12 Dec 2016 07:11:47
I do not want to start a negative critique, but what are others thinking about Zlatan?
For me he has been a rock in holding up the ball and attacking the ball in the box when he has been far enough upfield. I like him tracking back to defend, but once he is deep he is very slow on the break. Indeed he seems to lack that crucial fraction of a second in tight situations often losing the ball and seemingly doesn't seem to have the energy or inclination to try and win it back. I really think that we should be looking for a better solution for next season rather than talking up a second year for him.
What do others think?
Am I missing something?

1.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 07:35:17
I feel Zlatan is not a long term solution and is there to help provide a senior role in striking. He is tall and strong and will be able to muscle his way in the final third. Alternatively he draws opponents to him and let the others move more freely into attack with like of Martial, Rashford and even Pogba.
I am supportive of his second year so that it will allow the younger ones to "grow" into his role. It would be nice if eventually Rashford or Martial do that.
Right now we have Pogba, Herrara and now Mikki stepping up into midfield with pace and there should be enough coverage with Carrick perhaps alternating with Blind as holding/ defensive midfield.
I am not too worried about our midfield and forward atm rather I am more worried about our defence. We definitely need to buy 1-2 defenders and maybe 1 wingback. That should be enough to take us to the next season with perhaps 1-2 silverware and hopefully top 4.
That is my humble view.

2.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 07:38:25
The only thing your missing is that it looks nailed on that he will be leading the line next season. So we won't be looking for a better solution next season unless we change formation and rashford/ martial partner him up top.

But we've finally settled on a good system and style of play and the important thing to note is that zlatan adds more to that system than he hinders it.

Yes he is too slow and a bit too casual but some of his link up play with pogba and mkhitaryan is excellent and his goal output is still good.

Lastly one thing that probably that makes him undroppable for mourinho is that he never hides. He missed 15/ 20 chances against stoke, lpool, burnley and chelsea but still gets in the same positions to score. After being deserted by hazard, costa and co last season that's obviously something mourinho will appreciate.

3.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 08:06:56
Agree and well said DSG.
Would be something I would add to my post above.

4.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 08:11:43
With Costa the best striker in the league. There are lots of guys with pace but useless at other aspects of being a productive striker. He wills core 20 Pl goals this year, highly durable and a handful for every defender. Glad we got him.

5.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 08:13:41
All players have their plus points and negative ones. Zlatan isn't the quickest, but then he never was, he has built his name and his reputation within the game while having a lack of pace. What he does well he does to a world class standard, and from all I've heard he is a model professional.

You also need to consider the tactics and how they effect Zlatans game. Maybe he isn't chasing off after the ball because Mourinho doesn't want his only striker being taken away from the danger area.

6.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 08:46:15
Zlatan is a short term solution, yet for me he stood up favourably in comparison to Harry Kane, who many in here (not me) clamoured for. It's who we look at long term that will be interesting.

7.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 09:23:50
Personally think we need another striker this summer, I would go after Lukaku, Zlatan has done well but you can tell that he 35 not 25, feel like he needs to play in big games than every game, don't think he has the legs to play the intensity of Premier League week in and out, I still keep him for the 2nd season.

8.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 09:31:41
His hold up play yesterday was 2nd to none.

9.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 10:02:39
Deano,

I agree, one of the times was absolutely world class hold up play and other players could learn a lot from. That strength and cleverness to do what he did. I think sometimes if a striker isn't scoring 30 goals a season or getting a goal every game people can't see what he is doing. I thought Zlatan had a brilliant game yesterday but just my opinion.

10.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 10:39:33
Red Man it is funny that you mention Kane because I think Kane is exactly what this team needs. He is a good age and could be a long term option alongside De Gea, Pogba and Bailey to create a real sustainable spine.

11.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 10:54:48
Really don't like Kane, he's had a great run but he's not for me.

12.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 11:05:33
Kane was dire yesterday MAZE zlatan was much the better striker Imo, a lot of the time holding up the ball winning headers in the air he links well with pogba and micky. He may not convert every chance he gets but he is creating space for other offensive players he's a hand full you can see things really gelling.

13.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 11:28:35
It was one game Simon. Give the lad a break.

14.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 11:40:37
why on earth do we need kane, we have rashford and martial, get someone like griezmann to replace rooney and a good mf to replace carrick and we would set for a few years in mf and attack all that remains then is to get a decent rb and a good cb and we could challenge for CL in 1-2 years time.

15.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 11:54:17
We need more strikers, we have Zlatan and Rashford

Martial is a LW for me until he produces the form that warrant a consideration to move him to the striker position

Personally we need a another clinical finisher.

16.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 12:08:57
Kane not for me. He is slower than zlatan. I would think he is more gary Birtles than gary linekar.
Just my onion.
If we have zlatan Rashford and martial / rooney for another year there is no panic to buy imo. There are more pressing areas at cb and full backs and replacing carrick/ bastian/ fellaini/ morgan.

17.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 12:43:43
I agree ken I fail to see what Kane brings that we don't already have people moan about Zlatan's pace and mobility, but apparently Kane's the answer? Not for me.

18.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 13:16:54
All I can say, good luck trying to get Kane, Levy doesn't do business with rival clubs, you think we spend loads on Pogba, just think how much Kane would cost.

19.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 14:00:50
Er, Berbatov? Carrick?

20.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 14:10:10
nou carrick is not a striker, are you seriously comparing berbatov to kane, he isn't even half the player berba was. I don't see what kane will bring to the team that given time rashford and martial won't.

21.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 15:18:37
Thanks guys. I think we all seem to be general agreement.

Ken
your onion is always welcome!

22.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 16:02:59
Thanks Dw. my onions have many layers😊.

23.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 16:08:34
Was that a Tottenham fan scrolling the boards to find somebody say they might want Kane just to post some nonsense about levy not selling to rivals? Admirable but a little odd none the less.

24.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 16:26:28
Harsh GDS 🤣.

25.) 12 Dec 2016
12 Dec 2016 17:13:19
csm, i was referring to Shane's comment about Levy not doing business with rival clubs.