09 Jan 2018 12:35:19
Certain transfer rumours get you really excited, some you really struggle to be interested in. Lemar sits in the second category for me. I can't claim I've watched him apart from on YouTube but if a highlight real doesn't get the blood flowing nothing will.

My fear is that he's the last player out the door, the big hitters in Europe have stripped the talent from Monaco but passed on Lemar, that raises alarm bells to me. From the highlight real he also doesn't appear to possess the guile and subtlety that's the last thing missing from our armoury.

I'm sure our interest has passed (mainly because he's not keen) but the player that would excite me is Brandt. Again it's just the highlight real I've watched but he's always looking up, finding gaps and bringing other players into the game, the exact sort of thing I think we need.

1.) 09 Jan 2018
09 Jan 2018 13:01:31
You might want to get beyond a highlight reel. Lemar is a quality player. He’s a consistent performer for both Monaco and France.

2.) 09 Jan 2018
09 Jan 2018 13:03:11
I'm getting the same feeling about Strootman. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player. However he's the sane age as Henderson, suffers lots of injuries like Henderson, and like Henderson he's also seemingly no longer fit enough to play his best role as a box to box midfielder.

I just think if we're going to sign a new holding midfielder, we're better off getting a great one, rather than a player who's really struggled in recent years. Strootman does have a great passing range though, and he is aggressive and a real power house, which we will miss when Can leaves.

I feel like we're reduced to signing cast offs by trying to do business in January. If we want a Roma midfielder, Paredes Is the one we should target!

3.) 09 Jan 2018
09 Jan 2018 13:09:36
I read on here that Barcelona are willing to sell Rakitic on the cheap. What I would like to know is if they are willing to loan him out. I know he’s slowing down but mite fill a gap till the summer.

4.) 09 Jan 2018
09 Jan 2018 13:44:04
MK - Every time I watch Strootman, which granted isn't massively often, he's been playing as a holding mid and doing a decent job. He's not been injured for a while now either so putting those two things together - perhaps he's sorted his injury issues by playing a more defensive role and not charging around the pitch so much anymore, which both explain what we would want him for and why we would specifically want him (i. e. the versatility whilst still having a needed 'best' role) . Not saying the rumours are definitely true or that I know what he does nowadays particularly well, but he's definitely not doing the same thing as he was in his early 20's when he was the talk of the town and his health seems better for it.

5.) 09 Jan 2018
09 Jan 2018 14:38:50
He's not had a major injury in about 3 years to be fair, but he does have to be rested regularly, or even just protected to save his legs. I think that is probably why Roma are happy to part ways with him. With De Rossi getting older they can't really afford to carry two midfielders who can't play 90 minutes twice a week.

On the face of it, 22 appearances in his teams 27 games looks good. But he only played the full 90 minutes 12 times. He has been rested entirely for 4 games, missed one through injury, been subbed on in 4 games, and subbed off in 6 games.

It's certainly not a terrible appearance record, but he's also not what you'd call Mr. Reliable. I follow Roma avidly and it is no surprise to me that he is one they're prepared to sacrifice for FFP. He is by no means a bad player. He's good, maybe even great when on form. It's just the massive worry that his legs are gone at just 27 years old that puts me off. He would likely want a big money 5 year contract and we may find in 24 months that we can't shift a guy barely playing and sucking our wage budget dry. It's a big gamble.

6.) 09 Jan 2018
09 Jan 2018 16:35:53
Lazio have got a good young CDM - Think his name is Lucas Leiva. Any interest?