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Transfer Rumour Gabriel (Lille)

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BlueToff said:
and @Barnfred 55

Think we might need to look at it a bit differently in terms of prioritising positions etc.

Honestly think we need four areas all of equal measure – right wing, centre mid, right-back (though a lot depends on who the right winger is) and CB.

Push came to shove if we HAD to go for one first to get our no.1 target, it'd be CM for me.

However, I think there's obviously an argument to say we need 2 CMs (one more of a box-to-box, one more creative).

So, a long-winded point, but given Holgate was very impressive in the admittedly few games he played in a central midfield role, could signing another CB (especially one with pace like Gabriel) actually help us out in two positions.

Long-term, Holgate is a defender and with everyone fit he should 100% be playing there. But if we did sign a CB, it would actually kill two birds with one stone in a way, as Holgate could then always be that extra midfield cover if needed, giving full time to Gbamin to get back and - in an ideal world - acting as an alternative to whoever we hopefully bring in for that central midfield box-to-box role.
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Barnfred 55 said:
Yeah that makes sense BT.

Given that we will undoubtedly have financial restrictions of some sort on us, we need to be selective. and perhaps a touch inventive, in our transfer activities. As an absolute minimum we need, in order of preference, a CM, a RW and a RB. After that I would say that the next player in should be another CM rather than a CB, but I wouldn't argue with bringing in somebody of Gabriel's quality at CB to free up Holgate for a CM position. I was very impressed with the lad when he played there last season, albeit it was usually cameo roles when we changed formation within games. I think he started 1 game there against United away and if I'm not mistaken he was a standout MOM in the game.
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CF: Richarlison
CF: DCL/Kean
LB: Digne
CB: Holgate

Bar those 4 positions we need to upgrade in every area. If we have an opportunity to sign young players who Ancelotti can improve in any of the other 7 positions i think we need to take them.

Holgate should be RCB every game and if we sign Gabriel at LCB then alot more opportunites open up with the way we can play.

Not sure if we can 'prioritise' positions more than seek to upgrade across those 7 positions.

Really hope we get this boy.
 
Zatara said:
CF: Richarlison
CF: DCL/Kean
LB: Digne
CB: Holgate

Bar those 4 positions we need to upgrade in every area. If we have an opportunity to sign young players who Ancelotti can improve in any of the other 7 positions i think we need to take them.

Holgate should be RCB every game and if we sign Gabriel at LCB then alot more opportunites open up with the way we can play.

Not sure if we can 'prioritise' positions more than seek to upgrade across those 7 positions.

Really hope we get this boy.
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I agree Zat but back in the real world this just isn't happening.

It is going to take a minimum of at least 3 windows to bring in the players we need in all the positions you speak of. Realistically, for this window we need to focus on where we are most exposed and they are the positions mentioned above. Keane and Mina are both good defenders, especially if we are defending deep, which is why Gabriel is not a necessity at the moment, as much as I'd love to sign the guy.

You are right, having him alongside Holgate at the back would enable us to play a high line pressing game. But given that we don't have the midfielders to play that game at the moment it's rather wasted don't you think?
 

windymiller said:
If you knew anything about an Everton transfer, would you post it on here? The state of the big noises on here chasing another poster off, probably never to return, the second they post anything. We don't even know if it's got any merit or not yet and already they've been marked for death by the ironically "frandly" folk. Some people need to get a hobby.
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Why I don't bother anymore mate.

All to lose
Nothing to gain
 
Barnfred 55 said:
I agree Zat but back in the real world this just isn't happening.

It is going to take a minimum of at least 3 windows to bring in the players we need in all the positions you speak of. Realistically, for this window we need to focus on where we are most exposed and they are the positions mentioned above. Keane and Mina are both good defenders, especially if we are defending deep, which is why Gabriel is not a necessity at the moment, as much as I'd love to sign the guy.

You are right, having him alongside Holgate at the back would enable us to play a high line pressing game. But given that we don't have the midfielders to play that game at the moment it's rather wasted don't you think?
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Yes its not going to all be fixed overnight.

Couple of things:

A: If we didnt buy Gabriel and also played Kenny RB then used all our funds in midfield;

1: Any team with half a brain would simply continue attacking our right side.

2: A simple ball over the top of Keane would cause panic

3: Our fabulous new midfield would need to sit deep to protect our awful defence. Which negates the main benefit of them for 12 months as we then build the defence next summer.


B: If we bought Gabriel + a right back

1: We have a solid platform to build on.

2: Pickford (or any other keeper) would be more confident that the defence would be preventing far more shots on goal.

3: Ability to play a high line puts our midfielders on the front foot. Such players who look dreadful now like Gomes,Iwobi even Sigurdsson may look better closer to goal than sitting deeper to cover for defenders.

4: Defenders are usually cheaper players than midfielders (generally) and we could pick up a couple of really good players at low prices and even offset that against Kenny/Keane leaving as well. Perhaps an outlay overall of £20mil and weve strengthened two positions.

Makes sense to me for us to cheaply improve 2 positions so we have 6 quality starters rather than 4.

Also £20mil shouldnt affect any midfield purchases.
 
MACCA75 said:
One game Holgate played in midfield I think. I really don’t think it’s in anyone’s plans to play him there again soon (or he surely would have given our appalling midfield)
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Believe United (A) and Leicester (H - efl cup) were the games he played there.

Then he also came on and played in that role in the Palace (H) game in Feb.

It's not a first choice, no, but we do know he can do it.

Signing another CB basically gives us an option, if needed, is all, in two positions.
 

Zatara said:
Yes its not going to all be fixed overnight.

Couple of things:

A: If we didnt buy Gabriel and also played Kenny RB then used all our funds in midfield;

1: Any team with half a brain would simply continue attacking our right side.

2: A simple ball over the top of Keane would cause panic

3: Our fabulous new midfield would need to sit deep to protect our awful defence. Which negates the main benefit of them for 12 months as we then build the defence next summer.


B: If we bought Gabriel + a right back

1: We have a solid platform to build on.

2: Pickford (or any other keeper) would be more confident that the defence would be preventing far more shots on goal.

3: Ability to play a high line puts our midfielders on the front foot. Such players who look dreadful now like Gomes,Iwobi even Sigurdsson may look better closer to goal than sitting deeper to cover for defenders.

4: Defenders are usually cheaper players than midfielders (generally) and we could pick up a couple of really good players at low prices and even offset that against Kenny/Keane leaving as well. Perhaps an outlay overall of £20mil and weve strengthened two positions.

Makes sense to me for us to cheaply improve 2 positions so we have 6 quality starters rather than 4.

Also £20mil shouldnt affect any midfield purchases.
Click to expand...
You forget that I had a new right back and right wing as required signings Zat. So hopefully we wouldn't be getting bombed down our right side. Also, Holgate would be first choice CB so he'd be working with either Kean or Mina depending on who we are playing. Neither partnership is a "bad" one Zat.

And I think you'll find that at the moment it is our "awful" defence that is being exposed by our much more awful midfield. If we had a decent midfield in front of them I'm happy that our defence could look after itself against most teams.

Anyway, if we manage to sign Gabriel I would be delighted as I said.
 
Zatara said:
Yes its not going to all be fixed overnight.

Couple of things:

A: If we didnt buy Gabriel and also played Kenny RB then used all our funds in midfield;

1: Any team with half a brain would simply continue attacking our right side.

2: A simple ball over the top of Keane would cause panic

3: Our fabulous new midfield would need to sit deep to protect our awful defence. Which negates the main benefit of them for 12 months as we then build the defence next summer.


B: If we bought Gabriel + a right back

1: We have a solid platform to build on.

2: Pickford (or any other keeper) would be more confident that the defence would be preventing far more shots on goal.

3: Ability to play a high line puts our midfielders on the front foot. Such players who look dreadful now like Gomes,Iwobi even Sigurdsson may look better closer to goal than sitting deeper to cover for defenders.

4: Defenders are usually cheaper players than midfielders (generally) and we could pick up a couple of really good players at low prices and even offset that against Kenny/Keane leaving as well. Perhaps an outlay overall of £20mil and weve strengthened two positions.

Makes sense to me for us to cheaply improve 2 positions so we have 6 quality starters rather than 4.

Also £20mil shouldnt affect any midfield purchases.
Click to expand...

fantasy land
 

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