Hi lads,
Simple question really:
Bearing in mind your club's needs and the potential asking price for each of the above and the need to reinforce other areas, which of these players would you prefer to go for?
I reckon - though might be mistaken - that their values might be around:
60-70M for Pogba
45-55 for Verratti
25-35 for Kondogbia
They're all 22 years old - in fact just 5 months separating them - and imho are 3 of the best young CMs out there.
Fwiw, as a Madrid fan I'd go for Verratti, as imo his combination of technique and aggression would allow him operate really comfortably in a holding role in a midfield comprising him, Modric and Kroos, bearing in mind too that we have other attacking midfielders in the squad that would allow us to play a lot of variations. Also, I don't think his size would be a problem given the style of football in La Liga. Add his prior experience under Ancelotti and a price range I think we can afford considering holding mid is one of the key areas we need to reinforce, and I reckon he could be a perfect fit to us.
How about you - who would be your preferred option for your club and for what reasons?
P.S. Admins, could you please multiboard? I think it's an interesting discussion considering that most of the PL's big clubs will be looking to strengthen in central midfield in the off-season.
Pogba vs Verratti vs Kondogbia
posted on 27/3/15
comment by itsonlyagame - let's go bowling! (U6426)
posted 11 minutes ago
Pogba is a very talented player. Great ability on the ball, excellent passing, power, energy and goals. He has a massive future ahead of him and his tendency to drift to the left side would make him perfect at LCM (effectively replacing Fellaini).
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Wait till Robb or Heisenberg read that.
Anyway, fwiw...
----Verratti----
Modric--Kroos
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You couldn't play that in the big games though, Barca and Bayern would have a field day.
Verrati can play that deeper role when controlling games, but I have my doubts as to whether he could against clubs who will dominate you. He strikes me as more of a player who likes the freedom to drive forward.
posted on 27/3/15
Busby, don't think anyone would dominate us with that MF, tbh. Busquets, Rakitic and iniesta are in no way superior to that.
We've actually been playing an even more attacking midfield this season, and were ripping sides apart when a fit Modric and Kroos were starting without a holding midfielder. We crushed Barça with it and would fancy our chances even more with Verratti behind them.
All three are great ball-players with great off-the-ball workrates and excellent defensive awareness too. Both Kroos and Modric have adapted to far less attacking roles than the ones they had at Bayern & Spurs. Verratti could sit alongside either of the two and the other would be free to play further ahead and make full use of his creativity.
posted on 27/3/15
You couldn't play that in the big games though, Barca and Bayern would have a field day.
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I disagree, I think that midfield with a front 3 of James, Benzema and Ronalo would be good for Real in those games.
I do agree though that Verratti is no holding player by nature even though I rate him highly defensively, definitely likes to get right into the midfield battle.
posted on 27/3/15
Robb, was just kidding.
Did your Fellaini alert go off or something?
posted on 27/3/15
comment by itsonlyagame - let's go bowling! (U6426)
posted 2 minutes ago
Robb, was just kidding.
Did your Fellaini alert go off or something?
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Yes, my phone buzzed and I saw the afro sign in the sky.
posted on 27/3/15
"I do agree though that Verratti is no holding player by nature even though I rate him highly defensively, definitely likes to get right into the midfield battle."
Absolutely, but not in a tactical sense, more of a willingness to get stuck in sense.
posted on 27/3/15
Busby, point I was making above is that we've already taken Barça to the cleaners this season playing without a natural holding mid and arguably even less bite in MF. A matter of opinion obviously, but imo Verratti would make us even better.
Plus, it would be a bit un-Madrid if our line up didn't have an element of carefree folly to it!
posted on 6/4/15
Great article. Although late, I've enjoyed reading through the comments as the 3 players suggested aren't 3 that I watch on a regular basis.
From what I have seen, I would have snatched your hand off for the chance to sign Kondogbia as recently as January. However with the emergence of Coq, the job he's doing and the fact I haven't seen to much of Kon - I do wonder whether he would really be an upgrade?
Veratti is a strange one. I see him as the player Wilshere could have been, and I still have hope that Wilshere can become that player. Ofc rivals will laugh, I'm not bothered and for now would keep my hopes on JW.
Pogba is a player who's hype I've brought into. Yet for £70mil, is he really worth it?
I reckon I would go with Kondogbia to replace Flamini, then using the rest of our money on buying a GK and a CB. Possibly a striker too.
posted on 6/4/15
You think we really need a keeper? Unless something silly like Cech happens, I can't see another one coming in. Unless Shez really was on his last chance
And i think we definitely need another striker, a pacy option if preferable. Couldn't give you any names though. And of course another midfielder.
posted on 6/4/15
I don't think Sczc will stay around as 2nd choice for long mate. When/If that happens, I'd rather we upgraded on Ospina than brought somebody to be second fiddle to him.
(I do like Opsina btw)