The Summer 2024 scouting thread

[spurs9]

I think he could 100% play in a middle three for us. His work rate off the ball is excellent hence Alegri trying him out at WB. He isn’t a player who only works one way.

I completely get why you are against the idea of him as a WF for our current system. I do think he could play there against teams who park the bus as his ability to pick a pass and move past players from a wide areas makes him a really strong asset against teams that sit deep but I also get that for more open games you need a player who is more direct to pin the defender back. I’ve seen Soulé compared to Kulu and i really don’t think that’s a true comparison if you watch both of them.

A player like Williams should be our top priority for the wide position, absolutely no question. But the creativity, technical ability, passing range and vision Soulé has already at only 20 makes me think we should add him as well as he would fit the system well and bring a lot to the team.

I really like Soule, but I think, just like Lamela, his dribbling skills won't transfer to the PL, as he, IMO, isn't quick enough out wide and isn't strong enough centrally for his dribbling style.

I agree in regards to his vision and passing, but we already have a RW that is better suited centrally, so I just don't see him fitting.

 

[spurs9]

I just don’t see him as a good fit personally. You are right that hold up play for our CF is a very helpful asset and you can see the benefits it offers when Richy plays who has really improved that part of his game. It’s certainly something we miss when we start Son as he just isn’t that sort of player. I do wonder tho if we had more imposing wingers then it wouldn’t be so needed.

One has to remember that Kompany mostly played a 442 the season Zirkzee was there switching from a 433/442 mix in his previous season. I know it was more of a 352 in effect but it was still a 2 striker system with Christian Kouame taking up the other CF spot. As I said in my original post this is probably where Zirkzee will thrive most, in this sort of set up as it allows him more freedom. It’s why I suggested Inter would potentially be a good move for him if Lautaro were to leave as I could see him developing a good partnership with Thuram who is quick and likes to push defences.

Even at Anderlect Zirkzee was never one to really run in behind regularly. He did do it from time to time but I remember watching him there and from what I recall he would still come short a lot or look for pockets of space in front of the back line or out wide in order to give space to Kouame. A lot of one touch lay offs to the attacking players. He was a key cog in Komoany’s attacking system for sure due to clever positioning and off the ball movement.

You’re right that he did sit a bit higher and run across the line more then he does at Bologna but his game was still very heavily based around interlinking the attack and as I said having another CF gave him more freedom. He wasn’t the sole focus.

As I said in my original post he does have good movement in the box and in general he’s very good at picking up pockets of space to receive the ball, it’s what makes his hold up play so good. But when he does pick up these pockets deeper he just doesn’t have the acceleration to turn and push the back line after a lay of so often stays deep. He is a physically strong runner tho which helps but still. Not that pace is everything but his instincts have never really been to run In behind. Lautaro as a solid example of a slower player who has good hold up play but after he offloads looks to push the back line rather then sitting deeper and make late runs into the box which is what Zirkzee does often.

If we changed our system tactically then as I said I could see an argument for getting him. The issue is tho our WF who are designated with staying wide and holding the width. This is where I see a fundamental miss match. Ether we would need to change our tactics so the wide players come more central and closer to the CF or try to change Zirkzee’s style of play. Neither of which is ideal and I’m really not convinced Zirkzee would be able to adapt into the player we would need him to be in the current set up. Some aspects would fit, others wouldn’t.

As a forward profile someone like Vlahovic I see as a much better fit for our system IMO. (Yes I know he also plays in a 2 up top but both Chiesa and Yildiz tend to drift to the wing position a lot leaving him alone up top). Someone who is good at holding up the ball when needed but also fast and good at stretching defences. He’s also a big areal threat in the box, something Zirkzee really isn’t despite his size. If he didn’t have such question marks around his injuries I’d say Vlahovic should be right at the top of our striker search but in regards to profile he is what we should be looking for imo.

As for xg I mean if you watch him he just does not convince as a technically astute finisher. His positioning is good when he gets into the box but I just don’t think he’s a particularly convincing striker of the ball regardless what the xg says. From what I remember from his time at Anderlecht a number of his goals were from deflections or errors by the defence essentially leading to an open goal rather than a finessed finish which highlights his good positioning more then his striking ability. He did score a great overhead kick for Anderlecht tho i remember to be fair to him, but still even that was from a deflection I think… which probably makes it more impressive actually. Anyway pretty much every report i have read on him dating back to his time at BM highlights finishing as a weakness so i don’t feel I’m alone on this.

As I said he is a good player and could be an excellent one in the right system I just disagree that he would be a good fit for ours currently. If we got him ether he or the team would need to change tactically. He looks an exciting prospect who could well have a bright future but he will need the right team set up around him in order to make the most of his unique skill set. His link up play aside I struggle to see it being a good fit at all.

Fair enough, I think we have just seen different games where he was played in a different way, as the games I saw him, he was the striker playing off the shoulder and Kouame would be a little deeper and make runs from deep (a bit like Dele, but maybe not starting as deep). Zirkzee would occasionally drop back, but I think, in the PL, the striker should be doing that anyway in Ange's system.

I actually don't think we should sign Zirkzee (or any striker), as I would rather we brought in 2 wingers that are quick and can dribble on the outside or inside and see how Son, Richarlison and Veliz do next season.

I do think that if we did bring a striker in Zirkzee could be a good fit.

 

[tommyt]

Attitude aside, Ivan Toney would be a great option up top!

 

[King of the Lane]

He would probably cost too much but Id love to go and get Palhinha from Fulham. He would be great as a DM and currently an upgrade on Bissouma.

Also I still think Nico Williams would be absolutely perfect for us at LWF.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

He would probably cost too much but Id love to go and get Palhinha from Fulham. He would be great as a DM and currently an upgrade on Bissouma.

Also I still think Nico Williams would be absolutely perfect for us at LWF.

Excellent player, but not a cost effective option given his age

Nico Williams would be ace

 

[Mr Pink]

Attitude aside, Ivan Toney would be a great option up top!

He really would...just not sure if he'd be good for the dressing room.

We know Agne puts a lot of stock in the individual

 

[djhotspur]

Attitude aside, Ivan Toney would be a great option up top!

Really? He missed chance after chance yesterday

 

[Blake Griffin]

does anyone get zaha vibes from nico williams?

not saying that's a bad thing necessarily but i'm not convinced he's going to be real top level.

 

[ardiles&villa]

Paulinha and Williams are great shouts. Sell Richy and buy a striker and buy another CB and we’re in buisness.

 

[Chello90]

Excellent player, but not a cost effective option given his age

Nico Williams would be ace

Amadou Onana would be a great alternative imo. Equally as expensive mind.

 

[JSpurs1]

Amadou Onana would be a great alternative imo. Equally as expensive mind.

He’s got all the characteristics but he seems wildly inconsistent. He’s not influencing games like he was when he first joined I don’t think.

 

[Albertbarich]

If Ange wanted a proper defensive midfielder type like Paulinha or Onana then surely he would have played Holjberg or even Skipp more.

I think he likes Gallagher because he presses high and arrives in the box. The 6 role in our team is more of a playmaker/press resister.

 

[Locotoro]

does anyone get zaha vibes from nico williams?

not saying that's a bad thing necessarily but i'm not convinced he's going to be real top level.

He's already real top level.
But he's unrealistic since Bilbao will demand a kings ransom and we won't go for him.

We do need another RW because I suspect Kulu will start next season in a central position

 

[TEESSIDE1]

He's already real top level.
But he's unrealistic since Bilbao will demand a kings ransom and we won't go for him.

We do need another RW because I suspect Kulu will start next season in a central position

He’s got a very reasonable buy out but from what I’ve read it has to be paid in one go.

 

[Cochise]

Whilst a centre forward would be great, I think we will be okay for another season with Son and Richarlison.

This summer I'd focus on a DM and a starting left winger. Luckily I'm not in charge as I'd throw most of our budget at Kvara.

 

[Blake Griffin]

He's already real top level.
But he's unrealistic since Bilbao will demand a kings ransom and we won't go for him.

We do need another RW because I suspect Kulu will start next season in a central position

top level to me is someone like kvara, i don't think williams has the natural talent to ever get there. i'd hope paratici and co can come up with a better option.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

does anyone get zaha vibes from nico williams?

not saying that's a bad thing necessarily but i'm not convinced he's going to be real top level.

I doubt many people have watched much of him just someone’s mentioned they like him and it’s just snowballed. someone posted a clip of him the other week saying he roasted his fullback and all he did was make a yard on the outside and just hung a ball in to the back post with his weaker foot. Something that we’ve seen Johnson and even Werner do plenty of times. Like Doku I wouldn’t be surprised if his reputation has outstripped his ability,

 

[yankspurs]

If Ange wanted a proper defensive midfielder type like Paulinha or Onana then surely he would have played Holjberg or even Skipp more.

I think he likes Gallagher because he presses high and arrives in the box. The 6 role in our team is more of a playmaker/press resister.

The Gallagher thing with Ange getting to the point of Bastoni with Conte except Bastoni is actually a good player. If Ange is hung up on Gallagher, Lange needs to take the decision out of his hands & if he moans then so be it. Levy doesn’t spend a ton so we can’t exactly waste £50m again.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Whilst a centre forward would be great, I think we will be okay for another season with Son and Richarlison.

This summer I'd focus on a DM and a starting left winger. Luckily I'm not in charge as I'd throw most of our budget at Kvara.

A striker is essential. Son isn’t the player he was a few seasons ago and Richarlison despite his purple patch is average at best. Whether it be someone who can hold the ball up and read the game or someone who can break the line and get in behind the defensive line… we desperately need a natural striker.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

The Gallagher thing with Ange getting to the point of Bastoni with Conte except Bastoni is actually a good player. If Ange is hung up on Gallagher, Lange needs to take the decision out of his hands & if he moans then so be it. Levy doesn’t spend a ton so we can’t exactly waste £50m again.

Agree with this. All managers have blind spots and Gallagher seems like the blind spot for Ange.

Decent player but nowhere near worth £50m and we don’t need an 8, we need a top quality 6 to compete with Bissouma.

Between Maddison, Gio, Bentancur, Sarr, Deki and Bergvall (plus Devine and Donley) we have more than enough 8 options.