I know nothing is adamant until Fergie, a club representative or the website declare it however, going on the assumption that we look very likely to sign both Jones and Young, I find myself rather dismayed.
Not with signing Jones, I think that is a good signing as he's been impressive, is very young (especially for a cb/dm who usually mature later) and is quite versatile. In my opinion he will be exhausting his defensive midfieder abilities next season rather than playing CB as we still have smalling and evans. Also, with us finally giving up on Hargreaves, it would seem reasonable.
The (potential) signing that has gotten me rather wound up is the Young deal.
I cannot, for the life of me, see why we (may) have signed him!
If, as I saw someone suggest on an earlier thread, it is soley for back-up and squad bolstering means then fair play, he would be a rather useful substitute/back up player for when others need a rest as he too is quite versatile.
My fear is: that we've bought him as a regular, week-in, week-out winger.
Now, this is just my own personal opinion, but, I'm under the impression that both Nani and Valencia are streets ahead of him in every department.
Mental ability: I've seen no reason to doubt nani and AV as the former has bagged a CL final penalty and the latter has astounded us all with his recent come-back from injury. I'm not saying young's mental strength is inadequate, just that we have no reason to suggest it is superior to our two current wingers'.
technical ability: I think Nani is easily the best in this area. The debate between young and AV is less obvious but I think we could all agree that AV delivers a better ball into the danger area.
Physical ability: Although Young is fast, undoubtedly, I think Nani and Valencia are both considerably faster and when it comes to strength I'd side with our two current wingers - AV is no contest, Nani I believe is stronger than the Villa winger, however, some of this season's theatrics may give ammunition to those whom dispute this.
All in all, then, a good squad player, definitely!
But a starter? I'm not so sure.
I have this horrible feeling we will sell Nani or he will be resigned to the bench; a mistake, I feel, could cost us even further unparallelled glory.
We could all agree that, if all three played to their utmost potential, Nani would make the other two look incompetant and we have started to see more and more consistency, intelligence and resolve from the Portuguese winger who is also the youngest of the trio.
If this hinders Nani or Valencia's progress or playing time, I'll deem it a bad signing, for me. If he is used as a very versatile and good squad player (rotation) then I'll be more than happy to welcome him with open arms (I suppose I will regardless, really).
Anyways, good to be back on a familiar looking football forum! Thoughts?
Ashley Young's reps in talks
posted on 9/6/11
comment by Onto Mellor, Lovely Cushioned Header, FOR GERRARD, OOOOHHHHH YAAAAAAAA BEEEUUUUTYYYYYY!!!!!!!! (U1892)
I think like others have said, Jones isn't considered as 1 of the 3, I think we always have certain players in mind and if for whatever reason we have to act earlier than predicted we have the funds and to go ahead of schedule.
A similar thing happened with Ronaldo, supposedly he was bought a season early because of interest from other clubs.
I think everyone can see we need to strengthen in Central Midfield, I would love Tunnicliffe, Pogba and Morrison given games but we still need a creative player with experience.
posted on 9/6/11
Yh I agree that Jones was most likely, not one of the 3 Fergie initially planned to sign.
This season coould be Rio's last season at the top of his game (hes only started about 30 elague games in last 2 seasons and hes getting on a bit now) so next season wouldve been the right time to sign Jones. But with Arsenal, Tottenham all willing to pay his release clause now, Fergie had to act
The question now is do the Glazers give Fergie that extra money he will need now to buy a top CM? The even bigger question is who is that CM going to be as Sneikder and Modric are being quoted ridiculous prices and Wenger wont sell Nasri to us
posted on 9/6/11
not really fussed about young either way but i do think people are under rating the guy. In terms of stats he is way above nani and valencia from what i have read
Personally think nani is brilliant and we should utilise him in a more free role, and i dont put much stock into stats as they can be misleading
Young could be quite a good signing imo, and he is proven in the prem. Also he can play across the midfield so is quite versatile and not too bad at defensive duties. so i dont see why people are slating the idea. as i say though if we didnt it wouldnt bother me
posted on 9/6/11
In terms of stats he is way above nani and valencia from what i have read
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What?! Nani got 18 assists last season
A.Young is naturally a left winger (albeit he is right footed). Valencia is exclusively a right winger and we all know Nani prefers the right wing so it makes sense that Fergie is buying a left winger (not for £20mil though surely?!)
Thankfully, signign Young doesnt seem to be stopping Fergie from signign a CM too as he is now looking at buying Nasri. Get rid of Gibson, Scholes retired, Hargo let go and we have a very good midfield selection if we succueed in getting these 2
A.Young, Nani, Valencia, Park, Giggs, Fletcher, Anderson, Nasri, Carrick.....8 players to fight for 4 spots yet versatile enough to play a 5 man midfield
posted on 9/6/11
As someone stated earlier I like the idea of Rooney Nani and Young inter changing positions.
Valencia is too one dimentional for me. He knocks it past the LB and out paces him to cross. His crossing is not that good as people make out. Sometimes he looks like Theo Walcott but he has better control.
Im not slating Valencia he's a great player I just think Nani is a better RM and Young plays well on the left even tho he is right footed.
Good signing imo. We do need a winger I wouldnt trust LM to a Giggs/Park combo for the entire season, we all know Nani is better on the right.
posted on 9/6/11
Nani can play left/right wing as well as through the middle
Youg can play left/right wing as well as through the middle
]
Rooney can play left/right wing as well as through the midle
You're right, these 3 can very much interchange. Just hope Fergie doesnt opt for Valencia ahead of Nani as imo, Valencia never performs in the big games. He was completely out of his depth vs Barca.
posted on 9/6/11
benz - yeah i read stats for all games per goal and assist ratio not just last season
Also i think young can play across the midfield well. nani is better on the right and rooney better through the middle
In fact of the 3 i would say young and valencia on the wings are way better than rooney. we need to get rooney back up front with the likes of young and nani supplying
posted on 9/6/11
You're right, these 3 can very much interchange. Just hope Fergie doesnt opt for Valencia ahead of Nani as imo, Valencia never performs in the big games. He was completely out of his depth vs Barca.
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tbf he wasn't the only one.
posted on 9/6/11
tbf he wasn't the only one.
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True but he was literally not in the game at all
He made 1 cross all game (went waaaay too far), 0 dribbles and his one footedness made him so predictable.
Nani came on, beat Abidal twice, had a shot and looked so much sharper
posted on 9/6/11
Actually he was lucky to stay on as long as he did, partly due to a surprisingly lenient ref.