Summer Transfer Temps and Journeymen

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If it’s one or the other then Partey.

Let’s be clear - both players would improve us, but I think Partey would be transformative. He’s a genuine all-round midfielder who does everything well, and he would instantly give us the security we need in midfield to be able to play 2 at the back and gain an extra attacking / creative midfielder. Or he would be like having an extra man in a 2-man midfield whenever we go 343.

He’s big, strong, fast and very consistent, and I think he’d be instantly ready for the league. Probably his standout feature is his driving runs from the defensive 3rd to the attacking 3rd; he has an incredibly high dribble success rate, given the area he typically plays. No fancy tricks or stepovers - he just uses speed and strength to drive through the lines with violent runs. Decent long-range shot too - him and Xhaka would give opponents something else to worry about when we push up.

Aouar is a quality midfielder, and has the potential to be one of the best in the world in a few years - if we could somehow get him too then it would be one of the best windows we’ve ever had, but at 22 I don’t think he’s quite as consistent as Partey yet. I think he’s the guy you bring in once you’re already stable enough to play a midfield 3.

Aouar is more creative in the final 3rd, but doesn’t add much more security at the back (despite being a decent tackler). Partey adds that defensive security AND buys us the luxury of a 3rd midfielder to improve our creativity (and he’ll also make things happen with those driving runs).

(Edit: not only would Partey let us play 3 midfielders, but he’s such a dominant presence that 2 of those 3 could be more offensive options - we wouldn’t need to keep playing 2 deeper midfielders.)