Particularly if MGW has burnt his boats...Looks like we are looking to increase options in central midfield which is good. We are a bit light there.
Destroyer who breaks up play pretty effectively but is very one-paced.
Based on what I saw in the games against Braga, I’d much rather have Joao Paulinha
He is a player who divides opinion, I think he is a very good player and watched him closely in the last International tournament Portugal were in. He isn't a box-to-box man though but if Nuno sees a role for him I think that is all that matters. He is a class player who would make us even stronger defensively.
See, I always thought he was 'just' a destroyer, defensive midfield type, as that's where he has played for most of his career and where he has mostly played for Portugal in the past.
But Alex Goncalves talked a lot last season about him being used in a more advanced role for Portugal, and being very good there. As part of the thread linking him to us, he sad this.....
"William Carvalho is perhaps frequently categorised as a defensive midfielder, but for the Portugal national team he operates in a more advanced role. And he's been sensational. His blend of elegance, composure & physicality make him hard to stop, & a top class central midfielder."
So Nuno could very well have other plans than for him to just come in as a snotter. I suppose in a similar way to how we all expected Dendoncker to be used as a holding midfielder when he played in a midfield 3 with Moutinho and Neves, but then he often found himself as the most advanced of the 3.
I appreciate it's only 1 man's opinion, but his opinions of all things Portuguese football have tended to be quite reliable in the past.
Maybe it'll be one out (probably MGW) and both Carvalho and Paulinha in?
I’ve only ever seen him play defensively but as you say, Goncalves has usually been spot on about things before.
If he has been converted into a physical, attacking midfielder in the mould of a Yaya Toure (or an upgrade on Dendoncker) then that really would add a different dimension to our game.
Saiss is 30, Mouts is 33 so we need to think about succession planning.
Getting someone in who can allow Neves to push forward a little more is a good idea.
I honestly don't know how we replace Moutinho though.
I think trying to replace Moutinho would be foolish, as he's just so good.
I think long-term, we will end up playing 3 in central midfield. One defensive, one ball-player and one more attacking minded. That could potentially be Carvalho, Neves + an attacking midfield player.
Maybe on FIFA/champ manager it would be possibleThere are rumours of dendoncker to Lazio, maybe we do a deal and get Milinkovic-Savic coming our way
There are rumours of dendoncker to Lazio
Maybe on FIFA/champ manager it would be possible
Must be right then!Guess and star state no big money signings next season. IMHO be loans and youngsters
If the season doesn't finish then Wolves are projected to lose around £50 million. Unless FFP rules change no clubs will be throwing around big money. The flipside is that many clubs will be desperate for income so players will be available for much lower prices or even on free just to get them off the wage bill.Guess and star state no big money signings next season. IMHO be loans and youngsters
You have to love paper talk there is absolutely no chance of a work permit regardless. Apparently a work permit was turned down for Carlos Vinicius when at Monaco but is now banging them in for Benfica so no chance for this lad.(maybe it’s different for youth players though)?We are being linked with a young player from Botafogo today. Luis Henrique.
I call that publication the Impressive Scar (dot Mom!)Guess and star state no big money signings next season. IMHO be loans and youngsters
I am not saying they are a solution but we should be stronger in that area next season with both Jordao and Shabani overcoming their injuries and pressing for games.Looks like we are looking to increase options in central midfield which is good. We are a bit light there.
Quite possible, Juve have already asked Chelsea if they can swap Jorginho for Pjanic (Chelsea should be snapping their hand off).
I might swap a KitKat for Carvalho. Maybe.