"percentages man in the sense of result alone"

Yeah I'm pretty pissed but what the flying f**k does that mean

Not going to pretend I have seen much from Zouma at all, but the couple of games I did see I was not impressed. He looks extremely talented physically, but his mental attributes seems to be lacking and I fear we have another David luiz type defender on our hands

Basically, you mean Titus Bramble. 

 

Every time he put a run of games together where he played  well (3) he would be talked about as potentially one of the best defenders in the country due tohis physical attributes, but as sure as anything that brain fart would come. I have seen little of Zouma, I hope we haven't just brought a tone of muscle and speed

He's young and can be moulded.

 

I swear we said the same thing about Luiz.

"percentages man in the sense of result alone"

Yeah I'm pretty pissed but what the flying f**k does that mean

I thought it would raise questions. We know Jose is pragmatic. He looks which team and which player suits his tactics. Percentages means he doesn't necesserily look for a player who is good overall but a player who can clear the ball with 80% success rate for example but is terrible with the ball in his feet. Luiz was a sort of jack of all trades and now he is gone. He makes the percentages count and not his gut feeling. Watch Moneyball and you see what I mean. Not sure if Jose has a mathematic formula but he surely doesn't make decisions based on a feeling.

Edited July 12, 201412 yr by evissy

Since Zouma got No 5 shirt, some folks think he might stick around for the next season. Personally, I would like to see him around. This kid is built like a tank, not afraid to challenge anyone & playing with Cahill or JT he will learn a lot, I feel.

I don't think we should read too much into that - Oriol Romeu has been our #6 for three years and has spent the majority of that time out on loan.

I think Zouma can be a good player BUT right now he still has a lot to learn. I think if he does play for us next season he will get quite a few yellows and give away a few pens and free kicks.

I don't think we should read too much into that - Oriol Romeu has been our #6 for three years and has spent the majority of that time out on loan.

 

In fairness he spent one season out on loan following a serious injury so it allowed him competitive game time to aid his recovery.

 

Before that he was a bit part player in the team but was threatening to become a regular starter.  

Uno,

How do you know that Zouma will give away pens &...?

I dont know for sure, its just an opinion. I think he is a bit of a lump and will at first struggle with the speed of our league. He gave away a pen against Wimbledon at the weekend, just wait till he comes up against players in the premier league.

He MUST stay for next season. With Luiz sold and Kalas loaned out for the season, we only have Terry and Cahill for CB. Ivanovic could play on that position and also Ake could get promoted, but that's not enough.

Since when did Money have absolutely anything to do with a player being above someone in the pecking order?

Once a transfer fee is paid it should be based purely on quality.

Torres.

He MUST stay for next season. With Luiz sold and Kalas loaned out for the season, we only have Terry and Cahill for CB. Ivanovic could play on that position and also Ake could get promoted, but that's not enough.

 

JOse has made comment about a few young players being promoted to the first team, so I wonder if Ake could be one of them?  Whether he is or not, I do agree that we need some cover at CB, so why not start bleeding Zouma in immediately?

I dont think Ake has impressed that much in pre season so far. Zouma and Baker have been the stand outs so far.

JOse has made comment about a few young players being promoted to the first team, so I wonder if Ake could be one of them?  Whether he is or not, I do agree that we need some cover at CB, so why not start bleeding Zouma in immediately?

 

I reckon Ake will be the reserve left back behind Luis and Dave. 

Agreed, but he's versatile enough to be a good squad player and fill in for a number of positions in the back 4

Got the Number 5 shirt, says it all really our new JT

Ake has not shone pre season and think he could probably do with a season on loan. 

That was in. Or it wasn't. Goal anyway...

I still think both Kalas and Omeruo are better than Zouma right now.

Zouma's hardly had a kick for us for god sakes, it takes time to become a good player. Some people need to learn a little patience.

I dont think Ake has impressed that much in pre season so far. Zouma and Baker have been the stand outs so far.

 

Zouma? You mean Boga?

Ake has pretty much done as expected imo, I really dont see what anyone sees in him other then being young and a "homegrown" , Hes a high effort kind of player with no particularly special attributes. We canrt leave ourselves in a position were he gets extended minutes, but seeing as his best position is probably left back the chances of that happening is slim. For his own sake he should probably go on loan, hes not good enough to get any significant playing time her.

Zouma? You mean Boga?

Ake has pretty much done as expected imo, I really dont see what anyone sees in him other then being young and a "homegrown" , Hes a high effort kind of player with no particularly special attributes. We canrt leave ourselves in a position were he gets extended minutes, but seeing as his best position is probably left back the chances of that happening is slim. For his own sake he should probably go on loan, hes not good enough to get any significant playing time her.

 

I was going to post the same thing. Boga has been impressive at times but Zouma currently looks a million miles away from this sort of level.

Just on the Ake thing, he's been played left back to test if he can provide cover, he is very solid in CB or CDM. I like him.

 

Zouma with the squad number 5. I bet he stays this season.

Personally I feel that one of Omeruo or Kalas should have stayed as CB cover as Zouma doesn't look ready. Admittedly it is only pre-season but his problems seem to be unrelated to fitness and sharpness which pre-season would solve but rather positional awareness and discipline. Best solution would be a season loan in the prem.

At this moment in time Omeruo seems the best candidate - so young and seems to play like someone who is a lot older than he actually is. A regular in the Nigerian national team and didn't look out of his depth against the worlds elite in the WC.