Raphinha

[barry]

This is quite impressive

 

[Ben1]

This.

But I also think if we sign Richarlison we still need a creative player, where if we sign Raphinha that may be enough in "that" department.

I'm happy with either as long as we hopefully address those potential weaknesses as well. Also the Raphinha link still makes me wonder about Lucas Moura, as he's more happy on the right and think it'd be hard for him to get minutes behind Deki/Raphinha/Son?

Yeah there needs to be two, whether its striker, winger or a '10' in a midfield 3. We've had Eriksen, Raphinha, Antony, Richarlison, big CF chat. Whatever combo of two we get needs to cover creativity/goals and positionally cover Son/Kane.

I'm so high on Raphinha as a player that he's someone I'd want in and then work out the rest from there.

 

[S17PUR]

Regardless of which one we ultimately get, I very much like the policy of buying up the best talent from outside the 'big 6' in the Premier League.

Richarlison is a better 'squad player' but Raphinha arguably the bigger talent. There aren't any bad options here, but it comes down to budget and squad balance.

 

[Fredo]

I think its a dangerous game we're playing assuming we'll 100% get one of them... really dont want my hopes crushed! Faith is intact though.

 

[jpascavitz]

Yeah there needs to be two, whether its striker, winger or a '10' in a midfield 3. We've had Eriksen, Raphinha, Antony, Richarlison, big CF chat. Whatever combo of two we get needs to cover creativity/goals and positionally cover Son/Kane.

I'm so high on Raphinha as a player that he's someone I'd want in and then work out the rest from there.

Totally agree.

Both are PL proven which is one thing I like. If we look at Conte's teams in the past these are the types of signings he makes and allows them to bed straight in!

Also I'm just wondering how Jesus fits in - in all of this. I couldn't imagine the goons going for both Jesus and Raphinha, we seem as if we won't go for two as well? Going to be interesting as this all unfolds

 

[Ben1]

I think its a dangerous game we're playing assuming we'll 100% get one of them... really dont want my hopes crushed! Faith is intact though.

I don't think anyone is actually assuming it'll be that easy. Its all hypothetical chat, the site would be pretty dead without it.

 

[felmani26]

If we sign raphinha we still need a striker, if we sign richarlison there’s a case that we don’t

I'd say it's a case of;
- Sign Raphinha negates the signing of Eriksen but potentially leaving us short in CF/LWF rotation option
- Sign Richarlison but leaves us short in creativity and set piece specialist

Head says Richarlison, heart says Raphinha

 

[Nick]

Could Moura not provide cover for Son if we get Raphinia?

 

[Timberwolf]

Regardless of which one we ultimately get, I very much like the policy of buying up the best talent from outside the 'big 6' in the Premier League.

Richarlison is a better 'squad player' but Raphinha arguably the bigger talent. There aren't any bad options here, but it comes down to budget and squad balance.

Yeah in the simplest of terms I think Richarlison would be like signing a worse version of Son whereas Raph would be like signing a second Kulusevki. Obviously there are differences: Richarlison is much more of an aerial threat that Son, while Raph is more agile but less physical than Kulu, but broadly they fit similar profiles.

Would we prefer to have a second direct runner and goalscorer in the side, who can just about cover as a #9, but lacks creativity, or another creative force who can score goals and play on both wings but not cover up top.

Also begs the question, do we want another "Bergwijn-style" player like Richarlison to cover Kane or would we be better of signing a specialist number 9 who can actually hold the ball up in the way Kane does.

 

[Scot-Spur]

It’s weird to think even with all these strong links to them both we could still end up with someone completely left field.

 

[dalektikal]

Head says Richarlison, heart says Raphinha

I think that probably about sums it up for everyone here.

 

[austinfh]

Agree with the view that Raphinha + big striker would be best option. Sasa Kalajdzic from Stuttgart maybe

 

[coy-spurs1882]

I'd say it's a case of;
- Sign Raphinha negates the signing of Eriksen but potentially leaving us short in CF/LWF rotation option
- Sign Richarlison but leaves us short in creativity and set piece specialist

Head says Richarlison, heart says Raphinha

should go for both

 

[Aphex]

Could Moura not provide cover for Son if we get Raphinia?

No because Son scores loads of goals and Moura barely scores, so it's a huge drop off in quality which will cost us games.

 

[S17PUR]

Yeah in the simplest of terms I think Richarlison would be like signing a worse version of Son whereas Raph would be like signing a second Kulusevki.

Would we prefer to have a second direct runner and goalscorer in the side, who can just about cover as a #9, or another creative force who could play on both wings but not cover up top.

Also begs the question, do we want another "Bergwijn-style" player like Richarlison to cover Kane or would we be better of signing a specialist number 9 who can actually hold the ball up in the way Kane does.

It sounds as though Conte would like 2 'specialists' in each position, so that we can interchange personnel with very little impact on our overall performance/results. Liverpool and City are brilliant at this - even when they put the 'reserves' out, the tactics/style is maintained.

In that sense, I guess Raphinha and a Kane alternative make more sense but it depends if Richarlison is good enough to be tactically proficient in more than one role and if we can afford Raphinha and an alternative to Kane that isn't rubbish (and is happy to sit on the bench). Tricky one, but exciting times for sure.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Never going to be a perfect window, as long as we are better placed than when we started, I could see it being RWB, Striker/Winger combo and Centre Back, 3 More Players

 

[SpartanSpur]

Yeah in the simplest of terms I think Richarlison would be like signing a worse version of Son whereas Raph would be like signing a second Kulusevki.

Would we prefer to have a second direct runner and goalscorer in the side, who can just about cover as a #9, or another creative force who could play on both wings but not cover up top.

Also begs the question, do we want another "Bergwijn-style" player like Richarlison to cover Kane or would we be better of signing a specialist number 9 who can actually hold the ball up in the way Kane does.

My preference is definitely swaying towards Raphinha and a Llorente/Giroud type target man which Conte has been known to like in past squads. That way they are not just a backup but also a bonafide plan B. Someone like Scamacca or Kalajdzic would have the frame to do that, even Weghorst at a push.

I do think Richarlison has a well rounded set of abilities combined with a great competitive (shithouse) mentality however so I'd also still be very happy if we went down that route.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Totally agree.

Both are PL proven which is one thing I like. If we look at Conte's teams in the past these are the types of signings he makes and allows them to bed straight in!

Also I'm just wondering how Jesus fits in - in all of this. I couldn't imagine the goons going for both Jesus and Raphinha, we seem as if we won't go for two as well? Going to be interesting as this all unfolds

They are definitely going for both. They are throwing huge money around this window and want Jesus, Raphinha, Tielemans and Martinez on top of Vieira.

 

[Timberwolf]

It sounds as though Conte would like 2 'specialists' in each position, so that we can interchange personnel with very little impact on our overall performance/results. Liverpool and City are brilliant at this - even when they put the 'reserves' out, the tactics/style is maintained.

In that sense, I guess Raphinha and a Kane alternative make more sense but it depends if Richarlison is good enough to be tactically proficient in more than one role and if we can afford Raphinha and an alternative to Kane that isn't rubbish (and is happy to sit on the bench). Tricky one, but exciting times for sure.

Yeah, so much of it will come down to Conte. It was pretty clear that last season that, while Conte described Bergwijn as being able to play as a striker, he only played him as a number 9 when he absolutely had to. If he feels the same way about Richarlison then the whole 'he can play all 3 front roles' argument dies on it's arse somewhat as Kane will still be run into the ground.

Equally, we don't know how willing he'd be to use Raphinha on the left. If he exclusively sees him as a right sided forward, then it's a lot of money to spend on a player for a single position.

 

[spursfan77]

Still leaves us short of Son cover though.

I have seen some say Raphina can do it but from what I have seen he is more a player who wants the ball to feet and doesn't have the direct running in behind or movement that Son provides.

Not that many do to his level. Raphinha is as you describe but he also has good passing range and is great on set pieces. I like him, but I'm not that certain we are in for him to the level of us actually having a bid accepted. I cant help but think there is another option out there we are keeping under our hats.