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Rodrigo Bentancur
- Thread starter Jordinho
- Start date
Gutter Boy
Tim Sherwood
Him and Biss (or Bergvall, Gray or Sarr) as a double pivot works great. Its the tactics, not the personnel that are the problem
Muttley
Teemu Tainio
I think we've been lucky this season. I don't think the midfield were hit as bad with injuries as other areas. In fact, last season was probably worse with AFCON and the injuries. Biss even had malaria. Obviously, next season is AFCON again.
Cardoso is always a conversation. I guess we find out first week in July.
The other interesting area is the UEFA squad rules. We can only have 17 overseas quota, but we've only got one or two club trained. That might see us retain Devine and/or Abbott to pad out the squad as U21s.
The player I think is the best fit is Joao Gomes. Just been announced as Wolves supporters player of the season. He'd be immense for us.
DubaiSpur
Jack Jull
Given our defensive frailties, it's more that a double pivot with Lolo and someone new holding seems like a pretty solid proposition.
I personally think we trigger the option on Cardoso when the window opens - it's too much of a good deal to pass up, and that gives us a 'pure' defensive 6 to pair with him. Depending on how good Cardoso is at holding, it allows Bentancur to intercept higher up the field as well, which was what he was extremely good at doing at his peak in early 2022.
I just have a feeling we're going to bring Dennis Cirkin back. Which, if you include Moore and the third goalie (Whiteman or Brandon Austin, maybe), brings us to 3 club-grown against the 4 UEFA require. We'd still need to leave a non-club-grown player out of the CL list, but that's okay - probably will be Vuskovic in any case.
As for why I think Cirkin will come back, call it a hunch. One year left on his deal at Sunderland, was in pretty good form before an injury in Jan, still only 23, has publicly talked about missing London. As a backup LB (which is also a role Djed can cover), it's not the worst move from a squad strength perspective.
Muttley
Teemu Tainio
It sort of makes sense IF he is good enough. I'm not well enough informed to know to be fair, as I haven't watched Sunderland. He would at least be a club trained player along with Austin. Surely Whiteman walks away as he's out of contract. Problem is, Keeley joined us too late to plug the gap.
Most likely we'll only have 23 senior players named. The B list is so strong though that we can easily make the squad look sizeable.
lurker of old
Ronnie Rosenthal
Bentacur did one outrageous piece of skill on Sunday, can't describe it but sheer wizardry. We forget he had what - 7 games out with a ban?
At his best he is a superb footballer, and if he isn't out with injury, his inclusion in the midfield will surely give us more wins next season.
At his best he is a superb footballer, and if he isn't out with injury, his inclusion in the midfield will surely give us more wins next season.
parklane1
Vivian Woodward
For me Bentancur has done well there [ better then anyone else has], however i truly believe he is wasted there as his strengths suit him being further forward. A DM is a priorty for me this window.
Exactly, it was obvious going into the final without Maddison, Deki or Bergvall, we were going to be short a 8, or just a player that could help the transition.
Obvious answer would have been push Bentancur up and leave Sarr & Biss in the pivot, issue is, Biss looks his best next to Bentancur, so the choice was defensive stability or better transitions, Ange chose right, but highlighted the need for a DM that can free up Bentancur (who is starting to look back to the player he was before injury)
braineclipse
George Hunt
Did really well defensively.
I really like him as a player, has a good range of qualities. I sometimes think he could do more when we have possession. He's good at keeping the ball, good skill and technical ability, strong, good passer too.
When he gets the ball under pressure he usually does well, think he could be doing more to make himself avaliable to receive the ball under some pressure sometimes. I think he has the skill to pull that off.
parklane1
Vivian Woodward
Could not agree more, the talent is there for sure but its the number of injurys etc that have held him back. IF he can get a full season in the team we will be a far better team. And now we have finally got a proper DM it should allow him to have more freedom to use that talent.
Couldn’t agree more with all of that.