Summer mercato thread 2017-18 (40 Viewers)
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Actually, I am getting quietly optimistic right about now.
Here's why:
On the Strootman thing. Cuadrado + 15-20m may work for Roma and us. But this "trattativa" has to work in concert with what is happening with Keita/Schick and a possible sale of Sturaro.
When it comes to Keita and Schick, we are holding the cards here. Firstly on Keita, he either wants to go to Juve or we get him for free next year - win/win. Worst case we get neither Keita or Schick and we just keep Cuadrado for another year - hardly the end of the world.
On Schick, we are again holding the cards here. This is because we want him but don't necessarily NEED him this season. He will have a buy out clause of 25m next year. Of course, other clubs want him and are willing to pay ~30m for him. Best thing to do here is, sign him from Samp, pay Samp 3-4m up front and let him play for Samp this season and pay the residual of the agreed fee the following season pending fitness & medical checklist etc. Schick wants to sign for us as well.
So we are holding the cards on both Schick and Keita. In fact, it is not at all impossible that next summer we could have both - you would think that Mandzukic may not be with us next season.
On the mid front, if we cannot secure Keita and we cannot get Strootman, then we simply LOAN Gomes from Barcelona.
Spinazzola IS going to be our attacking right back option. The way we play this season will have less emphasis on the right fullback to attack.
Overall, I am pretty relaxed.
Here's why:
On the Strootman thing. Cuadrado + 15-20m may work for Roma and us. But this "trattativa" has to work in concert with what is happening with Keita/Schick and a possible sale of Sturaro.
When it comes to Keita and Schick, we are holding the cards here. Firstly on Keita, he either wants to go to Juve or we get him for free next year - win/win. Worst case we get neither Keita or Schick and we just keep Cuadrado for another year - hardly the end of the world.
On Schick, we are again holding the cards here. This is because we want him but don't necessarily NEED him this season. He will have a buy out clause of 25m next year. Of course, other clubs want him and are willing to pay ~30m for him. Best thing to do here is, sign him from Samp, pay Samp 3-4m up front and let him play for Samp this season and pay the residual of the agreed fee the following season pending fitness & medical checklist etc. Schick wants to sign for us as well.
So we are holding the cards on both Schick and Keita. In fact, it is not at all impossible that next summer we could have both - you would think that Mandzukic may not be with us next season.
On the mid front, if we cannot secure Keita and we cannot get Strootman, then we simply LOAN Gomes from Barcelona.
Spinazzola IS going to be our attacking right back option. The way we play this season will have less emphasis on the right fullback to attack.
Overall, I am pretty relaxed.
I don't know, we still have pjaca, mandzukic is still good and we haven't event started a game with Costa or berna. how can we still add attackers? I would rather wait for both keita and Schick for next summer and see if anyone would need to be replaced by those two. abvioulsy what we need is defender and midfielder
Exactly. Both players want to join us as their first priority - which puts us in the box seat. We could essentially pay a downpayment for Schick and let him play for Samp with 1st right of refusal to buy him out on his buy out clause. Keita will be free next season. Either way, we are in a good position here. If one of them comes, we can use Cuadrado as a trade for Strootman should Roma be willing to deal.
What's with all these news outlets? One I read says one thing and the next the complete opposite. And lots in between. WTF! That being said interesting to read about the possibilities, though mostly crap.
Looked up Gomez and don't think he brings anything special to team except youth. Another midfielder and how much playing time will a rejuvenated Claudio lose? And are we forgetting Bentancur. Get Spin here ASAP and be done with it. Don't want Cuads staying in Serie so no Strootman. Matuidi has me thinking no desperate moves are necessary.
Looked up Gomez and don't think he brings anything special to team except youth. Another midfielder and how much playing time will a rejuvenated Claudio lose? And are we forgetting Bentancur. Get Spin here ASAP and be done with it. Don't want Cuads staying in Serie so no Strootman. Matuidi has me thinking no desperate moves are necessary.
2. I think we're looking to create a full squad that's capable of playing many formations and 3-man midfield definitely is something Max could turn to during the season, considering how Cardiff ended. Then again, if Bentancur fulfills his promise, Pjanič-Khedira-Marchisio-Matuidi-Bentancur-Sturaro could sustain a 3 man midfield at least until January
Higuain won't fade out. He would thrive with 2 other quality players playing next to him in the box. That's what he is lacking now, Dybala is too far away from him.
I REALLY think Dybala could play on the right side for the front 3 with DC/Bern on the other side. Yes, bench Mario he can deputize for Higuain. We need Higuain firing on all cylinders again, Dybala too. The formation that brings the best out of the team and not one or two players is more important.
here is what I have been thinking:
Tell me that isn't a highly functioning/technical midfield. Matuidi to do the dirty work so Pjanic can dictate play and Marchisio to make those sexy runs forward.
Tell me that front 3 isn't tricky as fuck. Plenty for an opposition defense to think about. Not only those 3 they still need to worry about Sandro & Costa link up play. Sandro surging forward and Spinazzola too. We have always played the best with a 3 man midfield IMO.
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I wish I could be a mod so I could change their title status under their name to "Lurker".
I REALLY think Dybala could play on the right side for the front 3 with DC/Bern on the other side. Yes, bench Mario he can deputize for Higuain. We need Higuain firing on all cylinders again, Dybala too. The formation that brings the best out of the team and not one or two players is more important.
here is what I have been thinking:
Buffon
Spinazzola - Rugani - Chiellini - Sandro
Marchisio - Pjanic - Matuidi
Dybala - Higuain - Costa
Spinazzola - Rugani - Chiellini - Sandro
Marchisio - Pjanic - Matuidi
Dybala - Higuain - Costa
Tell me that isn't a highly functioning/technical midfield. Matuidi to do the dirty work so Pjanic can dictate play and Marchisio to make those sexy runs forward.
Tell me that front 3 isn't tricky as fuck. Plenty for an opposition defense to think about. Not only those 3 they still need to worry about Sandro & Costa link up play. Sandro surging forward and Spinazzola too. We have always played the best with a 3 man midfield IMO.
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