The Unreliable Transfer Rumours Discussion Thread (Part 5)

Brilliant to get this sorted, wonderful news.

3 Likes

I do t think that’s what she had in mind :sweat_smile:

1 Like

Yes, I really think we should pay more attention to foreign sources; we’re seeing that now with Szobo, and we saw it with Wirtz and Isak, too. The established journalists here often only make a move once those sources get ā€œtoo loud.ā€

Edit

https://x.com/BenBocsak/status/2077713515486269944

Edit

https://x.com/davidlynchlfc/status/2077714273543819640

I just hope this doesn’t end up like the KonatĆ© situation—there was talk of an agreement there too, but then nothing happened. I’m going to wait until he’s actually signed before I get properly excited about it.

3 Likes

If there is one thing we know, if rumours of a transfer are doing the rounds, they won’t have come from us. It will be a selling club, player’s agent, or Frank down the pub who makes up random shit for clicks.

3 Likes

To be honest I think he“s not the right direction our midfield should be going and I don“t see how he fits in, but good to get him a contract and not lose him for pennies like Konate and Trent.

Also suggests he“s confident about our future as I think he“s a player other big clubs would want, rightly or wrongly.

1 Like

You don’t see how Szoboszlai fits in? He isn’t an unknown quantity; he’s been part of the team for the past 3 years.

2 Likes

He“s a good player at what he does, running hard and getting some goals, but he“s not a creative player (and Wirtz is), he isn“t a player who protects the back four, and he doesn“t run a game with the ball or break the lines with his passing (which Wirtz in the 10 needs).

The only way I see a fit is if we shunt Wirtz out to the left and play Szobo in the midfield 3.

We have signed a very expensive number 10 and I don“t think Szobo fits the setup to get the most out of Wirtz.

1 Like

Wirtz is 100% going to be on the left, with the freedom to drift wherever he feels like.

3 Likes

Would be a mistake in my opinion but in that case I could see a fit for Szobo yes.

I think a player with the skill set of Szoboszlai can do pretty much anything on a football pitch. Him and Gravenberch may not be an ideal match if we think about football in terms of roles and dividing it into ā€˜destroyers’ and ā€˜creators’ etc. But I think it’s a great starting point, having two players who can both cover a lot of ground and also play. And score goals. They’re good both in big and small spaces. If it’s a transition game, they’ll cope with that. If it’s a compact game, they’ll cope with that as well.

Edit: and it might even end up with Szoboszlai in the #10. We haven’t watched anyone kick a ball yet, so it’s all up in the air.

7 Likes

He’ll be with the medical staff 90% of the season.

To be honest, I don’t think Wirtz is suited to play in midfield. His skill set is better suited for the attacking line.

2 Likes

Please elaborate on what you mean by midfield?

1 Like

Villa have also lost Onana for what is expected to be pretty much the entire season so have a big hole to fill in CM

1 Like

The second line in the formula.

He has two obvious weaknesses: strength and pace.

He can’t cover a big area. We’ve already seen that when he plays in front of double pivot, he has to cover too much ground and then can’t join the counter-attack because he lacks pace. So he also can’t drive the ball forward on the break. Also his long-ball game also looks average.

His best qualities are his tidy technique and finding chances in tight spaces. So playing him as close to the opponent’s box as possible is the best solution for me.

I’d still be describing him as an attacking midfielder. I’d say playing him as close to our striker as possible would be beneficial.
What if we play him Infront of a single pivot?
I suppose we’ll find out what Iraola thinks.
ATM I’m just hoping we can do better than last season.

1 Like

While I’ve been leaning towards this option for a few weeks now, the only thing that makes me rethink it is the reported interest in Barcola as his best comes when playing from the left (I’m not sold on him, though, not at 120M+ euros). That would leave us with a small matter of bringing in a starting right winger, a starting defensive or central midfielder, a right back and a centre back.

1 Like

I do wonder if that is a role we are more relaxed about now with the new manager. One of the problems we faced with Arne’s system last season was that they often had too much space to cover, which led to the players having to decide which opposition player to play against or Grav getting caught between midfield and defence.

From what I’ve read, Andoni sets up his teams to have his wingers drop into midfield when defending and has a CB pushing into midfield to join the press. That may help get the best out of the midfielders we have?

2 Likes

I can’t see Spurs selling Spense but after questioning his inclusion in the world cup squad he’s probably been England’s most improved player. He wasn’t just good last night, he’s put in impressive performances in all the knockout games.

I don’t think he’s starting quality for us on either side but as cover for both he’d be a very good option.

3 Likes

Wonder what spurs value if him was before the WC in comparison to now