Pretty good article. I liked the point about out-right defensive midfielders steadily going out of fashion. If you go through the top clubs in Europe right now, none of them have what you would call a pure destroyer who holds the midfield. Rather, what they do have are dynamic, physical midfielders who can cover the ground and hassle opponents or a very tactically astute midfielder who knows how to hold his position.

Barcelona, for example, have the latter in Busquets. Strong and good in the tackle, but in no way a destroyer. Real Madrid have the former in Khedira; it's Alonso who does the holding role.

In the Premier League, City use Barry as their holding player while Yaya Toure provides the dynamism. United use two tactically astute midfielders. Chelsea have Mikel, who's very similar to Busquets.

You can see where I'm going with this. Traditionally, defensive midfielders are powerful players who can destroy but holding the midfield is more about positioning yourself correctly and staying disciplined than throwing your weight around.

That's why, if Song leaves, we don't necessarily have to replace him with a pure destroyer type player like everyone wants. Rather, we would just need someone who either has the discipline and tactical know-how to play the role or a strong, dynamic player.

Jay : Are you hinting at a possibility of Sahin-Arteta/Wilshere?

Not particularly. That would be a good midfield with tactical know-how, high work ethic and technical ability but I'd be worried about there being a lack of dynamism and the fact that Sahin and Arteta are similar players that play the same role.

Having Wilshere in there as an alternative might work because he's dynamic but I'm not convinced of his defensive ability. I think he needs to play alongside someone who's good at the defensive side of the game in order to truly thrive.

Someone like Coquelin might work, or even Frimpong. Not pure holding players, but tenacious, box-to-box players.

I have added a poll guys, Please vote

Want to see whats the general view

voted for No
simply dont want another change in midfield area after what has happened in last two summers
whoever that comes in cant play song role any better than him
we wont play with proper DM
no matter who is there
just what i think

We shouldn't tbh... but if we get Sahin on loan and one of M'Vila/Capoue or another defensive minded midfielder I'll be a happy man.

However can't agree with the fee that's being reported 13-15million pounds is a joke. Jack f*cking Rodwell was sold for 16million pounds. Song should be valued at 20million pounds atleast imo.

No, even though I believe a more disciplined DM could be useful, its just too late now. Song is established in our midfield and no point in disrupting it.

Our squad is stable atm despite the RVP situation, and we shouldnt be thinking about selling anyone except for the deadweights and RVP (if the offers good enough)

Don't think song is going but to be honst if we got m'villa, capoue inplace then would be fine...dnt knw sahin well or if his an out and out DM

song is quality for us though don't take tht away, in his last interview he seemed to say he wants to stay with us so seems its a contract thing but tbh if he goes its not the end of the world...

bloodless wrote:Don't think song is going but to be honst if we got m'villa, capoue inplace then would be fine...dnt knw sahin well or if his an out and out DM

song is quality for us though don't take tht away, in his last interview he seemed to say he wants to stay with us so seems its a contract thing but tbh if he goes its not the end of the world...

If we sell him and Bring Mvila and Sahin then it wouldn't be a bad deal. However i want stability so i want Song to stay. One of the main reason we don't win anything is because we lack stability as well choping and changing all the time doesn't help