[quote author=localny link=topic=45739.msg1353016#msg1353016 date=1308687367]
[quote author=Modo link=topic=45739.msg1353015#msg1353015 date=1308687316]
[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=45739.msg1352981#msg1352981 date=1308685790]
Also Modo - You'll advocate signing Nzogbia but not Johnson - when their true values probably aren't miles apart.
Have you actually seen much of Adam Johnson? He was superb for City at times last season and even in an England shirt and that's saying something!
[/quote]
I'll try to describe my view of Adam Johnson without using any profanity etc.
Let me start by saying that I was somewhat impressed with Adam Johnson while he still was at Middlesbrough. Probably when he just had his breakthrough. Looked very talented, though I didn't see much of him.
The reason I don't rate him is basically because I think he doesn't have any real game intelligence.
OK, he's quick, does some step overs and he can get passed the fullback from time to time. But IMO that isn't nearly enough.
I like wingers who can cut inside, switch positions with the one playing in the hole, provide through balls, crosses, finds team-mates, creates space...basically someone like Iniesta, Mata, Silva, Hazard, Xherdan Shakiri, Özil, Nuri Sahin even Wilshire and Ashley Young to some extent.
You'd probably not label any of these players as a "winger", but I'm really not that stuck on the word. These are examples of players who can start out wide but drift inwards swap positions etc. Basically team players, very able passers.
[/quote]
So who would you sign?
And if you were on a budget, who would be your plan B?
[/quote]
That's a tough question. Are we constrained by a budget? We just spent £20 Million on Henderson.
The only ones available on that list seems to be, Hazard, Mata and Shakiri. We did go after Young however, while I do have my concerns regarding him I think he's a lot better than Downing.
Maybe Jesusu Navas? But he's more of classic winger so to speak, hugs the line, no?
I'm not really that updated with regards to player price tags, So it's pretty hard for me to answer the original question. At least when it comes to wingers.
I've also backed signing N'zogbia despite him not being on the aforementioned list of players. I like the fact that he can defend, he's strong, he's quick, can play on both sides of the pitch, can cut inside and shoot and that he can dribble as well. Most of all he's available for a decent price, well at least that's what I've been expecting since he only has a year left.
