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31 Jul 2024 07:58:30
It sounds like Chido Obi-Martin has chose United, if reports are true.
He supposedly left Arsenal because he didn't feel he had a pathway to the first team, and he's turned down several other clubs who offered more money.
If true, this is a complete U-turn on how youth and recruitment were managed previously. We're no longer throwing money at problems, and are delivering a powerful pitch to convince players that we are the right choice. This must also be the case for our existing youth players who must have been spoken to and made to feel important in the same way that Chido Obi-Martin has.
Lots of positivity which we hope spreads to the pitch. Just a few more players to get out before the revolution can fully begin.
1.) 31 Jul 2024 09:43:02
Really good to see United doing this.
Think we’ve also just signed young winger from Palace Samuel Lusale, plus Australian youngster James Ovary, Silva Mexes from Ipswich and Camron Mpofu from Reading.
Building something special for the future, what with other talents at youth level as well.
Seems like we finally have a clear plan in place for the short term and long term.
2.) 31 Jul 2024 10:33:30
The most exciting signing for me so far - been around Carrington spoken to to Football people including Wilcox and RVN reportedly and has thought I can do well here these people have a plan for me. Signed a young kid from Palace too - great to see.
3.) 31 Jul 2024 10:46:11
Fabrizio supposedly has said United have said he’ll go into the Academy but will be used as a 3rd choice behind Hojlund and Zirkee. Not sure how true that is but probably needs a loan first to get ready for senior football ??.
4.) 31 Jul 2024 10:47:52
Social media saying that he’ll be our third choice striker after RH and JZ, mostly playing for youth teams but getting minutes in first team squad also.
If hype is to be believed, looks a generational talent.
Maybe we’re actually signing real potential now, rather than let it slip through our fingers (Bellingham, Haaaland, etc…)
5.) 31 Jul 2024 11:28:50
To be honest this is how I'd like to see United run. A club that values youth players and gives them a chance by creating pathways into the first team.
We can use the recent success of Garnacho and Mainoo as evidence that young players will get chances at our club.
We need to do more though, to start with we need to reduce the squad and remove those players being paid a fortune for 300 minutes of football a year. Give those minutes to youth players instead. That's your pathway.
We should have the academy that every young player in England and beyond wants to be a part of. Then we attract the best young players to continue that history of successfully developing top young players.
6.) 31 Jul 2024 14:12:05
World Shappy, not just England.
7.) 31 Jul 2024 17:19:04
As we celebrate new football-led planning and ethos at the club, Looks like United further refining the management structure with Head of Data Science Dominic Jordan leaving after 2 years.
Came from fashion background so perhaps a great example of the amateur recruitment policies of the previous regime: not employing experts with a football background.
Do remember Ed002 suggesting a few months ago that new structure/ management recruitment looks good apart from one person….
8.) 01 Aug 2024 00:24:43
I've kept an eye out for the kid since he hit the headlines and banged in 10 against the Scousers at u16 level about a year ago. He looks ahead of Wheatley from what I've seen. An absolute beast at u18 level. He can press, good in the air (6ft2 at 16!) he's rapid and has composure in front of goal. He looks comfortable either getting in behind, running channels or dropping deep.
I see elements of Henry in him. If he can adjust to his final growth spurts in the coming years, he could be really special.
09 Jul 2024 19:41:05
Marseille agree a fee for Greenwood with a significant sell on clause of 40-50% supposedly. That was always going to be the sensible offer, if he's good as a lot of us think he is, he could go for £80m+ in a couple of years.
1.) 09 Jul 2024 20:21:47
I assume we were getting offers in the 30-40m bracket so have ybe realistic and strike a deal that could be bigger in the future.
As you say I assume the %sell on will be 40-50%.
2.) 09 Jul 2024 21:23:39
Don't count your chickens just yet. The mayor of Marseille has “I will ask the president of Olympique de Marseille not to recruit Greenwood. I don't want my club to be covered in the shame of someone who hits his wife. I don't want my club to be covered in the ashes of someone who hits his wife like that. It's not acceptable. "
Hope it's already signed and done.
{Ed025's Note - im with the Mayor Kev..
3.) 10 Jul 2024 08:55:32
Greenwood is a sad case, very talented lad whose career will always be muddied by this incident.
Two years ago he was considered a future Balon d'Or contender, and was valued at close to 100m. Or at least it would have taken a bid in that region for United to even consider selling him. He had the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid keeping an eye on him.
Now here we are and he might not even be able to seal a 27m move to Marseille, and it has absolutely nothing to do with his ability on the pitch. He still has the same talent and potential as he had before, but now no one wants to go near him.
His case needs to be taught to every kid in our academy as a warning of how quickly you can fall from grace, and how your actions have serious consequences.
4.) 10 Jul 2024 12:47:11
I don't think it's sad Shappy.
He's a deplorable human being and he is still getting paid handsomely to kick a ball about. If anything the story makes me angry.
{Ed025's Note - im with you Bmena..
5.) 10 Jul 2024 17:35:45
Bmena, Greenwood can be a deplorable human being while the whole situation can also be sad.
It's sad that a poor girl had to go through what she has.
It's sad that her father thought of the payoff more than the safety of his daughter.
It's sad that they have got back together putting her at further risk.
It's sad that they now have a child, that will forever tie her to him.
It's sad that a child may well grow up seeing his mother being treated poorly, possibly even abused.
I don't believe anyone is born bad, but are instead moulded by their environment. In that respect it's sad that Greenwood grew up in an environment that has made him who he is and has led to him doing the things he has done.
Do I feel anger? Yeah I do. But mostly I feel sad that this has happened, and that it will continue to happen to thousands of women and girls across the country.
More needs to be done to shine a light on domestic abuse and I feel sad that an opportunity to highlight the issues that lead to it, how it happens and more importantly what we can do to avoid it happening in the future has been missed. With the real focus of the whole story being about how footballers feel entitled, are privileged, and a witch hunt for a young man's head (deserved or not) .
So yeah, mostly I think the whole situation is just really sad.
6.) 10 Jul 2024 18:57:47
Yeah, cut his hand off!
Moralists.
02 Nov 2023 06:46:27
Good morning Ed I hope you're keeping well.
Do you happen to know if PSG (or anyone else for that matter) retains an interest in Marcus Rashford?
{Ed002's Note - No and he has signed a new long-term contract.}
1.) 02 Nov 2023 12:55:23
Thanks for your reply Ed, have a good day.
{Ed002's Note - And you.}
2.) 02 Nov 2023 19:45:34
That’s a shame. I’ve said it for years, he gets away with murder because he’s from Wythenshawe, and he fed kids for a little while.
He’s been in the first team squad for probably 7/ 8 years now and still sulks, still walks round with zero effort, can’t be arsed to track back, still makes wrong choices more often than not. Apart from 3 good months last season when he needed a new bumper contract he’s been useless. Vastly overrated and I’d be happy to see him sold. I’d said it time and time again.
3.) 02 Nov 2023 22:03:21
I was one of his biggest supporters but my patience ran out a while ago, he's capable of great things but rarely does them. A humble kid who now has all the bling that goes with being a young footballer, he should have been dropped months ago. It's the lack of effort that gets me.
A few years ago he was carrying the team and then he got injured against Wolves. Since then he has been awful, apart from a hot spell last year. He's an established international who should be setting an example, not moping around the pitch.
4.) 03 Nov 2023 07:49:21
Unfortunately Marcus is just too inconsistent, great for a few months, then retreats into his shell when his form dips.
At the moment he seems unable or unwilling to do the hard work to recapture that form,
The biggest issue at the moment is the lack of leadership within that squad. Nobody seems willing to stand up and drag themselves out of the mira they have got themselves into, but is not the first time we have seen this is it.
5.) 03 Nov 2023 10:57:47
I feel pretty mixed about Rashford. Clearly he's a talented player and on form one of our best players. He does tend to blow hot and cold which isn't ideal, but there are many other players that need replacing before him. I don't think his streaky form is a massive issue, the problem is that we rely far too much on him to perform as there is no one else. Rooney used to have streaky form in front of goal, wouldn't score for 3-4 weeks then score 10 goals in a month. The difference is Rooney had class players around him to score the goals when he wasn't. If Hojlund and Antony were scoring 20-25 goals each a season and Bruno and Mount chipping in with 15 goals a piece then Rashford going 4 or 5 games without a goal wouldn't be a problem.
Without knowing someone personally I prefer not to judge a persons character. He worked hard to make sure kids didn't go hungry during the C.V., that would suggest that he has some moral fibre at least.
His demeanour on the pitch this season hasn't been great and I understand people's frustrations, especially as his poor form is not helping the club pull itself out of this current funk we are in.
However, it might be a chicken/ egg situation here. Are United in poor form because Rashford is in poor form, or is Rashford in poor form because United are in poor form. We also don't know what is happening in his private life, or whether there might be legitimate reasons for his apparent apathy on the pitch. Which to be fair to him isn't how he has normally appeared on the pitch, typically he has always been a hard working player even when his form hasn't been great. That would suggest that something isn't quite right with him right now.
Either way unless he is actually a disruptive influence in the dressing room (which I doubt as all his managers right from LvG to EtH have trusted him and backed him), then he should stay at the club at least in the short to medium term. He has the talent, the question is whether he has the attitude. I'd expect the club to keep him for the next 2-3 years at least while they dramatically improve other areas of the squad. You never know by that time Garnacho may have over taken him and Rashford might be looking to leave himself.
6.) 03 Nov 2023 14:47:42
Rash is our best player in the squad, better than hoiland garnacho, sancho and whoever you want to name folks. I used to read this same page when people used to take out their frustration on Rooney. Don't confuse bad form and poor results as a team with Marcus Rashford being a problem at United. About 15 players need changing before we think Rashford is not good enough.
I am waiting for someone to tell me Wayne Rooney was overrated:)
different players but both very good.
7.) 03 Nov 2023 17:42:19
Rooney was amazing, but towards the end he stayed too long. Rashford isn’t in the same league as Rooney and never will be.
He has a good few months every few years, the last one when he wanted a new contract. He is either a player who needs to be high on confidence to show what he can do, but who also has huge confidence issues, or he just can’t be arsed half of the time. I hope it is the first, but either way it isn’t good enough.
That said his decision making and end product is very poor most of the time.
8.) 03 Nov 2023 22:15:31
Ahmad, Rashford is a problem and the reason I asked if there’s interest is because he needs to leave. He’s another with off the pitch issues which will cause fractions on the squad.
9.) 04 Nov 2023 08:31:27
Wazza
Why is he a problem. does the front 5/ 6 look like they are doing anything for everyone to Clamor on Rashford. Garnacho started by all account against NC B team. Did he do anything different.
Off the pitch stuff like having had a birthday party planned and going through with it was probably not the best idea but let's not blow things out of proportion.
Talk to any ex players, who have played at the highest level, they laugh if you bring up rash as a problem in the conversation. Can every United Manager, who seems to start him with no questions asked and all these players be wrong.
Why use a different standard for him compared to others in the squad. Good things happen when we get the ball to Rashford properly and not him looking at 3 defenders.
If we are going to get ourselves out of this funk rash and Bruno are the ones that will need to drag us out of this. Not many in this squad, who can do what these two are capable of. Its not coincidence we are struggling when you look at their numbers this year.
I personally think Bruno is a bigger issue as his influence is zip in too many games and he is suppose to be the creator hub.
I really rate Garnacho btw and its not about putting one down for the other.
10.) 04 Nov 2023 10:28:30
This site must only have nuns and monks posting on here apparently. Not a single person on here has ever gone out for a night out, been to a party, or turned up for work hungover.
This holier than thou attitude against young men doing what young men do is frankly ridiculous and so incredibly hypocritical.
There is a difference between players not working hard in training and not focusing on their careers and players blowing off a little steam and having a private life.
People regularly point to Roy Keane as having the perfect attitude as a player, people say they want someone with Keane's grit and attitude on the pitch right now. However, they conveniently forget that Keane has admitted trying to get himself sent off because he was struggling with a hangover.
11.) 04 Nov 2023 11:04:04
Shappy
If you read the stuff sharp has said over the years and what they got up to makes todays players are saints and take much better care of themselves.
Luckhurst title and hit job of an article on rash and eth regarding him being out on his birthday and reading what Eth actually said speaks volumes for how bad the reporting is atm and how things get overblown.
12.) 04 Nov 2023 11:31:10
I have no issue with any player celebrating their birthday, or having an evening out to blow off steam. However I do feel that they need to accept that if they are playing like sh*t, seeming to those outside looking in like they are uninterested, and have just been smashed at home by City again, that they will get a lot of stick for that.
If Rashford was obviously putting 100% in, and was having a positive effect on the team etc, then this is not a story, however it is the complete opposite of that, and when you are paid more in one week than most of the people in the stadium are paid in maybe 5-10 years, not seeming to be giving everything and then going out late is going to end up with you getting called out. I have no issue with that either.
13.) 04 Nov 2023 12:34:55
Ahmed and Shappy you simply do not know what has gone on and that’s fine because it’s (thankfully) not in the media. It’s not about 1 night out.
14.) 04 Nov 2023 15:15:11
Wazza
Please share happy to hear and mean it honestly if there is more to this.
15.) 04 Nov 2023 15:31:28
Ahmad, the club is a cess pit of questionable morals at the moment. Its enough for the player’s appearances to be affected and that’s why I asked the question, but an open forum is not the place.
14 Mar 2021 20:48:34
Hi Ed do you have any further info on the links to Hakan Calhanoglu? I believe he is out of contract this summer?
I recall you saying a while back that his agent would prefer a move to England.
{Ed002's Note - Hakan Calhanoglu (AM/LW) Player wants a new contract - Milan will oblige if agreement can be reached over his wages - and it may depend on what happens with loanee Bahim Diaz. Atletico and Juventus have asked his German-based agent if a move is possible for them. The agent remains keen on the idea to try the player out in England or Germany but may have to accept staying in Milan - which I would expect to happen.}
1.) 14 Mar 2021 21:25:18
Thanks for your quick reply Ed ðŸ‘.
11 Jan 2021 14:09:13
According to Fabrizio Romano.
TFM looks to be off to Leverkusen.
Boubakary Soumaré and Max Aarons continue to be scouted.
Ole has said don't expect any more incomings in January, but 2 or 3 could leave.
1.) 11 Jan 2021 14:46:29
TFM needs a fresh start. He certainly won't be missed by the fans as he has hardly featured for the club. His loan spells in the EPL have been and blighted with injuries. Hopefully it works out for him.
Hopefully Rojo, Romero and Jones get moves.
2.) 11 Jan 2021 17:00:38
The rest may well get moves, but I’m not sure we could give Jones away tbh 🤣.
3.) 11 Jan 2021 19:56:26
I live in hope.
4.) 11 Jan 2021 20:21:41
Tfm refused the new contract offer. Willams a far better player imo so its good all round. Not much off the wage bill. He was the worst paid in the squad at 18k a well reputedly.
Rojo romero and jones cost a combined 12m a year plus so it would be a nice wedge to save for players that make no contribution.
Id like jesse to get a move for his own sake. Nice lad and a real 100% type of guy. He will make a good player for the right team.
5.) 11 Jan 2021 20:59:10
Ken I think Lingard would do well somewhere like Villa. They are a hard working team. Lingard isn’t at the level we need but nobody can fault his work rate on the pitch. Be good to see him get regular starts for someone after he scored some important goals for us.
6.) 11 Jan 2021 21:04:34
There is a huge list of players the club need to move on. Romero, Rojo, Jones, TFM, Andreas Pereira and Lingard are the ones who desperately need to go.
Romero is the only one who is close to good enough and we still have two better keepers than him in Henderson and DDG.
Then we have a group of players such as Bailly, Shaw, Matic, Mata, James, Pogba, Fred, Martial, Cavani etc.
Players who are either getting older and will soon need replacing, don't want to be here or who it is questionable about them being good enough.
I wouldn't worry too much about TFM.
7.) 11 Jan 2021 21:58:32
Shappy i wouldn't say we have two keepers better than Romero. Henderson maybe will become better and i wish he becomes world class. But i don't feel safe with him in goalposts, i felt always safe with Romero, he was always solid.
8.) 11 Jan 2021 22:03:49
Don’t get too carried away with Henderson Shappy. He’s not looked convincing yet. He seems over eager to please. Romero is certainly the better goalkeeper, for now.
9.) 12 Jan 2021 00:37:27
Agree on hendo. Ddg has dropped a level but still I have more peace of mind with him than hendo. He should have got another loan really.
As for jesse he’s lovable and he’s been through a lot, he’s a decent squad player but I wouldn’t begrudge him looking elsewhere for starting berth. Time will tell.
10.) 13 Jan 2021 17:48:33
Thank goodness TFM has gone. Nothing made me more angry than when we sent him on to ‘save the day’ in the semi vs. Sevilla. Good riddance.
Agreed that Lingard to Villa would be good for both parties. 50m plus Lingard for Grealish. One can dream!
Wazza's banter posts with other poster's replies to Wazza's banter posts
27 Aug 2024 11:29:28
Morning everyone, hope you're all doing well.
A deal for Ugarte has been agreed and I'm really excited that this key position has been filled. Ugarte could be the missing piece we've needed over the past year or two. A disciplined DM should give our forward players the confidence to express themselves. In Bruno, like him or not, we have one of the top creators in world football. In Amad and Garnacho we have two exciting wingers who get the fans on their feet. And in Hojlund and Zirkzee we have two young forwards who are quick and strong, with loads of potential. We're getting closer to having decent options in every position. We definitely need one or two more summers to address other areas (GK and LB next hopefully), but I think the new team in charge have made a solid start.
And on that positive note it's time for me to hang up my boots from posting on here. It must be fifteen years of reading these pages almost daily via this username and one or two lost logins. Thanks to all the United fans who have made this a great place to visit daily, I dread to think how many hours I've spent on here! ? And thank you to all the Eds, I take my hat off to all the effort you put into keeping these pages active. GDS2, Shappy, Ahmad, Angel, Hatter - keep fighting the good fight. We will come good again.
Enjoy the rest of this season everyone. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but there will be as many ups as there are downs. Remember to enjoy the highs when they come.
Ciao for now.
1.) 27 Aug 2024 11:50:13
Wazza it's a shame that you feel the need to leave here and I'm sure I am not alone in wondering why you feel this way. This place will be poorer for your absence and input. You will be missed.
As for this post, I agree with you as has often been the case.
2.) 27 Aug 2024 11:52:51
It'll be a shame to see you leave Wazza, hopefully its just a hiatus and you're back posting again in the not too distant future.
Regardless of what happen on the pitch this season, the work done off of it has laid down the foundations for success in my opinion. Still a long way to go, and there will be set backs and bumps along the way, but at last it feels like we have arrested the decline and have started to push in the right direction.
3.) 27 Aug 2024 12:09:38
Gonna miss your input Wazza. Agree or disagree it’s always a good craic!
4.) 27 Aug 2024 12:13:29
I hope you reconsider and always liked your posts bud even if we don't agree on all things. Maybe a small break as I have done that in the past when it gets really negative around here for my own sanity lol. trying to get tickets for the Liverpool game as I write this.
5.) 27 Aug 2024 14:44:58
No one can leave this sight. There's no close my account option and the emails are ignored, been there done that :D.
6.) 27 Aug 2024 15:09:13
Take care of yourself wazza.
7.) 27 Aug 2024 16:49:25
There are tickets for the Liverpool game still available on united website I believe.
Highly unusual that for this fixture.
Not sure if it's a sign of the economy or the fact people are losing interest in the team at the moment. Maybe a bit of both.
You could get more entertainment going to the cinema and watching a French sub titled movie for a fraction of the cost. My lads go Every other week I only go now for business purposes.
Crap surroundings crap football little chance of enjoyment and a high chance of frustration. Avoid the crowds and riff raff and watch from home is where I'm at nowadays. I fell out of love with going to matches a long time ago and don't enjoy the occasion at all anymore.
If soccer fans started attending other sports and events more often I think they would feel the same.
Too much parochial chanting swilling beer and nasty aggression for my liking.
Some fans are brilliant of course and are not like the stereotype but it's not a pleasant experience anymore imo.
8.) 27 Aug 2024 18:10:50
I think people are losing interest in Football in many cases Tumble.
9.) 27 Aug 2024 19:31:46
Tumble
Love going to games, always have. However. It became more difficult after the olympics when all the street parking was curtailed. I went last season, but have to fight to get on a tram, it’s not great and difficult on a night game.
It’s not the eighties, the crowd is much quieter, waiting and waiting to be entertained. Yet also the United ethos hasn’t been prevalent in recent years, the spirit and fight. We can take losing but not the lack of spirit in adversity. The Rashford, Sancho issues highlight this. The now majority owners ruined the club by not understanding it.
If we find that spirit again, the United spirit, get that new stadium, the red wall, inspire fans, it will come back.
10.) 27 Aug 2024 21:14:50
Your right banjoe I know I'm not alone but it's also because I'm getting older I think.
11.) 27 Aug 2024 22:09:02
Enjoy your time away Wazza,
Make sure you pop back to say Hello.
All the best MH.
17 Aug 2024 07:08:41
Holding midfielder. We've discussed this a few times recently. And at risk of sounding like Red Man, I've been saying it's our most important position to strengthen all summer.
Others have argued CB and I get it. We can't have another season with Maguire and Lindelof as options. I agree with that as well.
But my reason for saying this signing is our most crucial, is because I think Maguire and Lindelof are currently better centre backs than Casemiro is a holding midfielder, and last night only strengthened my opinion.
When Fulham broke 2 vs 1, Casemiro could barely manage a jog while the opposition sped past him. It was Maguire's positioning which stopped us going 0-1 down.
Since day 1 I've thought he's trying to do everything in midfield. His positioning throughout last season was a big reason why we were so easy to play against, too many times he was in the final third of the pitch, a place where he has no business.
Maguire should have been moved on by now and I doubt anyone could argue strongly against that. Meanwhile Casemiro is our only player in that position, and we simply have to sign a better defensive midfielder before the window closes.
1.) 17 Aug 2024 08:07:27
Wazza i thought until Mount went off we managed the transitions very well, but we had Casemiro pressing high. He was playing well.
Then we switch to the midfield 3 and we went back to being exposed and leaving him with so much ground to cover, when he was already knackered.
I genuinely think ten hag needs to address the way we press when it’s a midfield 3 because we just get cut through.
But negatives aside, I thought the back 4 played very well and Onana made a couple of good saves. We look to have a bit more depth now and Zirkzee took his goal brilliantly. 3 points, clean sheet. Can’t ask for much more to kick things off.
2.) 17 Aug 2024 08:45:31
First half cas had 4/ 5 chances that a top striker would have at least put on target and mount had bundles of energy- overall reasonably pleased throughout. Second half we give too much room and they had chances as we looked lethargic and passes weren't as quick or accurate by several utd players . Overall 3 points that would have easily been 1 0r 0 so onto the next. By time we play liverpool I reckon we will have a better look to our play and will see another couple of faces in and 3 out.
3.) 17 Aug 2024 09:45:38
Mount was very good last night which was clear after he went off because he played so well and chased everything. His substitution did the opposite abd lead to Fulham finding gaps.
4.) 17 Aug 2024 10:01:59
We talk about different player quality’s and positions etc. Casemiro’s greatest attribute has always been breaking play up and spoiling the opposition counters. Mason Mount on the other hand is a bit less physical and is a better link up player. However, as we’ve seen in the modern game, players can rotate and play different positions. My point is, based on the fact Mason is actually a very good player, could he play Casemiro’s role?
5.) 17 Aug 2024 11:36:48
yes he could firemanc- he pressed and put in a good shift last nite as well as crunching a few tackles. Never seen that side to his game :only downside was he got booked (harshly) and slowed down (understandably ) as we are 1st game of the season.
6.) 17 Aug 2024 14:34:37
I thought casimero played well last night. Most reports I e seen or read felt the same.
He looks trim and was a real threat.
We need an upgrade no doubt and support for him.
I think he will be very useful this year and he is not here to just pick up the wages. We'll worth keeping for this season and he will make very good contributions imo.
7.) 17 Aug 2024 21:05:40
Mainoo can be guilty of sauntering back at times. He seems to see the danger a bit late and watches it develop before then having to bust a gut to get back. Totally expected at hisvstage of development.
He really could do with a vocal defensive partner who can read the game and pull him about where he needs to be to help him develop.
Masons best defensive attribute is he hard work and effort he is better playing with a covering player behind him so he can counter press. Him, Bruno and the two wide men need to clean up how they do this as a unit.
If you noticed at the start of last year and this year Ten Hag has tried to find a system which allows Bruno and Mount to play in the top of the box. Last season he had to abandon it because Shaw was lost playing as an inverted full back and it just left massive hole in the deep third when he kept charging after his winger rather than leaving it to Lisandro.
Last night the full backs did that job better than when we tried last year.
I thought Rashford and Diallo lacked a bit of understanding of their role with a false nine, they have to be prepared to attack space behind the defenders and cause the defenders the dilemma when the wide men did push on Fulham were stretched.
There is some encouragement that as they understand the system more they will become more dangerous.
19 Jul 2024 21:22:05
Can we have a poll please Eds?
Which CB would people prefer to sign?
Matthijs de Ligt
Jarrad Branthwaite.
{Ed033's Note - CB poll
1.) 20 Jul 2024 00:13:11
Can you add a Both options, which would include Maguire and Lindelof being carted off?
2.) 20 Jul 2024 02:54:08
Surely Maguire would be pulling the cart?
3.) 20 Jul 2024 05:14:31
Isn't Maguire the cart?
4.) 20 Jul 2024 11:05:52
De Ligt for me doesn't make a great deal of sense now we've signed Yoro unless we are looking to play a three at the back system.
The problem with playing a three at the back system is that we don't have enough cover at CB for a back four, if we switched to a back three we'd need at least 3 CB's this summer.
Yoro needs game time to develop, while MdL only wants to leave Bayern because he wants to be guaranteed first choice. While neither have really ever played at LCB.
Signing two players for one position (RCB) when both want or need to play regularly seems silly. Especially as neither have proven themselves comfortable or capable of playing LCB, which given Martinez's injuries looks like a potential pathway to get minutes.
Branthwaite on the other hand has the skill set that could blend well with either Yoro or Martinez, is comfortable and capable of playing either right or left side at CB and could even be an option at LB (an area of weakness due to the injuries of Shaw and Malacia) .
Branthwaite just make so much more sense now we have Yoro in the bag. Who btw has been named in the squad travelling to Glasgow for the Rangers game later today.
5.) 20 Jul 2024 11:10:24
Thanks 33 ?.
{Ed033's Note - Thanks.
6.) 20 Jul 2024 12:12:41
As good and talented Yoro, i can't imagine him starting straight away. Even Saliba who was signed at 18 and was probably the best cb last season in the league was loaned back to france for two year to lear his trade.
It would make sense to bring in De ligt as he's played at the highest level and is familiar with ETH system who will need to hit the ground running this season otherwise he will be sacked.
7.) 20 Jul 2024 14:02:07
Yoro will play plenty, don't worry Shappy. But we need more high line centrebacks, and de ligt brings in leadership and experience as well. Liking the progress this management group is making so far. So let's see what they go for.
8.) 20 Jul 2024 14:12:44
Nothing wrong with strength in depth is there. No point in having 2 great defenders (yoro and Martinez) and 1 gets injured then an avery player comes in to replace ala maguire, lindelof or Evans though expecting lindelof or maguire to be sold hopefully both. The more better players are signed the performances will be all the better for it.
9.) 20 Jul 2024 14:43:33
i can't be the onl one not exactly confiden tiwh an 18 year old from a n inferior league coming into play CH at a club of our size? Written press and media will have a filed day if he isn't vidic/ stam/ ferdinand / Varane in one body.
10.) 20 Jul 2024 15:50:20
You sure aren't burreway.
11.) 20 Jul 2024 16:06:20
Yoro will take time to adapt and will make mistakes, yet he won't be able to learn from them properly if he's in and out of the line up.
While 18 is very young for any player to play regularly, especially in defence, we are are a club that embraces the mantra that "if you're good enough then you're old enough".
Will Mainoo not be a regular starter next season despite turning 19 just a few months ago. While Garnacho started nearly 40 games in a row while 19 last season. Yoro turns 19 in November, a couple of months after the start of the season.
Do people think we'd have convinced him to turn down waiting a year for Real Madrid, only to spend most of the season on the bench with us?
Likewise, do you think MdL would be prepared to take a step down from a UCL club that will be genuine title contenders for every major competition AND supposedly take a pay cut to share his game time with an 18 year old?
Yoro signed with us because we have a plan and a tradition of giving young players a chance and developing them.
While MdL is only interested in joining if he is to be guaranteed first choice.
The club had a choice, go with the more experienced player whose ready to step in and perform at the highest level immediately and consistently. Or play the long game, sign the player with huge potential and work with him to develop that talent knowing full well he will make mistakes and be inconsistent along the way.
Personally I'm very excited that they chose the younger player with potential and are looking to play the long game.
The reality is that it'll be 2-3 years before we are ready to really challenge. At that point MdL will 27 nearly 28, Martinez will be 28 nearly 29. That would be a CB partnership with maybe a few years left in it. Whereas going for a player like Yoro means we'll have a top class CB whose only 21/ 22 years old, and has 5-10 year left at the highest level. That will give us some stability in defence for a good while allowing sustained success, or at least the chance of it.
If we sign Branthwaite as well then he'll be 24-25 years old at that time. Giving us two of potentially the best CB's in the world as a settled partnership just entering their peak years. As they say attack wins games, but defence wins titles.
12.) 20 Jul 2024 17:10:37
I’m with you Dodgy, I’d like to see De Ligt come in as he brings in heaps of experience at a young age, and has those leadership qualities which are completely sapped from our team when Martinez isn’t available.
Yoro is unlikely to start 40+ games this season nor should he be expected to.
13.) 20 Jul 2024 17:40:45
De Ligt all day for me. Good to see an even poll where we're all able to make up our own minds without needing to write Moby Dick. :D
Whoever it is will end up playing a sackful of games, along with both Yoro and Martinez. 5 top centre backs has always felt about right.
14.) 20 Jul 2024 19:39:58
De Ligt for me. The only way I’d choose Branthwaite would be if he were considerably cheaper, but as signing him would likely cost us more than signing De Ligt, it’s actually a fairly easy choice.
14 Jun 2024 12:44:41
Ahmad,
I agree with you on Branthwaite. Admittedly I have watched him for 90 minutes perhaps 8 times. Each time I've seen him dribbled past too easily, go to ground easily, and be at fault for goals.
I can only base my opinion on what I know, and I wouldn't touch him. However, people whose opinions I respect tell me they really like him and he's going to have a great career. I hope that is the case as he seems to have his head screwed on and is well liked by Everton fans.
Time will tell. Let's hope this is one of the few transfers we get right if we pull it off.
1.) 14 Jun 2024 19:46:43
I really like him and hope we can wrap this one up quickly. Having another left footed defender is also good.
Eth likes the balance of a left and right footed cb he has referred to it dozens of times and why he played Shaw there ahead of career cbs on many an occasion.
Martinez has been available less than varane for the last 2 years so it makes sense to have another leftie in the squad. Martinez is very 2 footed I'm not sure about JB.
Our right footed options as it stands are crap so let's hope JB is one of 2 cbs coming in.
2.) 15 Jun 2024 08:19:26
Ken, Branthwaite is very two footed and played RCB for PSV under RvN while on loan there. He also demonstrated his passing ability while in the Eredivisie far more than he gets to show it playing for Dyche's Everton.
I think people forget he's 21 and has only had one full season in the EPL. We aren't buying the finished article, and he will improve and develop. The few Toffees I know rate him as being much better than Stones was at the same age.
I think he'd be a great signing, especially as he can play RCB, LCB and even LB. Given our injuries in defence this season and our limited budget to bring in the sheer number of players we ideally need to this summer; signing young, homegrown, EPL proven players with a high ceiling and the ability to cover several positions just screams sensible transfer.
Get it done.
3.) 15 Jun 2024 16:54:01
I think we are trying Shappy. But we are not paying $70m plus for the guy. That is silly money for a player who is not yet established. Some reports saying Everton think he is worth more than McGuire was. Madness.
4.) 16 Jun 2024 13:12:21
Dodgy, I agree we shouldn't be paying silly money. Lots of posturing going on right now. I'd expect common sense to prevail with United paying 35-40m upfront with a further 15-20m depending on performances or certain criteria.
That way Everton save face with a bigger fee, yet United only end up paying the full 55-60m if he is a success and United are successful. In which case I don't think anyone would complain.
05 Jun 2024 19:18:23
So the retained list is out and it appears we are negotiating new contracts with Evans and Heaton.
Makes sense to me to have the older heads around, especially Evans who is rooted in the club.
I assume the club will not expect them to play any league games next season, barring an unprecedented run of injuries like we had last season.
Also Hojlund will wear number 9 according to reports, I don't think I've seen that confirmed.
1.) 05 Jun 2024 19:46:55
Said the same below wazza.
2 good pros with long history and I'd imagine both are a good influence on the younger lads.
Evans won't even want to play as much as he did last season I'd say?
It also will hopefully mean we have 2 cbs coming in and both Harry and lindelof will find new homes.
2.) 05 Jun 2024 21:12:38
Can't see Maguire moving on, we tried last year and he stayed regardless, I was quite glad he stayed in the end, we needed him.
3.) 05 Jun 2024 21:42:19
I think Maguire’s situation is a little different now, given his age he will surely want to be at a club where he’s playing every week.
With Varane gone and possibly Maguire we do look short at CB.
Lisandro
New starting CB
Lindelof
Willy
Evans
+1 other backup.
Branthwaite is an odd one for me because he’s left footed, surely we’re not looking to replace Martinez.
Do we have any youngsters ready to take the other backup spot?
4.) 05 Jun 2024 22:29:34
Let's be honest Evans has probably been out best and most consistent CB this season.
It could mean we sell both Maguire and Lindelof as well as letting Varane go. Then look to sign two CB's to join Martinez, Evans and Kambwala.
That'd be ideal, three top CB's fighting it out for two positions, with a talented kid and an old hand there as back up.
As for Heaton, he's another former academy player, a great pro, counts as homegrown, and a really solid squad player who could deputise for Onana and you wouldn't be too worried. He's still good enough to be first choice for any EPL team from about 7th downwards.
Why wouldn't we keep these guys around if they are happy to stick around and be part of that older leadership group in what will hopefully be a younger, hungrier squad next season.
5.) 05 Jun 2024 22:43:55
I’d sell Lindelof, promote Willy, and buy another CB.
6.) 06 Jun 2024 00:38:35
7th down Shappy! Does that mean we have a replacement already if Onana moves on? ?.
7.) 06 Jun 2024 07:37:09
According to the Italian media Maguire has been offered to AC Milan.
8.) 06 Jun 2024 15:51:13
Evans is a great 5th man.
Lindelof won’t be sold as he’s in his extension year. It will be difficult.
9.) 07 Jun 2024 01:14:35
Don’t get the obsession with a left footed player must play left side and a right footed right side
Professional players should be comfortable with both feet.
26 Aug 2024 08:18:35
Rabiot and Ugarte would transform our midfield, but both seems impossible with Casemiro still on the books, and to a lesser extent Eriksen.
23 Aug 2024 06:28:42
Essay incoming!
21 Aug 2024 16:56:12
Thanks for all these updates Ed002, it's been really insightful.
21 Aug 2024 17:04:13
Ken, Casemiro arrived for a huge fee, is on huge wages, and has a stacked trophy cabinet. Therefore more is expected of him and he becomes more open to criticism. Pellistri arrived for a small fee, he had little expectations. Good luck to him and I hope he makes an impact at his next club.
The one thing that both Casemiro and Pellistri have in common is that neither have really worked out. That's where the comparison ends imo.
21 Aug 2024 16:58:18
Chasing Ugarte all summer points to him wanting a traditional DM.
26 Aug 2024 14:35:31
One is injured, the other went to the Euros injured and didn’t kick a ball in pre season.
26 Aug 2024 12:59:45
Ken you are getting confused between Sterling at city and Sterling now. We aren’t buying the 24 year old version.
26 Aug 2024 11:53:31
Agreed Ahmad I think it’s going to be late September before things start to click. A strange pre season and signing players who did not kick a ball all summer are contributing factors. Recruitment has been ok but slow, I wish the window closed at the start of August and not the end.
26 Aug 2024 11:50:31
Bank holiday, slow news day.
Sterling is an upgrade on Sancho for sure, but isn’t any better than what we already have.
We need another summer to permanently move on the likes of Sancho and Antony (amongst others), and then we should see a quality winger coming in.
26 Aug 2024 08:28:33
Wow I caught a couple of big ones there ?
I want to see Maguire up top even less than I want to see the OP’s suggestion of moving our best defender in ten years out of the back 4.