Calafiore will stay, on big wages, if that's a consolation.Originally Posted by HCZ_Reborn
Calafiore will stay, on big wages, if that's a consolation.
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Rice isn’t going anywhere, he just needs to be played as defensive midfielder where he excels at things like tackling, interceptions and snuffing out danger. He is not the all-action Steven Gerrard type that Arteta seems to think he is.
Should the Zubimendi transfer happen that will be a step in the right direction. I would also like us to sign a player like Morgan Rogers who can help with transitioning defence to attack quickly but also provide a physical presence.
As much as the forward areas need strengthening, we are also going to be very light in midfield if Partey and Jorginho leave as expected.
Major summer ahead that will probably define the remainder of Arteta’s time here.
Last edited by Marc Overmars; 24-02-2025 at 01:36 PM.
I don’t really see a future for Rice at the club unless he’s able to prove he’s superior to Zubimendi. In 90% of games there is absolutely no need whatsoever to have both of them on the pitch. Having two players of that kind is fine when you need to put defence first away at the big sides but against most teams where the object is winning….we need a more progressive type of player in front of the 6 (I think that player is Odegaard and the no 10 position should go to Saka or Nwaneri)
I'd also like a player in the mold of Rogers at the club, I think he's a fantastic player.
In fact we came close to doing that when we were linked with Kudus, but you know who changed his mind at the last moment and Kudus begrudgingly joined the Hammers.
For me it's Saka that has to go. He's always injured, he's non-technical and Partey could do a better job in that position so the best we can offer Saka is the bench. He might as well go, we don't need him.
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You’re the one who constantly mentions Partey, don’t make your obsession mine
I thought Partey would be pivoting and rotating and doing stuff like that? Switch Partey and Rice, wasn't that the plan? Maybe I took you literally.
Saka should also go because he's not worth the huge transfer fee we'll get for him.
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That’s the plan for this season. Partey is going in the summer
Because Partey is useless at 6, and Rice isn’t a number 8. Partey would be a sticking plaster solution
If Zubimendi is bought it’s presumably cover for Rice, but again I’ve only seen him at international level and his passing is superior to Rice so that might displace Rice.
Or at least it would do if I didn’t think Arteta would continue playing Rice at 8 where he doesn’t belong
You must not have been watching Partey when he's under the slightest pressure. Thnk the tip-tap is bad now, wait for the 500 backward passes stats. Partey at 8 would be like an extra opposition defender. He never takes responsibility and you can often find him in no-man's land leaving it all to his team mates. Rice is infinitely superior in that role, even though I agree, that should not be Rice's role. Rather than Rice or Zubimendi it should be Rice or Partey and happily that takes care of itself in the summer.
Arteta will have to change plenty if he wants to be here in 26. But even if he doesn't change, we don't sell one of our key players because Arteta is fucking up. We'll need Rice for whoever comes in after Arteta if the latter can't find ways to use this squad to full effect.
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Rice is also terrible under Pressure, but Partey is better at making progressive passing, in that he’s half a second quicker at finding a team mate than Rice. But it’s also largely academic. Apart from doing enough to get into next season’s champions league this season is over. However Dynamic or direct you think we should be will not change the fact that we don’t have goalscorers and that results like Saturday are likely to be commonplace
Going forward I think you have to be ruthless. If we want to win anything, as I say for 90% of games you will not need both Zubimendi and Rice. I think Zubimendi is the superior player but that will remain to be seen.
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