Radja Nainggolan - CM - Cagliari/Roma (10 Viewers)

[Buck Fuddy]

That's what I'm thinking, it'll be a third of games that become available, which is why the whole Marchisio/Pogba thing is an acceptable situation as it stands.

Let's see how acceptable it remains when all 4 mids are 100% fit.


So, does anyone know how many games we played last season where we had a player other than Marchisio, Vidal, Pogba or Pirlo in our center midfield? I don't think you'll need a calculator to count them.

 

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[JuveJay]

Well Marchisio is somewhat injury prone

Rather sweeping statement, I think made partially because of his current injury and his tendency to pick up little niggles, which he sometimes plays through.

2010-11 - played 39 games out of possible 48 (suspended for 2 games, rested for 2 games, injured for 5 games)

2011-12 - played 39 games out of possible 41 (suspended for 1 game, rested for 1 game)

2012-13 - played 40 games out of possible 51 (suspended for 1 game, rested for 4 games, injured for 6 games)

 

[ZoSo]

He could've been playing with an injury last season for all we know, might be why he was so poor vs Bayern.

 

[JuveJay]

Let's see how acceptable it remains when all 4 mids are 100% fit.


So, does anyone know how many games we played last season where we had a player other than Marchisio, Vidal, Pogba or Pirlo in our center midfield? I don't think you'll need a calculator to count them.

I think Conte handled it pretty well last season, and I also think this is where the Pirlo factor comes into play. For me Pogba will end up there, and we now have a responsible alternative to allow Pirlo some rest.

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He could've been playing with an injury last season for all we know, might be why he was so poor vs Bayern.

Our entire midfielder except Vidal was poor against Bayern, Pirlo was in both games, and Asamoah had one of his worst in the second leg.

 

[KB824]

There's a difference between having 1 or 2 players out and having the backups to cover them and exaggerating and saying every player will be out.

I didn't say we should have a massive squad, we should just get more quality. If he can be available for a decent price, there's no good reason why we shouldn't sign Nainggolan and maybe sell Padoin.



Well Marchisio is somewhat injury prone and Pirlo is 34, maybe Conte will want to rest him a little bit more for the more important matches. Don't forget he could be important to use in matches before and/or after CL games (if they are a couple of days apart) so the squad doesn't get so tired. If 20 matches is 1/3 of all games then so be it, I guess I underestimated 1/3. Better to have Nainggolan for 20 games instead of Padoin.

And there it is folks.

The real reason why we should be thinking about Nainggolan. Not as a direct replacement for Pirlo, but another very good midfielder to come in and change the shape of the squad when Andrea is getting worn down or suffering lapses of bad form, which I think we can all admit to, happened more often last season than we care to admit. It is no secret that Pirlo is basically a lock for the World Cup, which means that he will most likely be playing in all of the qualifiers, along with the CL Matches, and it is going to take his toll on him.

Nainggolan would give the squad a very physical presence in the midfield, and would allow Conte to have more flexibility with the midfield.

And let's not fail to think about the future of the squad as well. There is no guarantee that Pirlo will be re-signed after this season. Unless there is a regista type playuer out there who come in and fill his shoes, the future of how this club willbe playing has to be taken into consideration as much as the present

 

[Mark]

pls lawd yes

@Mark I heard we might want him on an option for next summer??

who knows. Only Curva and TS have mentioned it so far. We need valid sources.

 

[GarfielD]

Wont happen..

 

[ZoSo]

Our entire midfielder except Vidal was poor against Bayern, Pirlo was in both games, and Asamoah had one of his worst in the second leg.

Marchisio was exceptionally poor, pretty much everyone noticed how invisible he was in both of those games.

And there it is folks.

The real reason why we should be thinking about Nainggolan. Not as a direct replacement for Pirlo, but another very good midfielder to come in and change the shape of the squad when Andrea is getting worn down or suffering lapses of bad form, which I think we can all admit to, happened more often last season than we care to admit. It is no secret that Pirlo is basically a lock for the World Cup, which means that he will most likely be playing in all of the qualifiers, along with the CL Matches, and it is going to take his toll on him.

Nainggolan would give the squad a very physical presence in the midfield, and would allow Conte to have more flexibility with the midfield.

And let's not fail to think about the future of the squad as well. There is no guarantee that Pirlo will be re-signed after this season. Unless there is a regista type playuer out there who come in and fill his shoes, the future of how this club willbe playing has to be taken into consideration as much as the present

Great post

 

[JuveJay]

For me we want him but for next season, because of reasons given, which might cause problems if others are keen.

 

[ZoSo]

Well I heard a rumour, apparently we want some kind of option or something. I guess we might give Beltrame on loan or for cheap and in exchange for a little cash we might get first option on Radja, so if another club tries to buy him we can match the offer and get preference.

 

[venus_isle]

im not really impressed with this guy,
or maybe i just never seen a game from him that he was a visible/influential presence
or mayber there wasnt even such game

 

[rakib567]

he will make a good back up

 

[JuveJay]

im not really impressed with this guy,
or maybe i just never seen a game from him that he was a visible/influential presence
or mayber there wasnt even such game

He played well in most games against us...

 

[LiquidPLP]

And there it is folks.

The real reason why we should be thinking about Nainggolan. Not as a direct replacement for Pirlo, but another very good midfielder to come in and change the shape of the squad when Andrea is getting worn down or suffering lapses of bad form, which I think we can all admit to, happened more often last season than we care to admit. It is no secret that Pirlo is basically a lock for the World Cup, which means that he will most likely be playing in all of the qualifiers, along with the CL Matches, and it is going to take his toll on him.

Nainggolan would give the squad a very physical presence in the midfield, and would allow Conte to have more flexibility with the midfield.

And let's not fail to think about the future of the squad as well. There is no guarantee that Pirlo will be re-signed after this season. Unless there is a regista type playuer out there who come in and fill his shoes, the future of how this club willbe playing has to be taken into consideration as much as the present

Good post.

Lol at the guy who said he's not that much better than Padoin. It's laughable.

 

[Bianconero_Aus]

He played well in most games against us...

One of the few midfielders to neutralise Vidal.

Similar style to him as well. Great player, but not sure we should spend money on another CM.

 

[ZoSo]

He is probably in top 10 midfielders in Serie A

 

[Maddy]

Would be a good idea to sign a central midfielder to add some depth.

 

[Klin]

Our fans will love him.

 

[Marco Materazzi]

Our fans will love him.

Even the ultras?

 

[AOD4]

One of the few midfielders to neutralise Vidal.

Similar style to him as well. Great player, but not sure we should spend money on another CM.

Ya agreed, but if i cant see him coming for starting line up.