Player Watch Player Watch: Rodrigo Bentancur

[Nayim60yards]

Just wanted to say one club's "deadwood" can end up being key for someone else. Just because he and Kulu are deemed surplus to requirements at Juventus, it doesn't make them poor players.

I remember us signing Real Madrid's deadwood one summer..

To take it a step further, The PL clubs typically get what is deemed as deadwood from other top European clubs rather than the player at their perceived peak, a top performer at Real, Barca, Juventus, PSG and the like has rarely, if ever joined a PL team and yet those players can come in and light up the division.

 

[strader]

Forget the excitement of road runner Adama, the shinny toy of Diaz, the juve players we are getting are players that have been part of a winning side.

We truly lack winners in our squad. Players that have been part of a title winning team. This will only build our experience. No matter how little they might have been involved in juve, they were still part of s winning team. ??????

 

[topper]

His positioning stood out for me. He was always showing for the ball, hopefully he can do it in the PL which is more combative in the middle of the park. Looks like he's got quick feet though and keeps the ball moving.

Certainly looks like a player who doesn't hide from the ball - constantly on the move looking to receive the next pass

 

[Tucker]

I liked this one:

View attachment 104740

Villa fans are special.

They’ll be laughing on the other side of their face when they remember we aren’t in the Europa conference league anymore.

 

[JAYSTAR]

Seems he’s our new midfielder then. Exciting.

I like the idea of a midfield 3 of:

Luiz Bentancur Skipp
​

 

[Sophos151]

Woiuld not be adverse to selling Hojberg in the summer

Yeah we could possibly move him on if an offer for good money comes in, it’s not something I’d look to do though unless he wants to be starting every game.

Think he has more vision/passing range than those two, more of a deep lying playmaker, also two-footed. I may be wrong though.

Yeah there’s a few differences in their styles, Hojbjerg is better at attacking the box and Skipp is more defensive. But overall I wouldn’t expect Bentancur to transform our game with his passing, he’s more Hojbjerg than Modric IMO.

 

[spurfetto]

Last 4 seasons hes a regular for juve, never injured. Also my italian juve friend says he has always liked him, paying for allegri being too defensive. Strange they want to sell him, maybe zakaria is a better player....

 

[Tyler24durden]

Really smacks more of desperation than a stellar signing.

we need better than we have, the likes of neves, jwp, Maddison, olise (I really rate this kid, think he could be turned into our dembele) our Luisa from epl would improve us.

 

[chrissivad]

I like the idea of a midfield 3 of:

Luiz Bentancur Skipp
​

It looked like Villa wanted Bentancur to replace Luiz who Arsenal wanted.

Now we look to be securing a del for Bentancur, I'm not sure Villa will want to let Luiz go.

 

[dudu]

Really smacks more of desperation than a stellar signing.

we need better than we have, the likes of neves, jwp, Maddison, olise (I really rate this kid, think he could be turned into our dembele) our Luisa from epl would improve us.

Of course they would but none of those players are available and to get themz in January would probably cost fees none of us would really feel comfortable paying.

JWP signed a new contract in the summer I believe and would cost what 50+ million.

Maddison signed a 4 year contract last year too.

If there are players we have on our radar that are in favourable contract positions, that Conte wants and that are available in the summer, maybe it's better to wait for them without over investing now but still strengthening our sqaud.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

One school of thought is that Bentancur doesn’t need to be too different. Maybe having playing options who are interchangeable within Conte’s system is the key to maintaining intensity and freshness. Whilst it could be argued that Lo Celso, Alli and Ndombele offer something different to change style, if Conte doesn’t see the benefit then it is a waste of time having/paying a player who won’t contribute. Going after a player who can seamlessly slot into a midfield and execute the coach’s instructions without unsettling the balance brings positives in itself. Personally I do think we miss a ball carrier or incisive passer in midfield, which leaves our forwards isolated, but perhaps the additional stability in the middle will allow more support from the fullbacks, also front three.

 

[mark87]

It looked like Villa wanted Bentancur to replace Luiz who Arsenal wanted.

Now we look to be securing a del for Bentancur, I'm not sure Villa will want to let Luiz go.

So we've stopped Woolwich from signing a player they wanted? This signing just got better.

 

[ilikeost]

Really smacks more of desperation than a stellar signing.

we need better than we have, the likes of neves, jwp, Maddison, olise (I really rate this kid, think he could be turned into our dembele) our Luisa from epl would improve us.

Not every single signing has to be a "stellar signing". This is a pragmatic, cheap, low risk signing.

 

[cider spurs]

A hardworking team with a sprinkling of flair is the way forward.

Both the Juve lads will help us reach this goal imo.

 

[chrissivad]

A hardworking team with a sprinkling of flair is the way forward.

Both the Juve lads will help us reach this goal imo.

Agree, have that cm and defence dominate games and let the forwards and wide players get forward.

 

[luRRka]

Agree, have that cm and defence dominate games and let the forwards and wide players get forward.

I agree with this. Can't help but feel we need a more offensive rwb to help though. Fingers crossed we get one this window

 

[sausage]

Really smacks more of desperation than a stellar signing.

we need better than we have, the likes of neves, jwp, Maddison, olise (I really rate this kid, think he could be turned into our dembele) our Luisa from epl would improve us.

Why do they have to be "stellar signings".

You'd probably say the same thing if we signed any of that lot before they joined their respective clubs ?‍

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

He is basically a better version of Winks.

Yeah who wants a better version of anyone?

 

[AtoubaToothpaste]

Not every single signing has to be a "stellar signing". This is a pragmatic, cheap, low risk signing.

Perfect for Levy/Enic. It's hardly showing ambition though.

 

[JCRD]

Really smacks more of desperation than a stellar signing.

we need better than we have, the likes of neves, jwp, Maddison, olise (I really rate this kid, think he could be turned into our dembele) our Luisa from epl would improve us.

I get that, its slightly underwhelming but we arent at a position where we can attract 'stellar' signings. Perhaps down the line when we have more income and generate greater revenue combined with being successful and being in the CL etc.

We are in a rebuilding phase and these two plus (hopefully) one or two others will be an improvement on who we want to get rid of (as they have delivered, proved and added nothing this season)