I find it interesting that the Hickey rumours have died down a bit and the suggestions from Italian media that the deal is close to done are being shut down here.
Wild guess from me, but perhaps the club is actually looking at left-backs that could come in and start over Tierney.
Not sure how people here would feel if that was the case.
Personally, I think Tierney was having a very poor season and just when he started finding his feet he got injured again.
Just from an availability standpoint, 64 league appearances in 3 seasons is pretty poor. Excused the first season, excused the second season, there are no excuses now, things arenāt looking too good for him, especially when this itās affecting his performances.
You at least get a player coming from a winning culture and has a good football education.
One of those Iād put on the list of Pep having developed well.
Itās definitely a decent signing with a potential to develop into a very good one.
Because he is not a good enough CM and take him it out of City and it wonāt be pretty at LB either.
Talk of a football education is nice but when youāre not actually playing for Pep and City and youāre in a worse defence where you will be under much more pressure then youāll see something different.
Yeah, basically this. If weāre signing him as LB and midfield cover then itās a no. Just think there are better players who actually specialise in what we need.
I think thereās concerns for sure but think the flexibility is worth having.
I thing he predominantly takes the left back role. I think he would give us some good balance.
Someone mentioned Milner and itās a good comparison.
Midfielder who covers fullback. Just the other way round here.
Can see KT becoming the back up. Bins Tavares out too.
Exactly something like this and Tielemans would really add some expanse to our midfield, youāve got goals and creation and a more dogged utility type that can fill in a number of different positions. Iām also not convinced anyone here has the authority or knowledge to say he canāt cut it at CM because Iām sure we donāt all sit and watch him for every international game- although Iām sure twitter does. Also people need to stop looking at every transfer as a singular act, every player we are linked with is the beginning and the end of our business, people need to think outside the box a little bit and realize the window isnāt even open until what, sometime next month? Also the fcking u key no longer works on my keyboard and itās driving me insane, fml.
Ok but you canāt really say he is actually any good at CM at PL level for a supposed top club, what does it matter that he can turn out for international ball? The level is typically at a lower standard and thereās a smaller pool to chose from
I donāt think this is a outside the box signing lol, itās about as in the box as you can get.
How about we sign a good LB and a good CM, maybe thats a novel idea.
Is someone really a utility player when they barely if ever have played the position in the league
At least Milner used to be a good CM for Villa, what has Zinchenko done at CM here that means heāll bring experience to our midfield or even a level of desired competence in general
Iāve stated my reasoning in quite a few posts mate
Iād simply much rather have two good players for each position than cutting corners for one who doesnāt regularly play the CM position domestically if at all and defensively I have reservations about at LB
Played in the Pep system so I can understand why Arteta would want him. He can play the left #8 spot which is the position of need. Similarly to the Jesus link, itās not exactly outside the box thinking from Arsenal but I donāt mind it .
The starting point for being a utility player is having the attributes to play the roles, which he absolutely does.
Itās not a negative that he doesnāt regularly play midfield and fullback (how many players do?)
Itās a bonus that he does play midfield sometimes.
He does have great experience, PL, CL, internationally, what more can you ask for?
His passing and composure on the ball is so good that sometimes when I confuse him with De Bruyne, his passing does nothing to convince me otherwise.
Instead of comparing him to the best possible alternative, compare him to who else weāre likely to be using as a utility LB/midfielder.
I.e Cedric, Tavares, Elneny etc.
We donāt have the funds or time to sufficiently improve every position (including backups) so this seems like the best option to me