Mateo Musacchio

[TEESSIDE1]

It's a no from me and I'm usually very positive about those we get linked with. Only 6ft, which wouldn't be a problem but he is also a relatively poor jumper and not the best at heading. He is also really quite weak and can get shoved off the ball too easily.

Terrible concentration and although he reads the game well he tends to get drawn several metres out of position.

Vlad is twice the player he is honestly. Should be going for better.

Watch a lot of La Liga and got into watching Villarreal a lot in particular because I liked watching Rossi when he was there.

Just my onions and it's not to say Poch couldn't get more out of him. Says a lot that he didn't call the call up for Argentina for whom have pretty naff CBs bar Garay.

What you been smoking?

He helped newly promoted Villarreal finish 6th during the 2013/14 La Liga and was voted their player of the season. He's also regarded as one of the best young defenders in La Liga and Europe. The fact that Napoli and A Madrid are pursuing him clearly backs up the fact he's a quality player.

 

[Ossie85]

It's a no from me and I'm usually very positive about those we get linked with. Only 6ft, which wouldn't be a problem but he is also a relatively poor jumper and not the best at heading. He is also really quite weak and can get shoved off the ball too easily.

Terrible concentration and although he reads the game well he tends to get drawn several metres out of position.

Vlad is twice the player he is honestly. Should be going for better.

Watch a lot of La Liga and got into watching Villarreal a lot in particular because I liked watching Rossi when he was there.

Just my onions and it's not to say Poch couldn't get more out of him. Says a lot that he didn't call the call up for Argentina for whom have pretty naff CBs bar Garay.

He played for Argentina's national team a couple of times under Sabella, but he ended up calling the most experienced CBs. Musacchio is only 23. Experience is very valuable in a tournament like the World Cup
And Demichelis was one of the best performers for the last PL champions, so I think Argentina have more than just Garay

Re the height could be an issue, I understand you're concern, but he's a very good header, so I don't think it will be a problem

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I've seen quite a bit of him on telly, and we were close to signing him as a kid during Ramos' tenure. He may even know Lamela from their River Plate days. @Ossie85 may be able to clarify.

Musacchio is a defender first and foremost. A fairly classic Argentine CB: tough, good marker, strong in the challenge, knows his defensive duties, reads the game well. He's not that tall though, only 1.82m according to wiki.

From what I've seen, Musacchio could complement Jan very well.

So a defender in the Pochettino mold. If anyone knows about slightly under height centre backs it's Pochettino.

 

[Kaboul'sForehead]

What you been smoking?

He helped newly promoted Villarreal finish 6th during the 2013/14 La Liga and was voted their player of the season. He's also regarded as one of the best young defenders in La Liga and Europe. The fact that Napoli and A Madrid are pursuing him clearly backs up the fact he's a quality player.

Teesside trust me mate, I'm not saying he isn't a good player, I'm saying he isn't our level that's all. I see him as an improvement on Dawson, yes.

However, I can see Verts getting pissed off again and then leaving if he is paired up with someone that he cannot rely on and has to make up for ala Daws.

He is a tenacious defender but that tenacity leads to him committing shit loads of fouls as he bundles players over. The only saving grace with that is he doesn't get booked for them too often as they are not violent as such.
7.5/10 defender for me. Onions dude.

 

[gibbospurs]

I can't say I have ever even heard of him, but he does have some strange eyes on him!!

 

[EJWTartanSpur]

Teesside trust me mate, I'm not saying he isn't a good player, I'm saying he isn't our level that's all. I see him as an improvement on Dawson, yes.

However, I can see Verts getting pissed off again and then leaving if he is paired up with someone that he cannot rely on and has to make up for ala Daws.

He is a tenacious defender but that tenacity leads to him committing shit loads of fouls as he bundles players over. The only saving grace with that is he doesn't get booked for them too often as they are not violent as such.
7.5/10 defender for me. Onions dude.

Perhaps it is possible that his style would suit the PL more ? I've seen many a La Liga player 'get bundled over' by a gust of wind. Maybe in the PL against stronger players in a more physical environment, that don't go to ground so easily, a lot of these fouls don't get called and his tenacity is more of a strength ?

Just a random thought

 

[Sweech]

Teesside trust me mate, I'm not saying he isn't a good player, I'm saying he isn't our level that's all. I see him as an improvement on Dawson, yes.

However, I can see Verts getting pissed off again and then leaving if he is paired up with someone that he cannot rely on and has to make up for ala Daws.

He is a tenacious defender but that tenacity leads to him committing shit loads of fouls as he bundles players over. The only saving grace with that is he doesn't get booked for them too often as they are not violent as such.
7.5/10 defender for me. Onions dude.

How does he bundle players over if he's not strong?

 

[Kaboul'sForehead]

Perhaps it is possible that his style would suit the PL more ? I've seen many a La Liga player 'get bundled over' by a gust of wind. Maybe in the PL against stronger players in a more physical environment, that don't go to ground so easily, a lot of these fouls don't get called and his tenacity is more of a strength ?

Just a random thought

That is a very, very valid point mate. Good shout. Still would prefer someone like Godin or of that ilk and damn the expense.

 

[Kaboul'sForehead]

How does he bundle players over if he's not strong?

Legs tangled and shirt pulling mainly.

 

[danielneeds]

That is a very, very valid point mate. Good shout. Still would prefer someone like Godin or of that ilk and damn the expense.

Thing is Godin is a very prescient comparison. Similar height and physique, similar career trajectory playing for Villarreal in his early 20s. Godin has matured into a fine defender over the years, and learnt all the tricks of the trade, perhaps MoPo could help mature Mussachio over the next few years too.

 

[Sweech]

Legs tangled and shirt pulling mainly.

Well you'd still have to be strong to pull someone down with their shirt.

So I guess he must tangle his legs a lot then according to you.

 

[Kaboul'sForehead]

Well you'd still have to be strong to pull someone down with their shirt.

So I guess he must tangle his legs a lot then according to you.

Yes that is what im saying, thanks for confirming that for me.

 

[Syn_13]

Well you'd still have to be strong to pull someone down with their shirt.

So I guess he must tangle his legs a lot then according to you.

Not really, since players go down like a sack of spuds these days. A little shirt pull here or there can give you an advantage as a defender, but if you keep giving away fouls because of it then you haven't learnt the art of subtlety and are probably constantly getting into shit positions and losing your man.

I know nothing of this Musacchio though.

 

[bceej]

Would you define Lovren and Dawson as the same type?

Ish.

 

[Barry Mead]

I thought he looked a really promising CB when he first arrived at Villarreal undoubtedly raw but he was very young and playing in a very new environment
I just haven't seen anything of him the last couple of years with Villarreal getting relegated and with watching more Sociedad and Bilbao when not watching Barca
I have to assume he has developed and matured a lot even though he's still young. Villarreal lost a lot of good players and got relegated but to bounce back so well shows a lot of character
I could be wrong but have to think now with the extra experience he's gained he'd be an excellent addition

 

[Ossie85]

This is the original link (in spanish) from AS.
http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/07/31/primera/1406827174_972786.html

I'm posting it because there are some slight but maybe important differences.

It says we already made an offer, rumoured to be about €15m, and that his agent went yesterday to meet with Villarreal directives to discuss the offer. It says it was a long meeting, and that it appears Musacchio will be leaving, but that nothing's done yet.

The Vertonghen link to Barcelona is pure speculation based on us trying to sign a new CB. They don't think (or they don't want to as it wouldn't sell papers) we can sell Dawson or Chiriches

 

[ButchCassidy]

This is the original link (in spanish) from AS.
http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/07/31/primera/1406827174_972786.html

I posting it because there a some slight but maybe important differences.

It says we already made an offer, rumoured to be about €15m, and that his agent went yesterday to meet with Villarreal directives to discuss the offer. It says it was a long meeting, and that it appears Musacchio will be leaving, but that nothing's done yet.

The Vertonghen link to Barcelona is pure speculation based on us trying to sign a new CB. They don't think (or they don't want to as it wouldn't sell papers) we can sell Dawson or Chiriches

Agreed that the Vertonghen part of this story is bullshit, for two reasons: 1. If Jan were still trying to engineer a move he wouldn't have admitted to being in talks to extend his contract a week or so ago, and 2. Jan is a left-side CB and Musacchio as far as I can tell always plays on the right side of the pitch. I think we could sell Vlad in a heartbeat if we wanted, several teams including Roma were interested in him last year and while he didn't exactly shine, he didn't look too out of place either. Verts/Dier and Kaboul/Musacchio, with Veljkovic/Fryers as youth backup and Dawson if he wants to stick around would be a pretty nice set of centre-halves to start the season.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Interesting article from March about the good and the bad of Musacchio (ignore the Bosman stuff as its pretty clear he's still under contract). He's pretty highly thought of but he does channel a little Gomes sometimes:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...verpool-targeting-villarreals-mateo-musacchio

 

[ButchCassidy]

Aaand three in a row - quite a few reports claiming there is a hefty sell-on fee involved for River Plate. My Spanish is rusty, so its either claiming that River would get 35% of a transfer, or that Villareal would only get 35% of the total! If true then this one could get ugly...

"Aunque desde el Reino Unido ha trascendido la cifra de 15 millones de euros como la cantidad que estaría dispuesto a desembolsar el Tottenham, esta parece corta, más teniendo en cuenta que el club amarillo no posee la totalidad de los derechos de Musacchio --el litigio con el River está denunciado ante la FIFA y la justicia ordinaria-- y solo ingresaría el 35% de la cantidad del traspaso."

 

[Sweech]

This is the original link (in spanish) from AS.
http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/07/31/primera/1406827174_972786.html

I'm posting it because there are some slight but maybe important differences.

It says we already made an offer, rumoured to be about €15m, and that his agent went yesterday to meet with Villarreal directives to discuss the offer. It says it was a long meeting, and that it appears Musacchio will be leaving, but that nothing's done yet.

The Vertonghen link to Barcelona is pure speculation based on us trying to sign a new CB. They don't think (or they don't want to as it wouldn't sell papers) we can sell Dawson or Chiriches