Playing without Dembele

[am_yisrael_chai]

It seems clear again that our system struggles without Dembele, as Poch jokes about in this article.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...not-exist-without-mousa-dembele-a7213991.html

We either need to find a similar style player as backup, difficult but can't be impossible ? His Belgian teammate at Roma could be that guy but is probably too old and expensive for us. Anyone any thoughts on other Dembele Mark 2 ?

The other alternative is to change our style when he is out. Poch doesn't seem to have figured this out yet. Again any thoughts on what system would suit the players without Dembele ?

 

[Annekcma]

I really did think Bentaleb would have been able to be moulded into that role once his defensive duties were taken from him by having a DM beside him in Dier/Wanyama. But for whatever reason that sadly isn't to be.

Maybe I've missed things but it doesn't seem like we are linked to many outright CMs so it would seem Poch expects the likes of Winks or Onomah to step up to that role in the not so distant future as this Dier/Wanyama combo certainly can't work long term against the smaller sides.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Onomah if we are talking our current squad.

 

[am_yisrael_chai]

Onomah if we are talking our current squad.

Except Poch has never played him there.

 

[Vincent30]

TOB is the closest thing i've seen to Dembele in skillset from any youth player. Bentaleb was never going to be this guy as he doesn't have the strength and ability to beat a player like Dembele he was more of a tempo player with his passing ability. The only thing is TOB is about 3 years away from the first team, i still think he could have more potential than Edwards.

But trying to find a guy in the transfer market to replace him is difficult, i just think it's really emphasised currently because our attacking unit is really underperforming. Vasquez who went to Seville could have been a shout because of his ability on the ball / strength which we unfortunately missed out on.

 

[Dougal]

It's early, who's TOB?

 

[Vincent30]

It's early, who's TOB?

https://www.google.co.uk/?client=firefox-b#q=tashan+oakley-boothe&tbm=vid

 

[Dougal]

https://www.google.co.uk/?client=firefox-b#q=tashan oakley-boothe&tbm=vid

Of course...

 

[Romulus]

It's early, who's TOB?

Tashan Oakley-Boothe from our academy. Very, very talented young footballer

 

[thebenjamin]

The irony of all this is that Dembele started last season in a new position as a RWF, having been out of the team the season before. He was nowhere near a place in the CM2. And now we basically can't win any game unless he's playing there.

 

[Romulus]

Nobody should get paid more than Dembele in this team.

Can't do a thing without him

as posted on the first day of the season.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

WTF is with all the double barrelled surnames in our academy?! Are we scouting them from Eton ffs?

 

[GetSpurredOn]

Quite disappointing this still hasn't been addressed. I too thought that Bentaleb could thrive as the CM rather than DM in the midfield two, but attitude issues seem to have put paid to that. Given Bentaleb has been moved on, and Mason appears close to following, I'm stunned we haven't looked to replace them. We were very focused on signing a DM as we only had Dier, and a CF as we only had Kane, but we don't appear to have paid the same attention to the fact we have nobody ready/capable of stepping in for Dembele.
I do wonder if, once Mason is gone, and potentially Carroll too, that there will be another signing. There has been a lot of talk about wanting another AM who can dictate tempo. I'm wondering if the plan is to get someone who could operate at either AM or as CM, as Modric did for us. On that basis, the three candidates that stand out, are rheee more Croatians.
1. Ante Coric is flavour of the month with a number of big teams currently, but appears very thoughtful about his future. He doesn't want to go to a club where he's just going to be part of a collection, and spend the time on the bench, he clearly wants to go somewhere he'll play regularly and continue to develop. Seems well advised, or just very considered himself. Clearly capable in the AM role, could he operate deeper as the CM like Dembele?
2. Mateo Kovacic, out of favour at Real Madrid, so could be gettable. Classy CM or AM, good passing range and carries the ball well.
3. Marcelo Brozovic, bit more leftfield this one, but potentially the best fit for the Dembele role in my mind. Strong on the ball, tenacity in abundance, and very good technique. Inter offered him to us in exchange for Jan, so whilst I wouldn't advocate making that swap, it does suggest he is available.

Unfortunately, if we don't sign someone, my best suggestion would be to adapt to a 433 if Dembele is not available as part of the 2 in our 4231. Utilise Dier/Wanyame alongside Eriksen/Alli, and Winks/Onomah. Gives Winks or Onomah chance to step in and perform, but with the added support alongside them of a 3 man midfield as opposed to 2. Leaving us the chance to play 3 of Kane, Janssen, Son and Lamela up top.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Dembele is quite unique in the way he plays and there are very few players to compare. Ideally we need to find someone who can pick the ball up and run and beat the first man and open up opposing teams to create space for attacking the attacking 4-5

 

[GetSpurredOn]

Marcelo Brozovic
2:20 ish it gets going as an all round view of his play, up until then it's stats a few goals.

Mateo Kovacic
1:50 ish you see some Dembele eque gliding through traffic with the ball, opposition unable to get near.

Ante Coric is probably more of an AM than CM.

 

[Blake Griffin]

dier/wanyama and dembele/bentaleb would've been a very strong quartet going into the season and would've had all bases covered, instead though we've left ourselves short again. maybe winks can be the 4th guy but poch still doesn't seem to trust him enough to put him in and clearly he sees onomah playing further forward for some reason.

 

[Mullers]

as posted on the first day of the season.

After one great season? I don't think so. Hugo has been consistently excellent during his whole time with us. The challenge for Dembele now is match or preferably better last season's form

 

[whitelanefever]

There's one player that ticks the box for the Dembele role & AM position.. Mahmoud Dahoud of Gladbach.. he's been on the bench for CL qualifiers & first Bundesliga game (didn't even make an appearance).. I wouldn't be shocked at a move if Gladbach got offered enough.

 

[dontsalebale]

After one great season? I don't think so. Hugo has been consistently excellent during his whole time with us. The challenge for Dembele now is match or preferably better last season's form

Think you're reaching their Mullers. Outstanding midfield player in Europe last year. Our results without him speak for themselves.

 

[Hoops]

Dembele is quite unique in the way he plays and there are very few players to compare. Ideally we need to find someone who can pick the ball up and run and beat the first man and open up opposing teams to create space for attacking the attacking 4-5

Modric?