18 Apr 2020 11:02:11
See Saul Niguez has been linked again. He is a fabulous player and certainly not a player I would be unhappy with if we signed.

However, I having this nagging doubt that although he would improve us, I'm not convinced he is exactly the type of midfielder who would transform the side.

Saul although comfortable as a holding midfielder plays his best football as a box to box player.

While he is a much better player than both McTominay and Fred he is similar to them. While what we really need is someone who can control the tempo of the game with their passing.

For me the best midfielder we could sign would be Ruben Neves from Wolves. Someone who is much closer to Carrick than Robson.

Neves sitting deeper controlling the tempo, with either McTominay or Fred going box to box and putting out fires, with Bruno being the creator further forward.

That looks like a well balanced side.

1.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 12:42:17
Saul excels wherever he plays.
He is the type of signing required to close the gap at the top.

2.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 15:18:10
It depends. I agree that we need a DM before a CM. Weather that is a destroyer like Zakaria or a player like Neves that can sit deep and control the game. At present we only really have Matic that can fill that role.

3.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 15:48:38
Used to love Neves, but he has had a few games where he was more anonymous this year.

If you can get Saul then you get him. He completely transforms our midfield. Others would have to adapt their roles to play around him, or we get someone else to play defensive CM if we need it.

To be honest, how many games do we need a DM? Fred and McT have done it against City and Liverpool. So big games we would be okay. Against most sides, Saul plus McT/ Fred plus Bruno is mouth watering.

If Pogba decided he actually wanted to play for us we might already have the winning formula.

4.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 17:06:51
Dodgy, I certainly wouldn't be sad to see us sign Saul. I just don't think he would have a transformative effect on the team.

If we want to be able to play in a more controlled way, maybe even dictate the game WITH the ball against the top sides then we need a player who can control the tempo of the game with his passing. Neves is more that player than Saul is.

Real Madrid won back to back UCL titles with Kroos in their midfield. You need that sort of player to consistently control the biggest games.

Neves like Carrick gets over looked unless he smashes the ball into the back of the net from 30 yards. He isn't the player to score or even assist that many goals. But he is the guy who will play the vital ball leading up to the assist.

5.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 21:19:13
Saul is quality in any role in cm let’s be fair. Still the best option.

6.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 22:54:01
Neves is nothing like Kroos and Saul is twice the player Neves is.

Get rid of Pogba and it doesn't matter if he has decided to change his mind or not but just get rid of him and Buy Sms or Saul.

7.) 18 Apr 2020
18 Apr 2020 23:14:50
You build your midfield around a player like Saul.

I don't think we have the required level of coaching to be able to out class opposition on the ball. We should stick to counter attacking.

8.) 19 Apr 2020
19 Apr 2020 14:49:48
I'm not saying I wouldn't want Saul. Just that someone like Neves opens up a different tactical option while Saul just offers an upgrade on what we do currently.

Singh, Neves is a deep lying playmaker similar in the way that Kroos is. They both play best in the area between the defence and the midfield, collecting the ball and moving it on. Kroos is the better player for sure, but I think Neves has the quality to get to that level. Where they differ is Kroos is the better passer of the ball, yet Neves is far more mobile and better defensively.

As for Saul and SMS both are more box to box players. But SMS is better in the attacking third and Saul is better in the defensive third. Which shouldn't be that surprising as SMS has played as a No.10 in his youth days, while Saul played as a CB.

{Ed004's Note - I feel like if a player like Saul is available for a very fair price you just have to move for him. My only concern is that if Pogba stays, would a midfield 3 of Saul, Pogba and Bruno work? All 3 are very athletic which might help in making it work. Sporting manager said Bruno's best position is as a number 8 and that is probably Pogbas too (he certainly isn't a number 10). Would leave a lot of responsibility on Saul to act as the holding midfielder. Feel like it could be a waste of his talent. Or against the big teams do you drop a forward and bring in a Matic/Scott/Fred to partner Saul. Either way, I highly rate Saul.

On Neves. He hasn't impressed me much at all this year when I've seen him play. In fact his midfield partner appears to carry him most games. Though I think Moutinho is criminally underrated}

9.) 19 Apr 2020
19 Apr 2020 16:19:07
Moutinho has been an absolute fantastic player.