I think the point most are making is that there is no need to change the system. He would slide in for Pedro in 3-4-3 and as someone posted on another thread, we are changing shape recently to a 3-5-2 where Pedro or Hazard drop into midfield which seems exactly what you would want James doing. 

We clearly don't play wingers in our system, they are forwards, Alonso and Moses play out wide, Hazard and Pedro/ Willian drift in the spaces behind Costa, sometimes making runs ahead of Costa, In a 3-4-3, James would basically be playing as an AM his best position, he would be getting the ball in central areas between the lines he would have Moses to his right, Hazard would be around him looking to link up with him and Alonso would be out on the left wing with Costa ahead of him, it suits James perfectly.

We don't play wingers in our system, Moses and Alonso provide the width as wingbacks, which allows Hazard and Pedro/Willian/James to play more centrally and then without the ball James would drop into a central midfield position, like Pedro has done for us 

Yes but Moses provides the width, James would be coming inside linking with Hazard and opening up defences, he would also drop into midfield with Matic and Kante when we are out of possession, he suits our system very well 

because we play wingbacks our forwards either side of costa are very narrow they are definitely not playing as wingers, hazard is scoring more becuase he can run through teh middle instead of stuck to the touch line shouldn't be hard at all for a number 10  to play in that role

The handful who actually understand their own manager's tactics......James would be a quality player in his system and at Chelsea...

 

James is a fabulously talented player, where would he fit in though?, if we end up going full on 3 5 2, in the Middle of Matic and Kante?

 

Edited December 21, 20169 yr by Ballack & Blu

James is a fabulously talented player, where would he fit in though?, if we end up going full on 3 5 2, in the Middle of Matic and Kante?
 

As previously mentioned he would play a more advanced role next to Hazard and Costa, since you guys use wing backs he wouldn't need to provide width and be allowed to play narrow...

I've done a complete 360 on this one. I really wanted him in the summer, but when this resurfaced I wasn't keen. 

But now I can't help but feel excited of the prospect of him coming here, it would be a massive statement of intent. Yes he isn't greizmann or sanchez, and he may not be as dynamic as Willian or pedro, but he is a match winner. 

I think fans in general pay too much attention to the formation on paper, James is fantastic at finding pockets of space to hurt the opposition, and he would have the freedom to roam, as we have seen with pedro and willian in this system, maybe he wouldn't have scored that goal that Willian scored against city, but he hurts teams in other ways. 

I dont think it's fair to compare to mata either, he is a better athlete, more robust, slightly quicker, and is more comfortable when he finds himself out wide. 

I'm not going to worry about the fee, as there isn't anything even remotely official yet, and if we can afford him then why not. Greizmann and sanchez are pipe dreams, why miss out on James when there is so little chance of signing either of those players. 

I think this would be a great move for us. 

Just to add, for anyone who doesn't think james would fit into that front 3, if look on whoscored.com and look at the average player positions in this formation, hazard and pedro/Willian play more as number 10's than they do wingers. 

I don't question that he would be able to play in our system but I wonder if he would improve us?

He's clearly talented but is he going to offer something that Willian and Pedro don't?

I haven't watched him very much or followed his career to know myself but it would certainly be an interesting January signing if Oscar, as expected, leaves.

James is a lot better then Pedro and Willian. And for god sake Willian is on crazy poor run. While Pedro scored some goals, but he play 10 min, then goes on missing to the rest of the game ....

James will improve the team significantly.

1 minute ago, brakeit said:

James is a lot better then Pedro and Willian. And for god sake Willian is on crazy poor run. While Pedro scored some goals, but he play 10 min, then goes on missing to the rest of the game ....

James will improve the team significantly.

Maybe you're referring to last season's Pedro because that is certainly nothing like Pedro of this season. He has been stellar especially on this 11 game winning run. 10 mins per game? What games are you watching mate?

So here's my question to those of you that have seen a lot of him.

 

How does he compare to Mata?

He has thunder in his left boot!

I think after the last World Cup most would have had him in a heart beat,he hasn't really set the world on fire at Madrid but he wouldn't be the first world class player not to make it work there. I think my main reason for possibly being against it is there is a kid at Ajax that might be the best possible option in that position and he would be free 

1 hour ago, Davey Baby said:

So here's my question to those of you that have seen a lot of him.

 

How does he compare to Mata?

I love Juan, but he's miles ahead. James on form is one of the best attacking players in the world.

As attacking midfielders go, only KDB would be better than him and that's not by a lot either.

What have we seen that suggests If real let him leave it would be us and not United or city he went to? 

3 hours ago, JMaher94 said:

I love Juan, but he's miles ahead. James on form is one of the best attacking players in the world.

As attacking midfielders go, only KDB would be better than him and that's not by a lot either.

Yeah, for 10's(position and style, not number) imo:

Messi >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> De Bruyne = James = Coutinho >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ozil, Mata, etc...

Edited December 22, 20169 yr by brenobnfm

4 minutes ago, brenobnfm said:

Yeah, for 10's(position and style, not number) imo:

Messi >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> De Bruyne = James = Coutinho >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ozil, Mata, etc...

Messi hasn't been a 10 in a long, long, long time. Not since like 06. He has played on the wing, then as a false 9 and now back on the wing again. Why would you list Messi as part of this group?

telegraph and guardian article came out talking about our january transfer plans and no mention of james despite the heavy link these last few days

and the whole visa thing was only reported by a radio station, AS and marca was only quoting their story

the bs meter is strong with this one

3 hours ago, Barrettinator said:

Messi hasn't been a 10 in a long, long, long time. Not since like 06. He has played on the wing, then as a false 9 and now back on the wing again. Why would you list Messi as part of this group?

He doesn't play exactly in the 10 position because Barcelona doesn't have it in their system, but he plays like one; he is the main playmaker of the team. I mean, if you could choose any player in the world to be the 10 in your team, wouldn't you choose Messi? I would.

James would do a similar function here.

Edited December 22, 20169 yr by brenobnfm

James is an excellent player. He is not playing because RM have better options in their squad. James is the kind you need to build your system around. They have Kroos for example who dictates their play and is probably best in the world in what he does. James plays higher up the field. They don't have a slot for a '10'. We neither.

However we are class or two below RM in everything. James would be a bargain if Oscar leaves for that insane amount. Perfect time to buy class.

My concern is Conte doesn't have spot for him. I don't think Cesc's spot is for him. Probably Willy's or Haz's spot but James is not very quick..

I think the source of this roumor is James himself when he pretty much said hes looking to leave and then it snowballed from there.

I found it rather amusing that some claim he doesnt fit our system because hes more of a central attacker and we need a winger, then in the next breath want to sign Sanchez and Griezmann. 

Edited December 22, 20169 yr by Xfaxtor

That is exactly why it surfaced.

48 minutes ago, brenobnfm said:

He doesn't play exactly in the 10 position because Barcelona doesn't have it in their system, but he plays like one; he is the main playmaker of the team. I mean, if you could choose any player in the world to be the 10 in your team, wouldn't you choose Messi? I would.

James would do a similar function here.

That's like saying Hazard is our #10 because he's our main playmaker. Sure he CAN play as a #10 and has those qualities but they're bonus qualities he has in his locker. Same with Messi. The most creative player isn't always the #10 mate.

Edited December 22, 20169 yr by Barrettinator

49 minutes ago, Xfaxtor said:

I think the source of this roumor is James himself when he pretty much said hes looking to leave and then it snowballed from there.

I found it rather amusing that some claim he doesnt fit our system because hes more of a central attacker and we need a winger, then in the next breath want to sign Sanchez and Griezmann. 

No one has specifically said we need a winger. We don't have a "winger" in this system. We have wing backs. What we need is an inside/wide forward to play on Costa's right alongside Hazard. Sanchez and Griezmann fit that perfectly. James, not so much.

http://sportwitness.co.uk/players-attitude-key-chelsea-signing-next-month-e70m/

From Marca. Very reliable when it comes to Real usually.

Guillem Balague ?@GuillemBalague  40m40 minutes ago

Real Madrid do not want to sell James Rodriguez in January. They know there are clubs who want him but no offers have been received AS YET

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