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Sofiane Boufal

IGSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2013
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If Oduwa is good enough he will get the spot irrespective of who he has in front. I think we have a manager that already showed he's not afraid of putting young players if they are up to it.

I disagree on the whole idea of blocking an academy player. If the young player is good enough he will get game time. I think having better players raises the bar for the academy players and only the really good ones get to progress, which is not a bad thing imo. Did Barcelona reject the opportunity to buy Neymar because they had Deulofeu and Munir at the academy?? Neymar was present and the other were potential. The same here, Boufal is the present and Oduwa/Onomah the potential. What if we reject him now because we bet all on the kids and they don't fulfil their promise? We end up with nothing. On the other hand, if we buy Boufal (or whoever else that applies to this) and the kids fulfil their potential we will have a win-win situation

Ye but there's a massive difference between Neymar and Boufal. We're not talking about someone who is World Class and is guaranteed to get into our first 11. We're talking about someone who while very talented isn't necessarily going to adapt to this league, isn't necessarily going to be better than what we have, and no guarantee that Oduwa won't be better than him at the same age. There is a risk of that happening for anyone but I think you can see the difference between the two. I don't think that's a fair comparison as he could quite easily end up as a squad player, and I believe squad places should generally be taken up by youth players.

Regardless if he comes in he would only replace Townsend and Townsend isn't even getting game time himself and we aren't a club that can afford to spend money and wages on players to sit on a bench. Again either way if we got him, and he outside of a striker is the only person I'd want, I wouldn't be upset, as Oduwa could get minutes here and there next year to prove himself or potentially have one more loan and in that time one of our established wingers may have moved on, but I don't think he is essential
 

fecka

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2013
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Ye but there's a massive difference between Neymar and Boufal. We're not talking about someone who is World Class and is guaranteed to get into our first 11. We're talking about someone who while very talented isn't necessarily going to adapt to this league, isn't necessarily going to be better than what we have, and no guarantee that Oduwa won't be better than him at the same age. There is a risk of that happening for anyone but I think you can see the difference between the two. I don't think that's a fair comparison as he could quite easily end up as a squad player, and I believe squad places should generally be taken up by youth players.

Regardless if he comes in he would only replace Townsend and Townsend isn't even getting game time himself and we aren't a club that can afford to spend money and wages on players to sit on a bench. Again either way if we got him, and he outside of a striker is the only person I'd want, I wouldn't be upset, as Oduwa could get minutes here and there next year to prove himself or potentially have one more loan and in that time one of our established wingers may have moved on, but I don't think he is essential
Oduwa was currently deemed right for the Scottish 2nd Division while Boufal is playing around in Ligue 1. While it's true that Oduwa could be just as good it's still a few years away and I think we honestly need a tricky player now, not later.
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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Oduwa was currently deemed right for the Scottish 2nd Division while Boufal is playing around in Ligue 1. While it's true that Oduwa could be just as good it's still a few years away and I think we honestly need a tricky player now, not later.

He also tore up Championship clubs in preseason, and appeared to be one of our best players. I think the divison he went to was more due to the manager and crowd rather than the level. Regardless while I'd love a tricky player such as Boufal, when would he play?

Players that can play on the wings or in attacking 3 would be Eriksen, Son, Lamela, N'Jie, Alli, Dembele with Chadli and Pritchard to return. Heck even Onomah seems to be picking up minutes there atm. We do not need to replace Townsend, he isn't getting game time as it is. Where would Boufal get games?
 

fecka

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Jun 24, 2013
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He also tore up Championship clubs in preseason, and appeared to be one of our best players. I think the divison he went to was more due to the manager and crowd rather than the level. Regardless while I'd love a tricky player such as Boufal, when would he play?

Players that can play on the wings or in attacking 3 would be Eriksen, Son, Lamela, N'Jie, Alli, Dembele with Chadli and Pritchard to return. Heck even Onomah seems to be picking up minutes there atm. We do not need to replace Townsend, he isn't getting game time as it is. Where would Boufal get games?

Let the manager worry about that. In my eyes he's definitely ahead of N'Jie, Townsend and Pritchard but the biggest reason why I'd like a player like Boufal is simply because of the fact that he's a type of player we don't have currently with his insane trickiness. Another reason is that he also reminds me a lot of Eden Hazard.
Just like you I don't like putting stumbling blocks ahead of youth talent but sometimes you need someone who can impact straight away and not in 3 or 4 years.
Boufal is not world class and no-one knows if he ever will be but I think this kid's got some crazy skills and talent and I honestly believe he could help us in the kind of tight games we're currently struggling in.
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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Let the manager worry about that. In my eyes he's definitely ahead of N'Jie, Townsend and Pritchard but the biggest reason why I'd like a player like Boufal is simply because of the fact that he's a type of player we don't have currently with his insane trickiness. Another reason is that he also reminds me a lot of Eden Hazard.
Just like you I don't like putting stumbling blocks ahead of youth talent but sometimes you need someone who can impact straight away and not in 3 or 4 years.
Boufal is not world class and no-one knows if he ever will be but I think this kid's got some crazy skills and talent and I honestly believe he could help us in the kind of tight games we're currently struggling in.

I'm not disputing he would be ahead of Townsend, it's just that Poch has made a clear effort to reduce the squad size, and probably still wants to get rid of a couple of more, so don't see why replacing Townsend would move him up the pecking order. He wanted to bring in N'Jie so I doubt he is just going to buy another player to take him over without him even settling yet. Lastly, Pritchard has earned his chance for us and Poch has said he is in his plans. I just get the impression he is happy with his squad especially in that area.

Outside of another striker it's the next area I wouldn't mind buying for, but I just can't see it happening. If it did then fair enough, I wanted Carrasco in the summer and I think this guy looks even trickier.
 

Ossie85

Rio de la Plata
Aug 2, 2008
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I'm not disputing he would be ahead of Townsend, it's just that Poch has made a clear effort to reduce the squad size, and probably still wants to get rid of a couple of more, so don't see why replacing Townsend would move him up the pecking order. He wanted to bring in N'Jie so I doubt he is just going to buy another player to take him over without him even settling yet. Lastly, Pritchard has earned his chance for us and Poch has said he is in his plans. I just get the impression he is happy with his squad especially in that area.

Outside of another striker it's the next area I wouldn't mind buying for, but I just can't see it happening. If it did then fair enough, I wanted Carrasco in the summer and I think this guy looks even trickier.

We had a bid rejected for him on the last day of the window. We already had Njie and Son and everyone else at that moment
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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We had a bid rejected for him on the last day of the window. We already had Njie and Son and everyone else at that moment

How sure are we of that. I ask as we also had bids rejected for Berahino and apparently Alex Witsel. Something tells me Levy wouldn't have splashed around 50m in one day
 

Strikeb4ck

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2010
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Would really like this to happen, but would be really shocked if there was actually anything to it - too cluttered in AM, and that's with Pritchard to return and Oduwa/Onomah coming through. That being said, we need a player like this.
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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He can change, and buy into his philosophy. Lamela and Eriksen had absolutely no defensive contribution or aggressiveness before Pochettino.

Wouldn't have any worries about that. Scored an excellent goal the other night too
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
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I watched him play on Saturday and I have to say he stood out. He's a real live wire. Played as an inverted wide forward on the left for Lille in a 433 and was a constant pest, excellent technique, quick witted, can both run at players and make quick passing exchanges.

He's nothing like Oduwa (@IGSpur ) he's far more like a more developed version of N'Jie, quick, direct, and if I'd had the choice I'd have taken Boufal over N'Jie because I think he's better of two and would't have cost as much, and I think he'd also give Son a run for his money in that ALM role as long as Poch could get him working off the ball, which to be fair I didn't think he looked lazy on Saturday. Now we have got N'Jie and Son though (at a combined 30m or so), so I can't see the sense in buying him.
 

Sweech

Ruh Roh Ressegnon
Jun 27, 2013
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He can change, and buy into his philosophy. Lamela and Eriksen had absolutely no defensive contribution or aggressiveness before Pochettino.
1) Sofiane basically flat out stated he's not willing to change in a recent interview.
2) Not true about Eriksen at all. Eriksen was often the instigator of Ajax's press when he was there.
 

Ossie85

Rio de la Plata
Aug 2, 2008
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1) Sofiane basically flat out stated he's not willing to change in a recent interview.
2) Not true about Eriksen at all. Eriksen was often the instigator of Ajax's press when he was there.

1. to change what? Maybe he meant he wasn't going to stop doing all the showboating, not that he wasn't going to track back.

2. In any case, you disagree, not that it isn't true, because I still think Eriksen didn't press or was aggressive at Ajax
 

Sweech

Ruh Roh Ressegnon
Jun 27, 2013
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1. to change what? Maybe he meant he wasn't going to stop doing all the showboating, not that he wasn't going to track back.

2. In any case, you disagree, not that it isn't true, because I still think Eriksen didn't press or was aggressive at Ajax
1. a) his selfish play style. All the dribbling and shooting while ignoring teammates, he said he won't change no matter how much the coach asks him to. b) his conduct with his teammates, he's already had dust ups over penalty kicks and for not taking training sessions seriously. Sounds like the type Poch absolutely loves, don't even know if Boufal would make the bench for Poch.

2. Seriously just google "Ajax Eriksen Press" there's dozens of reports and tactical breakdowns. You can keep it as you're opinion if you want...you'll just be wrong.
 

npearl4spurs

Believing Member
Sep 9, 2014
4,191
10,973
He can change, and buy into his philosophy. Lamela and Eriksen had absolutely no defensive contribution or aggressiveness before Pochettino.

Let's bring Ade back, he can change too. Make him vice captain as well. He'll buy into the philosophy
 

IGSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2013
7,939
13,758
I watched him play on Saturday and I have to say he stood out. He's a real live wire. Played as an inverted wide forward on the left for Lille in a 433 and was a constant pest, excellent technique, quick witted, can both run at players and make quick passing exchanges.

He's nothing like Oduwa (@IGSpur ) he's far more like a more developed version of N'Jie, quick, direct, and if I'd had the choice I'd have taken Boufal over N'Jie because I think he's better of two and would't have cost as much, and I think he'd also give Son a run for his money in that ALM role as long as Poch could get him working off the ball, which to be fair I didn't think he looked lazy on Saturday. Now we have got N'Jie and Son though (at a combined 30m or so), so I can't see the sense in buying him.

Tbh I have never seen him play. In his videos he didn't look a similar player to Oduwa, I was more comparing the fact that they are flair players with lots of tricks.

I do like the look of him, and would love that type of player here but again would he get game time and like Sweech has said it sounds like he wouldn't really fit Poch's system. Both a shame, as I'd love that type of player at the Lane
 
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