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Tanguy Ndombele

Was going to post the same. His first instinct is forward. Refreshing. Still not sure how he gets in the team though if we play 3-4-3, but there will be enough games and variations in formations that he'll get enough game time this year
Him or Alli, which is why I can’t see it being our primary formation.
I don't like 343 as I see that as a lineup with too many defenders and not enough midfielders. We already struggle with creativity in possession adding yet more defenders doesn't appear the wisest course of action, especially if Hojberg is going to be one of those midfielders (and I expect he would be), that again would be putting far to much onus on only one of GLC or Ndombele to direct all the creativity.

I understand the counter argument that the WB will be higher up the pitch and can contribute and while I like what I see from both players I don't thibk that substitutes for the real flair and passing ability that we would potentially lose in not being able to play Ndombele and GLC in the same side. If however the midfield comprised that pairing, with the expected Son/Kane/Bale trident then maybe I could get onboard.
 
It needs to be the defensive shape of the first proper Poch team, imo - Dier in CM dropping back in to a back 3 with Doherty and Regulion replacing Walker and Rose.

Gets a bit muddled thereafter however as you've presumably got Kane Son Bale as auto starters leaving Lo Celso Ndombele Hojberg and Alli for two positions
 
It needs to be the defensive shape of the first proper Poch team, imo - Dier in CM dropping back in to a back 3 with Doherty and Regulion replacing Walker and Rose.

Gets a bit muddled thereafter however as you've presumably got Kane Son Bale as auto starters leaving Lo Celso Ndombele Hojberg and Alli for two positions

Dier is horrible in CM unfortunately (or at least has been for a few years)

I think it will be one of N'dombele or Lo Celso in a lot of games, with perhaps the option for both of them +PEH behind the front three for teams that will sit back more.
 
Dier is horrible in CM unfortunately (or at least has been for a few years)

I think it will be one of N'dombele or Lo Celso in a lot of games, with perhaps the option for both of them +PEH behind the front three for teams that will sit back more.

He's better as a DM than CB imo and his best form came when he played the role described above.
 
I just get a feeling that this lad will be permanently crocked and always on the fringes.

No one can doubt his talent but his application and injury record is worrying.
 
He's better as a DM than CB imo and his best form came when he played the role described above.
That's true BUT he also proved that his days of being a DCM were over. Unless it was the system or team mates that made that position doubly difficult?

(Plus he did have all the illness brick going on)
 
He actually passes the ball FORWARD. Harry Winks take note, if you want to play alongside PEH this is what you need to bring.
We knew this all along, though. It's not something new. And I'm not too concerned if he doesn't track back all the time now that we have PEH (I mean, how useful was Eriksen defensively, even though he ran the most of all our players). His creativity and forward thinking alone are worth having on the team, as long as he can stay fit.
 
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He's better as a DM than CB imo and his best form came when he played the role described above.
Unfortunately he's now an awful DM, immobile and reactionary are not a good combination in a DM added to that his short passing game is rudimentary, I'd rather not.
 
I'm firmly in that boat and my son re-enforces my delusions because he always says I'm such a good footballer that I should become one when I decide what I want to do with my life.

I'm not really much good but when you're 8 and your dad is hockeying you in a backyard game because he can't take losing to anyone even in a kickabout, your dad probably looks like he's on the same level as Harry Kane.

I'm sure Harry Kane would make most of us look like eight year olds.
 
Jose needs to manage him

- Everyone in the club believes he is extremely talented
- I mentioned this before, despite everyone bricking on him, he has far less "professional level" experience than players his age should have (he had 1 season in League 1, and 2 in League 2), Dele is a few month older and has 311 games, Ndombele has 161), he really is probably not accustomed to the rigors of being a professional athlete at this level (again, Dele was playing 37 games in a season six years ago, Ndombele only played matched that number of games in a season 2 years ago)
- Add in the adapting to a team that is not set, country, language, etc.

To me he needs to play as many games as possible, even if it's coming on for last 30-40 minutes, would like to see him get a start somewhere soon for his confidence.
 
Jose needs to manage him

- Everyone in the club believes he is extremely talented
- I mentioned this before, despite everyone bricking on him, he has far less "professional level" experience than players his age should have (he had 1 season in League 1, and 2 in League 2), Dele is a few month older and has 311 games, Ndombele has 161), he really is probably not accustomed to the rigors of being a professional athlete at this level (again, Dele was playing 37 games in a season six years ago, Ndombele only played matched that number of games in a season 2 years ago)
- Add in the adapting to a team that is not set, country, language, etc.

To me he needs to play as many games as possible, even if it's coming on for last 30-40 minutes, would like to see him get a start somewhere soon for his confidence.

Excellent post.

Starter at Leyton Orient perhaps?
 
Jose needs to manage him

- Everyone in the club believes he is extremely talented
- I mentioned this before, despite everyone bricking on him, he has far less "professional level" experience than players his age should have (he had 1 season in League 1, and 2 in League 2), Dele is a few month older and has 311 games, Ndombele has 161), he really is probably not accustomed to the rigors of being a professional athlete at this level (again, Dele was playing 37 games in a season six years ago, Ndombele only played matched that number of games in a season 2 years ago)
- Add in the adapting to a team that is not set, country, language, etc.

To me he needs to play as many games as possible, even if it's coming on for last 30-40 minutes, would like to see him get a start somewhere soon for his confidence.
Agree with your general sentiment about him needing games etc and he will flourish.

But he is a young professional athlete and has been visibly overweight - majority of normal people who just go to the gym casually are in better shape than he is/was. Just because he has only had a limited number of games at the very top level and not necessarily fully settled into the country doesn't excuse him for not being in shape and looking after his body.....
 
I think most of us can agree that there is a player there, lets hope he can now push on and show just how good he is. Said it before but some players who come here from abroad do not perform well in their first year ( for lots of reasons).
 
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