Transfer Rumour Axel Witsel

[caught]

It's called 'edging your bets'. Zenith would like him to join us (we apparently have offered the most money) his agent is probably liking the offer we have made to his client. But deep down witsel would like the opportunity to play for juve in the champions league. But if that doesn't materialise, he will come to us I feel, as I can't see zenit allowing him to leave for nothing next summer. If witsel does drag us feet about leaving zenit, it could be that zenit lowering their asking price could result in witsel securing a bigger signing on fee.

Bah, that pesky 'h' never stays where it's supposed to.

 

[bluestevon]

In fairness, Cleverley has been decent in pre-season.

McCarthy for me is more than capable of playing that holding role if it's just to break up play, but ultimately we need somebody in that role who can pick a pass as well - it's probably why Gibson's been given a chance there.

Thats all he will ever be at his very best though mate - decent, good solid pro etc

We disagree on McCarthy mate and don't think either will come to the others opinion about him, he for me is one of those 'could be' players, he could play the box to box, he could be a holding mid, but ultimately he lacks the instinct fpor one and the brain and discipline to do the other

His game is just limited, much in the same way Osmans game was limited as an attacker by his flaws not being outweighed by his strengths

 

[BlueToff]

Thats all he will ever be at his very best though mate - decent, good solid pro etc

We disagree on McCarthy mate and don't think either will come to the others opinion about him, he for me is one of those 'could be' players, he could play the box to box, he could be a holding mid, but ultimately he lacks the instinct fpor one and the brain and discipline to do the other

His game is just limited, much in the same way Osmans game was limited as an attacker by his flaws not being outweighed by his strengths

Agree on Clevs mate, but FWIW I don't think RK will let him go unless a decent offer (say £6mil+) comes in. He puts in a shift, has pretty good vision and gets about the pitch. As a squad player he's fine.

McCarthy - I'll always like because I've seen him at his best during that first season - but I am starting to come to the opinion that while I wouldn't say he's not good enough (I think he is overall), his limitations top him being suited to a Koeman side. That's mainly based on how I've seen us play in the first four games of pre-season.

 

[Bluebonic]

Villa were very fond of Cleverley! Cash plus Clev for Gueye?

 

[bluestevon]

Agree on Clevs mate, but FWIW I don't think RK will let him go unless a decent offer (say £6mil+) comes in. He puts in a shift, has pretty good vision and gets about the pitch. As a squad player he's fine.

McCarthy - I'll always like because I've seen him at his best during that first season - but I am starting to come to the opinion that while I wouldn't say he's not good enough (I think he is overall), his limitations top him being suited to a Koeman side. That's mainly based on how I've seen us play in the first four games of pre-season.

Pretty fair assesment by you really mate

 

[kenada_blue]

I don't want Witsel as a replacement for Jimmy Mac lad. I'm one of McCarthy's biggest supporters on here.

But him and Witsel are completely different players.

Watching McCarthy yesterday, after the first 20 mins or so he quickly reverted to safe sideways passing when there was clear opportunities for the ball to go forward into the channels (which for once Lukaku was running into).

I know it's only pre-season, but RK has said that's how he wants to play.

To do that well we need somebody who can play those passes, drive forward with the ball at his feet but also offer defesnive protection. Neither Cleverley or McCarthy can do that. Barkley can, but often gets doubled up on.

Witsel is a player who can do all of the above and would improve us.

I honestly don't think he's THAT good to be the missing player we need, especially for that price. Additionally he won't be the "one that got away" for me either.

Dembele for Spurs is a better player of that type. But we've no chance of getting him either.

We massively need another creative midfielder, striker, keeper, CD, and right fullback.

I think that's probably where my point is really. Can give or take Witsel to be fair, but the other 5 positions is where its at.

 

[ar92]

Villa were very fond of Cleverley! Cash plus Clev for Gueye?

His release clause is only circa £7mil. We would probably get more than that for cleverley in the current market.

 

[Ballsupintheair]

It's called 'edging your bets'. Zenith would like him to join us (we apparently have offered the most money) his agent is probably liking the offer we have made to his client. But deep down witsel would like the opportunity to play for juve in the champions league. But if that doesn't materialise, he will come to us I feel, as I can't see zenit allowing him to leave for nothing next summer. If witsel does drag us feet about leaving zenit, it could be that zenit lowering their asking price could result in witsel securing a bigger signing on fee.

No, it's called Hedging your bets.

 

[BlueToff]

I honestly don't think he's THAT good to be the missing player we need, especially for that price. Additionally he won't be the "one that got away" for me either.

Dembele for Spurs is a better player of that type. But we've no chance of getting him either.

We massively need another creative midfielder, striker, keeper, CD, and right fullback.

I think that's probably where my point is really. Can give or take Witsel to be fair, but the other 5 positions is where its at.

I agree on what we need mate - bar right back. I think Holgate could well be the answer there for the time being, though another option wouldn't be adverse we as fans have to be wary of the fact that we can't go buying loads of players and having a massive squad if half of them won't play - we need quality over quantity.

Witsel keeps Dembele out of the Belgian side mate. Slightly different types of players but both play similar roles and at their best I don't think there's much between them at all.

Witsel, Gueye (ideally Carvalho mind) in and perhaps Gibson and McCarthy out would probably be good business.

We would then need a playmaker for further up the field (Mata would be brilliant and i think any movement in regards to him leaving Utd will be after the season has started) to take the strain off Barkley.

Defence we need a real organiser which is why Williams or somebody of the like would be a great signing, even if we keep Stones. If Stones goes (likely) then I suppose we'll see us go for a top-quality replacement as well.

Good back up strikers are hard to find but if we can get a proven goalscorer in (wouldn't say no to Bony) then we'd be set, with Tarashaj and Deulofeu as back ups too.

Goalkeeper, yep we need one - though Stek has looked fine and will most likely start against Spurs unless we sign a first-choice before then.

 

[kenada_blue]

I agree on what we need mate - bar right back. I think Holgate could well be the answer there for the time being, though another option wouldn't be adverse we as fans have to be wary of the fact that we can't go buying loads of players and having a massive squad if half of them won't play - we need quality over quantity.

Witsel keeps Dembele out of the Belgian side mate. Slightly different types of players but both play similar roles and at their best I don't think there's much between them at all.

Witsel, Gueye (ideally Carvalho mind) in and perhaps Gibson and McCarthy out would probably be good business.

We would then need a playmaker for further up the field (Mata would be brilliant and i think any movement in regards to him leaving Utd will be after the season has started) to take the strain off Barkley.

Defence we need a real organiser which is why Williams or somebody of the like would be a great signing, even if we keep Stones. If Stones goes (likely) then I suppose we'll see us go for a top-quality replacement as well.

Good back up strikers are hard to find but if we can get a proven goalscorer in (wouldn't say no to Bony) then we'd be set, with Tarashaj and Deulofeu as back ups too.

Goalkeeper, yep we need one - though Stek has looked fine and will most likely start against Spurs unless we sign a first-choice before then.

You've got Browning and Holgate. But you need an experienced guy in there, like Oviedo on the left for eg.

As for the Belgian side, I wouldn't pay much attention as Wilmots has been shocking as a manager for em.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Think some of Moyes' midfielders were underrated given how we have struggled since to control games or to stop even average teams from just running through us. It's no surprise at sll that Koeman has prioritised multiple signings for this area. Cahill Arteta Osman Carsley Pienaar even Neville all very good consistent players whose quality we perhaps we did not value at the time but is becoming more and more obvious with each insipid midfield performance we've seen over the past few seasons.

 

[bluestevon]

I honestly don't think he's THAT good to be the missing player we need, especially for that price. Additionally he won't be the "one that got away" for me either.

Dembele for Spurs is a better player of that type. But we've no chance of getting him either.

We massively need another creative midfielder, striker, keeper, CD, and right fullback.

I think that's probably where my point is really. Can give or take Witsel to be fair, but the other 5 positions is where its at.

Dembele isn't better mate, you are just more familiar having seen him more often in a familiar league.

Witsel keeps Dembele out the Belgium side for a good reason, he is better than him.

 

[Dave Higgs]

His release clause is only circa £7mil. We would probably get more than that for cleverley in the current market.

Even if Cleverley was prepared to drop to play in the championship (which I doubt) Villa would never pay him the wages he earns here around 60k per week

 

[moyeslovechild]

All these calls suggesting he'd stay at Zenit if Juve don't up their bid seem strange to me.

As The Esk said earlier, if he only wanted Juve then surely he'd have gone public with his desire not to sign for us. The fact that has happened would suggest he's open to the idea if Juve don't match our bid.

dont know mate

it's sort of in his best interest to have another deal there as leverage

he can use evertons interest to both drive up juves bid to the asking price, and drive that salary offer from juve up too

hopefully this isnt the case but its a pretty strong possibility it could turn out like this

 

[moyeslovechild]

I don't want Witsel as a replacement for Jimmy Mac lad. I'm one of McCarthy's biggest supporters on here.

But him and Witsel are completely different players.

Watching McCarthy yesterday, after the first 20 mins or so he quickly reverted to safe sideways passing when there was clear opportunities for the ball to go forward into the channels (which for once Lukaku was running into).

I know it's only pre-season, but RK has said that's how he wants to play.

To do that well we need somebody who can play those passes, drive forward with the ball at his feet but also offer defesnive protection. Neither Cleverley or McCarthy can do that. Barkley can, but often gets doubled up on.

Witsel is a player who can do all of the above and would improve us.

maybe he has another level in him (like how dembele transformed back last season for spurs into the rampaging force that impressed at fulham) - but witsel the past few years is exactly the type of player who just sits back and maintains possession. a controller, great for tempo and defensive security, but not going to do those things you say (unless koeman works his magic perhaps)