25 May 2025 10:14:03
Where do people see Wirtz playing in our team? Is he going in our vacant no 9 position as a Firmino type role or does he replace one of Grav, Macca or Szob in our middle?
25 May 2025 10:26:51
JK23 showed some interesting stats the other day. He's played most of this season in the number 10 role, so that's where I can see him playing for us, mostly. I can't see us trying to shoe horn him into an unfamiliar position. Just my guess, I know nothing, as Manuel used to say.
25 May 2025 10:35:51
False 9 seems the obvious one.
He can play multiple positions though so let’s see who else comes in. If a striker comes in then I imagine he’s playing as a 10.
25 May 2025 10:46:11
He's got to play at a number 10 for me. Slot has supposedly sold the tactical dream to him and playing in his familiar position is likely to resonate more than sticking him as a false 9, imo.
He's got the work rate to help out defensively plus he can then link with Salah, Gakpo/ Diaz and a new striker to make an amazing front 4.
25 May 2025 10:51:39
Slot was very vocal over the season he expected more Goals and Assists from Dom in that number 10 role.
Who knows, we could see Szobo’s position shift instead of Wirtz.
25 May 2025 11:03:07
Looking at Wirtz career stats they are the below
Attacking mid 159 games 48 goals 54 assists
Centre forward 11 games 4 goals 4 assists
Right wing 11 games 4 goals 3 assists
Left wing 9 games 2 goals 3 assists
Centre Mid 5 games 3 assists
False nine 4 games 3 goals 3 assists.
6 goals and assists in 4 games as a false 9 is impressive but surprising to see he’s only actually played 15 games as a CF and false 9.
25 May 2025 11:05:12
I think he's best in the #10 role because we'd be wise to use his dribbling, passing and shooting abilities. He likes to run with the ball. I do think that the club should bring in that #9 though, if Slot is going to play this way.
The odd man out, in my view, is Mac Allister. Because Slot will probably choose to play with two 6/ 8's (Gravenberch and Szoboszlai) and Wirz ahead of them. It's a bit safer too, when you consider the offensive tendencies of Frimpong and Kerkez, and the spaces they will leave behind on their runs.
25 May 2025 11:09:52
He can play anywhere in the front line although he probably won't be a specialist winger given he doesn't have blistering pace or athleticism, but he'll probably start in the middle of a front three and change with the other two throughout the game. He is brilliant at dropping deep and carrying, receiving in tight pockets and turning in the gravenberch position (grav looks like he's going to be a sort of libero next year dropping into a back three when our full backs drive up), or getting the ball wide and taking on his man to get in the box or giving and going with the other forwards, he doesn't have the long passing range of somebody like Dom though so center mid might not be a great position for him.
I'm pretty sure he led all players in possession won in the opposing third in the bundesliga last year, came first in duels won as well, so he's not a luxury player in any sense of the word.
25 May 2025 11:13:01
Arne must have spoken to Wirtz of his plans for him in the team, and according to reports, Wirtz is very impressed . So wherever he plays it’s all good .
25 May 2025 11:24:35
I think he will play number 10 against low block teams and may play front 3 depends on the availability of players and opponents. We may go for mid 3 of Szobo, Macca and Garvy against the likes of City, Real, PSG and Wirtz in front 3 either as false 9 (depends on Striker we sign) or LW. He gives us flexibility with the formation too. As ed001 mentioned he and Frimpong can cover Salah place when he goes for Afcon. I really hope we sign him. We need a player of his calibre in our team.
I think if we sign Alvarez then we are dead certain to walk the league as rest of the teams still in transition and Arsenal need couple of strikers. I think they may sign 1 though. Its CL where we don't know what will happen.
25 May 2025 11:25:41
Liver_La, that's my thing. Having seen "Flo" play a few times last season and that guy can play any attacking position exp. since he had sometimes, a free role as well.
Im more excited about all that than racking my brain about where he is going to play and who gets to hold bench. That's Slot's business, not mine.
25 May 2025 11:40:01
I think it would be truly mental if we signed one of the best AM’s on the planet and then played him out of position. For me he’ll play behind a striker, whoever that ends up being.
25 May 2025 11:58:12
If Wirtz plays the Bobby role then who are we expecting to run in behind because Mo isn’t that player anymore.
25 May 2025 12:01:32
With the potential full backs being very attacking, I wouldn't be surprised if we pull the wingers in a little and played a sort of 41212, almost a diamond but with the front 2 being a bit wider and wirtz playing just on the line of AM/ CF. Seems the best fit for what we have or will have soon, but if we sign a proper CF then that could change.
25 May 2025 12:24:12
@MKS, can he cover RB, at a push?
25 May 2025 12:53:20
I suppose it also depends on where he sees his future position. He might want to become the main goal threat going forwards and Slot may be of the same mind. He’s certainly young enough to make the slight positional adjustment.
As Liver La pointed out, whatever Slot has planned for him he’s obviously on board with it.
Wherever he due to play hopefully it gets over the line. Really excited to see him in the team.
25 May 2025 13:15:08
If we sign Isak I wonder if he can play left back ?.
Beers are flowing already. What a day.