Milan Skriniar

[JayB]

Current stat - very good window
Add Skriniar - absolutely great window
Add a DM - dream window

Mourinho (in his first Chelsea term) said the key best balance of a squad was 22 senior players, 2 international calibre options for each starting position, the utilise the best development prospects to fill the gaps as required.
If you look at where we currently sit (assuming Skriniar joins) we are pretty much at the 2 players per position point, other than I still feel we’re lacking another proper DM who can take control in the space between defence and midfield, one who has the balance of technique and agility without compromising on physicality.
Wanyama and Dembele gave us this previously, and I hope Hojbjerg can grow into that role, but I don’t think we have another player to do that without compromising. Sissoko has the physicality and workrate no doubt, but lacks decision making and technique for me. Winks is the flip side of that coin.
Dream window, add a tough but mobile midfield general who’s comfortable on the ball, so we can free up the likes of Ndombele, Lo Celso and Alli etc to play front foot football, not be shackled by defensive tasks. Winks looked better Sunday with Hojbjerg shouldering the defensive responsibilities, it freed him up to rove around showing for the ball, and visibly look up for forward passes, not uber dynamic, just progressive and smart tactically.

I agree with you about the DM position being the only one aside from CB that is lacking in the squad for this season, but I think the reason we haven’t targeted it is because we’ve got Skipp coming through the ranks. He looks fucking quality, Mourinho has been full of praise for him and bringing in an expensive non-HG signing who would block his progress doesn’t make a great deal of sense.

In some respects it’s a shame that Skipp went out on loan leaving us with a hole in the squad, but in the long term his development will benefit from the 30-40 matches he’s likely to play at Norwich. So yes there’s a hole there but we’ve got a player who will solve the problem already on our books.

 

[GetKaned]

I agree with you about the DM position being the only one aside from CB that is lacking in the squad for this season, but I think the reason we haven’t targeted it is because we’ve got Skipp coming through the ranks. He looks fucking quality, Mourinho has been full of praise for him and bringing in an expensive non-HG signing who would block his progress doesn’t make a great deal of sense.

In some respects it’s a shame that Skipp went out on loan leaving us with a hole in the squad, but in the long term his development will benefit from the 30-40 matches he’s likely to play at Norwich. So yes there’s a hole there but we’ve got a player who will solve the problem already on our books.

We have Cirkin coming through the ranks and still signed Reguilón though.

 

[Schitzophonic]

Ha!

You literally went from end to end of the pessimism / optimism spectrum in the space of one post. Bravo! Even by SC’s schizophrenic standards, that’s some going!

 

[JayB]

We have Cirkin coming through the ranks and still signed Reguilón though.

Reguilon is a unique situation, it was an opportunity to buy a world class player and there’s good reason to believe he won’t be here in two seasons given the buyback clause. It’s not the same situation as DM.

 

[newbie]

We have Cirkin coming through the ranks and still signed Reguilón though.

And seas but I think Cirkin is a Ben Davis replacement

 

[coy-spurs1882]

we need him not only for this season. dier and sanchez not good enough and toby is not going to get any younger. get skriniar this window and get demiral next year if he is still available and replace dier and sanchez.

 

[bbunc]

we need him not only for this season. dier and sanchez not good enough and toby is not going to get any younger. get skriniar this window and get demiral next year if he is still available and replace dier and sanchez.

Agree. If we think we can get him at a “bargain” this summer we need to try. We 100% need to upgrade CBs and as we saw with Jan, that cliff for Toby is going to come faster and more severe than anybody expected.

 

[brasil_spur]

Last updated from me for Europa Squad stilled not included CV or potential MS View attachment 75225

So assuming Foyth and Gazza are both loaned/sold or simply left out of the EL squad then we would have only one place left - which we would fill with CV.

I think there's potentially a case for leaving Sissoko or Gedson out of the EL squad if we then sign Skrinniar, although it would be harsh on whichever player it is.

Shows what a load of nonsense EL counting Davies as non-HG is though.

 

[spids]

Current stat - very good window
Add Skriniar - absolutely great window
Add a DM - dream window

Mourinho (in his first Chelsea term) said the key best balance of a squad was 22 senior players, 2 international calibre options for each starting position, the utilise the best development prospects to fill the gaps as required.
If you look at where we currently sit (assuming Skriniar joins) we are pretty much at the 2 players per position point, other than I still feel we’re lacking another proper DM who can take control in the space between defence and midfield, one who has the balance of technique and agility without compromising on physicality.
Wanyama and Dembele gave us this previously, and I hope Hojbjerg can grow into that role, but I don’t think we have another player to do that without compromising. Sissoko has the physicality and workrate no doubt, but lacks decision making and technique for me. Winks is the flip side of that coin.
Dream window, add a tough but mobile midfield general who’s comfortable on the ball, so we can free up the likes of Ndombele, Lo Celso and Alli etc to play front foot football, not be shackled by defensive tasks. Winks looked better Sunday with Hojbjerg shouldering the defensive responsibilities, it freed him up to rove around showing for the ball, and visibly look up for forward passes, not uber dynamic, just progressive and smart tactically.

I have to disagree as I think the current status really is UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING WINDOW (assuming we sign Vinicius).

I agree with everything else you say though. Mourinho did indeed say 2 international calibre players for each position in a 22 man squad, and we now have an amazing squad.

GK: Lloris, Hart
RB: Doherty, Aurier
RCB: Sanchez, Alderweireld
LCB: Dier, Tanganga
LB: Reguilon, Davies
CM (muscle): Højbjerb, Sissoko
CM (box-2-box): Lo Celso, Winks
CM (creator): Ndombele, Dele
RWF; Bale, Moura
CF: Kane, Vinicius
LWF: Son, Bergwijn

I agree signing Skriniar would make it even better. Personally I'd be happy to sell Aurier to generate funds and keep have Tanganga as back up RB (who I think will be less exposed defensively as he learns his trade, but has the athleticism to be a real asset on that flank).

And replacing Sissoko with a proper DCM who is tactically intelligent and can pass would take us to another level (someone like Brozovic would be ideal).

In a perfect world, if we are playing 4-3-3, we might even want to consider replacing Winks with a more creative passer, a Coutinho/Sneijder/Eriksen type.

 

[spids]

We have Cirkin coming through the ranks and still signed Reguilón though.

Cirkin will not be ready for another couple of years. Reguilon is ready now.

 

[snakehipsspurs]

I'm expecting no movement on this until at least Sunday. It's clear it's brinkmanship now, so just going to put my feet up and watch Dele's turn from last night on loop for 48 hours. See you all then!

 

[Cinemattis]

I have to disagree as I think the current status really is UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING WINDOW (assuming we sign Vinicius).

I agree with everything else you say though. Mourinho did indeed say 2 international calibre players for each position in a 22 man squad, and we now have an amazing squad.

GK: Lloris, Hart
RB: Doherty, Aurier
RCB: Sanchez, Alderweireld
LCB: Dier, Tanganga
LB: Reguilon, Davies / Sessegnon
CM (muscle): Højbjerb, Sissoko
CM (box-2-box): Lo Celso, Winks
CM (creator): Ndombele, Dele / Lamela
RWF; Bale, Moura / Lamela
CF: Kane, Vinicius
LWF: Son, Bergwijn / Sessegnon

I agree signing Skriniar would make it even better. Personally I'd be happy to sell Aurier to generate funds and keep have Tanganga as back up RB (who I think will be less exposed defensively as he learns his trade, but has the athleticism to be a real asset on that flank).

And replacing Sissoko with a proper DCM who is tactically intelligent and can pass would take us to another level (someone like Brozovic would be ideal).

In a perfect world, if we are playing 4-3-3, we might even want to consider replacing Winks with a more creative passer, a Coutinho/Sneijder/Eriksen type.

You forgot a couple, mate...

 

[shoggy33]

Our defence is still pretty poor imo, don't really rate any of our CBs very highly anymore. I do think they are all competent, and could be good alongside a genuinely top class CB so if we can pull this off it could be a gamechanger. That said it has already been an excellent window under difficult circumstances, so I don't think we can have too many complaints if we don't get him.

 

[spids]

You forgot a couple, mate...

I didn’t, I was listing 2 for each position in a 22 man squad (which Mourinho has stated is his preference). The ones I did not list are surplus and can be moved on. For example, Sessegnon should not be anywhere near the match day squad given the serious talent we have at LB and LWF now. And I’d keep Dele over Lamela as Dele scores and assists much more frequently.

Assuming we sign Skriniar and Vinícius I’d happily offload:

Gazza, Aurier, Foyth, Sessegnon, Lamela,

 

[THFCSPURS19]

VINICIUS END OF SPURS BUSINESS

Sky Sports News’ Paul Gilmour on The Transfer Show...

“Spurs are not expected to make further signings in this window after Carlos Vinicius. Talks over Milan Skriniar have not developed into a formal bid, with the clubs remaining apart of their valuation.”

 

[Johnny J]

VINICIUS END OF SPURS BUSINESS

Sky Sports News’ Paul Gilmour on The Transfer Show...

“Spurs are not expected to make further signings in this window after Carlos Vinicius. Talks over Milan Skriniar have not developed into a formal bid, with the clubs remaining apart of their valuation.”

Damn. I really think we need either a proper DM or a top CB. We just aren't good enough defensively to keep it playing the way we are for the whole season. We give up too many chances.

 

[curlacious]

VINICIUS END OF SPURS BUSINESS

Sky Sports News’ Paul Gilmour on The Transfer Show...

“Spurs are not expected to make further signings in this window after Carlos Vinicius. Talks over Milan Skriniar have not developed into a formal bid, with the clubs remaining apart of their valuation.”

Usual meaningless SSN drivel.

 

[worcestersauce]

VINICIUS END OF SPURS BUSINESS

Sky Sports News’ Paul Gilmour on The Transfer Show...

“Spurs are not expected to make further signings in this window after Carlos Vinicius. Talks over Milan Skriniar have not developed into a formal bid, with the clubs remaining apart of their valuation.”

Paul Gilmour says no deal, so it's definitely still on then.?

 

[synththfc]

Ally Gold and Dan KP both said we're going to make another approach. I'll be waiting for them to say something rather than kneejerk to this speculative half-statement.

 

[Mattspurs1982]

We really need this CB as we never keep clean sheets and never look comfy. C’mon Levy..