Transfer Rumour Axel Witsel

[Rugby Toffee]

SIGH!

 

[ToffeeDoug]

Christ, with your knowledge of anagrams you must be ace at cryptic crosswords !

*wishes he hadn't mentioned it

I was once, brain all a bit mushy these days.

 

[Loadsofchemistry]

I know yes but the girls asked me not to tell all, if the taxman found out how much it cost me they would have her for tax evasion.

So yeah we just kissed if anyone asks.

Sound mate. Secret safe with me.

 

[Professor Toffee]

Axel's theme is now "road to nowhere"

 

[peteblue]

@peteblue

Am on it, got it covered mate....

 

[bluestevon]

Walks past the GOT transfer thread door...uncaring, with beak and brass.

Can't believe the cheek of the lad, EATING whilst we FUME!

 

[scratchnsurf]

Virgins hello

 

[Viennablue]

Is this guy actually even that good? I don't watch the Russian league... Er i mean sure like all knowledgable football hipsters I watch it every week, but I don't remember seeing Witsel.

He didn't exactly blow me away with his ability in the euros but then I suppose you don't notice defensive midfielders. I mean it's not like MOTD show "defensive interception and then pass to the fullback of the month!". 10 to see, pick your favorite. Just for fun. No prizes at the bbc anymore because the producer's son won it every month for 14 straight years and we were eventually rumbled.

Anyway. 27mil and 120k a week (6 mil a year). Is he really worth it?

I keep hearing he's a step up from McCarthy and Barry but for that money I'd expect him to be bloody amazing.

 

[bluestevon]

Is this guy actually even that good? I don't watch the Russian league... Er i mean sure like all knowledgable football hipsters I watch it every week, but I don't remember seeing Witsel.

He didn't exactly blow me away with his ability in the euros but then I suppose you don't notice defensive midfielders. I mean it's not like MOTD show "defensive interception and then pass to the fullback of the month!". 10 to see, pick your favorite. Just for fun. No prizes at the bbc anymore because the producer's son won it every month for 14 straight years and we were eventually rumbled.

Anyway. 27mil and 120k a week (6 mil a year). Is he really worth it?

I keep hearing he's a step up from McCarthy and Barry but for that money I'd expect him to be bloody amazing.

Yes he is worth it

 

[ilikecheese]

Anyway. 27mil and 120k a week (6 mil a year). Is he really worth it?

I keep hearing he's a step up from McCarthy and Barry but for that money I'd expect him to be bloody amazing.

30 mil is the new 15 mil.

 

[bluestevon]

30 mil is the new 15 mil.

|Completely, and the old 15m was the even older 7m

 

[Mekias]

Is this guy actually even that good? I don't watch the Russian league... Er i mean sure like all knowledgable football hipsters I watch it every week, but I don't remember seeing Witsel.

He didn't exactly blow me away with his ability in the euros but then I suppose you don't notice defensive midfielders. I mean it's not like MOTD show "defensive interception and then pass to the fullback of the month!". 10 to see, pick your favorite. Just for fun. No prizes at the bbc anymore because the producer's son won it every month for 14 straight years and we were eventually rumbled.

Anyway. 27mil and 120k a week (6 mil a year). Is he really worth it?

I keep hearing he's a step up from McCarthy and Barry but for that money I'd expect him to be bloody amazing.

I don't think he's worth that kind of money but I'm hoping it turns out to be less than that. For 20 mill and 90-100k a week, I think he'd be worth it. He's a clear upgrade at the position. In my view, here are the good and bad.

The good:
Secure ball handling and dribbling
Solid passing and vision (will look forward instead of sideways)
Great positional defender
Superb tackler
Really strong and good at 50-50 headers
Nice set piece marking
Decent long shot

The bad:
Doesn't close down enough, is content to stand off
Work rate is slightly questionable. Never runs, is always lightly jogging around the pitch. One thing I like about McCarthy is that he busts a gut to get back on defense or cover space.
Little hesitant with his runs and passing in final third.
Pretty slow. Faster than Barry of course but not sure if he's faster than McCarthy or Besic.
27.5 years old. Prime age for a footballer but we wouldn't be able to sell him in 2-3 years and regain the transfer fee (unlike Lukaku who I always saw as an investment).

 

[Viennablue]

|Completely, and the old 15m was the even older 7m

Can't disagree with this. Good point.

 

[whiteshadow]

 

[Viennablue]

I don't think he's worth that kind of money but I'm hoping it turns out to be less than that. For 20 mill and 90-100k a week, I think he'd be worth it. He's a clear upgrade at the position. In my view, here are the good and bad.

The good:
Secure ball handling and dribbling
Solid passing and vision (will look forward instead of sideways)
Great positional defender
Superb tackler
Really strong and good at 50-50 headers
Nice set piece marking
Decent long shot

The bad:
Doesn't close down enough, is content to stand off
Work ethic is slightly questionable. Never runs, is always lightly jogging around the pitch. One thing I like about McCarthy is that he busts a gut to get back on defense or cover space.
Little hesitant with his runs and passing in final third.
Pretty slow. Faster than Barry of course but not sure if he's faster than McCarthy or Besic.
27.5 years old. Prime age for a footballer but we wouldn't be able to sell him in 2-3 years and regain the transfer fee (unlike Lukaku who I always saw as an investment).

Hope so too (if he signs). We'll see I guess.

Crazy that 20-30mil only buys a "hopefully he'll work out player". For 20-30mil you could eradicate polio in some countries. They should tell that to Witsel when he signs. It'd get him to up his game if he knew that kind of money was on the line.