[Albion] Carlos Baleba SINGS a 5-year deal

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Absolutely wonderful, but he really needs to improve the last part. He looks untouchable when striding through but then often follows it up with a poor pass or touch. I think that's what frustrates RDZ and has held him back.

He's got it though, and looks like he's going to be a great part of our future midfield.

One of several reasons why he reminds me of early bissouma. He used to do something outrageous followed by spanking a pass out of play or a shot at the corner flag.

When he irons out the flaws in his game he's going to be some player.

 

[Coldwaltham Seagull]

someone with a creative output close to Gross. Because if you take him out of our midfield you lose almost all of our creativity from CM. Maybe Gilmour can be that man playing a more advanced position.
Right now Gross has to play until he either leaves or cannot walk.

Pascal definitely feels like our most irreplaceable player right now, without him would be a huge creative and very versatile hole. Be interesting to see who we might replace him with, although hopefully we can get a few more years of that gross turn out of him

 

[dazzer6666]

Pascal definitely feels like our most irreplaceable player right now, without him would be a huge creative and very versatile hole. Be interesting to see who we might replace him with, although hopefully we can get a few more years of that gross turn out of him

Hinshelwood.

 

[The Fits]

I think Den Zerbi's dream midfield pairing next season would be Davide Frattesi and Manuel Locatelli.

Locatelli would also make a perfect partner for Baleba, giving him licence to break the lines.

I think they're both out of our league.

 

[Littlemo]

Pascal definitely feels like our most irreplaceable player right now, without him would be a huge creative and very versatile hole. Be interesting to see who we might replace him with, although hopefully we can get a few more years of that gross turn out of him

I think RDZ said Moder was most like him style wise, and he does seem to prefer him more forward than in the pivot. Whether he rates him enough in the end is a different question.

 

[The Fits]

Hinshelwood.

Great shout. Will be fascinating to see how he develops.

 

[AZ Gull]

....

Now that RDZ simply HAS to play the lad, we'll hopefully soon see what he is really capable of. Baffling that the Italian 'genius' has been thus far, so unable to get a tune out of him.

Although probably not as baffling as the fact that he also couldn't seem to get a tune out of Mahmoud Dahoud, a player he wanted at Sassuolo, a player of whom he said (once he'd joined Albion) "..I'm sure he is going to be a top player for us" and of whom he said after the opening day win "Dahoud is a great player for us, because he is specific for our idea of football, our style of play....."

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

I think they're both out of our league.

So was Ansu Fati.

 

[London Irish]

So was Ansu Fati.

Well we can definitely say he ain't now

 

[Coldwaltham Seagull]

I think RDZ said Moder was most like him style wise, and he does seem to prefer him more forward than in the pivot. Whether he rates him enough in the end is a different question.

Hinshelwood.

Hinshelwood does seem like the more similar of the two to me. Interesting that RDZ feels Moder is similar as I'd have said they're very different players

 

[Exilegull]

Although probably not as baffling as the fact that he also couldn't seem to get a tune out of Mahmoud Dahoud, a player he wanted at Sassuolo, a player of whom he said (once he'd joined Albion) "..I'm sure he is going to be a top player for us" and of whom he said after the opening day win "Dahoud is a great player for us, because he is specific for our idea of football, our style of play....."

Imagine doing that and then spending months lsoing and blaming the owner for no signings. Anyone else would´ve been butchered. About Loctaelli I googled him and it said he turned down Arsenal to play for Juve. Dont think he wants to go to a club where people are celebrating a loss against Liverpool lke weve won a cup

 

[Gabbiano]

Then our priority has to become finding someone with a creative output close to Gross. Because if you take him out of our midfield you lose almost all of our creativity from CM. Maybe Gilmour can be that man playing a more advanced position.
Right now Gross has to play until he either leaves or cannot walk.

I absolutely agree, maybe this is what KDH is supposed to provide from the more advanced position?

We have a number of players who can play the attacking midfield role, but none with the consistency in chance creation that Pascal has.

But I think the reality is that Gross won't be around for too many more seasons, so we should be looking at this anyway.

 

[fly high]

I absolutely agree, maybe this is what KDH is supposed to provide from the more advanced position?

We have a number of players who can play the attacking midfield role, but none with the consistency in chance creation that Pascal has.

But I think the reality is that Gross won't be around for too many more seasons, so we should be looking at this anyway.

Gross is exceptionally hard to replace, not many out there with his quality.

 

[GJN1]

Right now Gross has to play until he either leaves or cannot walk.

He will never not walk. The man will never die. When Armageddon comes, the only things that survive will be cockroaches and Pascal Gross Cruyff-turning one of them.

And maybe Simon Calder, Travel Editor of the Independent too.

 

[RandyWanger]

Fabulous at Anfield on Sunday.

He has everything in his locker that our midfield has been so obviously lacking all season. Pace, power, awareness to recognise when he has space to drop a shoulder and beat the press.

Billy Gilmour's injury is a real shame for him (and I very much hope for his sake that he can get fit and regain full match fitness ahead of Scotland's three group stage defeats at the Euros), but the opportunity that it presents for Baleba's development will see it as a long term blessing, IMO.

Now that RDZ simply HAS to play the lad, we'll hopefully soon see what he is really capable of. Baffling that the Italian 'genius' has been thus far, so unable to get a tune out of him.

LOL at Scotland.

And yes, similar to that slithering dullard before him only picking Caicedo because he had to.

I'm a belieba, this lad is everything we've been looking for. I just hope we can keep hold of him long enough to benefit the squad instead of benefiting the bank balance.

 

[cjd]

. About Loctaelli I googled him and it said he turned down Arsenal to play for Juve. Dont think he wants to go to a club where people are celebrating a loss against Liverpool lke weve won a cup

To be fair, you did make me laugh, but for the millionth time....stop exaggerating...!

 

[heathgate]

I think they're both out of our league.

Especially if we don't get Europe again,.. which is looking like a tough ask as it currently stands.

 

[brighton_tom]

Hinshelwood.

Was this his preferred role at youth level?

 

[macbeth]

Re Gilmour I'm yet to truly believe he is nothing more than a Scottish Harry Winks. Winks, let's not forget, was at one time a darling of English football and being compared to the Barcelona midfield greats.
Baleba does have a much, much higher ceiling and for my money it'll be him plus A N Other starting in CM next season.

I do think we suffered without Gilmour and we would’ve kept hold of the ball a lot better had he been available. I just think the idea of playing him and groß as the midfield two has been far from ideal, and massively highlighted his weaknesses. I do agree we will need another midfielder this summer, however that’s more due to the disaster that dahoud has been, rather than gilmour needing to be replaced

 

[AZ Gull]

Was this his preferred role at youth level?

He sees himself as a box-to-box midfielder.