I feel he is a lot better higher up the pitch. His attributes seem to suit the close, compact areas in the final third. In my opinion he is wasted when played as a holding midfielder and a role similar to Iniesta's at Barca would suit him better.
FC Bayern 2015/16
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I think he's a CM at his best. He didn't play as a holding midfielder yesterday from what I've seen and read (I couldn't watch the game) and the same is true for his game against Arsenal when Alonso was the holding midfielder.
Hoping for the Anti-Jinx, but it's becoming more and more difficult to argue pro Götze. He just doesn't offer nearly enough when he plays. His passing lacks all sharpness, he can't beat a man to save his life and he looks slow. 
He looked much better for Germany in the friendly against Italy. He looks like a player who knows he won't be here next season, don't think there's much to anti-jinx at this point. The decision has been made in my opinion.Hoping for the Anti-Jinx, but it's becoming more and more difficult to argue pro Götze. He just doesn't offer nearly enough when he plays. His passing lacks all sharpness, he can't beat a man to save his life and he looks slow.
My only Anti-Jinx hope is that he might assist or score a goal today. I see no future for him at Bayern anymore, either. An absolute tragedy, he had everything. It's borderline offensive how he appears to just not really give a crap anymore. Costa plays far worse than a couple of months ago but you can see how he gives it his all.
Benatia played 62minutes without fecking up or getting injured. Wow.
Lewandowski now on 27 league goals in 26 apps. Another 8 in the CL + 3 in the Pokal. That's 38 goals in all club competitions with still the semi's coming up, the Pokal coming up and 4 league games left. Can easily hit the 40 goal mark. With that being said, 40+ goal seasons are becoming less rare now for players not named Messi/Ronaldo with major clubs cropping up all the top talent. Neymar hit 39 last season, Suarez is on 39 now, Aubameyang is on 34 now.
Vidal.
additionally Coman > Costa.
additionally Coman > Costa.
Costa not been good lately?Vidal.
additionally Coman > Costa.
Suarez is on 45.
I am not that impressed by him lately. He is still a very good player, but his crosses are a bit spray and pray. He lacks accuracy and end-product in his actions.
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I watched parts of the game, he did quite well in my opinion.
Vidal has got to be the best box to box midfielder in the world right now. He's in tremendous form.
No love for thiago? I actually think he will be the best Cm of this generation if he ever gets fit for an extended period of time.
He's been fit for quite some time now but apart from occasional glimpses he's been in pretty dire form since the winter break. I really hope he can turn it around in May or next season.
Costa lacks effectiveness and penetration power lately. Lot of art, no gain. Coman looks more inspired currently, although his crosses were a joke yesterday.
Thiago, i enjoy watching him enormously, every contact is a symhony but he hasn't played up to his former standard yet but for one game. I'm sure he will stabilize and be an asset in the remainder of the season, he's the best ball distributor we got.
Glad to see Vidal finally finding his place. I used to tell my buddies after his lukewarm efforts in the first half of the season, that we would need him when we are facing top teams - tiki taka only gets you so far, sometimes you need to apply the crowbar in midfield, seems i was right.
I'm surprised to see our makeshift reserve defence doing so well, now Benatias performance stabilizing, Martinez is on his way, maybe even Boateng will be back for 2nd leg HF.
btw, Götze with yet another exercise in how-not-to-be-seen. Müller didn't play, he started as the #10 he sees himself as. Doesn't the guy realize he needs to do more than a 9-5 job if he wants a spot in the 11?
Thiago, i enjoy watching him enormously, every contact is a symhony
but he hasn't played up to his former standard yet but for one game. I'm sure he will stabilize and be an asset in the remainder of the season, he's the best ball distributor we got.Glad to see Vidal finally finding his place. I used to tell my buddies after his lukewarm efforts in the first half of the season, that we would need him when we are facing top teams - tiki taka only gets you so far, sometimes you need to apply the crowbar in midfield, seems i was right.
I'm surprised to see our makeshift reserve defence doing so well, now Benatias performance stabilizing, Martinez is on his way, maybe even Boateng will be back for 2nd leg HF.
btw, Götze with yet another exercise in how-not-to-be-seen. Müller didn't play, he started as the #10 he sees himself as. Doesn't the guy realize he needs to do more than a 9-5 job if he wants a spot in the 11?
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I am not so convinced that he has so much in the tank like many hyped him to. He is able to do a lot with the ball - but in every other category he has defiencies. And - in the Dortmund system he stuck out with his assists what usually tells you that somebody has a great eye for his fellows. Just that this was never really seen elsewhere - not in the national team or at Bayern. But it is something I would expect from a no. 10.
He is too slow as a winger - and in the middle he would have to beat one of Lewy and Müller - or when we play with 3 midfielders two of Lewy, Müller, Thiago out of the starting 11. I cannot see that.
For him it probably would be best to leave Bayern and make a new start elsewhere. Maybe a step below and not at one of the real big clubs where the rivalry for the spots is that big. I do not think that the situation changes with Ancelotti.
That could well be the case. Not the first player who was brilliant at 18-19 but didn't evolve.
At Dortmund, he was part of a very fast-paced, forward-moving team. Spaces would open to run into, fast passing was required, precision was 2nd priority.
Bayern usually face a fortress of 5-4-1 or 6-4-0. This means attack play is comparably static, its the small movements at the right time and the precision which count. Two different things.
Manuel Neuer has extended his contract until 2021.
"sueddeutsche" called Neuer - Alaba - Boateng - Martinez - Müller the "Münchner Fünf" ("the munich five"). They are the designated core team of the future (Badstuber being the sixth, depending on his health status), and shall, according to the plan, continue what Lahm/Schweinsteiger/Ribery/Robben started.
It is very likely the next team captain will be one of these five after Lahm retires in 2018. (My money would be on Neuer, but that would depend on whether Ancelotti wants a GK as captain. Some coaches don't like that)
It was not said exactly whose plan it is - Sammer, Reschke? Both?
I'm kind of surprised Martinez is put on the same level as the other four, to be honest. He was instrumental in the 2013 triple season but hasn't had such a central role ever since (i'm aware of his injuries). Seems he holds a more vital role in the teams social framework than is visible from the outside.
Glad people are finally coming round to seeing him for what he is.. he was far too overrated and just never saw that 'German Messi' type tags which were thrown at him.
He just isn't that great a player and needs to play for a lesser team and get some confidence back. With confidence and some fire in his belly, I am sure he can return to being a good player again but in terms of talent.. I don't see an elite player, a superstar in him. His best attribute was good decision-making for a young man, that doesn't stick out as much anymore.
It should be Müller. He's not only the club's most sought after representative, he's also the most vocal motivator on the pitch.
While I agree that he wouldn't be a bad choice, I have this gut feeling that he's one who is better without the official armband requiring him to be "the responsible" person on the pitch. He'd make a brilliant second in command, but I'd rather have Neuer as the new captain after Lahm.
Just to throw something controversial to discuss about in the mix. What about Vidal? He's a leader on the pitch, too. He has the presence.
The captaincy is overrated anyway. Don't think anyone stands out as the obvious choice after Lahm now that Schweinsteiger is gone. Müller is the one after Lahm with the most games for the club and while I agree with the point that he's better suited to be the second to a more calming presence, he probably deserves it the most.
Hopefully there are two more years to go until Lahm retires, so a lot can change. Maybe Alaba matures even more, settles into a fixed position under Ancelotti and will become the obvious choice once he got rid of his stupid haircut. Neuer, Boateng should be fine choices as well. It's really not that important in the end. They all showed plenty of leadership in important moments.
Hopefully there are two more years to go until Lahm retires, so a lot can change. Maybe Alaba matures even more, settles into a fixed position under Ancelotti and will become the obvious choice once he got rid of his stupid haircut. Neuer, Boateng should be fine choices as well. It's really not that important in the end. They all showed plenty of leadership in important moments.
That Vidal fella is quite good for an alcoholic.
I think it proves to be more of a hindrance rather than a benefit tbh, having watched England having to accommodate a well past it Gerrard and now Rooney, Spain with Casilas and us with Rooney also. It's too much of a big issue 'dropping' the captain.
So, the rumours about Hummels are being very persistent. Do we want to discuss him now? Personally, and I'm sad to say this, I don't trust Badstuber's body at the moment. And I really don't want to say "any longer", but I have to admit, part of me thinks his career is pretty much over. I think Hummels would be a proper long term replacement.
Obviously he would be a good signing for us in terms of his individual quality and he's a fantastic fit as Boateng's partner. They complement each other well. We can't rely on Badstuber staying fit and if Ancelotti prefers Martinez in midfield, we definitely need at least one new centerback, maybe even two depending on Ancelotti's plans for Kimmich and Benatia's future.
But I still don't like him and I'd prefer it if the club stopped buying from Dortmund and looked elsewhere.
Following that logic I am not sure that Hummels is a great fit. He played most games in his career, but had already his fair share of small injuries. He´ll play another major tournament next summer and it took some time to get back into form after the last worldcup. Given our rotten luck with CBs and injuries, I´d look for someone with a perfect record in terms of injuries....
I doubt you'll find a player with a perfect record in injuries, but you made some valid points. Who, though? I'm tired and sick of having a shaky defense. I want to get back to the days when our penalty zone was absolutely no-limits to opponents. I like the rest of the team pretty much as it is, but we need a solid signing for the CB position. If only to give Badstuber the time to properly regenerate so he doesn't get injured again after what is now essentially years of not performing professionally. If he ever gets back and stays healthy, nobody will be happier than me, I love Badstuber, but we need to make sure he's not a liability for the club.
Just put Martinez (or Kimmich) in front of the back4 with someone like Thiago/Vidal next to him and we´d be rock solid again. Even with Alaba+Boateng our defence, we was fragile at times. I don´t think that this is primarily down to individual quality, but more due to tactics+Alonso.
I am also not against signing another CB (while selling Benatia), but I´d stay away from anyone who I associate with dubious health credentials. We have far too many injury prone players and we need to reverse that. Hummels is imo too much of a risk (especially because he´ll stay for at least 3 years and can´t be axed). I don´t have anyone particular in mind, but he is certainly not the only good CB out there.
I am also not against signing another CB (while selling Benatia), but I´d stay away from anyone who I associate with dubious health credentials. We have far too many injury prone players and we need to reverse that. Hummels is imo too much of a risk (especially because he´ll stay for at least 3 years and can´t be axed). I don´t have anyone particular in mind, but he is certainly not the only good CB out there.
Kicker reports that Ancelotti wants Pjanic and Ben Arfa -> Another sign that Götze has no future at Bayern Munich
I know Ben Arfa is playing out of his skin but he has shown he doesn't have the right mentality.
Ben Arfa
Wouldn't that be something? The man who barely got a look in at Hull City Tigers, finally realising his potential at Bayern, at the ripe old age of 29.
I wouldn't mind Pjanic, even though I don't rate him that highly. If we buy Hummels and Pjanic, it does raise questions about our plans for Kimmich though. He should be seen as a possible starter either in midfield or in defense.
It also means Thiago will have to raise his game. Not sure how they both fit in the same midfield
Thiago has to raise his game anyway. With the Hummels signing, I expect us to see Martinez more often in midfield and Vidal + Martinez would be fecking awesome in midfield. No need to add a lightweight playmaker like Thiago or Pjanic in the big games.
Oh man...Martinez + Schweinsteiger in 12/13 was so immense. Martinez should always play as a defensive midfielder IMO.
I don´t want either of those two. Gündogan on the other side..............I am just kidding. (not really)
If Martinez goes back to midfield we don´t need anyone, even if Götze and Rode are going to leave.
........I am just kidding. (not really)If Martinez goes back to midfield we don´t need anyone, even if Götze and Rode are going to leave.
Kicker reports too that there are few signs that Thiago could again fellow Guardiola.
I doubt that will happen but he wouldn't be a loss at all imo.