Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

[Trix]

Absolutely agree, would he not fit into our system? Seems to be a good all round ‘modern’ midfielder.

I don't think so, well not if Conte is planning to play 343 for the majority of our games which it looks like he is anyway.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

I trust Conte and his plan and therefore he should be backed - but it makes it so annoying that his view of footballers and style of play doesn't align with mine

 

[Yiddo1982]

Because we need 3 more players in… no chance we spend that much on a player who doesn’t play in a double pivot and will be used in rotation. That’s huge money!£

Ahhhh, so we can afford it then. It just it wouldn't be a good use of the funds. ?

 

[mil1lion]

Why do people keep coming up with 70m+ ? I doubt we're interested if it is that high

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I just don't see this.

If we were committed to playing 3 in midfield, it would open up a whole heap of options: Maddison, Paqueta, this guy etc.

But we're not, and haven't been (unless by exception) since Conte turned up. And until that changes, I just don't think we'll spend big on someone like this

 

[Ben1]

Why do people keep coming up with 70m+ ? I doubt we're interested if it is that high

Probably because the chairman laughed off €50mil as a price tag and said he wanted significantly more. Also I think an ITK hinted at that price.

 

[HotSprut]

SMS would bring much needed flexibility IMO

 

[Timberwolf]

To be fair, we spent 50-60m gbp on richy, and he's def depth/rotation vs nailed on first XI, so that's basically same region as 70m euro.
(not saying we should do this BTW, just context vs saying we won't spend €50m+ on squad depth)

I feel like there are a few mitigating factors there, though. Rich can cover the whole front line, fits into the current system and frankly, isn't as good as SMS.

 

[LukaKranjcar]

This lad or perhaps Bastoni would be about as big a signing as we're able to make. A huge statement of intent if we do, but like most im not sure its going to happen. Lazio are notoriously difficult to deal with iirc

 

[Klinsmannesque]

Agree.

We're not going to buy a £70m+ rotation option that means we have to depart from a formation that Conte has consistently played since he's been with us.

Problem is Chelsea showed us up tactically on Sunday and told the League what to do against us because of that system. If I recall didn’t Inter pick it up after Xmas when Eriksen was incorporated into a 352 over a 343?

 

[mil1lion]

Probably because the chairman laughed off €50mil as a price tag and said he wanted significantly more. Also I think an ITK hinted at that price.

well 50m euros is a lot less than 70m pounds. I bet 70m rumoured is more likely 70m euros which would be around 58m. Similar to what we spend on Richarlison. Some of which would probably include add ons anyway.

 

[Trix]

Probably because the chairman laughed off 50mil as a price tag and said he wanted significantly more. Also I think an ITK hinted at that price.

We've held some interest for a while, when we were at the early enquiry stage the numbers were circa €90mil.

 

[Ben1]

well 50m euros is a lot less than 70m pounds. I bet 70m rumoured is more likely 70m euros which would be around 58m. Similar to what we spend on Richarlison. Some of which would probably include add ons anyway.

Firstly, I can't help if most people don't bother looking at the currency. Secondly, he said significantly more than that, so no one knows the number, its all guesswork, including from you.

 

[mil1lion]

Firstly, I can't help if most people don't bother looking at the currency. Secondly, he said significantly more than that, so no one knows the number, its all guesswork, including from you.

Exactly my point though, it's all guesswork. I haven't suggested any fee, I only said I doubt we would be interested if it were 70m as people are guessing.

 

[soflapaul]

Oh dear will be another 50 pages of waffle

starting with yours?

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Problem is Chelsea showed us up tactically on Sunday and told the League what to do against us because of that system. If I recall didn’t Inter pick it up after Xmas when Eriksen was incorporated into a 352 over a 343?

Conte is not gonna rip up his whole plan because of one match. Not many teams have players at the same level as Chelsea to enable them to neutralise us in the same way.

 

[djhotspur]

Conte is not gonna rip up his whole plan because of one match. Not many teams have players at the same level as Chelsea to enable them to neutralise us in the same way.

Yes but you need to be adaptable, that is part of contes problem and criticisms of him. Switching between the 2 formations would make us less predictable and allow us to compete with all teams… particularly with the champions league coming up.
I think part of why chelsea were able to dominate us so easily is because they know exactly how we are going to set up, the formation and how well play. Top managers will be able to come up with a plan to nullify us. I’m sure other managers including arteta watched Chelsea on Sunday and will use them same pressing plan.

 

[Flobadob]

I’m surprised people can watch how we were on the ball yesterday and think signing this guy wouldn’t be a great idea. Not only can he play in a 3 man midfield while also not being a liability defensively but he’s absolutely elite in terms of ball retention. He’s strong as an ox, has so many different tricks and body feints to get away from opponents and his passing ability is great too. We need more players with this kind of ability on the ball that you can give it to in tight spaces and trust they won’t give it away cheaply like we did countless times yesterday

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Yes but you need to be adaptable, that is part of contes problem and criticisms of him. Switching between the 2 formations would make us less predictable and allow us to compete with all teams… particularly with the champions league coming up.
I think part of why chelsea were able to dominate us so easily is because they know exactly how we are going to set up, the formation and how well play. Top managers will be able to come up with a plan to nullify us. I’m sure other managers including arteta watched Chelsea on Sunday and will use them same pressing plan.

I'm not questioning the need to be adaptable but spending 70m+ on a player that can only play in one position is not it. We need a player like Paqueta or Zaniolo who can rotate and allow us to keep our 343 shape but also has the flexibility to play in midfield three when required.

 

[JCRD]

I dont think this wil happen and havent seen much of him but I do feel we need someone who can perhaps break through the lines and press. Just feel we need something different to what we have already.