Olise is injured until October but that’s perfect to bed him in without throwning him in the deep end. 12 assists in Crystal Palace’s team is nothing to sniff at, they only scored 40 goals.
We sold Mahrez because it was a decent offer. Are you really saying we’ll have 0 proper wingers just because we sold Mahrez?
Veiga got in TOTS and scored 11 goals from CM. Is he better than KDB, Rodri, Silva? No but neither’s Paqueta, so why spend 70mil? Veiga’s got a much higher ceiling than Paqueta. We’re missing Gundogan’s goals & Mahrez’s assists - Paqueta offers neither.
Where are you getting this ceiling from, it is impossible to have accurate information unless you're a scout, with access to data collected and provided by clubs for millions and millions of pounds. Sometimes you guys just chat absolute bullshit.
Mahrez is Mahrez, a unique player, with slower pace but immaculate ball playing ability. He is literally irreplaceble.
In the way we play now, we are clearly opting for control from the wings, since we have a number 9 with lower mobility.
The benefit of playing a false 9 system was added control and numbers around the area in front of the box. We have struggled to fill that gap last season until the 4 CB's system allowed us to bring a partner to Rodri ( and play 3 at the back in attack and 5 at the back in defence) and even then, we needed midfielders with good ball retention, and recylcing to sustain the gaps that we lost. 95% of the games we have more possesion that our adversaries, meaning that a pacey winger is effectively pointless, as there is nowhere for the winger to run in behind.
Paqueta is a good dribbler, has really good ball retention, and has the ability to sustain heavy pressing and counter pressing, added to a fairly decent physique, from what i have seen watching West Ham. This in a team made to hoof ball, and pray for Antonio's 50m sprints to work "this time". Are we watching the actual same sport?
I think he'll be just fine!
