Adrien Rabiot

[Jospur]

Rabiot seems to have the talent that would fit the mould of the multi-purpose central midfielders that Pochettino employs now. He should expect much game time should he join us - and Pochettino has shown that he has the skills to effectively utilize and develop talent. Just look at how the ex-Southampton men have essentially failed to deliver at Liverpool. And how far youngsters such as Kane, Mason, and Bentaleb have come this season. So Rabiot would be in an ideal, competitive environment in which to move his game (and the Club) to the next level.

I'd be thrilled should Rabiot join Tottenham Hotspur.

The downside would be that we'd have a young, inexperienced (but highly talented) group in the middle of the park.

In addition, I'd like to see Spurs move for an experienced centre midfielder who know how to win at the highest level - and can crack the whip when things aren't going well.

But which player(s) would fit that description?

 

[IGSpur]

Would be disappointed if we signed him too be honest. Just see it as another we do not need a la Alli. Before we wanted Schneiderlin and people said once we bought him we could bring through some young players. Well Mason and Bentaleb have become our Schneiderlim and are now our best CMs imagine them as Schneiederlin this is now another opportunity to bring through more of our youth.

They will be supported by 2 CMs with PL experience who one of which has played at a World Cup and Afcon. I despair at the thought of us blocking the pathway of our youngsters with someone who is not going to significantly improve our first team

 

[longtimespur]

Would be disappointed if we signed him too be honest. Just see it as another we do not need a la Alli. Before we wanted Schneiderlin and people said once we bought him we could bring through some young players. Well Mason and Bentaleb have become our Schneiderlim and are now our best CMs imagine them as Schneiederlin this is now another opportunity to bring through more of our youth.

They will be supported by 2 CMs with PL experience who one of which has played at a World Cup and Afcon. I despair at the thought of us blocking the pathway of our youngsters with someone who is not going to significantly improve our first team

I can't disagree with your sentiments regarding our younger players and your assessment of Bentaleb and Mason, as mine are similar, but I would prefer somebody a bit older than those 2 to command the area.
I'm not certain they are quite up to it yet and our youth coming through would need some "more experienced" player around.
Somebody like a Cabaye, only on a loan for the season, to give them all a strong character to help them through their learning curve.

 

[IGSpur]

I can't disagree with your sentiments regarding our younger players and your assessment of Bentaleb and Mason, as mine are similar, but I would prefer somebody a bit older than those 2 to command the area.
I'm not certain they are quite up to it yet and our youth coming through would need some "more experienced" player around.
Somebody like a Cabaye, only on a loan for the season, to give them all a strong character to help them through their learning curve.

Again I don't disagree but from the latest itk we are not looking to buy anyone unless they are under 27 unless we find another vdv deal. Therefore I hope we don't buy any CMs at all as I can't see a WC CM coming to us at their peak. And it would only clog up our midfield. Would anyone actually trade Mason/Bentaleb with Schneiderlin right now I know I wouldn't so if we are buying a CM they have to be better than what we have right now otherwise we are wasting fees and wages when we could have another Bentaleb or Mason come through again

 

[sweetness]

Again I don't disagree but from the latest itk we are not looking to buy anyone unless they are under 27 unless we find another vdv deal. Therefore I hope we don't buy any CMs at all as I can't see a WC CM coming to us at their peak. And it would only clog up our midfield. Would anyone actually trade Mason/Bentaleb with Schneiderlin right now I know I wouldn't so if we are buying a CM they have to be better than what we have right now otherwise we are wasting fees and wages when we could have another Bentaleb or Mason come through again

Would trade Mason for Schneiderlin in a heartbeat, though would prefer having both.

 

[IGSpur]

Would trade Mason for Schneiderlin in a heartbeat, though would prefer having both.

I wrote a long ass post that got deleted. Anyway to sum it up I don't think Schneiderlin would be an upgrade really. Mason is also a year younger, came through with us and supports us and knows the players. He also doesn't cost a thing. I wouldn't risk that for a player who may not settle and perform the same way.

Plus their stats aren't too dissimilar Mason even pips him in the defensive area too

 

[sweetness]

I wrote a long ads post out that got deleted anyway. To sum it up I don't think Schneiderlin would be an upgrade really. Mason is also a year younger, came through with us and supports us and knows the players. He also doesn't cost a thing. I wouldn't risk that for a player who may not settle and perform the same way.

Plus their stats aren't too dissimilar Mason even pips him in the defensive area too

Nothing against the lad. I just rate Schneiderlin very highly.

 

[Mouse!]

I wrote a long ads post out that got deleted anyway. To sum it up I don't think Schneiderlin would be an upgrade really. Mason is also a year younger, came through with us and supports us and knows the players. He also doesn't cost a thing. I wouldn't risk that for a player who may not settle and perform the same way.

Plus their stats aren't too dissimilar Mason even pips him in the defensive area too

Yep, they aren't exactly the same player. Mason is more creative and mobile, Schneiderlin is more conservative and positionally better.

Schneiderlin and Wanyama are a very defensively solid midfield pair, Mason and Bentaleb less so at the moment. It's up to Poch to work out how to make us a better defensive unit, despite having CM's who are more inclined to get forward.

Personally, post AVB, I'm happy to ship a few goals if it means scoring more. I'd rather have some emotional up and downs watching Spurs than a turgid borefest.

 

[DaSpurs]

Would be disappointed if we signed him too be honest. Just see it as another we do not need a la Alli. Before we wanted Schneiderlin and people said once we bought him we could bring through some young players. Well Mason and Bentaleb have become our Schneiderlim and are now our best CMs imagine them as Schneiederlin this is now another opportunity to bring through more of our youth.

They will be supported by 2 CMs with PL experience who one of which has played at a World Cup and Afcon. I despair at the thought of us blocking the pathway of our youngsters with someone who is not going to significantly improve our first team

I agree with you as it pertains to this player frankly.

I think Mason and Bentaleb are improving, but they're not quite to the par of what we need either offensively or defensively. They're young, our own, and improving rapidly so they do IMO deserve merit for the future. At the No 8, at this point I think we should hold with what we have. Mason, Carroll, Alli, and room for other youth gives us diverse, strong young options. At the No 6 though, we have Bentaleb and maybe Stambouli. So if we were to bring in a more defensive option, I could see that. But I'm not sure Rabiot fits the bill, as despite playing DM quite a bit this season, his numbers aren't stellar. In fact, the only category he exceeds Bentaleb in is successful tackling rate.

So I have to agree, I'm not sure why we're still interested in this one if it's true.

 

[sweetness]

I agree with you as it pertains to this player frankly.

I think Mason and Bentaleb are improving, but they're not quite to the par of what we need either offensively or defensively. They're young, our own, and improving rapidly so they do IMO deserve merit for the future. At the No 8, at this point I think we should hold with what we have. Mason, Carroll, Alli, and room for other youth gives us diverse, strong young options. At the No 6 though, we have Bentaleb and maybe Stambouli. So if we were to bring in a more defensive option, I could see that. But I'm not sure Rabiot fits the bill, as despite playing DM quite a bit this season, his numbers aren't stellar. In fact, the only category he exceeds Bentaleb in is successful tackling rate.

So I have to agree, I'm not sure why we're still interested in this one if it's true.

Pretty sure Rabiot would primarily compete with Mason rather than Bentaleb.

 

[DaSpurs]

Pretty sure Rabiot would primarily compete with Mason rather than Bentaleb.

If we were to make the Carroll sale as proposed by Fox' bit, that would make sense (hadn't read it yet before making the post to which you replied). And yes, I do think Rabiot is more suited to the No 8 than 6.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

We dont play with a '6' and an '8' though, its a double pivot. It may appear that Mason is the more attacking one but that's just because he's better at timing his runs.

 

[Sweech]

I wrote a long ass post that got deleted. Anyway to sum it up I don't think Schneiderlin would be an upgrade really. Mason is also a year younger, came through with us and supports us and knows the players. He also doesn't cost a thing. I wouldn't risk that for a player who may not settle and perform the same way.

Plus their stats aren't too dissimilar Mason even pips him in the defensive area too

Those stats can be a bit disingenuous as it doesn't really give the full details of the game, just a boxscore of events that have happened and no detail as to how they happened. Otherwise we'd look at those stats and think that Capoue is a fantastic player that should be starting.

I like Mason, but I also rate Schneiderlin very highly and I think he would give us the solid defensive composure we lack in midfield right now.

 

[IGSpur]

Those stats can be a bit disingenuous as it doesn't really give the full details of the game, just a boxscore of events that have happened and no detail as to how they happened. Otherwise we'd look at those stats and think that Capoue is a fantastic player that should be starting.

I like Mason, but I also rate Schneiderlin very highly and I think he would give us the solid defensive composure we lack in midfield right now.

I agree. My use of the stats wasn't to prove a point. Without them I still would have Mason rather than Schneiderlin. From what I have seen of him I wouldn't buy MS to have instead of Mason (or swap them) as I personally don't think he is much better if at all. Mason has proven what he can do in our first team and I think he can improve further. I actually have actually rated MS for the last couple of years back when I realised from his stats that he was competing with Sandro for interceptions but I feel Mason has earned his spot. I just checked the stats to see if Mason was anywhere close and was surprised to see they were similar and Mason was marginally better defensively.

I know stats can be taken out of context and the same argument applied for MS can be used for Mason, I tend to go with what i watch but I do think they have a place in the game and can sometimes be used to support a point. They are very much like a lampost to a drunk, for leaning on not for illumination.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Schneiderlin's not better than Mason?

OK lads.

I'm very positive about our youth and I love Mason. But to suggest that he is on par with Schneiderlin, one of the best CM's in the league, is quite...well...I don't want to say deluded (which is too harsh) but I can't think of any other term.

 

[IGSpur]

Deluded I may be but I definitely stand by the point that Schneiderlin may not be as good for us as Mason is. Last year when everyone was ransacking Soton as they had a good year who were the players everyone went after that went for big money.

Lallana - probably would get in our team
Lambert not better than Kane
Shaw not better than Rose atm imo
Lovren I'd rather have Vertonghen
Chambers I'd rather have Dier

People will probably say MS was the best of the lot but who's to say that he would be better for us. He has played well at Soton but equally Mason has been up there as one of our top players along with those mentioned above. Besides other than watching or stats, how else can you determine who is a better player, effect on team? Well he has definitely had that

I don't watch Soton games but I think for the majority of the season they have had MS and Wanayama as their CM partnership. Using the game against Stoke as the key moment of change when the youngsters came in. At that point Soton were 2nd in the table after 11 games on 25pts, we were 12th with 14pts. Since then Bentaleb and Mason have played together and we are now 1pt ahead of them. I don't know why it is so inconceivable that those 2 or one of those 2 could be better than MS and Wanayama. Do people believe if we traded our pairing we would be that higher up the table? Looking at the league table assuming it started fro 9th November we conceded 10 more goals (25, 10) but scored twice as many as them (33, 16), interestingly there is also 1 point difference between 1st and 6th which is where we are, but I digress.

Anyway form is temporary, people can improve things change. I don't watch Soton regularly but I doubt it would be that much of an improvement on Mason if any, and I think people should show a bit more faith in our own players.

As an addendum I always hear people praising Soton and making comments like we need to find players before they get big and develop them or admire that they give their youth a chance but people should have realised by those coming through, our cup final and our position in the table that we have those players. We don't need to glare enviously at Soton as most are are from within. We don't need to idolise their academy setup and how they bring youth through as we already have them we just need to trust the,. They are still blooding more youngsters than us who have shown they can handle the prem, like Hesketh, yet some still doubt whether ours are ready. This in spite of the fact that our u21s, u18s and u16s over two legs are unbeaten against them all season and I think have only drawn a couple of times. I know I am seen as deluded but I don't really care as I trust what I see, I just think more faith is needed in our core group of players (both bought and produced) and the young ones coming through.

Last paragraph not really relevant to my intial point but it kind of stands. And I appear to have completely derailed the thread which I apologise for.

 

[Sweech]

Deluded I may be but I definitely stand by the point that Schneiderlin may not be as good for us as Mason is. Last year when everyone was ransacking Soton as they had a good year who were the players everyone went after that went for big money.

Lallana - probably would get in our team
Lambert not better than Kane
Shaw not better than Rose atm imo
Lovren I'd rather have Vertonghen
Chambers I'd rather have Dier

People will probably say MS was the best of the lot but who's to say that he would be better for us. He has played well at Soton but equally Mason has been up there as one of our top players along with those mentioned above. Besides other than watching or stats, how else can you determine who is a better player, effect on team? Well he has definitely had that

I don't watch Soton games but I think for the majority of the season they have had MS and Wanayama as their CM partnership. Using the game against Stoke as the key moment of change when the youngsters came in. At that point Soton were 2nd in the table after 11 games on 25pts, we were 12th with 14pts. Since then Bentaleb and Mason have played together and we are now 1pt ahead of them. I don't know why it is so inconceivable that those 2 or one of those 2 could be better than MS and Wanayama. Do people believe if we traded our pairing we would be that higher up the table? Looking at the league table assuming it started fro 9th November we conceded 10 more goals (25, 10) but scored twice as many as them (33, 16), interestingly there is also 1 point difference between 1st and 6th which is where we are, but I digress.

Anyway form is temporary, people can improve things change. I don't watch Soton regularly but I doubt it would be that much of an improvement on Mason if any, and I think people should show a bit more faith in our own players.

As an addendum I always hear people praising Soton and making comments like we need to find players before they get big and develop them or admire that they give their youth a chance but people should have realised by those coming through, our cup final and our position in the table that we have those players. We don't need to glare enviously at Soton as most are are from within. We don't need to idolise their academy setup and how they bring youth through as we already have them we just need to trust the,. They are still blooding more youngsters than us who have shown they can handle the prem, like Hesketh, yet some still doubt whether ours are ready. This in spite of the fact that our u21s, u18s and u16s over two legs are unbeaten against them all season and I think have only drawn a couple of times. I know I am seen as deluded but I don't really care as I trust what I see, I just think more faith is needed in our core group of players (both bought and produced) and the young ones coming through.

Last paragraph not really relevant to my intial point but it kind of stands. And I appear to have completely derailed the thread which I apologise for.

For me I just see a need for a veteran defensively savvy midfielder to help marshal the side. A Mascherano or Schneiderlin type. One who will do the dirty work and understands positioning, tactics, and can marshal others into their duties as well, while also ticking the team forward without playing too many backwards and sideways passes that we see from a lot of today's DM's.

I like Mason and Bentaleb and I believe they have a great future ahead of them, but they both lack that same positional discipline and savvy right now. Either of them (or both) could gain it, but right now I think that midfield unit could use a leader of that type (savvy over the passion of Mason & Bentaleb) in the place of either of them.

It's not so much saying Mason isn't good enough it's just that the unit needs that different type of player for different matches. Ideally the 3 of Schneiderlin (or someone similar) together with Bentaleb and Mason (and hopefully some other youngsters) could rotate depending on opposition.

 

[Spursmad321]

Rabiot seems to have the talent that would fit the mould of the multi-purpose central midfielders that Pochettino employs now. He should expect much game time should he join us - and Pochettino has shown that he has the skills to effectively utilize and develop talent. Just look at how the ex-Southampton men have essentially failed to deliver at Liverpool. And how far youngsters such as Kane, Mason, and Bentaleb have come this season. So Rabiot would be in an ideal, competitive environment in which to move his game (and the Club) to the next level.

I'd be thrilled should Rabiot join Tottenham Hotspur.

The downside would be that we'd have a young, inexperienced (but highly talented) group in the middle of the park.

In addition, I'd like to see Spurs move for an experienced centre midfielder who know how to win at the highest level - and can crack the whip when things aren't going well.

But which player(s) would fit that description?

PSG's Cabaye would be my choice.

 

[IGSpur]

For me I just see a need for a veteran defensively savvy midfielder to help marshal the side. A Mascherano or Schneiderlin type. One who will do the dirty work and understands positioning, tactics, and can marshal others into their duties as well, while also ticking the team forward without playing too many backwards and sideways passes that we see from a lot of today's DM's.

I like Mason and Bentaleb and I believe they have a great future ahead of them, but they both lack that same positional discipline and savvy right now. Either of them (or both) could gain it, but right now I think that midfield unit could use a leader of that type (savvy over the passion of Mason & Bentaleb) in the place of either of them.

It's not so much saying Mason isn't good enough it's just that the unit needs that different type of player for different matches. Ideally the 3 of Schneiderlin (or someone similar) together with Bentaleb and Mason (and hopefully some other youngsters) could rotate depending on opposition.

For money and quality I don't think that should be Schneiderlin. I don't think his quality and experience is that much greater that I'd spend 20odd mil on him. I don't think they would learn anymore for him and I don't think he would improve our team relative to the outlay and being only a year or too older than Mason may provide a block for the younger ones.

Mascherano however I think is a great shout. Class defensively aware, experience at top top level has played with some of the best players winning mentality and of course has great footballing ability. Would like him over Cabaye actually. Never considered him.

He would help all of Bentaleb, Mason and Veljkovic. I hope as per the ITK he would be one of the special over 27s we would go for if he became available sadly I see his contract expires in 2018

 

[Kalim]

My mistake thought I was in the Rabiot thread