Timber, Rice and an #8 are the most important deals to get done, for sure. If Nketiah goes and Havertz comes in, that's fine.
Kai's output will blow up in Arteta's system. Imagine a guy like him who attacks the box so relentlessly in a system like Arsenal's who pin teams back 🤯
The need for a winger or a wide player probably isn't important as it once was for Arteta & Arsenal now, either.
It would be a big blow if Saka is out for a prolonged period, but Jesus is underrated on the right wing + Arsenal can utilise Havertz + false #9's in Jesus' absence.
If Arsenal nail their build-up, which is looking likely with Timber, Rice & an #8 who's comfortable technically in all phases being heavily targeted, they can get away with experimenting in the #9.
They'll dominate the ball against 90% of teams so they can have many #9's.
Jesus and Havertz/Nketiah are the main two, but behind that they can utilise Martinelli, Trossard, Smith-Rowe.. maybe even Vieira.
Football is simple when you control games with the ball. The #9 doesn't even have to be a #9 and you can still win leagues. Pep proved that at City.
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Manchester United averaged 53% of the ball last season in the Premier League.
Ten Hag adapted well to the limitations of the squad by changing his philosophy & playing more direct football, but this summer is about evolving to reach the NEXT level.
Onana is the key..
THREAD 🚨
We all remember United's abysmal start to the season where they lost to Brighton at home and were 4-0 down at half-time away to Brentford.
Their approached changed in the next game against Liverpool, though, where they exclusively went long from goal kicks.
That approach made a lot of sense when considering the exact reason they lost against Brighton and Brentford was due to the fact that they lacked the necessary quality to play out from the back, largely stemming from Casemiro's absence in the #6 and de Gea's presence in goal.
He's a natural passer in the 1st and 2nd phase, demands the ball, has quick feet in tight spaces so is press resistant, but is also mobile & 5'11 so can make runs from deep, win duels, cover ground, etc.
Newcastle have signed a ready-made gem.
The thing about Tonali is he can also strike through the ball with wicked effortlessness. He took set pieces for Milan and rightly so.
He doesn't come across like someone who has wicked ball striking but he does.
That combined with Newcastle's physicality is a dream.
The deal also likely makes more sense than the Barella links even though Barella has the quality to become world class (if he's not already).
If Newcastle want Maddison, that would negatively impact Barella's best role (right-sided #8).
It's clear Lavia has elite press resistance and technique to play all types of passes, but his temperament is the most impressive thing about his profile.
He combines his quality with technical security & possesses the optimal balance of being progressive & secure when passing.
He also primarily operated in the left half-space in Southampton's double pivot last season which is great for his development as a second phase-based #8.
The most important aspect of the Gündoğan role is to aid the build-up through pass count, press resistance, and passing.
That's what Lavia did at Southampton for the entirety of last season - he stuck in the 1st and 2nd phase and gained experience in that side of his game.
Now it's about evolving his profile to receiving between the lines, combining high, attacking the box from deep..
If other 2nd phase profiles can excel in the #8 then so can Declan Rice, but I'm unsure why City/Arsenal would spend over €100m only to play him in a position where he's not elite.
He is elite in the #6, & elite #6's are far less common than all-action #8's!
Kovačić, Tielemans, Mac Allister. These guys have cost (& will cost) clubs less than half of what Rice will cost City & Arsenal yet can do a similar job in the #8.
Even Xhaka excelled there despite having limitations relative to his turning radius.
How many TOP #6's are there?
There's very, very few, and none are more complete than Declan Rice (who also specialises at all of the key attributes for the role which makes him elite).
I am absolutely convinced Pep and Arteta want the player because of his qualities in the #6 more so than anything else.
Judging Kai Havertz based on last season makes little sense when considering Chelsea were such a mess.
Chelsea have so many special players yet the entire squad was below par!
Kai Havertz in the right environment is a top player. That is, and has always been, obvious..
THREAD!
Mikel Arteta's system is one that suits Havertz.
Havertz started as a 'raumdeuter', akin to Thomas Müller & Dele Alli, but largely evolved under Tuchel where he combined his ability to attack the box from deep & link play between the lines whilst being a focal point in the #9.
Havertz is really good as a #9 because of his physical stature which means he's a presence up front but is also technical in tight spaces, can drop deep to create for others directly or indirectly via space in behind, and can attack space to score goals himself.