Never should have sold De Bruyne in the first place.

I agree, i've was a big fan of him. I don't think we gave him much of a chance and he often didn't even make the bench, which I found odd.

I think that we will see schurrle doing the same sort of thing at wolfsburg. Both great players, but for them to develop they need game time, when you look at the contribution oscar, Willian and hazard they just wouldn't get in. Cuadrado might break in, purely for his speed, work rate and defensive contribution, some what a similar alternative to Willian, maybe a better option when we want to play a counter attacking style.

The only person I'd consider swapping Hazard for at this point is Bale

No way. Bale is not even better than Griezzmann.

The only person I'd consider swapping Hazard for at this point is Bale

Hazards better than Bale. Bales fast and can shoot, but hazard is technically a much better player and his all round contribution is better.

De Bruyne is an excellent player, he's doing a good work in Wolfsburg but I think he's not EPL player.

Hazards better than Bale. Bales fast and can shoot, but hazard is technically a much better player and his all round contribution is better.

Hazard is also fast. Tbh, the only player who could replace Hazard for me is Messi ;).

Edited February 8, 201511 yr by CFCBlue12

I've always thought hazard would fit barcelona's system more than real madrid's. Could you imagine messi on the right, hazard on the left and suarez/neymar through the middle? jeez! 

Bale's a better passer, faster, takes better set pieces, scores more goals and he can dribble. Hazard is very good but he's not as good as Bale.

Hazard is also fast. Tbh, the only player who could replace Hazard for me is Messi ;).

There's fast, then there's really fast...and then there's Bale.

Bale's a better passer, faster, takes better set pieces, scores more goals and he can dribble. Hazard is very good but he's not as good as Bale.

 

I disagree.

There's fast, then there's really fast...and then there's Bale.

And then there's Cuadrado.

Bale's a better passer, faster, takes better set pieces, scores more goals and he can dribble. Hazard is very good but he's not as good as Bale.

Bales not better really....

Edited February 9, 201511 yr by Jackbuchanan

Bales not better really....

 

Per 90 minute metrics would probably give a better idea seeing Bale has played less minutes.

 

 

 

The conclusion would be the same though.

Really should looking at average per 90 minutes on that comparison, as it means nothing to compare totals for players that haven't played the same minutes.

as we know statistics don't tell the whole story, how many of hazards goals are pens? How do you compare the quality of team mates, and opposition?

I wouldn't swap hazard for bale, but I also don't think there is much between them.

Really should looking at average per 90 minutes on that comparison, as it means nothing to compare totals for players that haven't played the same minutes.

as we know statistics don't tell the whole story, how many of hazards goals are pens? How do you compare the quality of team mates, and opposition?

I wouldn't swap hazard for bale, but I also don't think there is much between them.

Bale has played around 80% of the mins that hazard has. Yes his goals and assists are slightly better per minute, but when you're playing for real Madrid you'd expect that. They spend most of the season playing by far inferior sides. But other than those two stats hazard is ahead by a mile, so I'm sure he would still be well ahead per 90mins. I do agree, stats don't tell the full story, but the way I see both of them play, both are excellent, but hazard is a lot more skillful and is a much more complete player, Bale relies a lot on his pace, soon as he gets older and loses a yard of pace he will be a shadow of his former self. Hazard on the other hand I still think has way more to improve and won't start to decline until much later on.

Bale is a completely different player than Hazard. Other than being world class and being wingers, there's nothing comparable about them in terms of playstyle and role on team, which is why using statistics like those are not a valid argument for a player being better than another. Not to mention, different league, and Penaldo ballhogging and calling Bale a puta in game. 

 

Using the same site, Di Maria has a higher attack rating than Fabregas. They play completely different, and play in completely different systems. Fabregas has easily been the best midfielder this season.

 

While I do find Bale to be overrated, using those metrics to rate him as a player are unfair. 

 

In terms of another Real Madrid player though.. if Isco is available for whatever reason in the next three years, he'd be a wonderful addition.

The thing is Bale is more similar to Ronaldo while Hazard is more similar to Messi.

Palermo president just announced that Dybala is leaving this summer, he seems like a promising striker who could come on the cheap.

I have my doubts for strikers playing in Italian league.... Cavani, Jovetic, Balotelli have all been underwhelming post move.

Palermo president just announced that Dybala is leaving this summer, he seems like a promising striker who could come on the cheap.

Not sure how cheap. There's been talk of 25-30m, and palermo always drive a hard bargain. Interesting player though.

Not sure how cheap. There's been talk of 25-30m, and palermo always drive a hard bargain. Interesting player though.

He has two years left on his contract and Palermo's president has clearly given up on the player too. They could hold out but all they do is keep an unhappy player who will soon be able to leave for nothing. They got him for €12m so I bet they could be talked down to €20m and with the weak euro english clubs will have an advantage.

He has two years left on his contract and Palermo's president has clearly given up on the player too. They could hold out but all they do is keep an unhappy player who will soon be able to leave for nothing. They got him for €12m so I bet they could be talked down to €20m and with the weak euro english clubs will have an advantage.

Didn't know about his contract situation, be interesting to see how he does at a better team.

We are considering bringing back De Bruyne apparently, according to the BBC transfer gossip page.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/31175530 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2952134/Chelsea-rue-selling-Kevin-Bruyne-says-Wolfsburg-general-manager-Klaus-Allofs.html

 

Hmm. Could be true.

I have my doubts for strikers playing in Italian league.... Cavani, Jovetic, Balotelli have all been underwhelming post move.

 

I hate this theory.

I hear they are cancelling christmas, that could be true, or not