Defensive midfield / Striker

[mark1975]

Are we being linked with anyone? I know we looked at Zubimendi last season, but then we pulled one out the bag with Gravy and the rest is history.

I'm wondering about how we will set up this season, given Wirtz could play attacking midfield and we're adding two very attack minded fullbacks.

I think slot is very set on the possession game and he hopes that takes the heat off the backline, but I do have my concerns, especially if we are to become more attacking in three key areas.

For the latter part of the season, the midfield was easily bypassed, the fullbacks were hit and miss and generally we looked quite easy to carve open. It's exciting to be adding such quality to the side, but we need to balance that too. Will Wirtz play as a false 9? Will Szobo and Salah benefit from that extra help with a player who will drop in to pockets of space like Bobby did?

----------------Alisson----------------
Frimpong---Konate--VVD---Kerkez
------------Gravy----Macca---------
---------Szobo----------Wirtz-------
----Salah-------------------CG/LD--

Goals wise, is that enough? How does it work if we buy a striker? Do we then see the four of Macca, Gravy, Wirtz and Szobo battle it out, with Jones in reserve? We are adding goals and creativity to the supporting areas, but we still lack that clinical striker, unless Slot feels Wirtz will weigh in enough? I can't decide if he's a Firmino or another Torres in the making. When Torres was at Atletico he played a bit more in the pockets, then we bought him and put him on the shoulder of the defender with Gerrard behind. What does Slot have up his sleeve?

 

[Glen C]

I was hoping bajcetic would be given a chance as backup to gravy.

 

[Hansern]

We've been linked with Stiller I think, but not much else so far.

 

[mark1975]

I was hoping bajcetic would be given a chance as backup to gravy.

Me too, but he's just off the back of a hamstring operation, so can't see him being ready for preseason, and Slot has continuously stressed how important it is for players to have a full preseason under their belts to stand a chance of getting in the side. See Elliott and Chiesa.

 

[bluebell]

I was hoping Badge would make it but his inability to stay fit is a concern and cashing on him may be a better option.

 

[Fabio]

If be surprised if we looked at a DM, unless there's outgoings.

I genuinely believe szob will become more rotational and it'll be a starting midfield 3 of gravy, Macca and wirtz.

 

[Frogfish]

We've been linked with Stiller I think, but not much else so far.

Have we? I haven't seen that - bar wishful thinking.

 

[StevieM]

Saw something linking us to Tchouameni again as Alonso has apparently said he can go.

If that’s true - there’s nothing to back it up yet, he’s certainly one we have a long standing interest in.

 

[SummerOnions]

Saw something linking us to Tchouameni again as Alonso has apparently said he can go.

If that’s true - there’s nothing to back it up yet, he’s certainly one we have a long standing interest in.

We've had Tchouameni of these rehashed rumours (and puns obv)

 

[LarryHagman]

I reckon Wirtz might be the 9 (a false one), the MF will effectively be the same as last season (Grav, Mac, Szobo), Diaz/Gakpo and Salah up front with Wirtz popping up.
I'm coming around to keeping Jota, selling Nunez and not buying anyone. What's available isn't worth the outlay.

 

[Modo]

The ESPN pundits seem to be entertaining the idea of Wirtz playing as a false 9, but I don't understand where this notion comes from. I've never seen Leverkusen deploy him in that role, and he doesn't play there for his national team either. So why would he suddenly be expected to fit into that position? There's always a striker ahead of Wirtz on the pitch.

 

[Fabio]

We're not going to take 5 years of analytics and throw them out the window because wirtz "might" work at the false 9

 

[tomasjj]

from the videos I have watched he loves playing others in.
Now, you can do that as a false nine too, but I think he will be a ten, and that is his best position.

 

[i_rushie]

It's really thrilling to see signings like Frimpong and Wirtz but just looked at that formation and thought we look really lightweight.

Hope we add some height and brawn to the team.

 

[Modo]

It's really thrilling to see signings like Frimpong and Wirtz but just looked at that formation and thought we look really lightweight.

Hope we add some height and brawn to the team.

Exactly who are we crossing the ball to? Salah who can't head the ball and 5'8 Wirtz?
Unless the plan is that Gakpo is supposed to be the one in the box, but he's not comfortable in the striker role.

 

[Frogfish]

Exactly who are we crossing the ball to? Salah who can't head the ball and 5'8 Wirtz?
Unless the plan that Gakpo is supposed to be the one in the box but he's not comfortable in the striker role.

Wirtz is 5' 10" I believe. However yeah we have a very vertically challenged forward line.

 

[singlerider]

Whilst I wouldn't mind another option at DM, we've got Endo there who does a job, and I'm hoping that the striking options are a much bigger priority

 

[Al_Gatto]

If be surprised if we looked at a DM, unless there's outgoings.

I genuinely believe szob will become more rotational and it'll be a starting midfield 3 of gravy, Macca and wirtz.

Be good to have one of those four coming on fresh after an hour. We missed that last year. Harvey and Curtis did ok but was a drop in quality from the starters.

I don't rate Endo but he wants to stay and fight and any serious upgrade would want more gametime.

Bacjetic is really crap timing for a serious injury. Be surprised if we ever see him again if he misses preseason. Gutted, looked class a couple of years back.


BTW would Wirtz sign if he didn't think we were going to upgrade the 9?