Boubakary Soumare

[Wig]

An effective shield in front of the back four (e.g. a defensive midfield) doesn't have to consist of a Dier/Matic. Neither Moutinho or Neves are that limited.

Perhaps not, but sourcing a proper defensive midfielder should be crucial to our future success. We need to find the next Fabinho/Ndidi/Fernandinho... it's no surprise the top 3 have a vastly better goal difference than us as their defences are protected and their forwards are free to do what they do best.

 

[Clive Wilson]

Perhaps not, but sourcing a proper defensive midfielder should be crucial to our future success. We need to find the next Fabinho/Ndidi/Fernandinho... it's no surprise the top 3 have a vastly better goal difference than us as their defences are protected and their forwards are free to do what they do best.

Agreed, that is my preference also but I do think a combo not consisting of such a defensive midfielder can be just as effective if the balance is right.

 

[fecka]

From the little I've seen he's basically another Ndombele and not a DM.
Unless we're already looking to move Ndombele on for some reason I don't see the logic in our interest

 

[tiger666]

Herc confirms we're interested

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Excerpts like this concern me as we need a true DM:

He Needs to Step Up Defensively

One of the downsides of Soumaré's game is that, for a defensive midfielder, he's not exactly great at defending.

That could be down to his role on the pitch. Soumaré plays more as a box-to-box midfielder, so his physicality and stamina are his two biggest assets. He's certainly a competent defender and is very reliable when it comes to tackling, but it's his awareness of when a tackle is necessary which is the problem.

He isn't the greatest for sniffing out danger, so he would likely benefit from playing alongside a real midfield anchor. That would give Soumaré the freedom to work his magic elsewhere, so everyone wins.

Boubakary Soumaré: 7 Things to Know About the Lille Star Linked With Premier League's Elite

Updated: 5/4/2020 Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumaré is a wanted man. The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the most exciting youngsters in...

www.90min.com

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Like our manager keeps saying, defending is about the team, the structure and the input, not about any individuals. Maybe he sees in Soumare a player who has the athleticism and energy to do the off the ball job, hopefully in tandem with Ndombele, but the presence and ability to do a better on the ball job than we’ve seen from our current midfield options, meaning more control of matches which is better for both defence and attack.

 

[pelayo59]

Maybe he's not the best DM, but certainly he's better on the ball than Dier. And I trust 2 ex-Lille's staff about their players

 

[dtxspurs]

I just hope if he’s the one we’ve got pegged for DM that we bring him in early in January rather than on deadline day.

 

[tiger666]

I just hope if he’s the one we’ve got pegged for DM that we bring him in early in January rather than on deadline day.

If there was ever a post begging for an optimistic rating...

 

[dtxspurs]

If there was ever a post begging for an optimistic rating...

Completely agree!

 

[Deleted member 27995]

I just hope if he’s the one we’ve got pegged for DM that we bring him in early in January rather than on deadline day.

You've been here long enough to not let delusion cloud your better judgement.

 

[dtxspurs]

Even if he ends up being a really good box to box and not a DM that a really good outcome. Sissoko is 30 and Winks is underwhelming. Doesn’t hurt to have better options there.

 

[spursfan77]

Not interested in any players from France thanks. Unrealistic signings apart.

 

[Joely]

Even if he ends up being a really good box to box and not a DM that a really good outcome. Sissoko is 30 and Winks is underwhelming. Doesn’t hurt to have better options there.

Yup, that's the way I see it. I think Mourinho has already hinted Sissoko is different to what he usually goes with in midfield so don't know if he will play much there longer term. I think Winks is vulnerable under Mourinho and I really wouldn't be surprised to see a situation where his playing time is limited and he looks to move elsewhere. Although it's taking longer than anticipated, it's a matter of time until Ndombele takes one of the midfield places alongside Dier.

So with that in mind, I can understand a move for Soumare. It also opens up the options of a 433 for Mourinho if he wants to mix things up again. a Trio of Dier (think he is going to be a regular fixture under Mourinho), Ndombele and Soumare could turn out to be pretty formidable imo.

 

[dtxspurs]

Yup, that's the way I see it. I think Mourinho has already hinted Sissoko is different to what he usually goes with in midfield so don't know if he will play much there longer term. I think Winks is vulnerable under Mourinho and I really wouldn't be surprised to see a situation where his playing time is limited and he looks to move elsewhere. Although it's taking longer than anticipated, it's a matter of time until Ndombele takes one of the midfield places alongside Dier.

So with that in mind, I can understand a move for Soumare. It also opens up the options of a 433 for Mourinho if he wants to mix things up again. a Trio of Dier (think he is going to be a regular fixture under Mourinho), Ndombele and Soumare could turn out to be pretty formidable imo.

Yep, get your stopper in Dier, creator in Ndombele and a workhorse in Soumare.

 

[spids]

Yup, that's the way I see it. I think Mourinho has already hinted Sissoko is different to what he usually goes with in midfield so don't know if he will play much there longer term. I think Winks is vulnerable under Mourinho and I really wouldn't be surprised to see a situation where his playing time is limited and he looks to move elsewhere. Although it's taking longer than anticipated, it's a matter of time until Ndombele takes one of the midfield places alongside Dier.

So with that in mind, I can understand a move for Soumare. It also opens up the options of a 433 for Mourinho if he wants to mix things up again. a Trio of Dier (think he is going to be a regular fixture under Mourinho), Ndombele and Soumare could turn out to be pretty formidable imo.

Seeing as we already have Lo Celso, Ndombele, Winks and Sissoko - all of whom are better suited to playing in a 3 than a double pivot, and Mourinho hasn't tried that formation once, then I'd be very surprised if that was his plan.

 

[leray]

Plus, a three-man midfield either leaves Dele playing on the wing or it means we play a diamond or we'll switch to three at the back and play Dele in the hole with Kane up front.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

It also opens up the options of a 433 for Mourinho if he wants to mix things up again. a Trio of Dier (think he is going to be a regular fixture under Mourinho), Ndombele and Soumare could turn out to be pretty formidable imo.

We've all been posting formations with 4-3-3 that look brilliant on paper for years. The issue is, our managers don't seem to want to play it.

You'd have thought we have the right personnel now, but they don't seem interested, so I'm not holding my breath on a formation change any time soon, though I'd love to be wrong

 

[DJS]

He’s listed as defensive midfield being his main position on transfermrkt and they're usually quite reliable aren’t they?

Although I would also like to see Skipp giving a run out soon, heck even alongside Dier if Mourinho wants to be THAT safe, as Skipp is supposed to have more in his locker then just sitting in front of back four.

 

[spursfan77]

Just play skipp ffs