Manuel Locatelli

[KirstyG]

PEH wasn't, you're right. But since then we've bought two great young players who could step into the role we need.

You need experience to do that at PL level week in week out and in Europe. Fine to let them blood in but we need some experience and steal out there too.

 

[Trix]

This is well tenuous, isn’t it?

I'm not so sure. There was definitely interest previously, might be one where we have been waiting until the price suits.

I'd also add Bissouma's latest, shall we say, faux pas might have had some effect on the managers thinking.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

That he regressed. Allegri supposedly turned him into a regista from a mezzala. I had no idea wtf they were talking about but from what I've read Juve started to use him as a no.8 whereas he made his name more as a no.6

Yup Allegri played him as a DM which really doesn’t suit him as he’s on the slow side and Juve played a counter system so he obviously got caught out a fair bit. He’s a natural CM without a shadow of a doubt and looks very uncomfortable as a DM, he just isn’t suited to the role regardless of the system. Much like Chiesa looked very uncomfortable as a second striker. Allegri was a mess tho so not worth over analysing any player as he miss managed to squad awfully. I still think he’s one of their best players and he recently renewed his contract.

Maybe it’s true that Motta doesn’t rate him, but I’d be very surprised if that were the case as he moves the ball well. My suspicion would be that if they were now hypothetically open to selling him it would be more to do with nobody buying Chiesa and Juve desperately needing funds to buy Koopmeiners.

 

[felmani26]

This only makes sense if a Bissouma or Bentancur departs and even then I question if Locatelli is what we actually need in our midfield.

 

[arunspurs]

This gives some context...so him leaving isnt impossible. But I still doubt we will do the deal

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Yup Allegri played him as a DM which really doesn’t suit him as he’s on the slow side and Juve played a counter system so he obviously got caught out a fair bit. He’s a natural CM without a shadow of a doubt and looks very uncomfortable as a DM, he just isn’t suited to the role regardless of the system. Much like Chiesa looked very uncomfortable as a second striker. Allegri was a mess tho so not worth over analysing any player as he miss managed to squad awfully. I still think he’s one of their best players and he recently renewed his contract.

Maybe it’s true that Motta doesn’t rate him, but I’d be very surprised if that were the case as he moves the ball well. My suspicion would be that if they were now hypothetically open to selling him it would be more to do with nobody buying Chiesa and Juve desperately needing funds to buy Koopmeiners.

Interesting - so let's call him an 8 more than a 6.

In which case, I see even less need for the guy.

Have watched a few compilations - he looks quite heavy and lumbering. I'd really question this.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

it worked well in the last time we signed a midfielder and a wide player from Juventus though

 

[Flashp]

I'm not so sure. There was definitely interest previously, might be one where we have been waiting until the price suits.

I'd also add Bissouma's latest, shall we say, faux pas might have had some effect on the managers thinking.

I sincerely hope so.

Ange have looked completely blind to his lack of defensive awareness and defensive positioning last season, often leaving our defence or even just VdV and Romero alone with several opponents when we lose the ball.

I'd much prefer a defensively better DM than him in that position to stop us leaking so many goals on the turnover.

 

[Finchyid]

Locatelli was a huge talent. From what I have seen some juve fans say he’s been harshly treated by allegro and was never played in his favourite position

I think this would be a good deal

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I sincerely hope so.

Ange have looked completely blind to his lack of defensive awareness and defensive positioning last season, often leaving our defence or even just VdV and Romero alone with several opponents when we lose the ball.

I'd much prefer a defensively better DM than him in that position to stop us leaking so many goals on the turnover.

Is this Locatelli though? Genuine question - is he a better DM than CM?

- I can see the need for a better DM
- Thus, I can see the benefit of upgrading Bissouma, absolutely

But that does rely on
1) us targeting a DM - it's not clear to me that Locatelli nor Gallagher are ideal targets in this regard
2) selling Bissouma - I know others will disagree, but I don't want to overload the squad in that position

 

[Colonel Dax]

Seriously, why are we STILL looking to spend 30 odd million on a midfielder, when arguably it is our most stacked position, especially with the talent coming through? Save the damn money and spend it on a right winger and a left CB or LB. Those are the only two major upgrades we need atm and should be prioritised.

I agree with you. That said, we've apparently had our eye on signing Conor Gallagher all summer, so Ange must think there's still something lacking in central midfield.

 

[Trix]

Is this Locatelli though? Genuine question - is he a better DM than CM?

- I can see the need for a better DM
- Thus, I can see the benefit of upgrading Bissouma, absolutely

But that does rely on
1) us targeting a DM - it's not clear to me that Locatelli nor Gallagher are ideal targets in this regard
2) selling Bissouma - I know others will disagree, but I don't want to overload the squad in that position

I think it's worth noting that a DM for us will be asked to operate differently in Ange's set up to how he's been asked to play at Juve. A DM in Ange philosophy will ideally still be playing most of his football inside the opponents half.

 

[Albertbarich]

Is this Locatelli though? Genuine question - is he a better DM than CM?

- I can see the need for a better DM
- Thus, I can see the benefit of upgrading Bissouma, absolutely

But that does rely on
1) us targeting a DM - it's not clear to me that Locatelli nor Gallagher are ideal targets in this regard
2) selling Bissouma - I know others will disagree, but I don't want to overload the squad in that position

I wonder if Bissouma would benefit from being moved forward.

I see the athletic are saying we want an all action number 8, or so one of the aggregators say. I wonder if this is too good and opportunity to turn down and we think Biss can adapt to being that number 8.

 

[arunspurs]

Seriously, why are we STILL looking to spend 30 odd million on a midfielder, when arguably it is our most stacked position, especially with the talent coming through? Save the damn money and spend it on a right winger and a left CB or LB. Those are the only two major upgrades we need atm and should be prioritised.

True we need to spend on a winger. But I dont agree that we are really good in CM position. A fit Bentancur - certainly.
Bissouma flatters to deceive. Sarr is good at what he does but he is quite limited. Last season, Bissouma lost possession under no pressure and more importantly, he didnt track his runners time & again.

For me, even a average Locatelli at Juve is better than what we have defensively. His defensive numbers from aerial, clearances, interceptions , are right up there. He also has long pass in his locker. Question is, how well he will adapt to faster league with limited time on ball.

There is certainly a case to be made in upgrading our CM. Whether its Locatelli now, am not sure.
If you offer Bissouma for Locatelli - I will take it. If its a loan + option , its better.

But then , I cant see Ange selling Bissouma. So ,if its real news, its most likely Bentancur on way out.

 

[he is you know!]

This only makes sense if a Bissouma or Bentancur departs and even then I question if Locatelli is what we actually need in our midfield.

I sincerely hope so.

Ange have looked completely blind to his lack of defensive awareness and defensive positioning last season, often leaving our defence or even just VdV and Romero alone with several opponents when we lose the ball.

I'd much prefer a defensively better DM than him in that position to stop us leaking so many goals on the turnover.

I agree with you. That said, we've apparently had our eye on signing Conor Gallagher all summer, so Ange must think there's still something lacking in central midfield.

There was ITK awhile ago which basically said the whole midfield was under review and only Sarr and Bentancur (if he returned to previous levels) were "safe".

This of course is before Gray being bought and seeing what Bergvall could bring.

 

[HildoSpur]

I think that due to Ange clearly wanting Gallagher that would suggest he is after a number 8 box to box type midfielder rather than a DM - we have Bissouma, Bentancur and potentially Gray in that position but we really only have Sarr as that box to box type midfielder (Bentancur is capable of it but question marks following his injury if he still has the mobility/energy) and of course Bergvall is the unknown quantity in the squad so far at least in terms of his best position. So in that context I can see why we could be interested in Locatelli. I'd be all for it personally.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

As others have said, unless we have a buyer for Bissouma or Bentancur lined up, I can't see this being a goer at all. We don't have the squad space for start, and it would be pretty counter-productive to block opportunities for Gray and Bergvall.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

This of course is before Gray being bought and seeing what Bergvall could bring.

And this is where I question the transfer.

Admittedly it's only pre-season, but from what we've seen, they're very capable footballers who should be (gradually) introduced to the first team

 

[THOWIG]

It might be our most stacked position, but it’s arguably still one of our weakest. Would say this is part due to the fact that there is so much uncertainty about 2 or 3 players and whether they can get back to form or recover from injury.

 

[Mediocrates]

I wouldn’t mind this if Bissouma is being booted out for being an idiot.

I’d not be against that, the overwhelming evidence suggests that there is a disconnect between his brain and his body, and that’s bad news playing in that position.