Sofyan Amrabat

[H-SF]

Matt Law piece on Diaz includes detail on Amrabat, basically says Conte recommended him to us. Fairs. We just gotta suck it up then. Link:

 

[spurspeter]

You know what, I think he looks pretty good from the little bits I’ve seen of him, of course YouTube clips are nowhere near enough to judge someone by but he seems to be very comfortable on the ball and there’s definitely glimpses of Dembele there for me.

 

[Darth Vega]

Matt Law piece on Diaz includes detail on Amrabat, basically says Conte recommended him to us. Fairs. We just gotta suck it up then. Link:

A few hours ago Paratici was a fraud and Conte was going to walk because of this signing only for it to turn out to be a player Conte wanted to begin with lol

 

[Montalbano]

Sorry if posted already. James Horncastle writing in The Athletic had this guy in his Serie A team of the season a couple of years ago: https://theathletic.com/1759043/202...le-ronaldo-juventus-inter-lazio-atalanta/?amp


Central midfield — Sofyan Amrabat(Hellas Verona)

The blossoming Mario Pasalic misses out here because we already have our full complement of Atalanta players (sorry for the spoiler). Stefano Sensi would likely have been my pick had he not missed so many games through injury at Inter. Radja Nainggolan’s renaissance with Cagliari and that November performance against Fiorentina (a goal and a hat-trick of assists) left me conflicted, too. But Amrabat has been the revelation of Serie A’s season.

He could barely get off the bench at Club Brugge last season, arriving from Belgium to very little fanfare for £3.1 million. Within six months, a queue was forming to sign him.

Verona had a deal with Napoli but Amrabat instead chose Fiorentina, whom he will join next season for £17.5 million.

The Dutch-born Moroccan has dominated in midfield and is the face of coach Juric’s aggressive, pressing style. Excellent in transition, Amrabat drives his team forward. The 23-year-old is a decent dribbler too, making the prospect of seeing him line up with Gaetano Castrovilli next term a particularly tantalising one.

And Dele was a 2x past winner of the PFA’s Young Player of the Year and Premier League TOTY. Look where he is now - doesn’t really mean too much.

 

[davidclarke]

And Dele was a 2x past winner of the PFA’s Young Player of the Year and Premier League TOTY. Look where he is now - doesn’t really mean too much.

As someone noted above, I’m into the stage where I’m bargaining (with myself…)

 

[TennesseeYid]

Won’t say I’m excited, but to be fair a lot of people had this same reaction to PEH. He clearly was perfect for what José wanted to do and everybody was satisfied later. Could be the same here with Amrabat for Conte. Nothing fun about the possibility of signing him, but he very well may do a job the boss needs.

 

[Trix]

A few hours ago Paratici was a fraud and Conte was going to walk because of this signing only for it to turn out to be a player Conte wanted to begin with lol

It's probably more that we wanted Kessie, can't do it this window so Conte has said what about Amrabat he can do a job for me.

 

[only1waddle]

You know what, I think he looks pretty good from the little bits I’ve seen of him, of course YouTube clips are nowhere near enough to judge someone by but he seems to be very comfortable on the ball and there’s definitely glimpses of Dembele there for me.

Puts himself about which Conte loves, keeps it simple etc, I'm still bemused with his upright dribbling style.. he's different, wouldn't it be great if he became a cult hero after most fans initial reaction, me included.

 

[Trix]

Puts himself about which Conte loves, keeps it simple etc, I'm still bemused with his upright dribbling style.. he's different, wouldn't it be great if he became a cult hero after most fans initial reaction, me included.

Yeah he does look odd when he runs, but his strength and body positioning to shield the ball looks (admittedly from 4 minutes of footage) very good.

 

[only1waddle]

Yeah he does look odd when he runs, but his strength and body positioning to shield the ball looks (admittedly from 4 minutes of footage) very good.

He definitely looks tenacious, also, my initial judgement was clouded by his running style where I couldn't stop thinking about the Harry Enfield association football sketch.

 

[spids]

Looks to be more suited to a CM role in a Conte 3-4-3 than Winks who is not good enough defensively.

 

[Dannyspur]

Forgive me everyone I’m on hard drugs.

Good thinking! - yes me too

 

[Sophos151]

While I get the logic of bringing in a decent backup/rotation option, I don’t think that kind of deal ever works. Successful rotation players are almost always players who were bought to be first-choice and didn’t manage that.

 

[spids]

While I get the logic of bringing in a decent backup/rotation option, I don’t think that kind of deal ever works. Successful rotation players are almost always players who were bought to be first-choice and didn’t manage that.

Conte says he wants two players for each position.

If we play 3-4-3 he can pick two from PEH, Skipp, Amrabat, and Winks, and offload Dele, Ndombele and Lo Celso. 1 in , 3 out. That is the sort of maths that I am sure Levy will appreciate and will free up significant funds (and wages) for summer signings.

 

[razor1981]

He starts for Morocco tonight in their AFCON last-16 match. Live on Sky Sports PL, kick-off at 7pm.

 

[Nice One Cyril]

Forgive me everyone I’m on hard drugs.

You could soften them in warm water..!!

 

[Nice One Cyril]

Amrabat starts for Morocco at 7pm on Sky.

 

[Duskwen]

Well if things stay this way at least the transfer will be easier

 

[jpascavitz]

Well if things stay this way at least the transfer will be easier

Please lol, I just want Conte to get whoever this week so they have a free full week to train with him after this week's break!

 

[Sophos151]

Conte says he wants two players for each position.

If we play 3-4-3 he can pick two from PEH, Skipp, Amrabat, and Winks, and offload Dele, Ndombele and Lo Celso. 1 in , 3 out. That is the sort of maths that I am sure Levy will appreciate and will free up significant funds (and wages) for summer signings.

Yeah, I get the logic. But surely we can look for a better option than Fiorentina’s seventh choice midfielder? Someone who could improve the starting XI if they’re a hit, and still be a rotation option if they struggle to adapt?