Willian is younger and would cost less

Plenty of other players are younger and would cost less as well, but that doesn't mean we should buy them. From what I've watched of Shakthar he is immensely right footed, while preferring to play on the left to cut in. Exactly what we don't need. we could do with a winger who could stretch the play a little.

Willian 6 goals and 9 assists (2 assists and 1 goal in Europe)

Young 10 goals and 12 assists (4 pens)

Those stats look similar but given that Young's were achieved in a far superior league not to mention the one we play in, you start to see his superiority as a player and why he will cost more but also be a better signing.

But of course none of this matters because while we're dallying around with no manager and no director of football with Ron Gourlay doing the negotiating, Fergie will have the pen in his hand signing him for United.

Edited May 24, 201115 yr by Spiller86

Plenty of other players are younger and would cost less as well, but that doesn't mean we should buy them. From what I've watched of Shakthar he is immensely right footed, while preferring to play on the left to cut in. Exactly what we don't need. we could do with a winger who could stretch the play a little.

I haven't seen enough of him to comment first hand, but according to an article by MirrorFootball, "He's an attacking midfielder who offers strong passing and a goal threat coming in from the left hand side, where Shakhtar Donetsk sometimes use him as an out-and-out winger" and "Chelsea and Liverpool's apparent interest in the player might be cooled by the fact that he's relatively slight and small at 5-foot-8. But he's won fans for his two-footed ability, quick dribbling and occasional goal."

If he is, as you suggest, one footed and not happy to stay out wide, then I agree that we should steer. We will (hopefully) have Neymar on the opposite side who will be much better at the cutting in and shooting thing than anyone else we may recruit to do that job (although he's also good enough at crossing so as to not be a one trick pony). The best thing we could do is pair this with somebody that prefers to stay wide and play a traditional winger role. Ideally we'll get somebody able to play on either side so that we can switch them up and confuse defenders.

If Willian is able to fill the second of the roles that I have described, then he could be a good buy for the money. If he can't, then somebody like Young might be a better option.

Hang on a minute, I'm saying that we need to sign someone to play as a traditional winger, but I completely forgot that we already have Zhirkov - people keep saying that he would thrive when allowed to play in his actual position, so maybe we should just do that.

Hang on a minute, I'm saying that we need to sign someone to play as a traditional winger, but I completely forgot that we already have Zhirkov - people keep saying that he would thrive when allowed to play in his actual position, so maybe we should just do that.

Zhirkov is all well and good when he is fit. However, I am looking for someone to play on the other side as well. Neymar is another player who likes to cut in from the left. Young and Arda Turan for example play both sides.

Does Ashley Young really play on the right? Usually see him on the left cutting to his right and crossing, or as supporting striker. Haven't seen him on the right often enough to think its a position he favors.

Also, a lot of his assists come from set pieces. Not that we couldn't use a really good set piece taker. But I'd prefer someone like N'zogbia who puts up similar stats in a worse team, does actually play on both wings and seems to have bit more trickery about him. And he'd probably cost around £10m less.

Edited May 25, 201115 yr by footballoholic

Does Ashley Young really play on the right? Usually see him on the left cutting to his right and crossing, or as supporting striker. Haven't seen him on the right often enough to think its a position he favors.

Also, a lot of his assists come from set pieces. Not that we couldn't use a really good set piece taker. But I'd prefer someone like N'zogbia who puts up similar stats in a worse team, does actually play on both wings and seems to have bit more trickery about him. And he'd probably cost around £10m less.

Isn't Young available on a free?

Isn't Young available on a free?

One year remaining on his contract. I believe the same applies to N'zogbia.

Young can play on both sides. For example he has played on the right for England successfully in recent matches. He's also right footed which means his crossing ability is useful on that side.

I'm not too keen on Young. We have Malouda and Kalou who I rate higher than Young as they are more complete players IMO. He is one of the great students from the prestigious "tunnel-runners school of Britain". No vision, all the pace. Not my type of player at all. Robben's pace but nothing else.

Edited May 25, 201115 yr by evissy

marcosilva11

Van Der Weil is most likely going to play for Chelsea, will find out more tommorrow.

I'm not too keen on Young. We have Malouda and Kalou who I rate higher than Young as they are more complete players IMO. He is one of the great students from the prestigious "tunnel-runners school of Britain". No vision, all the pace. Not my type of player at all. Robben's pace but nothing else.

How can you say he has no vision. One example is his through ball pass to darren bent. To be honest though he wouldn't want to play on the right wing, he isn't a out and out winger, but he could play in behind torres. But that doesn't solve our wing problem.

But do you seriouslÝ think kalou and malouda are better than young. Please take your bluetinted glasses off!

From a totally non-biased point of view I can't stand Ashley Young, the bar steward is from Stevenage.

Zhirkov is all well and good when he is fit. However, I am looking for someone to play on the other side as well. Neymar is another player who likes to cut in from the left. Young and Arda Turan for example play both sides.

Neymar has played a lot on the left, but he is two footed, with his left being almost as good as his right (and probably better than most people's dominant foot) so I see no reason why he couldn't play on either side. He will cut in and shoot regardless, but I don't think putting him on the right would hinder him much.

How can you say he has no vision. One example is his through ball pass to darren bent. To be honest though he wouldn't want to play on the right wing, he isn't a out and out winger, but he could play in behind torres. But that doesn't solve our wing problem.

But do you seriouslÝ think kalou and malouda are better than young. Please take your bluetinted glasses off!

Yes. I know I'm generalizing harshly here but I don't care for players like Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge for example. They just seem to run and center the ball if they can. They don't actually look where a team-mate is they just hoof it there. I know I don't watch Villa play that much so I can't have informed opinion of him but do you? Drogba had 15 assists this season which makes him second best in assists in the whole season. He never just centers the ball but always has a team mate in sight if there is no one he shoots.

Looking at stats Young had an okay season with 7 goals and 11 assists. Malouda 13 goals, Kalou 10. Young played 34 games always starting, Kalou 31 in which 15 appearances from the bench. Stats don't matter but it tells you something.

Yes. I know I'm generalizing harshly here but I don't care for players like Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge for example. They just seem to run and center the ball if they can. They don't actually look where a team-mate is they just hoof it there. I know I don't watch Villa play that much so I can't have informed opinion of him but do you? Drogba had 15 assists this season which makes him second best in assists in the whole season. He never just centers the ball but always has a team mate in sight if there is no one he shoots.

Looking at stats Young had an okay season with 7 goals and 11 assists. Malouda 13 goals, Kalou 10. Young played 34 games always starting, Kalou 31 in which 15 appearances from the bench. Stats don't matter but it tells you something.

Actuallly mate I do watch him a lot and get good informed reports. I go to villa park quite often as my dad is a 20year st holder. Also they are playing in a championship team. Downing young and bent do basically everything for villa

Edited May 25, 201115 yr by Mike 93

I was just re-reading an article that someone posted in the Aguero thread (about us having made a £40m bid to sign him) and something else caught my eye:

The rumour mill has been relatively quiet so far at Manchester City, and this could be the reason why: Roberto Mancini is set for "crisis talks" with City's owners which will "make or break the club", The Sun claims, reporting that the Italian is to fly to the Middle East to plead the case for City to go into the transfer market this summer.

The apparent crisis has apparently been sparked by a clash between Mancini and City chiefs Garry Cook and Brian Marwood. Cook and Marwood are apparently against yet another summer of big spending, while Mancini wants £120m to bring in five players this summer.

No idea if this has any legs, but it could work out quite well for us if it's true.

Ian McGarry spoke very authoritatively about us signing 5 players this summer, 4 of whom are under 25 and one who is aged 26. Montolivo is 26 isn't he?

Pelligrini linked with us, utter bullsh*t.

Ian McGarry spoke very authoritatively about us signing 5 players this summer, 4 of whom are under 25 and one who is aged 26. Montolivo is 26 isn't he?

and kaka is 29 sooo great news lets hope he is right

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6951730,00.html

swear to god if we get pelligrini im going to shoot myself!

Edited May 25, 201115 yr by Andreas

We already have a manager, they just need to announce it.

swear to god if we get pelligrini im going to shoot myself!

You and me both!!!!

We already have a manager, they just need to announce it.

Based on what?

Based on the belief that someone was already lined up during the season to come in at the end.