Eden Hazard | "I am signing for Chelsea"

[NoLogo]

Why wouldn't he? With Berba and Owen gone + Welbeck/Chicarito not being the finished product yet, then Rooney should be our leading striker. He's hardworking, class, versatile etc. Now the real question is whether we should get another striker and keep Rooney in his current role (+ pushing Welbeck/Chicarito further down the pecking order) or get someone as versatile as Hazard who can move from AMC to AML once Welbeck/Chica are ready

I would definitively go for Hazard. We have a variety of different striker types even when Barba and Owen leave in the summer but we lack someone like Hazard who can run the game from behind the striker.

On top of that he could also play out wide when we play with two strikers up front and if we have some injury problems on the wings.

 

[gooDevil]

............Martinez
...Cleverley.....Hazard
Nani..................Muniain
............Rooney

Sorted

 

[ryan_forlan]

A 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 with hazard behind the wazza will help us out in midfield too.
if carrick can be partnered with a fletcher type of midfielder, we are ok when without the ball. especially when hazard, being deep, will help out.
the biggest problem with the midfield is when we do have the ball, we don't have the ability and skill to hold on to it. also, we carry no threat through the middle, it always has to go to the wings. when we go to the final third, welbeck and wazza do try to link up, but if similar stuff is tried a little deep, it never works. so if the game is against a small team @OT we are fine, but in a balanced game, we struggle to get things going from the midfield. it used to be all dependent on nani, now young and tony have also shown intent to help out.
we need some ability through the middle. one option would be get a david silva/mata/modric type of player and play a proper middle three. the other option would be get a creative player, who also has goals in him. this will help rooney too and also carry the ball for us through the middle. can be with mazy runs, or intricate 1-2s or just strength on the ball.
this will atleast occupy one player from the opposition midfield, hence helping us in controlling the game.
so for me, what we do need is a forward but not a number 9. the good news is that there are lot of such a players these days, mostly wingers converted to play centrally. hazard seems to fit the bill perfectly.

 

[devilish]

On paper we've certainly got the numbers, however in practice we're far from perfect. Fletch is recovering from a career injury sickness, Clev and Ando are injury prone, Giggs and Scholes are old and yet they are still the best of the bunch while Park is a decent winger at best. Considering the 25 player rule, I believe that we're heading towards a difficult summer for SAF

 

[Sultan]

You can spend 100's of millions without assembling a winning formula. People need to get out of their system buying the best does not automatically ensure success. SAF has proved this nearly every season. This season, a supposedly transitional team consisting of Jones, Smalling, Rafael, Cleverley, Welbeck, and DDG all inexperienced and around the age of 20 are on the verge of winning another title.

Devilish; have some faith in Sir Alex's transfer policy. Your constant criticism is getting tiring.

 

[devilish]

You can spend 100's of millions without assembling a winning formula. People need to get out of their system buying the best does not automatically ensure success. SAF has proved this nearly every season. This season, a supposedly transitional team consisting of Jones, Smalling, Rafael, Cleverley, Welbeck, and DDG all inexperienced and around the age of 20 are on the verge of winning another title.

Devilish; have some faith in Sir Alex's transfer policy. Your constant criticism is getting tiring.

I am just giving my opinion Sultan, no criticism intended.

And the transition period excuse (alongside the value one) is getting a bit old in my opinion. This side is passing from no 'transition period'. It just need 1-2 god damn top quality CM.

 

[Rado_N]

You're a bit lame to be honest.

Excuse for what? Likely winning another league title?

 

[CnutOfAllCnuts]

I am just giving my opinion Sultan, no criticism intended.

And we're probably the only club who goes through transition period every 3 yrs. Such excuse is becoming a bit lame to be honest.

Who is putting up excuses?

What does United have to excuse?

That we are winning titles and trophies despite not buying the biggest names in football?

 

[Sultan]

I am just giving my opinion Sultan, no criticism intended.

And we're probably the only club who goes through transition period every 3 yrs. Such excuse is becoming a bit lame to be honest.

Opinions are fine. This is the purpose of the forum. However, you've been singing from the same page for a number of years.

 

[pocco]

I am just giving my opinion Sultan, no criticism intended.

And the transition period excuse (alongside the value one) is getting a bit old in my opinion. This side is passing from no 'transition period'. It just need 1-2 god damn top quality CM.

I've not heard anyone at the club say we're going through transition, so its hardly an excuse. Besides, what is it an excuse for? We're top of the league mate. You're just mad that we don't spend big on big name players.

 

[devilish]

You're a bit lame to be honest.

Excuse for what? Likely winning another league title?

And getting humilated whenever we meet a club who can actually pass the ball in CM even under pressure. Thank god that we only meet these sort of clubs in Europe (no wonder why it will probably take England another half a century to win the world cup).

I'm not saying that we've got a bad side. Actually I think we have a great side which is just 1-2 CM away from becoming competitive on all fronts. However we need to solve this weaknesses.

 

[Walrus]

Not the sort of player we need ultimately.

 

[devilish]

I've not heard anyone at the club say we're going through transition, so its hardly an excuse. Besides, what is it an excuse for? We're top of the league mate. You're just mad that we don't spend big on big name players.

Top reds had been saying it for quite some time. In my opinion its lame. We're not in transition period. This side has a strong defense + keeper, it has great talent on the flanks and a great forward line. What we need is sorting CM.

And pls do highlight were I've mentioned big name signings. Now if some kid whose currently playing with mighty Lille is for us a big name signing then Im really left speechless.

 

[devilish]

Opinions are fine. This is the purpose of the forum. However, you've been singing from the same page for a number of years.

And Ill keep on doing that until CM is sorted. If we were light years away from other European sides I wouldnt be overly concerned. I know the feeling of having to face fans who support clubs who constantly won CLs while we got knocked out by the likes of Rotor Volvograd. However the fact that we've got a great side which is underachieving in Europe due to one feckin weakness frustrates me. We were never big spenders and I am not expecting the club to change however our insistence in not tackling the CM problem is getting ridiculous.

However there was no ranting in my previous post. I was just giving my honest opinion about next summer. Considering the situation we've got in CM and the 25 player rule I believe that SAF will have to make some difficult decisions. That's all.

Anyway rant over

 

[Rams]

Devilish, if we want English football to improve then the EPL clubs should be spending more more time & resources developing young British players all over the country to at least the same technical level as countries like Spain, and not by buying expensive foreign imports. You should be posting not in here, but in the Football Youth Coaching thread.
As for statements like 'looking for excuses', those are completely ridiculous because United are going through their most successful period in the club history.

 

[devilish]

Devilish, if we want English football to improve then the EPL clubs should be spending more more time & resources developing young British players all over the country to at least the same technical level as countries like Spain, and not by buying expensive foreign imports. You should be posting not in here, but in the Football Youth Coaching thread.
As for statements like 'looking for excuses', those are completely ridiculous because United are going through their most successful period in the club history.

I think there's more of a need of a change of mentality rather then anything else. I have lost count of how many times I've heard British commentators getting aroused by some nerve cracking tackle done by some 6.3ft thug who has as much football talent as a common bouncer in front of a pub. Such attitude may be entertaining in a wrestling arena but it wont win you the WC.

And I am all in favor with improving the technical side of football and limiting foreigners to a minimum. However top quality talent will only improve the side and those who play alongside them, expecially when real talent is so rare. Take Cantona as an example. He was a great influence for the likes of Scholes, Beckham and co.

I also agree with you that the transition period excuse is LAME (which was my point all along). This side is passing from no transition period. Its got a great keeper, defense, flank men and forward line. What its weak in is CM and its time to sort that out.

 

[Raoul]

 

[Rams]

:bangsheadonlaptopsmiley:

 

[TheBest]

We have replaced an experienced world class gk with a young talented keeper, replaced o'shea and wes brown with jones. Cleverley and welbeck have just broken into the team, its the first season for young, isn't it fair to say we are in little bit of transition( little bit atleast)??
I agree we do need some players to sort out some weaknesses, so I am just saying.

 

[Sultan]

Dev: Have you ever considered these great centre midfielders you want United to sign might not suit our style, budget, unavailable, or simply do not want to come to United?

 

[devilish]

We have replaced an experienced world class gk with a young talented keeper, replaced o'shea and wes brown with jones. Cleverley and welbeck have just broken into the team, its the first season for young, isn't it fair to say we are in little bit of transition( little bit atleast)??
I agree we do need some players to sort out some weaknesses, so I am just saying.

In my opinion De Gea has proved to be very mature for his age. He was one of our best performers this year. We missed OShea mainly due to his versatility. However when you consider the team's setup (a good mix between experienced and young talent) I dont think that lack of experience is our major problem

In my opinion we've got two key weaknesses that need to be tackled.

A) our injury rate (some players simply suffer from too many injuries)
B) CM

 

[Gambit]

I reckon Jones has meant that we've not missed O'shea one bit.

 

[CnutOfAllCnuts]

It is wrong to appreviate a good tackle. Ok.

 

[devilish]

Dev: Have you ever considered these great centre midfielders you want United to sign might not suit our style, budget, unavailable, or simply do not want to come to United?

So let me guess. Under such circumstances the solution would be to play wingers and defenders in CM +you hope that one of the injury prone players will start playing regularly. Am I right?

I agree with you that you shouldnt spent recklessly. However we are reaching a point when this matter is becoming urgent.

 

[CnutOfAllCnuts]

So let me guess. Under such circumstances the solution would be to play wingers and defenders in CM +you hope that one of the injury prone players will start playing regularly. Am I right?

I agree with you that you shouldnt spent recklessly. However we are reaching a point when this matter is becoming urgent.

fecking drama queen!

So urgent that we are top of the leage. Again.

 

[gulli_G]

if we get hazard, do you think it will be to play him behind rooney, as a replacement for Berbatov

 

[NoLogo]

if we get hazard, do you think it will be to play him behind rooney, as a replacement for Berbatov

When has Berbatov ever played behind Rooney? Wasn't it pretty much always the other way around?

 

[gulli_G]

When has Berbatov ever played behind Rooney? Wasn't it pretty much always the other way around?

yes, i meant as a replacement, of one high profile attacker out with one high profile attacker in, didnt mean like for like, but if we got Hazard, Rooney would definately play ahead of him.

 

[apotheosis]

You can spend 100's of millions without assembling a winning formula. People need to get out of their system buying the best does not automatically ensure success. SAF has proved this nearly every season. This season, a supposedly transitional team consisting of Jones, Smalling, Rafael, Cleverley, Welbeck, and DDG all inexperienced and around the age of 20 are on the verge of winning another title.

Devilish; have some faith in Sir Alex's transfer policy. Your constant criticism is getting tiring.

Yes fair enough domestically, but we were continually embarrassed in Europe by what has to be considered fairly average teams. you cannot go for as many years as we have without improving the midfield and expect to challnege the likes of Barca and Madrid. We couldn't even beat the Basle's, Benfica's and Bilbao's with the midfield we had.

So don't let possible success in a poor PL cloud your judgement about where we stand in Europe. We played our strongest available team away at Bilbao in our most defensive formation and were still soundly and comprehensively beaten, and thoroughly outplayed.

As you rightly say it's not all about just spending shitloads of money, but it is also fair to say not spending anything on the midfield since 2007 has not improved us either. you talk about our possible success in the PL, but i would ask you where would we be without Scholes? Had he not offered to come back, we would probably not be in as good a position in the league now.

Losing the title to city and going out of Europe in the group stage would not have given you much of an argument for not spending in that scenario. It may still happen yet, and i would be interested to hear your justification for not spending, if we do go on to lose the title this year.

 

[Gambit]

Fergie confirms Hazard scouting mission

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United's interest in Lille midfielder Eden Hazard.

United boss Fergie watched the playmaker in action against Lyon earlier this month and said he was impressed with the 21-year-old.

The £30million-rated Belgium international is wanted by Manchester United, title rivals City and a host of Europe’s other top clubs.

Speaking to French radio station RMC, Fergie said: “I was at the game and watched Hazard, as well as other players.

“That’s part of my job, looking at good players.

“Hazard is a very good player and has a lot of qualities. He’s particularly quick over the first 10 yards.”

Muppet level 10 activated.

 

[Donut]

This does not sound like Fergie at all.

 

[Gambit]

This does not sound like Fergie at all.

I imagine it was done in a french accent.......

 

[bosnian_red]

For me this has the feel sort of like the De Gea transfer did, where we are all really excited for a player, and it gets confirmed that we are actually in for him. Would be a brilliant signing, probably as good a signing as anyone can hope to get this summer, but I'd like a central midfielder and a left back as well. A dream summer for me signings wise would be Hazard, Martinez and Jordi Alba
Just imagine the potential in this team...

De Gea
Rafael Rio Vidic Alba
Carrick Martinez
Valencia Hazard Nani
Rooney​

With young players like Smalling, Evans, Jones, Cleverley, Anderson, Young, Welbeck, Hernandez for cover.

 

[KM]

I think it's quite clear that our interest in Hazard is concrete, still think we'll sign him. Let's see.

 

[Antisocial]

This does not sound like Fergie at all.

Agreed - seems strange for Sir Alex to confirm a target like that. I still can't see us signing such a hyped target but I'd be happy to be wrong.

 

[Phil]

What sort of player is thIs guy then? Quite hard to tell from YouTube, as he looks like Messi and Ronaldo rolled into one, obviously.

He seems to be this year's Sanchez.

 

[RDCR07]

What sort of player is thIs guy then? Quite hard to tell from YouTube, as he looks like Messi and Ronaldo rolled into one, obviously.

He seems to be this year's Sanchez.

So do you judge a player by looking at his youtube videos?

 

[Phil]

So do you judge a player by looking at his youtube videos?

Clearly not, the bit where I ask what sort of player he is gives it away.

 

[Will Absolute]

Agreed - seems strange for Sir Alex to confirm a target like that. I still can't see us signing such a hyped target but I'd be happy to be wrong.

Didn't we confirm we were after De Gea? As Bosnian Red says, this has something of the same feel to it.

I think there are major and minor transfer targets for Fergie. Our recent major targets have been Berbatov and De Gea. For those players we pull out all the stops and Fergie is likely to get personally involved. Hazard may be such a target.

Or I may be indulging in a bit of wishful thinking

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

Have a feeling either Hazard or Gaitan will be the tedious summer saga of 2012.