Do we need to sign a new midfield player?

[Steve Earle]

I didn't have this as a priority at season's end but I do now. Looking at the midfielders at our disposal is a bit like looking at an England cricket one day XI from ten years ago - full of 'bits and pieces' players who could 'do a job' and are each in their own way 'worthy'.

 

But how many of them would be coveted by any side finishing above us last season? One certainly, two maybe.

 

We played an injured Drinky for half a season because we didn't have quality competition in that area!

 

So next season having two from Silva (or equivalent), N'Didi, Drinky & James to choose from each week would be a massive upgrade. Amartey (one more season as a utility player?) and Barnes can provide depth.

 

Just add Keane and Siggurdson too and I'd be well chuffed!

[desertfox2]

We need more goals from midfield. Drinky will always be a legend in my eyes for being part of the league winning 11 but he just doesn't score enough. We are way too dependent on Vardy and Mahrez who will probably go. It's no surprise we struggled when Mahrez went missing last season. Okazaki is another that doesn't score enough or offer enough of a goal threat to take players out of the game. If a side can stop Vardy and Mahrez from scoring they have a decent chance of beating us. A top CM should be able to weigh in with several goals particularly playing in front of Ndidi who will cover a lot. Need the same from our wide players. Double figures for the Okazaki role and we will do well. Providing we sign a decent CB and keep Kasper.

 

I realize Okazakis contribution is more than just goals but still there are good number 10s that score more and can break up play 

[bpfox]

if people dont think that we need two midfielders who can hold the ball and create more than we have , there dreaming, its time to bring in two class players that will add competition to the team. we were really poor in holding the ball this year in the middle of the park, two class players will create more chances for vardy and others.

[AmarteyAndChill]

10 minutes ago, bpfox said:

if people dont think that we need two midfielders who can hold the ball and create more than we have , there dreaming, its time to bring in two class players that will add competition to the team. we were really poor in holding the ball this year in the middle of the park, two class players will create more chances for vardy and others.

Us not being able to hold the ball isn't just down to our CMs. I agree, we need to sign a quality CM but the fact that our CBs are not comftable and our RB on the ball means we will never have sustained possesion. When teams keep the ball, their CBs are always options and able to pass wide or into midfield. When Huth or Morgan get it, they can't switch play meaning they have to pass it to Drinkwater, this means Drinky is 20 yards to deep and we have to go long. Also, Okazaki isn't good enough, dosent create enough chances or score enough goals.

[bpfox]

3 hours ago, AmarteyAndChill said:

Us not being able to hold the ball isn't just down to our CMs. I agree, we need to sign a quality CM but the fact that our CBs are not comftable and our RB on the ball means we will never have sustained possesion. When teams keep the ball, their CBs are always options and able to pass wide or into midfield. When Huth or Morgan get it, they can't switch play meaning they have to pass it to Drinkwater, this means Drinky is 20 yards to deep and we have to go long. Also, Okazaki isn't good enough, dosent create enough chances or score enough goals.

UR 100% RIGHT, we not only need midfielders, we need two CB as well, and a right back who can get forward and also can defend. but midfielders who can shield the ball will help on end.

[CloudFox]

I don't think Simpson is as bad on the ball (for a right back) as people believe. He's a solid defender nowadays, but he can link up on the right when necessary. It's just our system's allowance of a free-ish role for Mahrez means Simpson has to defend first and foremost.

 

We need one CB who can pass and is comfortable on the ball driving forward, a central midfielder who provides creativity, and maybe a playmaker in behind Vardy, who's also good at breaking up play.

 

So Hoedt/Maguire/Acerbi, Adrien Silva, and Sigurdsson please Top!

[Wizerud]

If we can find someone who is indisputably better than what we've already got like Sigurdson then yeah gerrimin. Otherwise let's see Drinky, N'didi, Lawrence, James and Barnes battle it out. So probably the latter.

[Tuna]

Yes, absolutely no question about it.

 

We are hugely weak and have been exposed in the middle of the park and lack a bit of experience. In fact it would be nice to have someone who can actually pass and retain possession!

We need to be in a position where we have a selection dilemma - Drinkwater, Ndidi or the new signing - who starts? Do we play a 3 in midfield?

 

Unfortunately, King is not up to standard, Amartey is not good enough yet whilst Mendy is always injured. No idea if Mendy is and will be good enough for the prem.

 

I thought Darren Fletcher would have been an ideal signing for us but there you go, another one bites the dust.

[SCP1906]

My Sporting mate told me that Silva will be available now (backed up by another Sporting guy who's been here recently). €25m, so £22m. Worth it at that price as long as we also get a CAM/10 to replace Okazaki (Silva isn't a huge playmaker, rather like Drinky). 

I'm one of those who said that.

But yesterday there were news saying spurs want Silva and are trying to negotiate bellow release clause.

Dont know if spurs really want him and how much they offer but I believe Sporting could sell Silva for 25-30M €, if a Premier league Club wants him - Leicester or spurs can easily double his wage.

But Silva for 25-30M€ is only possible if William Carvalho stays in Sporting/Adrien Silva leaves first.
Between Silva and Carvalho, who leaves later will be more expensive.

[AmarteyAndChill]

15 minutes ago, SCP1906 said:

I'm one of those who said that.

But yesterday there were news saying spurs want Silva and are trying to negotiate bellow release clause.

Dont know if spurs really want him and how much they offer but I believe Sporting could sell Silva for 25-30M €, if a Premier league Club wants him - Leicester or spurs can easily double his wage.

But Silva for 25-30M€ is only possible if William Carvalho stays in Sporting/Adrien Silva leaves first.
Between Silva and Carvalho, who leaves later will be more expensive.
 

I doubt he will get in over Dembele and Wanyama meaning he won't start every week. Leicester City will be able to offer the same wages as Tottenham. Reckon he'd come here and join slim for regular football? Or want to be a squad player at Tottenham in the champions league? 

[Clever Fox]

i think both Okazaki and DD could be in trouble next season. Like others I think we need to replace Okazaki as we need 10 to 15 goals from midfield.

DD doesn't deliver when ever he gets forward and lacks pace at the top level. I always though Matty James was a better player and so I expect him to reclaim his place if given a chance.

i think the retained list will show our level of desire and ambition for next season.  Anyone know when it's out. ?

[Strokes]

We need an upgrade on DD in my opinion and a decent back up to Ndidi. The midfield is as important as anywhere, we need someone dynamic and good on the ball first and foremost.

[Bluearmyfox28]

 Imagine Ndidi, Silva & one of either Sigurdsson or Boudebouz in a midfield 3, with the latter playing at the top of the Dimond.   

[AmarteyAndChill]

2 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

 Imagine Ndidi, Silva & one of either Sigurdsson or Boudebouz in a midfield 3, with the latter playing at the top of the Dimond.   

                            Jamie Vardy

  Boudebouz                                     Mahrez 

                Sigurdsson      Adrien Silva

                          Wilfred Ndidi

4-3-3

 

overlapping fullbacks meaning the two wide men can cut in.

 

*wakes up*

[bpfox]

would rather have CARVALHO over silva, he is a class above silva.

[UPinCarolina]

24 minutes ago, AmarteyAndChill said:

                            Jamie Vardy

  Boudebouz                                     Mahrez 

                Sigurdsson      Adrien Silva

                          Wilfred Ndidi

4-3-3

 

overlapping fullbacks meaning the two wide men can cut in.

 

*wakes up*

Oh, Jesus. It's beautiful. 

 

All for about £75-80 million. 

[FoxinNotts]

9 hours ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

 Imagine Ndidi, Silva & one of either Sigurdsson or Boudebouz in a midfield 3, with the latter playing at the top of the Dimond.   

The dream 

[SCP1906]

18 hours ago, AmarteyAndChill said:

I doubt he will get in over Dembele and Wanyama meaning he won't start every week. Leicester City will be able to offer the same wages as Tottenham. Reckon he'd come here and join slim for regular football? Or want to be a squad player at Tottenham in the champions league? 

I don't think is priority is Champions League. Been there before.

I think he prefers to play more often.

 

In Leicester he has a friend in Slimani [assuming Islam stays], in spurs he also knows and played with Eric Dier.

 

Between Leicester City FC and Spurs, if both really want him, I believe it will be about €€/wage.

 

[AmarteyAndChill]

23 minutes ago, SCP1906 said:

I don't think is priority is Champions League. Been there before.

I think he prefers to play more often.

 

In Leicester he has a friend in Slimani [assuming Islam stays], in spurs he also knows and played with Eric Dier.

 

Between Leicester City FC and Spurs, if both really want him, I believe it will be about €€/wage.

 

Im sure Slimani will stay& I'd back us to pay him more as he would be more important to our side than Spurs'. 

[SCP1906]

14 hours ago, bpfox said:

would rather have CARVALHO over silva, he is a class above silva.

Diffent type of player.

Carvalho is defensive midfielder, Adrien a 'box-to-box'.

 

Truth is Carvalho can be a world class player in his position. 

Silva can not achieve such high performance, but after the best players of those 'top Clubs' his among the best. And he did put Luka Modric in his pocket in Euro 2016.

 

Yet they're different roles/positions.

When one of them was injured/out because yellow/red cards, sometimes Carvalho played in Silva place and also Silva in Carvalho place and.. that never worked really great.

 

 

Carvalho is a world class player but sometimes he lacks 'willing' to play.

Sometimes it looks he needs motivation, in some games [against Real Madrid in Champions, in Euro 2016, some other games in the season] he's really good, he's a world class player. Than in some games he's only average, looking liked tired or at least he could be so much better.

Maybe because he doesn't have vacations in years - in 2015 he was [injured] in euro sub21, last summer he was in euro 2016, this summer he's in Confederations Cup.

Or maybe because is still young and he don't have wife nor kids yet. I believe his both reasons.

 

Silva is always motivated. He always give everything he can when he's in the pitch. 

 

Both would be very good players for Leicester.

But I believe Silva would be a better fit for Leicester, he fits Leicester team/players motivation better.

 

Carvalho, I think needs a team who fights for titles more often.

Or needs to get a wife and kids, to have some responsability. He's that kind of player.. Profissional/motived like C. Ronaldo there are few, Silva is close, Carvalho is a bit more far, it's what he needs to really be a world class DM.

[AmarteyAndChill]

14 hours ago, bpfox said:

would rather have CARVALHO over silva, he is a class above silva.

We need a creative midfielder. We have Ndidi who can do the defensive work. 

[SCP1906]

30 minutes ago, AmarteyAndChill said:

We need a creative midfielder. We have Ndidi who can do the defensive work. 

Carvalho is a defensive mildfielder but he can also help in attack, he's really good discovering the strikers and doing long passes. Slimani and Bas Dost, this season, scored a few goals from long passes from W. Carvalho.

That's one of the reasons he's really good, is defensive, he's really good recovering the ball, but he knows how to put the ball in the strickers or in the wingers.

 

But I agree, having Ndidi Leicester priority in mildfield should be a box-to-box or creative midfielder.

 

Silva is more a box-to-box not a creative. Creative is João Mário.

Silva is always the first to put pressure when is team loses the ball, and to make the conection between  the defense and attack [when Carvalho doesn't make one of is long passes].

 

 

João Mário is more attacking, can play in the wing or attaking mildfielder.

Could be a better fit for Okazaki role of help Vardy or, maybe, replace Mahrez in the wings. he's very skilled, he could be attaking midfielder or winger.

 

Silva is not that attacking, with him the mildfield can keep the ball possession and he's allways making pressure without the ball.

Moutinho [now he's in Monaco] is a player similar to Adrien.

Moutinho is not a starter [at least always] in Monaco I think, it would be a good player for Leicester too.

 

 

 

[Steve Earle]

Just wondering why there isn't an Adrien Silva thread?

[RoyFox]

17 hours ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

 Imagine Ndidi, Silva & one of either Sigurdsson or Boudebouz in a midfield 3, with the latter playing at the top of the Dimond.   

Technically going up a serious notch with that  combo, Sigurdsson/Boudebouz would also be looking for throughballs to Vardy constantly.

[RoyFox]

2 hours ago, SCP1906 said:

Carvalho is a defensive mildfielder but he can also help in attack, he's really good discovering the strikers and doing long passes. Slimani and Bas Dost, this season, scored a few goals from long passes from W. Carvalho.

That's one of the reasons he's really good, is defensive, he's really good recovering the ball, but he knows how to put the ball in the strickers or in the wingers.

 

But I agree, having Ndidi Leicester priority in mildfield should be a box-to-box or creative midfielder.

 

Silva is more a box-to-box not a creative. Creative is João Mário.

Silva is always the first to put pressure when is team loses the ball, and to make the conection between  the defense and attack [when Carvalho doesn't make one of is long passes].

 

 

João Mário is more attacking, can play in the wing or attaking mildfielder.

Could be a better fit for Okazaki role of help Vardy or, maybe, replace Mahrez in the wings. he's very skilled, he could be attaking midfielder or winger.

 

Silva is not that attacking, with him the mildfield can keep the ball possession and he's allways making pressure without the ball.

Moutinho [now he's in Monaco] is a player similar to Adrien.

Moutinho is not a starter [at least always] in Monaco I think, it would be a good player for Leicester too.

 

 

 

Thanks for spending the time to update us, much appreciated.