Transfer Rumour Axel Witsel

[RFUS]

I'm not sure there's enough energy between Barry and Witsel, from those more clues up than I he usually plays best alongside a tough tackler who likes to sit in, like McCarthy but better I'd imagine.

Besic says hello

 

[sageyefc]

isnt it good to have backup?

He's too crap for backup

 

[polish]

A massive upgrade on McCarthy. End of.
That's how we should build a squad - improving on what we already have.

 

[bluestevon]

A massive upgrade on McCarthy. End of.
That's how we should build a squad - improving on what we already have.

True but he will be playing the left side of the centre mate, he always plays there, definite Barry replacement in my eyes

 

[Blue Cally]

Koeman was finalised while on holiday no need to worry,

Just saying

 

[AmericanBlue]

Koeman was finalised while on holiday no need to worry,

Just saying

Koeman didn't need a medical.

Patience all, seems next week is more likely to be the start of transfers.

 

[billytoffee]

Koeman was finalised while on holiday no need to worry,

Just saying

Dont worry - be happy !

Doo Doooooooo de Dooooooooo Doo de Doo......................

Dont worry - be happy!

 

[Hangleton]

If we get Mata and Witsel I'd like to see McCarthy and Cleverley sold.

Me too. Better off with Dowell and Davies.

 

[BlueToff]

But he's none of those pal, he's slow, dosent impose himself on games and dosent protect his back four.
You all think McCarthy loves a safe sideways pass, wait till this guy shows up

I like McCarthy.

I know that @bluestevon wont agree, but personally I think McCarthy and Witsel in a midfield three with Barkley will give Barks the confidence he needs to go and do his stuff. If you also have Mata in a free role from one of the wings, then you've got a perfect balance IMO

 

[Petit]

If we get Mata and Witsel I'd like to see McCarthy and Cleverley sold.

McCarthy is a usefull squaf player, or st least he'll be under proper management.

Cleverly on the other hand is stealing a living and should shipped off along with Kone, Niasse and fat lad McGeady.

 

[Raino85]

I also think with a new manager McCarthy can get back o his 13/14 season form. Although he was pretty poor at the euro's also.
The thing is he is the only one of our midfielders that would recoup any sort of a decent transfer fee

 

[blueblue]

Really get the feeling James is going to move on.

Koeman won't be crazy enough to bench Barry or get rid. He's got at least a year left and was our double player of the season. Besic has youth on his side and offers something different. Gibson has just got a new contract. Cleverley is a good passer and versatile.

I'm happy having Cleverley and Gibson as squad options, Besic knocking on the door and Barry and Witsel starting, assuming the latter signs. Won't cry if McCarthy moves on but I still think there's a player in there. Just don't see him as a Koeman type of midfielder.

I think the ooposite, I think McCarthy will become a key player for Koeman.
I think we have to forget about what has happened in the past, it is what the new manager wants for the future.
If/when Witsel and/or Mata arrive our midfield will have a completely new dynamic.
Witsel will play and who will compliment him best , I think Witsel will play the midfield general role setting the pattern of play for the whole team(I think Gibson is his understudy) a defensive midfielder will play alongside him to offer cover to the defense and I think that role will be for McCarthy primarily with Barry and Besic as cover.

Really , we are all guessing until we see a game or two in preseason where his intentions become clearer.

 

[bluestevon]

I like McCarthy.

I know that @bluestevon wont agree, but personally I think McCarthy and Witsel in a midfield three with Barkley will give Barks the confidence he needs to go and do his stuff. If you also have Mata in a free role from one of the wings, then you've got a perfect balance IMO

Thing is mate for that to even have a chance of working we'd need McCarthy to mshow that the one season he had (the first here) was the true reflection of how good he is, and he can get that level again and maintain it, maybe the rest of his career shows the reflection of his true level, ie, decent but no more. He reaches his form of 3 years ago then we would have a good midfield but nothing amazing

Witsel ideally paired up with an absolute top rate defensive midfielder like Scheniderlin or a beast of a centre mid like Strootman would work much much better. that midfield with Barkley developing his overall game would IMO anyway be able to compete with anything in the league

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Including his own.

Sry but Besic is one of those players who's aleays injured and those never change.

Diofficult to say. Lots of young players get frequent injuries. Especially dynamic players like Besic.
If you go back to his early days, Steevie Me had a similar reputation to Kieron Dier. Once heard them both referred to as the 'tampons', in for a week out for a month. While Dier continued to be dogged by injuries which stinted a promising carrer, Gerrard overcame those early problems.

 

[bluestevon]

Diofficult to say. Lots of young players get frequent injuries. Especially dynamic players like Besic.
If you go back to his early days, Steevie Me had a similar reputation to Kieron Dier. Once heard them both referred to as the 'tampons', in for a week out for a month. While Dier continued to be dogged by injuries which stinted a promising carrer, Gerrard overcame those early problems.

Wasn't Gerrard down to a growth spurt he had in his late teens which buggered his back and legs up for a whilst?