britblazerdude wrote:Man United's window is just disastrous. No real rhyme or reason to anything they do...It's like their transfer strategy is to sign the highest possible ranked players on FIFA by bidding down the list until someone signs. I think it's a while before United win another league title. LVG doesn't seem to know what he's doing with United. Uncreative tactics. Looked at where United had possession...all down the right side of the pitch. The defense pushes up way too far, but it has to because Schneiderlin /Carrick / Schweini combinations are such static options. Who are their strikers? Who's going to score? Why would they allow Januzaj out on loan? Why Martial? Why so many midfielders? 13? It's all sort of artificially put together, and United supporters may be frustrated for a few years.
I dunno what to think about United. I don't think it'll work out for LvG, though it's tough to see them missing out on the top 4 completely; but I can definitely see him establishing a young core there for his successor to build on and get them back to what thye once were.
They're spending insane amounts, but they're getting some excellent talents amongst the mess. I can see some of those kids; Martial (19), Depay (21), Shaw (20), Januzaj (20) - if BVB don't keep him, and any academy kids I haven't heard of yet who LvG will introduce to the first team like he did for so many of Bayern's WC winners + Alaba; and some of the younger vets; Herrera (26), Schneiderlin (25), Blind (25), Darmian (25) and Mata? (27, if he ages well as their Ribery?); being big pieces for the next coach to build a really impressive team around like Bayern were able to do. There will have to be further additions, but Depay and Martial are the kinds of talents who will be monumental for the next manager if United do turn it around. Something along the lines of;
Depay - Martial - (Januzaj/Mata)*
(Januzaj/Mata)*
Herrera* - Schneiderlin*
Blind/Schneiderlin
Shaw - Blind/Smalling/Jones/Rojo* - NewGuy - Darmian
*or a future buy. Januzaj/Mata/Replacement either at the 10 or RW.
Could be the start of something really excellent if they can keep adding good pieces amidst the muck that has been their transfer dealings since stealing RvP.
It's still a hilarious sum that they've spent, but I won't be shocked if LVG leaves his successor a team with a bright future like he did for Jupp in Bavaria.
britblazerdude wrote:Arsenal's was disastrous, too. I honestly don't know why Wenger didn't shell out ≈£25m for Lacazette. He's scored 125 goals in 189 appearances. Great goal scoring record. He's only 24, and players improve dramatically under Wenger. Own goal won't suffice for scoring. Cavani and Benzema are an awful lot of money for players that probably wouldn't produce much more than Giroud for Arsenal. Lacazette is great value for money. Statistically, he's outstanding. He'd be an upgrade to Welbeck & Walcott at striker. The squad needs the same depth that recent title winners have possessed. On the good side, I think the defense has depth: Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gabriel, Chambers, Debuchy, Bellerin, Monreal. 8 is quite a lot to ask for, especially with past years in mind. However, aside from Flamini on a free, there's been no DM signed aside from Alex Song. Why gamble on only Coquelin? Why no push for Kongdobia? For Lars Bender? For Schneiderlin (when not paired with Carrick AND Schweini
)? For Carvahlo? For Krychowiak? It's so frustrating! How does this team keep me so excited? Shocking. No additions to a squad that's so close to a title. A goalkeeper change is hardly going to make up the difference that De Bruyne, Sterling, Ottamendi, Delph. I'm not saying spend £150m, but they owe the supporters at least £40m. Can you imagine the profits they're going to announce? Note: 2010 Summer Window Transfers: Chamakh, Squallaci, Koscielny.
I agree that they should've paid up, but Lacazette would've cost over 45M pounds. Still a fee they should've paid, but a notch above the one you mentioned.
Don't agree with them having defensive depth at this point since Chambers hasn't looked ready to start at CB for them in my limited viewings, and Per is a liability. I am a big fan Koscielny's though, Bellerin looks like he's a stud in the making, Gibbs is good when healthy and both Gabe & Chambers both ahve good potential. But I think they are missing a second near-Kos level CB so that Per isn't the only thing keeping the kids from having to be relied on regularly.
Both Kondogbia and Lars are yet more box to boxers, but Witsel, Krychowiak and Carvahlo were there to be had this window and would've fit Arsenal's hole at the 6 beautifully.
If they had shelled out for Lacazette, Witsel and Garay that team could contend for serious silverware, especially if they also swapped at least one of Walcott/Welbeck/Giroud out for someone like Son/Mehmedi/Kruse. Which would've been a massive summer, but is well within the warchest Arsenal keep claiming to be prepared to spend.
