There's lots of talk about Sancho, and rumours flying around about a central defender (Varane, Villarreal's Pau Torres, Atalanta's Christian Romero) but not so much about midfield, which strikes me as potentially the single most important upgrade we could make. We have midfielders who contribute particular qualities: passing that can unlock a defence (Pogba), tactical intelligence (Matic), energetic pressing (Fred and McT). But we don't have a duo who can provide all of those qualities between them, let alone a player who encapsulates all of them. Bring in the right midfielder and we should defend better as a team, and bring fluency to the attack by improving in transitions and switching play faster.
I'd like to ask not so much which is the best available midfielder, but which one would make the biggest net improvement to our first choice team. And as a secondary question, given the other areas we are looking to invest in, would you be willing to sell Pogba to fund the purchase of a midfielder who is possibly not a better player, but a better fit? E.g. would we be a more coherent side with Saul or Tielemans in the middle?
midfielder
posted on 7/6/21
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 58 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 0 seconds ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 27 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 19 minutes ago
Bellingham's stock has risen significantly since moving to Germany. I wonder if we'll have money left in the pot to buy him soon.
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I'd love to sign Dorrmund's whole recruitment operation.
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Too subtle?
Although I agree with the point you're making.
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Apologies Diafol. First day back at work after half term away with the family (in Snowdonia, since you ask) so I'm even less cognitively functional than usual.
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Not sure what happened there!
That's understandable then? Where did you go exactly on your hols?
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Stayed just outside Barmouth, and dragged the kids on a few walks / bike rides, and went up Snowdon. It's a beautiful area, as you surely don't need me to tell you. Rather creaking under the weight of half-term staycations, though. Seems like half of Birmingham goes to Barmouth beach on a sunny bank holiday. Never seen so many Villa shirts (apart from at a match).
posted on 7/6/21
Ebrima Darboe for CM
posted on 7/6/21
Ah Barmouth Red Russian. Really nice beach but that is where all of the English Midlands seem to go on holiday. Had a few good nights in the nightclub there back in the 90s when I was 18/19.
You possibly went biking on the Mawddach and probably saw huge queues on Snowdon. If you ever decide to visit again give me a shout and I can let you know other places you could go that not many visitors get to. I can bore people to death talking about this area I'm sure!
posted on 7/6/21
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 19 minutes ago
Ah Barmouth Red Russian. Really nice beach but that is where all of the English Midlands seem to go on holiday. Had a few good nights in the nightclub there back in the 90s when I was 18/19.
You possibly went biking on the Mawddach and probably saw huge queues on Snowdon. If you ever decide to visit again give me a shout and I can let you know other places you could go that not many visitors get to. I can bore people to death talking about this area I'm sure!
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Spot on! We hired bikes and went over the bridge and along the Mawddach trail, and indeed waited a good half hour at the summit of Snowdon. Happily, we were staying a few miles east of Barmouth next to the estuary, so we had plenty of Brummie-free tranquility.
I'll remember to ask next time we go there. (You don't know Scotland, do you? Taking the family to Skye / Lewis and Harris in the summer.)
posted on 7/6/21
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 37 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 19 minutes ago
Ah Barmouth Red Russian. Really nice beach but that is where all of the English Midlands seem to go on holiday. Had a few good nights in the nightclub there back in the 90s when I was 18/19.
You possibly went biking on the Mawddach and probably saw huge queues on Snowdon. If you ever decide to visit again give me a shout and I can let you know other places you could go that not many visitors get to. I can bore people to death talking about this area I'm sure!
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Spot on! We hired bikes and went over the bridge and along the Mawddach trail, and indeed waited a good half hour at the summit of Snowdon. Happily, we were staying a few miles east of Barmouth next to the estuary, so we had plenty of Brummie-free tranquility.
I'll remember to ask next time we go there. (You don't know Scotland, do you? Taking the family to Skye / Lewis and Harris in the summer.)
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Nice part of the world. I've discovered loads about this area over the last year or so (mainly because we couldn't go elsewhere) and I've realised I've taken it for granted.
Sorry don't know enough about Scotland but I've seen it described as 'Wales.on Steroids' so I'm certain you'll enjoy.
posted on 7/6/21
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 37 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 19 minutes ago
Ah Barmouth Red Russian. Really nice beach but that is where all of the English Midlands seem to go on holiday. Had a few good nights in the nightclub there back in the 90s when I was 18/19.
You possibly went biking on the Mawddach and probably saw huge queues on Snowdon. If you ever decide to visit again give me a shout and I can let you know other places you could go that not many visitors get to. I can bore people to death talking about this area I'm sure!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spot on! We hired bikes and went over the bridge and along the Mawddach trail, and indeed waited a good half hour at the summit of Snowdon. Happily, we were staying a few miles east of Barmouth next to the estuary, so we had plenty of Brummie-free tranquility.
I'll remember to ask next time we go there. (You don't know Scotland, do you? Taking the family to Skye / Lewis and Harris in the summer.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice part of the world. I've discovered loads about this area over the last year or so (mainly because we couldn't go elsewhere) and I've realised I've taken it for granted.
Sorry don't know enough about Scotland but I've seen it described as 'Wales.on Steroids' so I'm certain you'll enjoy.
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Less accessible fromp the West Midlands at least!
posted on 8/6/21
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 12 hours, 24 minutes ago
It’s a great chance for us to get big wages off the books in Mata and Matic, then replace them with a quality DM.
Would love Ndidi.
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Same here
posted on 8/6/21
Denis Zakaria from Monchengladbach
posted on 8/6/21
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 11 hours, 25 minutes ago
From out of this world signings to out of this world sightings.
The Smallings saw a UFO yesterday! https://twitter.com/UtdDistrict/status/1401945509200281601?s=19
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“Chris”? Woman doesn’t even know her own husband’s first name.
posted on 8/6/21
comment by Shugs (U14253)
posted 7 hours, 11 minutes ago
Denis Zakaria from Monchengladbach
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This.