22 Jun 2025 08:06:32
Ed001 if we can't get a number 9 this summer do you think Sobs would be a good choice as a false 9. He is 6/ 1 so decent height fast and his work rate up there would be great to start the press. And we win the league with Nunez and Jota as our number 9 last season and there is no way he can be that bad.
{Ed001's Note - he can certainly do a job there, but I don't think we would want to go a whole season with him there.}
22 Jun 2025 08:37:17
I give Nunez plenty of stick but the reality is whilst him and Jota weren’t great whilst the majority of the team were they both still played their part in the title win.
Between the 2 they had 17 league goals and assists and scored the winning goals against Brentford, Palace and Everton to get the 3 points.
Saying that though it is time to get a better CF up there as first choice.
22 Jun 2025 09:01:47
Play chiesa there he do better job.
22 Jun 2025 09:13:00
Diaz played mainly as the CF though to be fair, JK23. Nunez and Jota had a couple of important moments but they were not key contributors in reality.
I hope at least one of them is replaced. Even if it’s only for a back-up striker like Strand-Larson and Diaz is our first choice CF again next season.
22 Jun 2025 09:22:20
Mk he did mate. I never said different.
I’m quite happy to praise and criticise players but for me it needs to be a level playing field.
Jota and Nunez get bashed and Chiesa and Gomez seem to Get praised despite one playing about 100 mins of the title win and the other not being fit to play a league game in 5 months.
Just think it’s double standards across the board.
Not from you but in general.
22 Jun 2025 09:27:08
In possesion a 3412 with Grav between the CBs turning to a 2132 whilst attacking? The two upfront are wide attackers in Salah and Diaz/ Gakpo, with Wirtz behind. Midfield kind of a diamond, full backs given width.
Didn't Slot play without a no 9 at Feyenoord?
22 Jun 2025 09:32:15
The players in the squad who could be moved and play as a striker for me is Cody Gakpo.
He’s composed, has a decent finish, shows good movement and is a threat in the air.
He’s not the most physically strong but I’d ply him there before anyone else.
{Ed025's Note - putting square pegs in round holes very seldom works Ron..
22 Jun 2025 10:07:12
We tried playing Gakpo CF in the past I believe and it didn't really work. He wasn't suited to it.
22 Jun 2025 10:16:36
Diaz/ Szobo do a very decent job in the false nine particularly against strong teams that don't park the bus. They work really well in space and offer huge defensive/ press output that is really useful as well as pace on the break.
Against a low block, I think they don't have those small movements to their game, yet at least, that creates a pocket of space in confined areas to get a shot off and goal. A strikers instinct as some call it.
22 Jun 2025 10:37:30
Arnaud Kalimuendo - trained at PSG academy. A pure striker. 23.
22 Jun 2025 10:58:52
Isn’t that what this thread is about Ed025?
{Ed025's Note - it is Ron, im just saying that i dont think its a good idea mate..
22 Jun 2025 11:29:50
Interesting shout Kenny. Perhaps in the Stassin range of options. Looks a interesting player from a stats and YouTube clips perspective but need to see him in a game to properly give me though. Similar to Stassin. Will keep eye out.
22 Jun 2025 12:22:59
We plugged square pegs in round holes all season to a title.
Started with Grav, Diaz as a 9, Jones at RB,
22 Jun 2025 13:36:35
We've seen with havertz that a talented player can certainly do a job up front, but that they don't have the nous to attack space at the back post or make runs in behind more generally like an actual number 9 would. It was pretty much the reason why Arsenal lost to PSG in the champions league. Szoboszlai has the physicality, the height, the athleticism, the tactical intelligence, the engine and the desire to score goals to play there I'm sure, but not having a proper striker can really bite you in the arse at critical moments.
22 Jun 2025 13:46:01
Chiesa when fit is the best option through the middle then Diaz or is that the other way around. If we don’t sign a striker these two are not bad for now.
22 Jun 2025 14:56:54
Davey, saw him in the flesh a couple of times last season. He’s very much a classic poacher, not the brawniest but with speed of thought. I liked what I saw.
22 Jun 2025 16:06:13
Spot on, ED25. The square pegs in round holes thing is what I despise the most cos things work in the begining, I agree. Until they don't. Therefore, I am not for Szobo playing the CF position at any poinr, lmet alone the whole season.
If we can't get the CF we want or can live with, it is either we keep either Jota or Darwin with Diaz in the false 9 cos he has shown he can play that. Leave Gakpo and Szobo alone to conitnue to thrive in their ACTUAL positions. Just my take.
{Ed025's Note - im with you Oli..
22 Jun 2025 20:39:20
Diaz as a false 9 is a square peg in a round hole. Szob did a job we can live with there last season.
Diaz was better at it than Szob but neither should be there long term especially when we have bought Wirtz.
And why even consider keeping Nunez?