30 Jun 2016 02:01:49
Not necessarily asking who you would buy, but if there was just one position left that we could get a quality player in, what would it be?
I'd go for a quality defensive mid.

1.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 02:21:53
Depends on how much quality. I still think left back is a position we need filled the most. But I haven't seen much of karius and if we could get one world class player i'd have a keeper. That's just me though. I am very optimistic about karius though just to clarify.

2.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 04:07:33
A LB first and foremost which looks like it will be Chilwell.
And then if the likes of Allen, Benteke, Alberto, Marko and Balo can be moved on, I would like Dahoud as well. The kid's going to be a star in a couple of years.

3.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 05:11:04
I guess that's why I talked about quality. What position do you think needs quality the most. Yes, we'd love quality players in all positions, I just think of the importance of the spine dictates a defensive mid which we haven't had for years, probably since Mascherano.

{Ed001's Note - Alonso you mean surely? Mascherano was not quality, not true quality like Alonso. Personally, other than Alonso, I don't see one defensive mid worth buying. I would rather just not have full backs bombing on and leaving the defence exposed, so we can have a proper midfield, not having to use one as an auxiliary defender.}

4.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 06:02:55
Alonso was the most complete midfielder we have had in a while. The likes of Gerrard, Masch, Lucas, Hendo and Can all have their limitations (quite a few actually for all of them) . Its been 7 years, and still no sign of a replacement for world class Xabi. Not even sure there is a younger version of him out there.

5.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 06:51:35
What about busquets ed001? I don't mean to buy him, but easily him and Alonso in his day and busquets are the 2 best dms out there.

{Ed001's Note - Busquets is vastly overrated. He has no defensive ability at all. He can't even run. If people actually watched him play when he is made to defend, rather than just support the attack, they would see how hopeless he is. Not a good player at all, purely there because he can dive and play act with the best of them.}

6.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 07:00:27
Who do you think right now at this time is the best dm around? In there prime, Alonso was probably one of my favourite players ever to wear the jersey, I'll still never forgive De jong for what he did to him in the world cup final lol :-) .

{Ed001's Note - there are not many good ones around right now. Dier had an excellent season last time around, but he needed Dembele alongside him to provide the quality on the ball. Alonso was world class because he had the quality as well as the defensive mindset to spot danger. He is probably the best in that specialist role that there has been. Makelele was brilliant, but he was very limited.

Right now it is going back towards old fashioned all round midfielders, like Kante of Leicester, who are not just there to act as an extra defender, but get involved in the build up.}

7.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 07:17:30
Thanks for the reply ed mate.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

8.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 07:18:27
I always felt Masch sat deeper than Alonso and that his remit seemed more focused on shielding the back rather than joining in the attack. Give me Alonso any day, but surely Masch was more defensively inclined? And though ED you say Masch was not Alonso quality, agreed, at his best he'd still be the stand out DM in this current premier league? I think when Argentina played him in that role at the last world cup and not as a CB as Barcelona do, he was the player of the tournament.

{Ed001's Note - other way round, Mash used to run around a lot like a headless chicken and pick up needless bookings because he was caught out of position. Fans loved him because he looked good on TV chasing back, but if he had just been intelligent he would not have been out of position and not needed to sprint back. He could have cut the pass out or blocked the run, just as Xabi did so well.

As for international footie, it is too slow and lacks the pressure on the ball you get in club football. Much easier to play and look good, because you have time and space to operate in. Mash was made to look great because he played with Alonso. Mash was good, but nothing more than that.

Oh and he is absolutely hopeless as a centre back, but you don't need to be any good in defensive positions when you play for Barca. It is so rare you have to do any defending, you can get away with playing almost anyone there.}

9.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 07:50:27
I agree with Ed on Busquets, a diver a hugely overrated player. It is so pleasing that there are others who see the same as me, it's only because he plays for Barcelona that he gets praise and not for what he can't do!
Oh to have another Alonso, we can only dream.

10.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 07:59:49
The best CDM around right now is Krychowiak imo. PSG have picked up a bargain if the price is only 25 million.

11.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 08:04:13
Agree with Ed001 about Masch and Busquets. Barcelona look one big hot mess when their defense is put under pressure. That happened a lot this season when the Fab 3 left their shooting boots at home. The opposition took a shot at the Barcelona defense and they crumbled miserably. Their whole defense sucks imo. Pique, Alba as well. If i was the Barcelona coach, i would be begging their president to fund a whole bunch of new defenders.

12.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 08:27:26
I thought dembele was just immense for spurs this season Ed. I get with the question why you'd say dier as he was a pure defensive mid, although when you drop deeper than your cbs for 75% of the match I start to just consider you a back.
But yeah think dembele for all the accolades and attention he and spurs got was still quite underrated in the role he actually played in that team.
Don't know if he has or had attitude issues but seems like a player that really could/ should have it all and be up with the best of them.

{Ed001's Note - he is a fantastic player, but he lacks goals, that is his main weakness.}

13.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 08:47:32
Agree totally about busquets. Rubbish. Dier did great for spurs but was mainly deep between cbs. Dembele is a fantaztic player wven okaying further forward he's excellent. Nasty attitude too.

14.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 09:01:37
Ed what about Gary Medel. I read few years back that you wished we signed him when cardiff got relegated. I liked him a lot. Correct me please if i'm wrong.

{Ed001's Note - I wanted him before then, before Cardiff signed him, when he first moved to Spain I would have taken him. Love him as a player, but not seen much of him since he moved to Italy.}

15.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 09:04:09
One more player came to mind. Ever banega do u think he is good to play in our midfield. Or what about the Mendy guy leicester is looking as kantes replacement. Ed02 thinks he will come good just like Kante.

{Ed001's Note - Banega has issues, I would avoid him. I have not seen Mendy enough to judge him.}

16.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 10:40:06
this is so funny. Busquets is bad player, yet according to the ed01 Henderson is wonderful player. no comment i guess everyone has different opinion and view of football. football is played for trophies, fans and prestige. sergio has a very good trophy record henderson has one carling cup.

{Ed001's Note - that is an idiotic way to judge players, Cleverley has won the Premier League, but he is still crap. It is a team game, that has clearly escaped your notice.}

17.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 06:35:50
IB got it pretty much spot on. He isn't even a specific DM. He is a defensive midfielder who could launch attacks from the back. Carrie and DeRossi are the only two similar players in the last 10 years or so. And it's no surprise since his departure our midfield has looked pretty average.
Common Buvac find another Xabi.

18.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 12:06:13
Sergio Busquets like all other Barcelona players would flop outside their system and club. ( Hardly any names who has had success ) I saw him play against Itaky and he was awful from start to end. De Rossi showed him how to get it done. He is good if you have a Xavi alongside as he cannot pass for his life.

19.) 30 Jun 2016
30 Jun 2016 15:55:52
ED001, what was your opinion of Didi? Always thought he was excellent at breaking up attack, I don't know if the mists of time are clouding my judgement here but I rarely remember seeing him give the ball away either. Agree about Alonso though, what a class act. One of the finest midfielders we've had during my lifetime anyway. Have a great day.

{Ed001's Note - I loved Didi, he was fantastic at breaking up the attacks, but he was stifled a bit by being held back. He had one of the best shots in the game, but was never able to get forward enough to use it for us. He was quality though.}