Andrew M
New member
Even if he insists I think he should be overruled. Koeman might be thinking short term with this one
Memphis Depay
- Thread starter Gilberto
- Start date
Even if he insists I think he should be overruled. Koeman might be thinking short term with this one
Again, theres not much to lose. 25ME for a 26 years old player is a decent investment (whos market value is double that). We need two CFs anyway when Messi eventually leaves.
I wouldnt mind not getting him, but its a decent market opportunity. Koeman seems to really want him as well.
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
For all what we know, next board will do whatever it takes to renew Messi. He has a history of tracking back from old decisions.
Also, we don't know if we will continue to play 4231 after next year, because again next board might have other plans...... Font is hell bent to bring Xavi for example, and you know for sure he will bring back 433.
You don't sign a 26 years old player, to replace someone in a year. He will demand minutes now.
There are few points here:
-Trincao has been a huge surprise, and he plays in a position that Depay won't play in.
This will make Depay more of LW/SS/CF (well last 2 are more of interchangeable no 10 rotating as AM and false 9) so he doesn't add much in thatr position.
-Are we committed to Fati or not? Because if we are then no point of thing "Fati running hot" thing. We accept the good and bad with him.
-Coutinho is indeed in form, but again we have 3 players who are ready to take his place: Puig, Pedri & Griezmann. Last one will leave RW and play in his more ideal position.
Overall we have too many players, worse yet many similar players. Even worse is Depay plays in the area that is more stacked (central).
There is a limit for rotations, at the end teams always need a starting XI that plays majority of games otherwise they ran in the possibility of losing chemistry and players getting confused over the roles.
If Depay comes, he will take a serious minutes of one of our starting 4, and that is unlikely to be Griezmann. Either Coutinho (who needs confidence) or Fati, who seems to be our future.
Never mind, he will kill the chances of our youth players like Pedri and Trincao (since this means Girezmann to be pinned in the RW)
Less than a week in transfer window. Easier said than done.
Fullback>CB>Striker for me. If we manage to get Garcia and Dest and can still afford Depay its a no brainer for me. Hes more physical than Griezmann and Messi. Every pure striker alternative is either not good enough (Maxi Gomez and co), washed up (Cavani and co) or too expensive (Haaland/Lautaro and co). We will most likely have the same problem next year.
messi2140
6racies Xavi
For me it's RB>CB>LB> and depth for the pivot position. Someone else here mentioned it , but one bad injury for FdJ or Pjanic and you are stuck with Busquets again.
Besides that , the issue for me with Depay is that he is almost exactly of the same mold as Griezmann and Messi ie. someone who likes to drop a bit deep and have the ball at his feet. Maybe if we somehow sold Griezmann Id entertain the idea of bringing in Depay , but currently it doesn't make sense. Not to mention the points @Khaled made regarding the youngsters.
I dont think Depay and Griezmann are similar at all. But I agree that depth for the double pivot would be more sensible than adding another forward. Then again, there are no names floating around. Depay would be opportunistic, but better than badly needing a forward+midfielder+LB next year.
-------Messi/Depay/Griezmann-------
Fati/Depay/Dembele----Coutinho/Messi/Pedri------Griezmann/Trincao/Dembele/Messi
Messi/Depay/Fati/Dembele/Coutinho/Griezmann/Trincao/Pedri
It is 8 players for 4 positions. With 5 substitutions it gives the depth for the starters to give 100% for 60/70 minutes and then be substituted to keep intensity. Which is good when there are games every 3/4 days.
Koeman knows exactly what he wants out of Depay and Depay knows exactly how to play for Koeman which is a huge positive.
Depth at pivot and a RB is more important though. Then a CB if we manage to offload Todibo and/or Umtiti.
Fati/Depay/Dembele----Coutinho/Messi/Pedri------Griezmann/Trincao/Dembele/Messi
Messi/Depay/Fati/Dembele/Coutinho/Griezmann/Trincao/Pedri
It is 8 players for 4 positions. With 5 substitutions it gives the depth for the starters to give 100% for 60/70 minutes and then be substituted to keep intensity. Which is good when there are games every 3/4 days.
Koeman knows exactly what he wants out of Depay and Depay knows exactly how to play for Koeman which is a huge positive.
Depth at pivot and a RB is more important though. Then a CB if we manage to offload Todibo and/or Umtiti.
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
Braithwaite is still in the squad so we already have 8, and I think 7 players for 4 positions is good when you have couple of young players in B team (Maia & Konrad) with some players in 1st team that can play in some of those positions when needed ( Roberto as RW, Puig as AM, Firpo as LW)
That's fair. I'm assuming Braithwaite will be gone even if it is a deadline day loan if Depay come.
I think there is a difference between options we can count on (the 8 above) and options in times of need (Firpo, Roberto at the wide positions, a B team player). Ideally we will be better if we can rotate with quality so it can be consistent.
Busquets can be a CB option if needed as can FdJ, but we shouldn't include that last resort option when deciding if to sign a CB or not.
BBZ8800
Senior Member
My thoughts exactly.
Dembele will get injured forever, so that leaves us with only Fati on the left.
Messi will be dead tired in 30 days due to being 33, harder training regimes by Koeman and a crowded schedule since the season started in late September.
So:
Fati
Tired Messi
Hot and cold Cou
Hot and cold Griezz
Kid Trincao
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