Joe Cole: “If I’m Xabi Alonso, I want to keep both Enzo and Cucurella. I’d rather sell 4 or 5 other players to get that money in. But that’s if you’re using a model where you’re trying to win trophies. You build around players, like what Mikel Arteta has done at Arsenal.
by Kygoche
13 Comments
I mean I am sure Alonso does but you shouldn’t keep unhappy players if you are looking to build something semi long term.
Correct.
Although there’s a few more than four or five.
Thinking two year plan … this year they will not have to play nonstop. No Europe , World Cup cycle over , two games a week for seven months that’s all . The reduction in games will let people get healthy and rested. Next year they light the league on fire.
Who did Arteta build around? He brought in almost all of the players they have,
We’re complaining about lack of experience of course it’d be stupid to let these two go. But at the same time if they really want to go they can, but we’re not there yet it’s still speculation at this point in time we’ll see.
And as much as people hate Enzo we’ll miss him : his passion, his fighting spirit (and almost never get a card for that), how he shows up in big games and above all his quality as a player.
If the players don’t want to be here, and it seems pretty clear that at least one, if not both, want out, then we should sell them. Just be sure to get the right value for them, and bring in players that will better suit the team, like a proper 6 and a CB.
Cucu looks like he’s leaving… I’m probably in the minority but I’m not arsed, he was as dire as most of the squad second half the season and we’ve Hato and the incoming Barco to fill the LB slot. Enzos a different story, he is a player you could build an elite team around. Hopefully Xabi can persuade him to stay
What’s the point of those 7-8 year contracts if we’re still going to be bullied into selling players we want to keep?
The entire squad is full of mercenaries apart from James. Sell the lot lol
The thing is, why not instead build around other good players? Enzo and Cucurella aren’t better than Caicedo or James for instance. Or Joao/Palmer if they’re able to find good form. Now I wouldn’t build around James for obvious reasons, but Caicedo absolutely. I don’t think Enzo is his ideal partnership in midfield. Enzo also conflicts with Palmer/Joao if we push him further forward and again, I’m not convinced he’s better.
Cucurella is a very handy player but not someone you build around. He’s a traditional full back. A good one, but there’s nothing outstanding about his game. He’s just good at everything.
Amen
As long as it’s Alonso making the decision and swapping out guys for new guys who are gonna be better for us, I want us to make whatever moves need to be done
If he doesn’t want Cucu, don’t force it on him. If he does want to keep him, make it work.
Cucu can go in a system Xabi plays we need a left back with more attacking qualities. Enzo will be a huge loss, very hard and expensive to buy a player of that calibre these days.