28 Feb 2022 09:43:18
what we need in the summer is a Prime Thiago. We must get this midfielder.

{Ed001's Note - he is in his prime, he doesn't rely on pace so he should be prime now for the next few years before he starts declining mid-30s, like Xabi, who was still world class at 35 after hitting his prime late. Players that rely on intelligence peak later as it takes longer to develop the brain than the body.}

28 Feb 2022 10:03:33
I mean someone who's much younger. despite all the above Thiago still misses a good chunk of games a season. I have been wandering around other leagues to find one. There are Kante's, there are Ndidi's and Bissouma's but none could control a match like Thiago.

{Ed001's Note - so you don't want a peak one then? You want a young up and coming one, which there are rarely any because that kind of control on games comes with experience.}

28 Feb 2022 10:15:55
You want an injury free Thiago then? Ground breaking insight there.

28 Feb 2022 10:22:25
We need a engine in the middle!

28 Feb 2022 10:56:32
I agree another Henderson-type engine / all-rounder for midfield.
People can compare Wijnaldum to Thiago all they like, there is no comparison because, as we’ve now seen, Thiago wins hands down.
I was so disappointed for Thiago, he was in tears before kick off.
Agree with Ed here, we keep and nurture him, help him out.
I always thought Wijnaldum was able to cover well for Henderson being out though, results showed that. There used to be a real drop off when Hendo was out but Wijnaldum helped ensure that wasn’t the case.
Not sure that Jones / Elliott are the answer here. Elliott may be, in time, but we have to be so careful with him too, he’s not a big guy and still looks so small and young in the midfield melee.
Jones has the physicality but it’s not happening for him yet.
Who knows, Klopp will give him every chance, that’s for sure.

28 Feb 2022 11:31:10
Apparently we were going to win nothing this season without signing Bissouma.
That turned out well.

28 Feb 2022 11:38:36
Elliot is not an engine Juicer. He is more like a Bernardo Silva.
Like you say, there is no comparison between Thiago and Wiji. Thiago is a playmaker, a progressive midfielder, a better pedigree than Modric and Kroos.

28 Feb 2022 11:39:40
Anyone know how serious the injury is? Frustrating that he's missed every big head to head game so far - bar Gooners at home.

28 Feb 2022 18:40:22
People have such short memories. Wijnaldum was outstanding for us and fit our midfield perfectly. He was quick, strong, won the ball and was very difficult to get the ball off.
Most of our defensive problems come from us losing the ball in midfield with Jones, Elliot, Naby and Thiago being more forward thinking players and taking more risks with the ball. With our fullbacks push so high up that when we lose the ball it puts immense pressure on the 2 CBs especially when Fabs isn’t there to shield them.
Thiago has got better with his ball winning and ball retention but he’s still nowhere near Wijnaldum in the ‘19-‘20 season.
Thiago is a better footballer I’m not denying that but Wijnaldum, Hendo and Fabs were a special midfield trio in the system we play.

{Ed001's Note - yes you have, he was never outstanding.}