Fair enough. I just think that if he played next to hazard the defensive contribution from that combination could be lacking. I do agree that the inside wing that Chelsea has would suit him better than playing as a traditional winger. I just think that for the prices being discussed you would want him to play his ideal position. He's never (to my knowledge) played as an inside winger so maybe he would excel. Also very possible that the defensive issues of certain players that have been harped on by mourinho for years have clouded my judgement since he has been the manager for almost half of my years as a fan.
Why would he be next to Hazard? If James is bought it'll be to play opposite him on the right. The reason the formation works is because Alonso & Moses are right behind the wings providing support.
I meant next to him as in the same position on the other side but hazard and Pedro/Willian do play through the middle and interchange. Hazard is given more freedom to drift into the middle and even to the right so it's important whoever plays opposite him be comfortable with some of the switches.
English Paper Talk: Diego Costa is set to be rewarded with a bumper new contract, designed to keep him at Chelsea until the end of his playing days. Manchester United are ready to cut their losses on Memphis Depay, with Everton leading the chase to sign the Dutchman. Southampton boss Claude Puel is keen on raiding previous club Nice for highly-rated midfielder Wylan Cyprien. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is targeting Genoa wideman Diego Laxalt. Arsenal target Julian Draxler would reportedly prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain as he prepares to leave Wolfsburg in January. Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel is closing in on a move to Italian giants Juventus. Sunderland are facing a £10m bill in March for Ricky Alvarez - one reason they have little transfer cash for next month. Ronaldo Vieira is a £7m target for Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig - after just 19 appearances for Leeds United. Dimitri Payet has again hinted he could quit West Ham. Manchester United are set for talks with Benfica about defender Victor Lindelof. The Portuguese club want £42m for their Swedish centre-back, who is being chased by a host of teams. Rudy Gestede is set to join West Brom from neighbours Aston Villa in a £7m January deal. Max Gradel is being lined up for a loan by Burnley and West Ham. Bournemouth are hoping to agree a permanent fee for defender Nathan Ake. Dimitri Payet is refusing to rule out leaving West Ham for a return to his old club Marseille. Inter Milan and AC Milan are set to move for Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini. Carlos Tevez is set to complete a staggering £615,00-a-week move to China despite Boca Juniors fans begging their hero to stay. Manchester City and Leicester have checked on Aldershot striker Idris Kanu. Southampton intend to rebuff any January bids for centre-back Virgil van Dijk, but could sell captain Jose Fonte if a sizeable offer comes in. Middlesbrough are set to battle Crystal Palace for the January signing of Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede. Marco Reus has been identified as a leading potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil should Arsenal fail to extend the contracts of their two star players.
Sun says Gestede is set for West Brom Telegraph says Palace and Boro are going to battle for him. Silly season.
looks like Arsenal may be buying Jordan Pickford in January and loaning him back to Sunderland for the rest of the season.
Plus that may force them to sell Pastore and or Di Maria which would recoup the money spent. Then again it's PSG so they may just buy more.
Go to the ATM, withdraw all the Euros, put it in a briefcase, take a picture of the monies, DM it to Liverpool on Twitter.
Agreed. He was great at Southampton, just hasn't had the opportunity to get a run of games. Wish Newcastle were in the PL now to try and put him next to Jonjo
Looks like it. Newcastle and Brighton & Hove Albion look pegged for the auto promotion places as of right now. They are a good distance in front of the pack.
Like Ace said, we're looking good to bounce straight back. Went through a little rough stretch recently, but overall look good. Hoping it happens because I want to see what type of players Rafa can lure up north
Axel Witsel has apparently snubbed Juve for China. The man is an absolute mercenary. Or he has a phobia of playing in a league that people actually pay attention to and fears being outed as "not that good."
He probably took the wisest career path possible. Will have spent majority of his career on the highest wages possible for his skill level. Commendable.
One would think that it would take a gargantuan leap in salary for Wilson to accept this move now instead of waiting 6 months for Newcastle to come back up. It certainly doesn't fit the mold of a textbook January transfer.
I still think we will pay whatever for him. I just think Jose would rather him be at West Brom than Everton. Getting things on my twitter that we had a £19 million declined. So we actually out a real offer out.
West ham apparently going hard after Defoe. No way Sunderland sell. Without him they will certainly be relegated
Who knows where Sunderland would be right now if Defoe actually enjoyed his stay in Toronto? Probably Champions League because Jozy was poised to make a breakthrough.
he was never leaving this winter. still doubt he has a long term future in Madrid though and wouldn't be surprised if he was sold this summer when the ban is up
I want to see James be a star player somewhere like one of the Milans or Sevilla instead of being way down the pecking order at Real Madrid. And according to Sid Lowe, Madrid fans would much rather Isco succeed than James because they desperately want him to be the Xavi/Iniesta of the current Spanish National Team. James is so much fun to watch when he is the main man for Colombia. Madrid could always bring him back 3-4 years down the road when their current mainstays hang it up.
I'm told it's purely "a matter of time" before Everton sign Morgan Schneiderlin. #wba From Paul Stewart of the Birmingham Mail
United would be taking a large loss on what they paid for him a few years back. What a disappointment he has been.
Thought they weren't going to loan Memphis, but I guess they just weren't sending him to the team right below them on the table.