I'm back on my bullshit to help us sift through 289 potential midfield targets for Arsenal, using a new method called "Pair With Rice" (or PWR for short)
Yeah, definitely. I’m not going to pretend that I watched a ton of Leverkusen but let’s remember that this is a guy who most in football saw as an 8 when he came to Chelsea (I know this has its issues, because I know also from people who did play Leverkusen that they liked him best in more advanced positions there). But there is a reason for that.
The underlying technical qualities to contribute in the second phase are definitely there but I don’t think we can ignore the reality that it’s going to take a transition. Perhaps longer than I had hoped. And yeah, there can be an argument made that if stone still looks like a stone at 24 perhaps it’s just a stone. Which is why I’m interested as well in Billy’s opinion. But I tend to be on the more hopeful side of this argument…in short, I rate Havertz qualities and tend to believe in players whose qualities I rate, but totally understand and am open to (reasonable) doubts.
I also checked out Baena but he seems closer to a #10, but maybe we can get away with him and Odegaard in midfield against some teams the way we can with Vieira. The thing about the left 8 Mikel wants is that the role, on the defensive side, is not just about workrate but also being physical enough to win duels in midfield.
For me I’d really like a 8/6 hybrid in that role, one who can also play alongside Jorginho if Rice is out. If we can’t find that silver bullet (I really doubt we’ll get Luiz), then we can try for the pure 8/10, and maybe get a young prospect for the 6.
He is no doubt, but he is incredibly comfortable in the inside left channel, it’s his bread and butter. As I say, it’s the majority of games that call for more of a 10 in that position in the end. But I guess you could argue having someone like Trossard what’s the point in Baena.
I think you could just argue we’re okay with our L8 options atm, if we decide to move Thomas on, then yeah, that opens up a spot in the squad. Unless a talent of the level of like Wirtz becomes available to us somehow.
Yeah, definitely. I’m not going to pretend that I watched a ton of Leverkusen but let’s remember that this is a guy who most in football saw as an 8 when he came to Chelsea (I know this has its issues, because I know also from people who did play Leverkusen that they liked him best in more advanced positions there). But there is a reason for that.
The underlying technical qualities to contribute in the second phase are definitely there but I don’t think we can ignore the reality that it’s going to take a transition. Perhaps longer than I had hoped. And yeah, there can be an argument made that if stone still looks like a stone at 24 perhaps it’s just a stone. Which is why I’m interested as well in Billy’s opinion. But I tend to be on the more hopeful side of this argument…in short, I rate Havertz qualities and tend to believe in players whose qualities I rate, but totally understand and am open to (reasonable) doubts.
I also checked out Baena but he seems closer to a #10, but maybe we can get away with him and Odegaard in midfield against some teams the way we can with Vieira. The thing about the left 8 Mikel wants is that the role, on the defensive side, is not just about workrate but also being physical enough to win duels in midfield.
For me I’d really like a 8/6 hybrid in that role, one who can also play alongside Jorginho if Rice is out. If we can’t find that silver bullet (I really doubt we’ll get Luiz), then we can try for the pure 8/10, and maybe get a young prospect for the 6.
He is no doubt, but he is incredibly comfortable in the inside left channel, it’s his bread and butter. As I say, it’s the majority of games that call for more of a 10 in that position in the end. But I guess you could argue having someone like Trossard what’s the point in Baena.
I think you could just argue we’re okay with our L8 options atm, if we decide to move Thomas on, then yeah, that opens up a spot in the squad. Unless a talent of the level of like Wirtz becomes available to us somehow.
I’d also be fast tracking Nwaneri, honestly.