockets of space to run into. He's such a fantastic finisher that we'd be idiots to not explore him as an option.

He could easily score 25+ goals for us next year simply because he can get on the end of the balls that so often this season went across the mouth of the goal with not a Tottenham soul in the same zip code.

 

[Snarfalicious]

One qualm I'd have and I think Levy may too is he turns 28 in under a week, really depends how much we can get him for I guess.

He could realistically have another 3-5 seasons with an 18+ goal tally. He relies on positioning and finishing. Not so much crazy physical attributes like the pace of Bale or raw strength. He's got a brilliant mind on the pitch and he just always seems to know what space to run into.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Also, if we want to have a striker tandem that play very similar with one as the consistent starter and one as the backup who might need more time until they are ready, Soldado and Bony would be a great pair. Both share very similar attributes.

 

[Misfit]

Yeah, it wasn't my intention to make him sound like an absolute derpfest when trying to hold up the ball and play others in. He can do it, but he's at his best when he's pulling defenders off of players that are great with the ball at their feet or finding pockets of space to run into. He's such a fantastic finisher that we'd be idiots to not explore him as an option.

He could easily score 25+ goals for us next year simply because he can get on the end of the balls that so often this season went across the mouth of the goal with not a Tottenham soul in the same zip code.

Exactly. In fact, his link up play could play rather well for us. Trap ball, give to Bale or wide man and get in the frigging box. Just what we've been crying out for somebody to do for yrs now. Pav I suppose was the closest thing we had to that and did it well at times. Pity about everything else concerning him.

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

Also, if we want to have a striker tandem that play very similar with one as the consistent starter and one as the backup who might need more time until they are ready, Soldado and Bony would be a great pair. Both share very similar attributes.

I reckon if you had to chose between Bony and PEA you would explode with indecisiveness given you love them both so much

 

[3Dnata]

What the Guardian say. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/22/tottenham-leandro-damiao-roberto-soldado

 

[Snarfalicious]

I reckon if you had to chose between Bony and PEA you would explode with indecisiveness given you love them both so much

Ain't that the truth. I just hope that if they were to ever come here that they wouldn't totally shit the bed. Not only would it suck for Tottenham, but I'm sure I'd get a ton of shit or it as well.

 

[Misfit]

Ain't that the truth. I just hope that if they were to ever come here that they wouldn't totally shit the bed. Not only would it suck for Tottenham, but I'm sure I'd get a ton of shit or it as well.

Too fucking right you would. I was the same with Berbs when he arrived. Everyone on this forum I used to frequent was devastated that Torres and Kuijt weren't arriving and this Dracula looking mofo turned up looking all sullen instead. I was nursing a semi from the moment we were linked and maybe went a little overboard. Was bricking it before his first game.

The gorgeous, lazy bastard didn't let me down.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Cheers Snarf.

So correct me if I'm wrong but what I've gleaned from your analysis is:

We would be getting a player who wouldn't necessarily suit our counter-attacking strengths (lack of pace/driving at players?)

We would be losing the link-up play Ade provides on his good days.

Those were the negatives I detected.... But.

We would have someone actually in and around the 18 yard box when balls are delivered in (that would be a sight to behold)

He sounds like a slightly stretched out, more consistent and intelligent Jermain Defoe?

Cheers again though might youtube him to get an ever so slight idea of what he's about.

Soldado, to his credit, does a good enough job as a hold up guy if needed. He's not best with his back to goal but he'll do more than just a token effort by a small guy. He'll be looking to play it off quickly and get towards goal though.

Long way of saying, he can play up front on his own in a 4-3-3.

I've been a fan of his for a long time too, and in the way he moves and the determination he has to find a way to be in the box with the ball at his feet, whether by purely off the ball or through clever link up play, it reminds me of Klinsmann. He's brave, intelligent, full of technique, tough for a medium sized guy and has a great leap on him, and develops understandings really easily with those around him. He's the one I really want this summer and, especially if in combination with a top quality number 10, he'd be an absolute revelation for us.

 

[kungfugrip]

Soldado would be a very good signing and an upgrade on what we have. Love to see him at WHL.

 

[Ledders Army]

One qualm I'd have and I think Levy may too is he turns 28 in under a week, really depends how much we can get him for I guess.

Doesn't that mean he'll be reaching his peak? It's time for Levy to realise that if a player makes the difference between Europa and Champions league they don't need much of a resale value. With our wage structure it's hard to buy top class players at their peak, we tend to have to go for potential, so if one becomes available resale value shouldn't come into it. So many games this season a top class striker could've made the difference, West Brom, Norwich, Stoke, Fulham at home. Win 1 of those we wouldn't be playing thursdays.

 

[Colonel Dax]

One qualm I'd have and I think Levy may too is he turns 28 in under a week, really depends how much we can get him for I guess.

Whoah, 28! He'll be getting his bus pass soon.

Levy should think about what is good for the team, not merely about profitability. Sure Soldado may not have a great sell on value in 2, 3 or 4 years time. However he is in his prime NOW, and will do a job for the team NOW. It's prudent to think of the longer term, but sometimes you have to take a small, calculated risk in the short term to improve the team and win football matches.

 

[Hoopspur]

Twin strikers - isn't he remarkably like LD? Possibly the better finisher in certainly a better league, but too similar? Last time we had that was A&C (cue responses)!

 

[ohwhenthespurs]

What the Guardian say. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/22/tottenham-leandro-damiao-roberto-soldado

28? £20million? sign him and Leandro? Play them up front together?
Poor stuff by the Gruadnia

 

[talkshowhost86]

Really can't see us signing Soldado and Leandro, unless one of them is able to play as a wide forward (which I don't think is either of their positions).

 

[fatpiranha]

Good player without doubt but I have reservations as to whether he is the right type of striker for our system of play. We do need a player who is a 'fox in the box' type; good at finding space and converting a high % of their opportunities. Soldado ticks the boxes in this respect. However it would also be nice if to have a striker with the pace to keep up with our counterattacks from the like of Bale, Lennon and Walker, and Soldado isn't exactly blessed in that department. Also we don't really have anyone capable of regularly delivering the through balls on which he seems to thrive but again we may sign someone this window. I'd love to have seen him paired with Ratboy. Nonetheless he'd be a massive upgrade on Defoe and Ade and I wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him.