Ideally, I think we still need around another 6 or so players if we are to be serious about competing.
It’s a long old season with games coming thick and fast when we return from the international breaks. We can’t rely on young players to get us through, it simply would not be fair.
Amos Maynard-Brewer
New Right-Back New Right-Back New Centre-Back Oshilaja Pearce Famewo Purrington New Left-Back
Watson Pratley Levitt Forster-Caskey Gilbey Lapslie Morgan Williams Oztumer Maddison Doughty New Attacking Midfielder/Winger
New Striker New Striker Washington Aneke
Some may say that’s too many, but you’ve got a good handful of players in that lot who unfortunately are either likely to get injured at some point, or unable to play games in such quick succession. You then have the suspensions and loss of form, it’s important we don’t leave ourselves short.
This also allows players like Barker and Vennings to naturally develop without the pressure of trying to win promotion from what is a tough league to get out of if you don’t get it right. It allows us to send Davison out on loan, at least until January, get him some better experience and scoring some goals.
Phillips I am sure will be sold before the window shuts. I hope we don’t lose anyone else.
We desperately need a few defenders, another midfielder because the quality is just not there yet, and so desperately need a couple of good strikers who can play, and score regularly.
Lots of work still to do, but I am sure we will get a flurry of them in soon. The sooner the better and they can be settled and worked with throughout this break.
Quality over quantity, I know, but we need both, so the quantity must have the quality too. That’s the tough part.
I agree with most of what you say, but think Doughty is a left back and is only playing up front because of the deficiencies in the squad.
See I think it's pretty much the opposite, didn't he play on the wing in the youth sides mostly and only played left wing back/left back as an emergency?
Agree with this, his best defensive attribute is his pace. Defensively a natural full back in a flat back four he isn't imo which was very apparrent when he first broke into the first team.
He has improved defensively, no doubt with Jacko's coaching and that's not to say he won't make a good wing back in a five man defence but a solid LB he's not at present.
Yup, and Bow also said when he first came into the team that he isn't a left back but his performances in that role had been outstanding, which is probably why we have continued to use him in that type of role or as a wing-back. His position though is a winger, he just needs better end product and a better touch because his pace gets him out of trouble or poor touches sometimes, against better players, that's not enough.
If we are able to bring in a striker who can score and hold up the ball as well, bringing in another winger would really help us. We could play Doughty on the left, Maddison behind the striker, and another good winger on the right. I think we would see more control of the game and better movement that way too. Far too often we are pedestrian and it's dire.
GK: Amos, AMB RB: New signing, Oshilaja / Lapslie / Barker can cover if needed CB: New signing, Oshilaja CB: Famewo, Pearce LB: Purrington, Doughty / Famewo can cover if needed CDM: Pratley, Levitt CM: Watson, JFC CM: Gilbey, Williams CAM: Maddison, Oztumer RW/LW: Washington, Doughty, New signing, Maddison / Oztumer / Williams can cover if needed ST: New Signing, Aneke ST: New Signing, Washington can cover if needed
5 signings needed at a minimum though. Then we have the ability to play a few different formations as well as being covered if any position gets injured. This also allows Morgan, Davison, Vennings and other young players a loan if Bows feels they need it as they’re not necessarily required. As long as they’re available to be recalled incase of another injury crisis.
Lets face the facts. Nobody’s fault but the takeover came a month too late. (Let’s not go there) The squad was generally crap before Sandgaard came through the door. There’s not been enough time to address all the weaknesses and limitations of the squad. We’ve sold Bonne and the ridiculous wage cap means that even if TS wanted to we can’t blow the transfer market out of the water. I’m sure that by the next game the squad will look a lot better but I have very real doubts that this will look like a promotion squad. January might help but the cap makes the window even more difficult than usual. I think this season a playoff place would be great but in my heart of hearts I think that next season is our kick off when the cap is hopefully gone and the squad can be rebuilt..
Surprised at that. Although I was suggesting him for us and praising his finishing, the reason he has not been picked up before - even by the top two up there, is because he is not a hold up player, does not have pace and doesn’t work very hard. He is a finisher though. Scores superb goals.
Comparing what we have and need to what we had when we won promotion last time...
In 18/19 season, we had 26 players who made at least 10 appearances.
Of those 26 they included players who were either with us for a short period due to loan, transfer out, and injury: Steer, Page, Ward, Ajose, Grant.
Players who came from the academy: Lapslie, Morgan, Hackett-Fairchild.
Players who didn't feature too much from the start or came in part way through the seasont: Marshall, Fosu, Williams, Purrington, Parker.
When you look at the rest of the squad, we had Forster-Caskey who was injured, Clarke who failed to make any appearances in the league and was let go in January, and then the regular players we used.
We only really relied on Lapslie (who made a total of 32 appearances that season), and Morgan (who was used more at the end of the season) from the young players from academy to get us up and competitive.
My point is, we have to be careful and really do need to bring in some quality players without relying on young players like Barker or Vennings, as good as they may have been so far. We will struggle to get anywhere near top six otherwise. We also need to be careful not to say, "X player can cover this position or that position, as well as playing in their own position". It means we are trying to plug gaps with an already thin squad, and what would happen if that X player was then injured, we rely on a young player who isn't ready? It simply isn't fair.
We need another 6 more, I believe at least, and I am struggling to see how anyone could say we don't (not that there have been many anyway).
Comparing what we have and need to what we had when we won promotion last time...
In 18/19 season, we had 26 players who made at least 10 appearances.
Of those 26 they included players who were either with us for a short period due to loan, transfer out, and injury: Steer, Page, Ward, Ajose, Grant.
Players who came from the academy: Lapslie, Morgan, Hackett-Fairchild.
Players who didn't feature too much from the start or came in part way through the seasont: Marshall, Fosu, Williams, Purrington, Parker.
When you look at the rest of the squad, we had Forster-Caskey who was injured, Clarke who failed to make any appearances in the league and was let go in January, and then the regular players we used.
We only really relied on Lapslie (who made a total of 32 appearances that season), and Morgan (who was used more at the end of the season) from the young players from academy to get us up and competitive.
My point is, we have to be careful and really do need to bring in some quality players without relying on young players like Barker or Vennings, as good as they may have been so far. We will struggle to get anywhere near top six otherwise. We also need to be careful not to say, "X player can cover this position or that position, as well as playing in their own position". It means we are trying to plug gaps with an already thin squad, and what would happen if that X player was then injured, we rely on a young player who isn't ready? It simply isn't fair.
We need another 6 more, I believe at least, and I am struggling to see how anyone could say we don't (not that there have been many anyway).
I think you’re right, but conjuring up six quality players with the wage cap is going to require miracles from Avery.
Comparing what we have and need to what we had when we won promotion last time...
In 18/19 season, we had 26 players who made at least 10 appearances.
Of those 26 they included players who were either with us for a short period due to loan, transfer out, and injury: Steer, Page, Ward, Ajose, Grant.
Players who came from the academy: Lapslie, Morgan, Hackett-Fairchild.
Players who didn't feature too much from the start or came in part way through the seasont: Marshall, Fosu, Williams, Purrington, Parker.
When you look at the rest of the squad, we had Forster-Caskey who was injured, Clarke who failed to make any appearances in the league and was let go in January, and then the regular players we used.
We only really relied on Lapslie (who made a total of 32 appearances that season), and Morgan (who was used more at the end of the season) from the young players from academy to get us up and competitive.
My point is, we have to be careful and really do need to bring in some quality players without relying on young players like Barker or Vennings, as good as they may have been so far. We will struggle to get anywhere near top six otherwise. We also need to be careful not to say, "X player can cover this position or that position, as well as playing in their own position". It means we are trying to plug gaps with an already thin squad, and what would happen if that X player was then injured, we rely on a young player who isn't ready? It simply isn't fair.
We need another 6 more, I believe at least, and I am struggling to see how anyone could say we don't (not that there have been many anyway).
Six is at the lower end of what people are suggesting. I am not expecting six, at least not six as good or better than we have. I think they may become better players, but not come in as better. Top six will be a big push for us and we will probably be late entrants come the end of the season if we do - hopefully on form and ready for the playoffs.
Everyone comparing this squad to the one one two years ago is a bit premature. That squad was great but lacking in certain areas. I am sure this one will be OK, but probably worse in some areas than the one that won at Wembley but definitely better in others. That squad had one decent forward after the sale of Grant, hopefully this one will have more than that.
Ideally, I think we still need around another 6 or so players if we are to be serious about competing.
It’s a long old season with games coming thick and fast when we return from the international breaks. We can’t rely on young players to get us through, it simply would not be fair.
Amos Maynard-Brewer
New Right-Back New Right-Back New Centre-Back Oshilaja Pearce Famewo Purrington New Left-Back
Watson Pratley Levitt Forster-Caskey Gilbey Lapslie Morgan Williams Oztumer Maddison Doughty New Attacking Midfielder/Winger
New Striker New Striker Washington Aneke
Some may say that’s too many, but you’ve got a good handful of players in that lot who unfortunately are either likely to get injured at some point, or unable to play games in such quick succession. You then have the suspensions and loss of form, it’s important we don’t leave ourselves short.
This also allows players like Barker and Vennings to naturally develop without the pressure of trying to win promotion from what is a tough league to get out of if you don’t get it right. It allows us to send Davison out on loan, at least until January, get him some better experience and scoring some goals.
Phillips I am sure will be sold before the window shuts. I hope we don’t lose anyone else.
We desperately need a few defenders, another midfielder because the quality is just not there yet, and so desperately need a couple of good strikers who can play, and score regularly.
Lots of work still to do, but I am sure we will get a flurry of them in soon. The sooner the better and they can be settled and worked with throughout this break.
Quality over quantity, I know, but we need both, so the quantity must have the quality too. That’s the tough part.
I agree with most of what you say, but think Doughty is a left back and is only playing up front because of the deficiencies in the squad.
See I think it's pretty much the opposite, didn't he play on the wing in the youth sides mostly and only played left wing back/left back as an emergency?
Agree with this, his best defensive attribute is his pace. Defensively a natural full back in a flat back four he isn't imo which was very apparrent when he first broke into the first team.
He has improved defensively, no doubt with Jacko's coaching and that's not to say he won't make a good wing back in a five man defence but a solid LB he's not at present.
These days the divide between full back and winger isn't obvious, as so many full backs these days are in the team due to their attacking ability, rather than their defensive strength, the likes of TAA, Robertson, Chilwell, Kyle Walker bombing forward and providing the attacking width
Similarly, the divide between full back and centre back isn't so sharp either, especially against teams playing only one up front or not having big strikers, so that the more solid full backs are often playing at CB as well. Indeed for the first 20 minutes, Purrington played CB and did ok.
Ideally, I think we still need around another 6 or so players if we are to be serious about competing.
It’s a long old season with games coming thick and fast when we return from the international breaks. We can’t rely on young players to get us through, it simply would not be fair.
Amos Maynard-Brewer
New Right-Back New Right-Back New Centre-Back Oshilaja Pearce Famewo Purrington New Left-Back
Watson Pratley Levitt Forster-Caskey Gilbey Lapslie Morgan Williams Oztumer Maddison Doughty New Attacking Midfielder/Winger
New Striker New Striker Washington Aneke
Some may say that’s too many, but you’ve got a good handful of players in that lot who unfortunately are either likely to get injured at some point, or unable to play games in such quick succession. You then have the suspensions and loss of form, it’s important we don’t leave ourselves short.
This also allows players like Barker and Vennings to naturally develop without the pressure of trying to win promotion from what is a tough league to get out of if you don’t get it right. It allows us to send Davison out on loan, at least until January, get him some better experience and scoring some goals.
Phillips I am sure will be sold before the window shuts. I hope we don’t lose anyone else.
We desperately need a few defenders, another midfielder because the quality is just not there yet, and so desperately need a couple of good strikers who can play, and score regularly.
Lots of work still to do, but I am sure we will get a flurry of them in soon. The sooner the better and they can be settled and worked with throughout this break.
Quality over quantity, I know, but we need both, so the quantity must have the quality too. That’s the tough part.
I agree with most of what you say, but think Doughty is a left back and is only playing up front because of the deficiencies in the squad.
See I think it's pretty much the opposite, didn't he play on the wing in the youth sides mostly and only played left wing back/left back as an emergency?
Agree with this, his best defensive attribute is his pace. Defensively a natural full back in a flat back four he isn't imo which was very apparrent when he first broke into the first team.
He has improved defensively, no doubt with Jacko's coaching and that's not to say he won't make a good wing back in a five man defence but a solid LB he's not at present.
These days the divide between full back and winger isn't obvious, as so many full backs these days are in the team due to their attacking ability, rather than their defensive strength, the likes of TAA, Robertson, Chilwell, Kyle Walker bombing forward and providing the attacking width
Similarly, the divide between full back and centre back isn't so sharp either, especially against teams playing only one up front or not having big strikers, so that the more solid full backs are often playing at CB as well. Indeed for the first 20 minutes, Purrington played CB and did ok.
I agree but those types of full/wing backs are usually only successful in teams that apply a high press. We do not, whether that's tactical or just players lacking ability to do it is another question.
We don't need another midfielder for god's sake. We just don't. At this point we are saturated with midfielders - good ones who can find a pass. We need five players. Two strikers, two full-backs and a centre-back. Wanting any more than this is ridiculous. Oh no, we had slightly the worse of a draw with Sunderland! Sign ten players! Get a grip
We have several senior players who at League One level should be more than comfortable and knocking on first 11 every week. For reasons I can’t fathom Williams and JFC don’t look like players that can take us forward. To have two players with their pedigree as squad fillers at league one is disastrous when both are filling spaces that otherwise could be given to players on the up. I accept they were signed up when little else was possible but nonetheless they both should be doing substantially better.
The shackles Gallen & Bows have operated under in the past have been far stronger than this new wage cap. Signing the likes of Watson & Maddison should fill fans with hope. Gilbey and Washington are more than capable at this level too.
Those lauding the 18/19 team over the current unfinished squad might need a recap. 4 games into the 2018/19 season looked like this:
Sunderland 2-1 L
Shrewsbury 2-1 W
Accrington 1-1 D
Peterborough 1-0 L
4pts GD -2 (sound familiar?)
We drew 0-0 with Fleetwood on match day 5
Didn't really hit our stride until the new year and that was with Grant being sold. Aribo became a key player later in the season, in the first quarter he often drifted through games whilst showing the odd flashes of brilliance.
Keep the faith and wait to see who comes in! They'll get this right. They usually do!
GK: Amos, AMB RB: New signing, Oshilaja / Lapslie / Barker can cover if needed CB: New signing, Oshilaja CB: Famewo, Pearce LB: Purrington, Doughty / Famewo can cover if needed CDM: Pratley, Levitt CM: Watson, JFC CM: Gilbey, Williams CAM: Maddison, Oztumer RW/LW: Washington, Doughty, New signing, Maddison / Oztumer / Williams can cover if needed ST: New Signing, Aneke ST: New Signing, Washington can cover if needed
5 signings needed at a minimum though. Then we have the ability to play a few different formations as well as being covered if any position gets injured. This also allows Morgan, Davison, Vennings and other young players a loan if Bows feels they need it as they’re not necessarily required. As long as they’re available to be recalled incase of another injury crisis.
We have to sign a new left back. Purrington is bang average and should only be used as a back-up...
Doughty very much played as a winger in the youth teams and for Bromley.
Which is where he should play for Charlton on the LEFT side. His good work rate for the academies meant he was excellent at tracking back and then going on runs from deeper. Totally baffled when someone suggested he couldn't play in a diamond ? The left side of the diamond would be ideal for Alfie where he can help out the team when under the cosh but go down the flank and give some much needed attacking impetus to our impotent attack.
Johan Berg Gudmonsson had limited pace so it made sense to play him on the right as he could rarely go past a full back on the outside but could cut back on his favoured left foot. Doughty has great pace but can only utilize that pace on the left.
GK: Amos, AMB RB: New signing, Oshilaja / Lapslie / Barker can cover if needed CB: New signing, Oshilaja CB: Famewo, Pearce LB: Purrington, Doughty / Famewo can cover if needed CDM: Pratley, Levitt CM: Watson, JFC CM: Gilbey, Williams CAM: Maddison, Oztumer RW/LW: Washington, Doughty, New signing, Maddison / Oztumer / Williams can cover if needed ST: New Signing, Aneke ST: New Signing, Washington can cover if needed
5 signings needed at a minimum though. Then we have the ability to play a few different formations as well as being covered if any position gets injured. This also allows Morgan, Davison, Vennings and other young players a loan if Bows feels they need it as they’re not necessarily required. As long as they’re available to be recalled incase of another injury crisis.
We have to sign a new left back. Purrington is bang average and should only be used as a back-up...
Dont think Purrington has done much wrong this season, been a pretty steady player for me
Be good to look for someone who is more solid that can make the step up to the Championship though as thats where Ben will struggle
GK: Amos, AMB RB: New signing, Oshilaja / Lapslie / Barker can cover if needed CB: New signing, Oshilaja CB: Famewo, Pearce LB: Purrington, Doughty / Famewo can cover if needed CDM: Pratley, Levitt CM: Watson, JFC CM: Gilbey, Williams CAM: Maddison, Oztumer RW/LW: Washington, Doughty, New signing, Maddison / Oztumer / Williams can cover if needed ST: New Signing, Aneke ST: New Signing, Washington can cover if needed
5 signings needed at a minimum though. Then we have the ability to play a few different formations as well as being covered if any position gets injured. This also allows Morgan, Davison, Vennings and other young players a loan if Bows feels they need it as they’re not necessarily required. As long as they’re available to be recalled incase of another injury crisis.
We have to sign a new left back. Purrington is bang average and should only be used as a back-up...
Dont think Purrington has done much wrong this season, been a pretty steady player for me
Be good to look for someone who is more solid that can make the step up to the Championship though as thats where Ben will struggle
Purrington's strength for me is his defending. He is not terrible going forwards, or passing the ball, but those aspects of his game do certainly fall apart when he gets over the halfway line.
I actually really liked him in the CB role of a back 3 - I thought he looked really solid and actually got the ball moving, by either being brave enough to carry it forward or by not passing it sideways.
GK: Amos, AMB RB: New signing, Oshilaja / Lapslie / Barker can cover if needed CB: New signing, Oshilaja CB: Famewo, Pearce LB: Purrington, Doughty / Famewo can cover if needed CDM: Pratley, Levitt CM: Watson, JFC CM: Gilbey, Williams CAM: Maddison, Oztumer RW/LW: Washington, Doughty, New signing, Maddison / Oztumer / Williams can cover if needed ST: New Signing, Aneke ST: New Signing, Washington can cover if needed
5 signings needed at a minimum though. Then we have the ability to play a few different formations as well as being covered if any position gets injured. This also allows Morgan, Davison, Vennings and other young players a loan if Bows feels they need it as they’re not necessarily required. As long as they’re available to be recalled incase of another injury crisis.
We have to sign a new left back. Purrington is bang average and should only be used as a back-up...
Dont think Purrington has done much wrong this season, been a pretty steady player for me
Be good to look for someone who is more solid that can make the step up to the Championship though as thats where Ben will struggle
Agreed, I thought he was poor v Doncaster mate and he did ok with time and space first half yesterday as the spare man but second half his first thought out wide left when receiving the ball was 'who can I pass it back or sideways to?'
That's probably because he had no options going forward and he struggles to go past an opponent and get a cross in. He used to be good arriving late at the far post and I'll be forever indebted to him for the goal at Wembley but he can't rest on that. He's now playing at his level but needs competition for that LB slot and I don't mean Doughty.
Doughty very much played as a winger in the youth teams and for Bromley.
Which is where he should play for Charlton on the LEFT side. His good work rate for the academies meant he was excellent at tracking back and then going on runs from deeper. Totally baffled when someone suggested he couldn't play in a diamond ? The left side of the diamond would be ideal for Alfie where he can help out the team when under the cosh but go down the flank and give some much needed attacking impetus to our impotent attack.
Johan Berg Gudmonsson had limited pace so it made sense to play him on the right as he could rarely go past a full back on the outside but could cut back on his favoured left foot. Doughty has great pace but can only utilize that pace on the left.
I questioned whether playing as a central midfielder in a diamond suits Doughty.
The middle two roles are CMs who can drift wide, not wingers.
He’s at his best with space to drive into to make the most of his pace. There will be times that would work for him in the middle, but would that really get the best out of him if it’s a crowded midfield where players are battling, need a good touch and an eye for a pass?
Comments
If we are able to bring in a striker who can score and hold up the ball as well, bringing in another winger would really help us. We could play Doughty on the left, Maddison behind the striker, and another good winger on the right. I think we would see more control of the game and better movement that way too. Far too often we are pedestrian and it's dire.
RB: New signing, Oshilaja / Lapslie / Barker can cover if needed
CB: New signing, Oshilaja
CB: Famewo, Pearce
LB: Purrington, Doughty / Famewo can cover if needed
CDM: Pratley, Levitt
CM: Watson, JFC
CM: Gilbey, Williams
CAM: Maddison, Oztumer
RW/LW: Washington, Doughty, New signing, Maddison / Oztumer / Williams can cover if needed
ST: New Signing, Aneke
ST: New Signing, Washington can cover if needed
5 signings needed at a minimum though. Then we have the ability to play a few different formations as well as being covered if any position gets injured. This also allows Morgan, Davison, Vennings and other young players a loan if Bows feels they need it as they’re not necessarily required. As long as they’re available to be recalled incase of another injury crisis.
He is a finisher though. Scores superb goals.
In 18/19 season, we had 26 players who made at least 10 appearances.
Of those 26 they included players who were either with us for a short period due to loan, transfer out, and injury: Steer, Page, Ward, Ajose, Grant.
Players who came from the academy: Lapslie, Morgan, Hackett-Fairchild.
Players who didn't feature too much from the start or came in part way through the seasont: Marshall, Fosu, Williams, Purrington, Parker.
When you look at the rest of the squad, we had Forster-Caskey who was injured, Clarke who failed to make any appearances in the league and was let go in January, and then the regular players we used.
We only really relied on Lapslie (who made a total of 32 appearances that season), and Morgan (who was used more at the end of the season) from the young players from academy to get us up and competitive.
My point is, we have to be careful and really do need to bring in some quality players without relying on young players like Barker or Vennings, as good as they may have been so far. We will struggle to get anywhere near top six otherwise. We also need to be careful not to say, "X player can cover this position or that position, as well as playing in their own position". It means we are trying to plug gaps with an already thin squad, and what would happen if that X player was then injured, we rely on a young player who isn't ready? It simply isn't fair.
We need another 6 more, I believe at least, and I am struggling to see how anyone could say we don't (not that there have been many anyway).
Top six will be a big push for us and we will probably be late entrants come the end of the season if we do - hopefully on form and ready for the playoffs.
Similarly, the divide between full back and centre back isn't so sharp either, especially against teams playing only one up front or not having big strikers, so that the more solid full backs are often playing at CB as well. Indeed for the first 20 minutes, Purrington played CB and did ok.
There was relatively little naming of players from sources inside the club other than the Danish "Killer" IIRC.
Mostly names came from media sources.
Also some sources EG Mahail and Southall are no longer in the loop
Post takeover there is likely to be a new shopping list anyway, as you said.
Bonne's sale, and potentially Philips, will also have changed plans.
WIOTOS
but I hear @Swisdom has a good source with the new shirt sponsor so I'd listen to him.
Those lauding the 18/19 team over the current unfinished squad might need a recap.
4 games into the 2018/19 season looked like this:
Didn't really hit our stride until the new year and that was with Grant being sold. Aribo became a key player later in the season, in the first quarter he often drifted through games whilst showing the odd flashes of brilliance.
https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-charlton-athletic-set-to-beat-sunderland-to-signing-after-new-burnley-deal-rejected/
Which is where he should play for Charlton on the LEFT side. His good work rate for the academies meant he was excellent at tracking back and then going on runs from deeper.
Totally baffled when someone suggested he couldn't play in a diamond ?
The left side of the diamond would be ideal for Alfie where he can help out the team when under the cosh but go down the flank and give some much needed attacking impetus to our impotent attack.
Johan Berg Gudmonsson had limited pace so it made sense to play him on the right as he could rarely go past a full back on the outside but could cut back on his favoured left foot.
Doughty has great pace but can only utilize that pace on the left.
Be good to look for someone who is more solid that can make the step up to the Championship though as thats where Ben will struggle
I actually really liked him in the CB role of a back 3 - I thought he looked really solid and actually got the ball moving, by either being brave enough to carry it forward or by not passing it sideways.
That's probably because he had no options going forward and he struggles to go past an opponent and get a cross in. He used to be good arriving late at the far post and I'll be forever indebted to him for the goal at Wembley but he can't rest on that. He's now playing at his level but needs competition for that LB slot and I don't mean Doughty.
The middle two roles are CMs who can drift wide, not wingers.
He’s at his best with space to drive into to make the most of his pace. There will be times that would work for him in the middle, but would that really get the best out of him if it’s a crowded midfield where players are battling, need a good touch and an eye for a pass?