Federico Chiesa

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Based in last season and the chances missed, failure to retain the ball in the finale third I think it’s a must.

I hear you but surely that is why we are targeting Eze and Neto to help with the 'failure to retain the ball in the final third'?

 

[lukadownthelane]

These are the conclusions I never understand. I just don’t know how you can make that leap. Sorry.

I wouldn’t call it a conclusion. All the information that has been shared and reported suggests that WF positions and maybe CAM positions are being prioritised and a CF is not current being prioritised. It has also been hinted that a CF is only more likely is a big offer for Richy comes in. It’s not much of a leap!

 

[lukadownthelane]

Why do we need '2 proper CFs'?

Arsenal have been the closest challengers to Man City over the past couple of seasons with Jesus - who by his own admission is 'not a goalscorer' - and Kai Havertz who is about as much a CF as Sonny. Liverpool had their most successful period with Firmino as their focal point, and he scored less than 10 league goals a season most seasons as a CF. Man City had basically 2 seasons rotating KDB and Foden as their striker prior to Haaland.

'Proper CFs' are not a necessity in the modern game if you employ a system that creates goalscoring opportunities from multiple positions on the pitch. I'm not saying we shouldn't sign a striker but it is not as a desperate situation as many are making out.

They would have won the league with another CF. We also have only one who is injured a lot.

 

[lukadownthelane]

I agree that we were like that, at times, last year. But I think that was a lack of variety in attacking positions - in particular, the lack of quick wingers, who are a threat with ball at feet. Also, the midfield went totally AWOL at the end of last year. Tough to perform without that.

In attack: Son was inconsistent. Johnson is a 'final ball' sort of guy. Werner was hit and miss.
In midfield: No one really stood up consistently

Add, as options
- Neto
-...and ideally Eze
- A fitter Bentancur
- Maddison back to something resembling form
- Our kids in midfield
- Hopefully Bissouma back on form

...and I think you're having a different conversation about the need for a new striker, very few of which are of the quality we need, and even fewer are available and gettable

I agree there is a lack of options out there. There’s a lot in your list that need to go right and if it does then maybe we’ll be in business but I also feel a better CF would make a big difference!

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Why do we need '2 proper CFs'?

Arsenal have been the closest challengers to Man City over the past couple of seasons with Jesus - who by his own admission is 'not a goalscorer' - and Kai Havertz who is about as much a CF as Sonny. Liverpool had their most successful period with Firmino as their focal point, and he scored less than 10 league goals a season most seasons as a CF. Man City had basically 2 seasons rotating KDB and Foden as their striker prior to Haaland.

'Proper CFs' are not a necessity in the modern game if you employ a system that creates goalscoring opportunities from multiple positions on the pitch. I'm not saying we shouldn't sign a striker but it is not as a desperate situation as many are making out.

Good points and in terms of the profile of the player it doesn't have to be an out and out CF however the way ange plays does ultimately rely on a lot of cutback low crosses whereby a poacher finisher CF would be most effective, also we saw against low blocks and with lower quality on the wings that Sonny when playing as our CF became ineffective as he can't hold the ball up like say a Richy (when fit) can.

I'd say if we signed Neto and Chiesa we wouldn't need to sign a CF as both of them and Son and Richy and Werner and Kulu as a false 9 can all cover CF but if we only sign 1 top winger then given Richy's fitness concerns and our lack of real quality in attack I think signing a striker would be important.

As for this thread Chiesa can do a job up front but is certainly mostly a winger.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

They would have won the league with another CF. We also have only one who is injured a lot.

Both Liverpool and Man City have won the league without a 'proper CF' though...

 

[lukadownthelane]

Both Liverpool and Man City have won the league without a 'proper CF' though...

Different systems though. I think you can look at last season and see the struggles we had attacking and the difference greater squad depth to deal with injuries could make. We don’t need Duncan Ferguson. We just need more players that will be effective in that position and against different opposition.

 

[fecka]

Scoring goals wasn't our issue last season.

We had 2.

1. Retaining the ball in the final third which allows you to intensify pressure on the opposition.

2. Building through compact centres.

The winger and additional AM will help with both these aspects.

Gray and Bergval may help with issue 2.

This is spot on. Neto and/or Eze would also likely help with issue 1. I'm not Chiesas biggest fan but he wouldn't be too bad either if we can't get Neto.
I would love to sign a striker but I still have faith that we can compete for honors as long as Richy stays healthy and we get one of Neto or Chiesa.

 

[west indie]

So not Eze and Neto, never felt that was likely....particularly with every passing week and no movement.

Mr Pink this guy just sprays bullets hoping for something to hit. The looking at 1 forward is very vague, like AC Milan inching closer for Emerson lol Ange said we are still on the plan setout at the start of the window, I'm just chilled enjoying the great weather in London, letting it all all play out.

 

[luRRka]

Mr Pink this guy just sprays bullets hoping for something to hit. The looking at 1 forward is very vague, like AC Milan inching closer for Emerson lol Ange said we are still on the plan setout at the start of the window, I'm just chilled enjoying the great weather in London, letting it all all play out.

So vague in fact that "Spurs will sign one more player upfront" holds true even if spurs buy 2 more players or 3.

He hasn't said only one more but if we did only get one more then he would also be correct. He can't lose.... unless we get no one

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Different systems though. I think you can look at last season and see the struggles we had attacking and the difference greater squad depth to deal with injuries could make. We don’t need Duncan Ferguson. We just need more players that will be effective in that position and against different opposition.

I think Ange's system is not too different to early-Pep at City. He very much focused on getting his team up the pitch for cut-backs and tap ins at the far post. This is exactly what Ange has been drilling the team to do. Richie, Son and Kulu could easily position themselves in the box to finish those cut-backs. We don't need to spend big bucks on a CF if we add Eze and Neto to help us retain the ball and keep creating those kind of chances.

 

[west indie]

So vague in fact that "Spurs will sign one more player upfront" holds true even if spurs buy 2 more players or 3.

He hasn't said only one more but if we did only get one more then he would also be correct. He can't lose.... unless we get no one

The guy ain't no Oracle Lurrka, folks that crave minute by minute updates is his target

 

[lukadownthelane]

I think Ange's system is not too different to early-Pep at City. He very much focused on getting his team up the pitch for cut-backs and tap ins at the far post. This is exactly what Ange has been drilling the team to do. Richie, Son and Kulu could easily position themselves in the box to finish those cut-backs. We don't need to spend big bucks on a CF if we add Eze and Neto to help us retain the ball and keep creating those kind of chances.

Early Pep had Aguero. I’d be happy is we had a striker like him!

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Early Pep had Aguero. I’d be happy is we had a striker like him!

Okay, I should have said pre-Haaland and post-Aguero.

Point is, the system Ange is embedding isn't much different to what Pep used when season City won the league without a recognised striker.

 

[lukadownthelane]

Okay, I should have said pre-Haaland and post-Aguero.

Point is, the system Ange is embedding isn't much different to what Pep used when season City won the league without a recognised striker.

They had a lot of established world class attackers in that team. We don’t have anywhere near the likes of de Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez. Let alone the players behind them like Fernandinho and Rodri I agree that we need to improve in wide areas but I just don’t feel like wile have reliable options at 9 be it traditional or false.
Don’t think we’ll agree on this though…..

 

[spursfan77]

We had that last season and looked toothless. I get that having more creativity in the team will help but there are games when we need an outlet ball and a focal point and we don’t have it. Even when Richi is fit, which is rare.

I’m amazed anyone can have watched us last season and not have noticed we are hugely missing this.

 

[JamieSpursCommunityUser]

 

[Snarfalicious]

Oh my God.

 

[jay2040]

Both Liverpool and Man City have won the league without a 'proper CF' though...

Agree, though that's because they have quality throughout the majority of the team.
It takes time to get there, especially the way we operate.
It seems we can do it without a proper CF as we showed in the first part of the season .

 

[Coolpudge]

Doesn’t mention us but as there is a player thread for him I thought I would post it.