Scouting

[Bus-Conductor]

I watched Toulouse v Marseille last weekend. Despite being sent off late on, Capoue was once again the stand out player on the pitch although Andre Ayew played well on the left for Marseille.

Capoue plays between the defence and midfield in a 4141 type formation but steps up frequently with the ball and also has a superb passing range and good vision, setting up the best chance of the game with a typical piece of play, where he won the ball, strode forward a couple of strides, exchanged a one/two with someone then played a through ball over the Marseille defence that beat the offside and put Tabanou clean through.

Loic Remy didn't see much of the ball, but it was a tight game which was hindered by a Marseille sending off early in the second half.

The other player of interest, Moussa Sissoko didn't start, assume he's injured.

 

[Vedi]

Always wondered how Remy would do in Marseille, but didnt find time to watch a game of them this season. Gonna have to change that soon.

Saw Capoue a couple of times last season and he always was great, would be a great addition to any team IMO.

 

[Davo99]

Doumbia has scored for CSKA Moscow against Trabzonspor in the Champions League. Took his goal well and has been linking up nicely with Vagner Love in the first half. 1-0 at H/T, on Sky Sports 4 now.

 

[Vedi]

Mandzukic finally found his form back for Wolfsburg.

Since Magath took over again and lets him play as an striker instead of an winger its now 13 goals in 16 games, and that for a mediocore Wolfsburg side.

If they dont manage Europe this season I wouldnt mind placing a bid for him.

Same for Jovetic of Fiorentina, since hes back from his injury hes on fire. Hope he can stay injury free cause hes just a joy to watch.

If we cant keep Adebayor I think 2 out of Leandro, Jovetic and Mandzukic would be a possible and amazing transfer window. If Wolfsburg and Fiorentina dont manage Europe places and we qualify for the CL then even more possible.

 

[THOWIG]

Where is Jovetic being played?

I've always seen him as a striker. Sorry I see very little of Serie A.

 

[Vedi]

Where is Jovetic being played?

I've always seen him as a striker. Sorry I see very little of Serie A.

This season I only managed to watch the highlights where he officialy played on the wing, but seemed to me as if he had permission to roam around, so he was alot behind the striker.

Hes preferred position should be behind the striker as a number 10.

 

[deselina]

van Wolfswinkel won his 2nd Player of the Month award in a row and has apparently turned down a move to Man Utd. in the summer so they've now turned their attention to.. KJH.

Barazite, another Dutchie and ex Gunner is the 1st player to score 10 goals in European competition this season after his goal against AZ Alkmaar on thursday.

 

[tototoner]

Not much more. €13m according to Goal.

Cheers for the PSV lowdown though - had no idea!

a great bit of business that

isn't Strootman currently keeping De Jong out of the Holland starting XI

 

[deselina]

isn't Strootman currently keeping De Jong out of the Holland starting XI

It's because Nigel de Jong was out injured for quite some length. His defensive work and experience will probably mean that he will start ahead of Strootman once the tournament starts.

Strootman is very composed on the ball, but is even more prone to collect cards than both van Bommel and Nigel de Jong.

Fer from Feyenoord and now at Twente is probably more talented. Jonathan de Guzman from Villareal also makes a big chance of making the squad if he keeps up his form since Maduro from Valencia is out injured for months.

 

[Vedi]

Mandzukic finally found his form back for Wolfsburg.

Since Magath took over again and lets him play as an striker instead of an winger its now 13 goals in 16 games, and that for a mediocore Wolfsburg side.

If they dont manage Europe this season I wouldnt mind placing a bid for him.

Same for Jovetic of Fiorentina, since hes back from his injury hes on fire. Hope he can stay injury free cause hes just a joy to watch.

If we cant keep Adebayor I think 2 out of Leandro, Jovetic and Mandzukic would be a possible and amazing transfer window. If Wolfsburg and Fiorentina dont manage Europe places and we qualify for the CL then even more possible.

http://www.ran.de/de/fussball/bunde...ukic-interesse-von-chelsea-und-tottenham.html

According to german online newspaper RAN, we're again interested in Mandzukic. Apparently also Chelsea have made inquiries about him but cant really see them needing another striker.

Edit: The original story is from "Kicker" which is one of the best football newspapers in Germany, so pretty reliable. They say that Harry had already met with Mandzukics agent.

 

[tobi]

He'd be a suitable replacement for Pav yes?

Whenever I've seen Wolfsburg he looks tidy, his finishing is decent. Willing runner, not like Olic though, that guy is a Duracell bunny.

Capoue is linked with Arsenal today.

 

[Dinpomp]

He'd be a suitable replacement for Pav yes?

Whenever I've seen Wolfsburg he looks tidy, his finishing is decent. Willing runner, not like Olic though, that guy is a Duracell bunny.

Capoue is linked with Arsenal today.

Mandzukic could be viewed as a hardworking Pav. He's not as extreme as Olic in the running department, but he's not far off. But he does have better touch and technique, and is better in the air.

He can be frustrating, will miss some sitters, will make a meal out of some tackles and pick up silly yellow cards, but overall is a very useful player. A huge reason why Wolfsburg weren't relegated last season (scored almost all of their goals near the end of the season), and started this season where he left off.

He's very good at putting pressure on defenders and will track back. He's tireless. He's also pretty good at taking players on in one-on-one situations. Can play as a lone striker, but would work better with a partner. Has also been employed out wide in a 4-2-3-1 (although this limits his offensive threat).

 

[PrettyColors]

Anyone like the look of Granit Xhaka, of Swiss and FC Basel fame?

I have watched at least 5 of his games for Basel, Swiss NT and Swiss U-21 scouting Shaqiri (who should be our main RW target IMO) and he is quite a quality player. Good tackler, good on the ball, a leader, and looks very composed for someone not even 20 years old yet.

Oh, also from Switzerland are Innocent Emeghara (of Lorient now) and Giovanni Sio for FC Sion. Sio I think is from Cote D'Ivoire though. Both very quick winger/strikers.

 

[THOWIG]

We have zero chance of signing him, but Marco Reus was once again the stand out performer in the Bundesliga this weekend. He is playing more like a forward now and is excelling.

 

[deselina]

Ajax already have the youngest squad in CL, but due to injuries the 5 of Jody Lukoki (19), Dico Koppers (19), Lesley de Sa (18), Ruben Ligeon (19) and debutant Davy Klaassen (18) have made the trip to Lyon making our 1st team even younger.

Davy Klaassen won last season's Best Academy talent award.

 

[mpickard2087]

Anyone like the look of Granit Xhaka, of Swiss and FC Basel fame?

I have watched at least 5 of his games for Basel, Swiss NT and Swiss U-21 scouting Shaqiri (who should be our main RW target IMO) and he is quite a quality player. Good tackler, good on the ball, a leader, and looks very composed for someone not even 20 years old yet.

Oh, also from Switzerland are Innocent Emeghara (of Lorient now) and Giovanni Sio for FC Sion. Sio I think is from Cote D'Ivoire though. Both very quick winger/strikers.

I said at the start of the Summer, even before the Euro's U21 that we should have got Shaqiri, I have no idea how he is still at Basel.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

We have zero chance of signing him, but Marco Reus was once again the stand out performer in the Bundesliga this weekend. He is playing more like a forward now and is excelling.

If we got CL next season and Gladbach didn't want to sell him to Bayern then you never know!

Though I suspect Liverpool/Man Utd/Chelsea would all probably go for him, not to mention the likes of PSG/Inter/Juve if they sell Krasic.

More than likely Reus will feature at the Euros and his price could hike up even more.

Germany have a lot of talent for the "3" attacking midfield positions they need to fill in that competition Muller/Ozil/Podolski/Goetze/Reus/Kroos/Marin of the top of my head. No doubt there are a few others too.

 

[Partizan]

Schurrle, Sam, Grosskreutz

 

[Dare!]

We have zero chance of signing him, but Marco Reus was once again the stand out performer in the Bundesliga this weekend. He is playing more like a forward now and is excelling.

I would love us to sign him.

 

[deselina]

Marin

Marin is a peculiar case, he stated that because he had never received a call-up from Bosnia he decided to play for Germany instead. Usually it's the other way around were a player opts to play for his native country/of birth because the 'bigger' NT has overlooked him.