The Rebuild

[brap2]

We've got Charly and Ndiaye and even McNeil who all have quality on the ball, that isn't what the manager wants in his "10" position. Charly can't even get a few mins in the 10 in a preseason friendly.

[Bluedylan1]

Not going to work myself into a stress about that link, unless it's a remotely credible source.

Some random fella who describes himself as PR and Talent Manager at Teamtalk doesn't qualify as even semi-credible.

[Shogun]

Would hate to see us buy Soucek. Do expect a versatile Doucoure replacement but was more encouraged by the link to Jacob Ramsey for that.

[Robioto]

Soucek would be a depressing signing.

[Cereal Killer]

But think of the set pieces!

Why won’t anyone think of the set pieces?!

Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Barry, Beto, Soucek all for Jimmy G to deliver to

[Cozzie]

But think of the set pieces!

Why won’t anyone think of the set pieces?!

Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Barry, Beto, Soucek all for Jimmy G to deliver to

Yes. But Charlie Adam has left!

We're fucked on set pieces now!

[UnsyisaRhino]

I don't get the shouts to go with patterson, the defensive side of his game is absolutely shite and the attacking side doesn't compensate for it. If we haven't replaced him with a prem standard right back going into the season then somethings gone seriously wrong.

[brap2]

I don't get the shouts to go with patterson, the defensive side of his game is absolutely shite and the attacking side doesn't compensate for it. If we haven't replaced him with a prem standard right back going into the season then somethings gone seriously wrong.

I think the feeling is that we havent really seen the full picture with him yet and that Moyes might be able to develop him. He's missed a lot of minutes and he's certainly not justified his price tag.

If you can get some change out of him it would be massive.

If not then it's a grok at RB.

[Bornblue88]

You think it's a good idea to pay 40m for a 30 year old and think those 5 years will be 5 of his best? That's a wild opinion full stop.

Listen they are a bit different, Gana a more complete CM, Paulinha probably a better long passer? But both just tackle monsters really.

Edit: reread it and maybe you think I'm being mean to Gana? Not the case, love him, one of the best ball winners I've ever seen, but he is nearly done sadly. Time comes for us all!

You said he was a clone of Gana who is nearly finished at 35. Logically that suggests he’d give a similar output over the 5 years he’s got before that. If you could guarantee Paulinha played his best for 5 years then he’d be worth £8m a year. He’s one of the best defensive midfielders in the world on his day which is why Bayern paid 55m for a 29 year old. There must be a problem with the injury he had if they’re trying to offload though so probably swerve. Shame though.

[777Kidnappings]

I don't get the shouts to go with patterson, the defensive side of his game is absolutely shite and the attacking side doesn't compensate for it. If we haven't replaced him with a prem standard right back going into the season then somethings gone seriously wrong.

He's absolutely awful. A liability defensively and the attacking side of his game is a myth. We might have ruined him, we've certainly played a part but when given a chance he's done nothing to suggest he's of the required quality either end of the pitch

The best we can do is loan him to a side with a good chance of promotion with an obligation to buy. He's not going to make it here

[brap2]

You said he was a clone of Gana who is nearly finished at 35. Logically that suggests he’d give a similar output over the 5 years he’s got before that. If you could guarantee Paulinha played his best for 5 years then he’d be worth £8m a year. He’s one of the best defensive midfielders in the world on his day which is why Bayern paid 55m for a 29 year old. There must be a problem with the injury he had if they’re trying to offload though so probably swerve. Shame though.

Right I guess I didn't mean genetic clone to be absolutely frank

[StirlingBlue]

Right I guess I didn't mean genetic clone to be absolutely frank

They’re not even vaguely alike though.

He’s a screener who sits and makes more interceptions than tackles, he’s closer to a Rodri/Busquets type (although obviously nowhere near their standard) than he is a Gana type.

[Bornblue88]

Right I guess I didn't mean genetic clone to be absolutely frank

You didn’t specify what attributes you meant maybe I took it a bit too literally but Paulinha isn’t 35 and nearly finished (barring injury problems obviously)

[brap2]

They’re not even vaguely alike though.

He’s a screener who sits and makes more interceptions than tackles, he’s closer to a Rodri/Busquets type (although obviously nowhere near their standard) than he is a Gana type.

Clearly people are seeing him differently than I do.

I personally see him as an extreme version of Gana. A pure destroyer. Gana probably leaves more gaps, but there are concerns about palhinhas ability to play in a possession heavy team.

Very open to being persuaded if we do buy him but I disagree that he's more like busquets. He's more like...casemiro maybe.

[The Doc]

Not seen loads of Palhinha but yeah I wouldn't say he was similar to Gueye either, more of a central presence, like Douglas Luiz.