It would be a bold move to sign a player from a team based on one you’ve signed previously doing well.
I might understand Leicester going for him if they were staying in the champ (although I’d probably just play Souttar) but not when they will be in the PL next year.
However if that’s the calibre of player they will be going for then that’s great as their stay will be short lived.
Leicester seem to have mostly played 433 or 4231 this season. And I think Worrall, at this level, is probably better in a three (or, realistically, a five). And I'd think if they are intending to continue the high possession approach, you'd want someone who's better on the ball than Worrall.
I expect them to struggle anyway - they seem to be a better version of Burnley and it's really hard to convert that high possession stuff into the premier league. Depends how much they can strengthen but Dewsbury-Hall, Winks and Ndidi doesn't seem strong enough in midfield. Up front they look dependent on Mavididi as otherwise they have Iheanacho, Daka and (surely, he won't even try for another season) Vardy.
Not sure how much they have to spend but doubt it will be a lot.
Ndidi and Iheanacho are out of contract in the summer so imagine they will be off.
Juventus and Napoli linked with Mangala. Does seem like Nuno isn’t keen, so can understand.
And Galatasaray have apparently made a firm bid.
He's seemed pretty decent from what I've seen, and always puts a shift in. If he doesn't fit the system, fair enough, but good luck to him.
My concern with Mangala has always been that he's much better with the ball than without it, and he's a little lightweight at times. That said he's been good this season, it would be a shame if we're keeping plugs like Kouyate and selling vastly better players like Mangala. Financial needs must though I guess, and I would imagine he wants game time to try and be in contention for the Belgium squad at the Euros.
Until Cooper was sacked, Mangala was my player of the season.
It's a bit early to conclude Nuno doesn't rate or want him. It's only been three league games, one of which he started another he played a part, and we don't know what fitness issues there might be behind that. Certainly he's been our best midfielder this season.
i was very impressed with mangala this season. Particularly the shape he got himself in. But, you know....they come they go.
It's all getting exciting on the balance sheets, at the bottom of the table.
I have strong doubts about whether Worrall will ever be good enough to hold down a regular premier league place, but he is our captain, he was a consistent high performer in the championship and he has done a job on occasion in this league. Panzo couldn't even get a game for us in the championship, Steve Cook was considered way ahead of him, and he has no first team track record anywhere other than his loan at Coventry. He's also not played a first team game for ages. Highly unlikely he would be a sensible option in the Premier League.
Four actual games though and Nuno has picked a strong team for all of them. The one he started, he was hooked at half time and the one he "played a part" was as an 87th minute substitute when we were defending a lead.
This is where the having a small squad confuses me. Don't get how other teams don't have the full 25 allocation.
We do and we are still struggling to get a decent team and bench together, especially at moment.
Che Adams linked now.
Mangala/McKenna/Worrall out (and Scarpa)
Bamford/Adams in (and Mighten and Hwang)
They have more players established playing at the level, and who are able to consistently play more consecutive games, with shorter recovery times, and with less of a drop off with fatigue.
'Quality' is to a large extent physically able to play/cope with the level...not so much how they can kick. All of these players are amazing on the ball if you give them the time. But they don't have the time. It's the pace of the games that makes these differences. It's why a player like Sancho can look amazing at Dortmund (in what is arguably the fourth strongest league in world football) but can't make an impact at Manure (in what is arguably the strongest league in the world).
It all comes down to the balance of pace/time. The speed at which you have to effect actions, movement to get free, movement to get in place....and the impact that perpetual motion has on you during games, and game in, game out, week in, week out.
There's this thing about berating players for 'being tired' and that 'back in my day we played three times a week'. Of course you can....but there will be a drop off of level, apart from the best of players. You can play...but you wont be as good, and you'll get your arse kicked. Look at Salah, versus Rashford. Salah is a machine. In amazing shape. Constantly making the same runs, getting on the ball, a constant threat...game after game. Rashfords top level is close. The mean level not so much.
Would be a bold move to let Worrall and McKenna leave. With Felipe injured, would mean we had Murillo and Omobamidele backed up by Yates(?) and Abbott(?) until our AFCON players come back in mid Feb.
