The Last Piece of the Puzzle,a DM

[brendanb50]

In terms of DM targets, we need Denis Zakaria or Florentino Luis.

This is how they stack up defensively against Soumare in terms of tackles and interceptions:

Zakaria
2.4 tackles per game
1.6 interceptions per game

Luis
2.9 tackles per game
4.1 interceptions per game

Soumare
1.1 tackles per game
0.8 interceptions per game

Definitely not against Soumare and the discussions around him appear to have a bit of substance to them but i think this is a good way of looking at him as a midfield option, particularly in lieu of a DM - not saying tackling or breaking up play is all you do as a DM but they're pretty key metrics IMO.

Zakaria and Luis are hardly immobile either so for me this type of player should still have significant priority for us, even if Soumare is a target to perhaps rotate/replace Sissoko.

 

[faze_coys]

tbh there is less need for a specialist DM if we are going to play a BALANCED CM3 - e.g - Winks, Le Celso, N'Dombele (introducing Dele or sissoko to the 3 unbalances it imo)

All 3 are intelligent enough to know their positions alongside each other, whether one should stay or go, can recycle, cover ground and tackle. The balance is key.

 

[brendanb50]

tbh there is less need for a specialist DM if we are going to play a BALANCED CM3 - e.g - Winks, Le Celso, N'Dombele (introducing Dele or sissoko to the 3 unbalances it imo)

All 3 are intelligent enough to know their positions alongside each other, whether one should stay or go, can recycle, cover ground and tackle. The balance is key.

I certainly don't disagree but take one or two of those players out of the equation, like we've had to deal with this season.

It's very, very hard to replace players with the control, intelligence and ability of Lo Celso and Ndombele. Winks also offers workrate, cover and forward passing which few others do.

For me, even with better options in a balanced midfield 3, we need a plan B (or a plan A for some opposition). Half of the battle of being good in possession is winning possession back and for me, we lack a player in midfield whose key role is to break up play and win the ball.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

According to @JJetset Jose doesn't want 'a DM' - so can we just close this thread?

 

['O Zio]

Well he's a clear upgrade on Dier/Wanyama.

Wanyama is pointless comparing to anyone because he's just completely gone physically so that's a bit of a moot point to be honest.

I really don't see Rice as much of an upgrade on Dier other than being younger to be honest. He's shown himself to be a bit of a flash in the pan. Despite all the hype a year or two ago, he's looked a long way from being decent for ages now. I suppose you could make the argument that because he's younger maybe he has a higher ceiling, but that's about it. He's done absolutely nothing to suggest he'd be worth us spending money on.

 

[danielneeds]

According to @JJetset Jose doesn't want 'a DM' - so can we just close this thread?

To be honest his wording was vague. He said no to a DM in Jan and that Jose wanted to “base” the midfield around Tanguy. None of those mean he won’t want a true DM in the summer.

 

[Archibald-CPH]

We can afford Diawara

 

[nailsy]

We should buy Edvardo Camavinga

I hope we're looking at this guy. Still only 17 so if we signed him in the summer he'd be a home grown player by the time he turned 21.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Really like Chalobah at Watford.

Would do a great job for us until his inevitable game changing injury for us after about 18 months!