Julian Alvarez Update
If you remember, I stated there was another attacker I chose to keep anonymous. That player was indeed Julian Alvarez. The reason I said it was sensitive was because one of our players (Gyökeres) was potentially involved but let me just provide the facts for Arsenal fans. To my understanding the following statements are 100% factual.
• The players dream is Barca (personal terms agreed already)
• Barca have always wanted Julian to go public with his desire to force Atleti's position
• Atleti are adamant they will not to sell to Barca and would rather sell abroad but it wont stop Barca from trying
• PSG to my understanding left the race due to Campos / Enrique not wanting a player who doesn’t absolutely prioritise them but I wont be shocked if they return due to the players quality
• Julian has been a target for Arsenal since last summer
• After our group stage game Arteta made it clear we must atleast be in the race for the Argentine
• I can 100% confirm Atleti have interest in Viktor Gyökeres
• Andrea Berta has maintained contacts with the camp since last summer and has explored 'different structures & mechanisms' to bring Julian Alvarez to North London in the recent months…
• Reports about 'the English weather' being a reason Julian and his family would not return to England are absolutely false.
• The player would be very open to joining Arsenal and has directly told us should his dream to Barca become impossible
• Arsenal are yet to officially formalise their interest but Atleti are well aware of our interest.
The situation is chaotic but my role is to provide the absolute facts to the best of my knowledge in real time not predict the future. Its difficult enough tracking Berta and his 1000 spinning plates technique, its even harder when he silently speaks to ex-colleagues at Atleti with whom he has a lot of trust with but I have presented the facts. Genuinely feel a lot of relief talking about this all as its been exhausting to track for 14 months. I need to sleep now as I have been awake all night contacting sources 😂
Morgan Rogers choosing Arsenal over the rest tells you everything about where Arteta has taken this club.
A few years ago, Arsenal were trying to convince players.
Now players are convincing Arsenal.
(via @HandofArsenal)
Everyone is focused on the attacking names.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are quietly exploring Bouaddi, Larsson, Kone, Scott and others.
The next big signing might not be the one making the headlines today.
(via @HandofArsenal)
Cape Verde held Spain.
Lopes stood out.
And the craziest part?
He was reportedly recruited through LinkedIn.
Football's scouting network has officially gone corporate. 😭🇨🇻
Van de Ven is a limited fullback because he can only face the play or carry from low to high.
He can’t receive high and wide, invert into midfield, or play with his back to goal between the lines (reliably).
Dumfries is making some dynamic movements on the right, at least.
Van de Ven? None…
Koeman should play Hato to increase the dynamism and positional interchangeability down the left.
All far too static so far.
Even Reijnders and Gravenberch have had little influence so far because the fullbacks are often being so static positionally.
With someone like Hato, he could alternative with Reijnders positionally and let Reijnders face the play on his right foot from a false left back position. The whole game would open up for Reijnders that way.
Similar issues to the one’s Brazil had in the second half against Morocco with the fullbacks playing too low and not enough movement or rotations in the wide triangles. Ended up being a flat 4-3-3 which created little. But the difference between Ancelotti’s dilemma and Koeman’s dilemma is that Netherlands have dynamic fullbacks to use. Brazil don’t…