Posted May 18, 201113 yr This guy looks exactly the kind of player we need. Comfortable on the ball and can pick out a killer pass, only 26 and has only one year left on his contract. Reminds me of Modric. Looks like he's up for a move
May 18, 201113 yr Plays (and looks a bit) like Modric. Could be a relative unknown to our rivals thus cheaper. Would be the sort of signing Fergie would make. He looks like he could set Torres up all day, those long ball passes were weighted perfectly (though can't trust you tube for a complete profile). I worry that Inter or AC didn't pick him up, maybe he isn't consistent or something?
May 18, 201113 yr Castiel, if you read the comments on youtube all the italiens want him .. The fans I mean!
May 18, 201113 yr Castiel, if you read the comments on youtube all the italiens want him .. The fans I mean! I can't fairly judge him on a youtube video. Just seems strange to me that he never got into a bigger club. Though Aguero is clearly talented and he's still at Athletico so you never know. If he does what he does in the video consistently, then he'd certainly be worth a bid.
May 18, 201113 yr Author All other midfield targets are either unlikely or £30m+. He seems like a good option as the club want to sell.
May 18, 201113 yr I rate him as well. Always thought him as someone who could possible step into Franks boots. One of the few Italian players who could leave South Africa with his head help high'ish.
May 18, 201113 yr I rate him as well. Always thought him as someone who could possible step into Franks boots. One of the few Italian players who could leave South Africa with his head help high'ish. Never heard of him, so my opinion can only be based on youtube and stats. But by looking at those stats he certainly doesn't look like the type of player who could replace Lampard, as the above post mentioned. 10/11 - 2 Goals, 3 Assists 09/10 - 3 Goals, 1 Assist 08/09 - 5 Goals, 6 Assists etc... Someone who could be regarded a "replacement for Lampard" would have to compete with his kind of goals/assists ratio surely...: 10/11 - 13 Goals, 6 Assists 09/10 - 27 Goals, 20 Assists 08/09 - 20 Goals, 19 Assists And whilst Lampard is certainly the benchmark and it would be highly optimistic to expect anyone to reach that kind of level again, I'm just not sure you can really compare the two.
May 18, 201113 yr Can't say I've seen him play loads of times, but I have seen a few games with him and I really don't think he's that great.
May 18, 201113 yr Someone who could be regarded a "replacement for Lampard" would have to compete with his kind of goals/assists ratio surely...: 10/11 - 13 Goals, 6 Assists 09/10 - 27 Goals, 20 Assists 08/09 - 20 Goals, 19 Assists And whilst Lampard is certainly the benchmark and it would be highly optimistic to expect anyone to reach that kind of level again, I'm just not sure you can really compare the two. Regarding Lampard's stats, how many goals a year are from the penalty spot? I would guess maybe 7 on average (I really don't know). Most years he is right around the 20 goal mark, last year was obviously a great year for him. So for a midfielder to really be replacing Lampard's goals, they would only need to average around 13 goals a year to be getting the same production as Frank, merely in terms of goals scored. This obviously does not apply if the new signing becomes our PK taker, but let's say that down the line, Frank and Didier are gone, and Kalou starts taking our penalty kicks, it would be unfair to say that a new signing wasn't doing as good as Frank if he's not getting a chance to convert from the spot. My opinion at least, Frank's my favorite player ever (and my name!) so I'm going to be really sad when he finally quits.
May 18, 201113 yr Author Never heard of him, so my opinion can only be based on youtube and stats. But by looking at those stats he certainly doesn't look like the type of player who could replace Lampard, as the above post mentioned. 10/11 - 2 Goals, 3 Assists 09/10 - 3 Goals, 1 Assist 08/09 - 5 Goals, 6 Assists etc... Someone who could be regarded a "replacement for Lampard" would have to compete with his kind of goals/assists ratio surely...: 10/11 - 13 Goals, 6 Assists 09/10 - 27 Goals, 20 Assists 08/09 - 20 Goals, 19 Assists And whilst Lampard is certainly the benchmark and it would be highly optimistic to expect anyone to reach that kind of level again, I'm just not sure you can really compare the two. Clearly Lampard was a bargain, and in my opinion ,the only two that can replace him would be Hamsik, or Pastore. But it's clear that Lampard's career is coming to an end. And i f you look at the stats of the goals and assists for our other midfielders, it's clear that creativity is needed: Ramires- 2 goals, 0 assists Mikel- 0 goals, 0 assists Essien- 4 goals, 4 assists Benayoun- 1 goal, 0 assists This clearly is not good enough. As said in previous posts, Lampard takes penalties, as well as corners and some free-kicks. You also have to cnsider that Montolivo plays in a poor Montolivo side who usually play with less of the ball.
May 18, 201113 yr I seriously think that this is one of the main problem with chelsea : we always want to buy the finished player or land the big names. I seriously believe we should take a gamble once in a while with a player, in a better team a player will often play better. Take united for example, bought valencia from wigan, similar to the n'zogbia example. I was listening on the radio today which was a south american football expert and was discussing hernandez, who apparently was a player who missed many easy opportunites and hasn't really played how he has for united. United took a gamble and look how it has paid off for them. I would love chelsea to maybe change our approach and mix it up alittle making moves for smaller players and onces who do have the skill and potential and give them a chance instead of the next messi costing 40million of a player who is already at the top of there game. I know, certainly for me I would get great pleasure from and would think that overall the club would benefit. It does not mean that we should pick any player and see what happens. We should use our scouts better to our advantage and look towards different players who won't demand huge wages and price tags... Those little gems
May 19, 201113 yr I seriously think that this is one of the main problem with chelsea : we always want to buy the finished player or land the big names. I seriously believe we should take a gamble once in a while with a player, in a better team a player will often play better. Take united for example, bought valencia from wigan, similar to the n'zogbia example. I was listening on the radio today which was a south american football expert and was discussing hernandez, who apparently was a player who missed many easy opportunites and hasn't really played how he has for united. United took a gamble and look how it has paid off for them. I would love chelsea to maybe change our approach and mix it up alittle making moves for smaller players and onces who do have the skill and potential and give them a chance instead of the next messi costing 40million of a player who is already at the top of there game. I know, certainly for me I would get great pleasure from and would think that overall the club would benefit. It does not mean that we should pick any player and see what happens. We should use our scouts better to our advantage and look towards different players who won't demand huge wages and price tags... Those little gems Case in point: Lamps wasn't exactly flavor of the day when we signed him. Everyone and their dog was saying we wasted money on "Fat Frank"! Cheers, Butch
May 19, 201113 yr Case in point: Lamps wasn't exactly flavor of the day when we signed him. Everyone and their dog was saying we wasted money on "Fat Frank"! Cheers, Butch Did he used to be chubby then? Because i've never understood why fans call him that when he's clearly a very fit sportsman in great shape, and they are all fat bar stewards insulting him whilst the beer slops down their t-shirt and they struggle to move for burger wrappers engulfing them.
May 19, 201113 yr Did he used to be chubby then? Because i've never understood why fans call him that when he's clearly a very fit sportsman in great shape, and they are all fat bar stewards insulting him whilst the beer slops down their t-shirt and they struggle to move for burger wrappers engulfing them. I guess maybe a little, but certainly not deserving of the name calling. Mainly, I think it came from the fact West Ham fans felt he was being picked in the team because his uncle was manager and dad was coach, so it was a bit of ribbing. It became full out ugly when Frank became alienated when his dad was sacked, and he seemed to actively be seeking for a move. Until this day, he gets extra satisfaction scoring against that lot. Cheers, Butch
May 19, 201113 yr I seriously think that this is one of the main problem with chelsea : we always want to buy the finished player or land the big names. I seriously believe we should take a gamble once in a while with a player, in a better team a player will often play better. Take united for example, bought valencia from wigan, similar to the n'zogbia example. I was listening on the radio today which was a south american football expert and was discussing hernandez, who apparently was a player who missed many easy opportunites and hasn't really played how he has for united. United took a gamble and look how it has paid off for them. I would love chelsea to maybe change our approach and mix it up alittle making moves for smaller players and onces who do have the skill and potential and give them a chance instead of the next messi costing 40million of a player who is already at the top of there game. I know, certainly for me I would get great pleasure from and would think that overall the club would benefit. It does not mean that we should pick any player and see what happens. We should use our scouts better to our advantage and look towards different players who won't demand huge wages and price tags... Those little gems Excellent post Mike, I certainly agree with you. Hope may be in sight as well. Given Arsesen's departure as Director of Football, virtually our whole scouting team is leaving. If we get lucky they may be replaced by a team who have a closer look at some of the players you are talking about. Just on Riccardo. I'm not so sure he is the guy we are after. While everyone agrees Modric would be ideal, like Schweinsteiger last season it isn't going to happen. Montolivo is a guy who is often focussed on by Michael Cox when he reviews Italy and Fiorentina on zonalmarking.net. He is a big fan of him as a player but feels he is very difficult to fit into a system. He also feels he is a little flimsy and a bit inconsistent which may not be the best attributes. Of course this is one man's opinion but nonetheless one that I respect. Also he may not be available as cheaply as suggested. A couple of Italian clubs notably Inter are hot on his heels so if we did make a move, then it would need to be in June not in August as per our usual form. I've put my feelings on record that the best playmaker type of player available to us is Arteta from Everton. He's versatile and excellent passer of the ball and has experience in England which I think is crucial. That said he is a little older and may also cost a bit given Moyes' reputation for driving a hard bargain.
May 19, 201113 yr they would only need to average around 13 goals a year to be getting the same production as Frank, merely in terms of goals scored. I would like to see how many midfielders you could find who have scored 13 goals or more for 5 or 6 seasons on the bang. I know your not being disparaging towards Lamps, but saying ONLY 13 goals from central midfield is a little harsh on Lampard.
May 19, 201113 yr Excellent post Mike, I certainly agree with you. Hope may be in sight as well. Given Arsesen's departure as Director of Football, virtually our whole scouting team is leaving. If we get lucky they may be replaced by a team who have a closer look at some of the players you are talking about. Just on Riccardo. I'm not so sure he is the guy we are after. While everyone agrees Modric would be ideal, like Schweinsteiger last season it isn't going to happen. Montolivo is a guy who is often focussed on by Michael Cox when he reviews Italy and Fiorentina on zonalmarking.net. He is a big fan of him as a player but feels he is very difficult to fit into a system. He also feels he is a little flimsy and a bit inconsistent which may not be the best attributes. Of course this is one man's opinion but nonetheless one that I respect. Also he may not be available as cheaply as suggested. A couple of Italian clubs notably Inter are hot on his heels so if we did make a move, then it would need to be in June not in August as per our usual form. I've put my feelings on record that the best playmaker type of player available to us is Arteta from Everton. He's versatile and excellent passer of the ball and has experience in England which I think is crucial. That said he is a little older and may also cost a bit given Moyes' reputation for driving a hard bargain. My post wasnt directed at this particular player, I dont know how much he would cost, but I thought it would be a good place to post and relevant to many of the posters views on his stats. Lets just hope we have a change, even if it was 1 every 3 years it would be better than how it is. Fingers crossed lads
May 19, 201113 yr Fergie chasing him, from Caughtoffside though: Man United Prepared to Fork Out £17.5m for Italian International: Ferguson Keen On Fiorentina Captain Ricarrdo Montolivo
May 19, 201113 yr Never heard of him, so my opinion can only be based on youtube and stats. But by looking at those stats he certainly doesn't look like the type of player who could replace Lampard, as the above post mentioned. 10/11 - 2 Goals, 3 Assists 09/10 - 3 Goals, 1 Assist 08/09 - 5 Goals, 6 Assists etc... Someone who could be regarded a "replacement for Lampard" would have to compete with his kind of goals/assists ratio surely...: 10/11 - 13 Goals, 6 Assists 09/10 - 27 Goals, 20 Assists 08/09 - 20 Goals, 19 Assists And whilst Lampard is certainly the benchmark and it would be highly optimistic to expect anyone to reach that kind of level again, I'm just not sure you can really compare the two. Not many out there who can match Frank, Ineasta perhaps (not going to leave Barcelona for us). It might be time to consider a different approach to replacing our ageing star players in the forthcoming years.
May 19, 201113 yr Frank is clearly one of the players of his generation, and we are clearly going to have to get very lucky to have a player again who can come anywhere near to matching his output. We'll have to be very careful about who we sign and for how much if we're going to look to sign a possible replacement this summer. There aren't that many new generation players who have the same type of game as Lamps, so we're already looking at a limited bunch of players if we're looking for someone to directly replace him. My question is do we actually want a direct replacement for him ? Maybe not next season but the year after he's probably going to have more of a bit-part role, so do we bring in a different type of player to change the way our whole midfield plays, or do we look at someone who will play the same type of game to Frank?
May 19, 201113 yr To be fair, you wouldn't have expected him to be as good as he has when he first signed from Wham, & from what I remember he wasn't that prolific for them.
