13 Aug 2020 22:39:47
The Sancho transfer is now looking increasingly unlikely and with the eye watering finances involved maybe it's time for the Club to draw a line in the sand and look to other options!

I'm not convinced there are many other real quality RW options available so maybe a tweak in formation could be the answer or let Greenwood continue to develop off the right.

I'm not a fan of Ole's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. I don't think it gets the best out of Pogba and whilst Greenwood has been brilliant on the right I think he can be better utilised more centrally where he doesn't have to chase back into full back positions and he can remain higher up the pitch in and around the box where he is so dangerous. He could obviously continue to play from the right where he has been very effective and maybe the Sancho money could be better invested elsewhere.

I wonder if a midfield diamond or 4-3-1-2 formation could be the solution. Links to Grealish would make sense as he's capable of playing both in a midfield 3 and at No10.

Grealish could also find himself priced out of a move and another midfield option Donny Van Der Beek might represent the smarter choice. Capable of playing at 6,8 or even No10 I think he'd be an excellent signing for a much more palatable transfer fee. A midfield of Matic, Pogba, VdB and Fernandes could be very exciting and has a bit of everything. He can also play in a double pivot where he probably has more quality on the ball than the likes of Fred and Mctominay. He would give Ole plenty of options and is available for a reasonable fee!

I hope the Club don't spend all summer playing senseless mind games with Dortmund and risk missing out on other good options that are available.

On a different note Dayot Upamecano looks some CB. Pace, power, strength, composure and still only 21 he's going to be some player!


1.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 23:23:47
VD Beek has looked quality any time I've seen him, could play in most top tier teams I imagine and "sensibly"priced if there is such a thing.

I saw Upamecano couple of seasons back and looked skinny, tall and lanky and was very raw, like a young Smalling at Fulham - a gamble for a bigger team back then. Now he has grown into a very good player and just 21 - certainly more upper body strength than Smalling has ever had -which has always let him down - and carries the ball really well,


2.) 13 Aug 2020
13 Aug 2020 23:25:23
Upemecano is awesome. We should go all in for him. He would be the backbone of our defence for a long time. If he ends up at City/ Liverpool they will be odds on to win the title again. He is like a young version of Rio and Vidic combined.


3.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 06:12:09
First time I have seen Upemecano play, looks a proper player. Bild reported his release clause as €50 million.
Like de Ligt laat year after performing well in the CL, I can see someone buying him this summer.
Maguire, Lindelof, Upemecano and Mengi as the CBs options doesn't sound too bad.


4.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 10:30:36
Not going to be signing a centre back until we shift one of the 7/ 8 we currently have unfortunately.


5.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 10:43:38
Would love to sign Upamecano what a player! And while we're at it get Nagelsmann too. Has his team set up well and playing great football!


6.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 11:39:27
I'm a big fan of DvdB, he would be one of the players near the top of my list if I was signing someone. While Upamecano is an absolute beast and a phenomenal player, him and Gimenez are the best young centre backs around for me.

I really like the diamond shape, I think it could work well for our forwards and midfielders. We lack a top class creative wide player. James is a good young player, but has some key areas of his game to develop. While the other options are players like Lingard and Pereira who aren't quite good enough, or Rashford and Greenwood who are goal scorers more than goal creators.

The problem I see with a midfield diamond shape is that we don't have the most creative full backs, which with our midfield and forwards playing narrow we would rely on width from our full backs. If we had fullbacks like Robertson and TAA I'd 100% be saying that the diamond is the way to go.

I think the best way forward with our squad is to bring in a few players that mean we can change shape easily, players who round out the squad. We definitely need a creative wide player. If not Sancho then we need someone else.


7.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 13:24:06
Ed2 makes some very goid points on the European page about DVdb that I agree with . i'm not sure he is the right player for us.


8.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 14:41:33
I watched Upanecano play for the first time last night, hopefully it’s not MOTD fever on my part but I thought he looked the real deal. Big, fast, strong and very composed on the ball. I’d be delighted if we are able to move on Smalling, Jones and Rojo plus maybe send Tuanzebe out on loan and bring Upamecano in. I fear finding takers may be tricky.


9.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 15:18:59
In order to play a diamond, your fullbacks have to be excellent going forward, providing width, getting to the byline etc.

Which is exactly what AWB, Williams and Shaw are woeful at. I like the diamond, but not a chance with the lack of offensive quality we have at right back and left back.


10.) 14 Aug 2020
14 Aug 2020 16:54:01
Regards centre back I think Upamecano is the best option if we are looking to sign a young player, and either Skriniar or Gimenez I’d we are looking to sign a more experienced player, as I think they’re both 25 and have a lot of football under their belts at the top level. However, I can’t imagine Leipzig are looking to sell, and I doubt Inter or Atlético are either.

{Ed002's Note - Not available.}