Manolas - Napoli

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  • #16
    The owner of Napoli had this to say of Manolas:

    “We’ve been working on Manolas since Albiol announced his desire to leave Naples. He has given us a lot, but is of a certain age. We could try to convince him to stay, but the truth is he'd be doing us a favour if he left.

    "With Manolas, however, there are issues with his character. Sometimes he throws tantrums: we need our players to be very calm.

    “Roma are another problem because they’ve changed their sporting direction. We’re checking to see if we can sign him at a fair and reasonable price.

    “Manolas is already at a certain age and can’t be resold. He’s fine by me, but we mustn’t waste money: he has a big salary.

    “When we demand fair and reasonable prices for our players, people say they’re exaggerated.

    “With all due respect for Manolas, he’s worth far less than €36m. Some presidents want valuable players from me for half of what I paid for them.

    “On the market there are those who are more capable and take more because there’s despair on the other side.
    Also, Capello talked Manolas up as "Chiellini's heir," but then added that it would be better for Juventus to invest in an Italian instead.

    So where does everything stand? There's no question Roma are hoping to offload him as they look to rebuild. Apparently they hope to raise 45 millions euros by the end of the month. If that's the case, then we will likely see Manolas sold by then. Roma have so far held firm on demanding that Manolas only be released at the fee agreed in his contract clause, but with this fee set at 36 millions euros and given Manolas' own personal terms having been allegedly set at 4 million euros before taxes, something will need to give.

    There's is talk that Milan might end up paying exactly or almost exactly what Roma and Manolas have asked. This is because Milan already risk a ban from Europe come the 2022 or 2023 season and it's unclear how they will deal with it since they are asking UEFA for more time to break even. They're still in talks with UEFA and are said to be asking for a ban in the Europa League this upcoming season. If UEFA declines to provide them more time and disregards their offer to face a ban in the Europa League next season, then Milan will be unable to avoid a potential ban in the Champions League, should they qualify by 2022 or 2023. This means Milan might splurge a little more before making a renewed effort to break even, which opens the door for them to spend a little more on Manolas.

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    • #17
      Love how you always so in tune with the Italian news.

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      • #18
        According to reports Manolas could be moving to Napoli very soon. It’s only just a matter of days before he signs with them.

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        • #19
          I'm surprised Napoli agreed to trade Manolas for 16 million euros plus Diawara, at least that's what it looks like will seal the deal. I'm mainly surprised that Roma would agree to sell to a rival. Now Napoli will likely have Koulibaly and Manolas, that's as a fearsome as any defense can get.

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          • #20
            https://www.sportime.gr/bloggers/age...o-mino-raiola/

            This goes into some detail about how Manolas ended up at Napoli. Ancelotti ultimately convinced Manolas of the move. Raiola, Manolas' agent, tried to engineer a move for Manolas to PSG once a deal for De Ligt fell through to Juventus instead.

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            • #21
              As a Roma fan.., gutted

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              • #22
                We kept hearing man u, juventus, even real. For the most part, you're not going to those clubs if your technique on the ball is worrisome to the point that the opposition begins pressing you because they know, you will most likely sky the ball forward and give them back the ball.

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                • #23
                  I think teams of that level want a defender with an exceptional passing game, but by no means is Manolas' technique bad. He manages a ~87% pass completion rate and he averages about 40 passes a game. Those aren't hugely impressive numbers (Van Dijk hits ~90% on about 90 passes), but they're not bad either. I don't know where you get the impression he crumbles under pressure. He has good individual skill on the ball and a decent passing game--he's very cool under pressure:



                  If there is a major flaw in Manolas' game it's that he mopes and loses concentration at times. I do think he's a player better suited to less ambitious clubs. Arsenal is a good fit for him as was Roma. United are in similar shape to Arsenal now, but obviously a more ambitious club (for now). For him to play at Real or Juventus isn't necessarily out of reach, but he wouldn't be guaranteed a first team place. He'd be like Benatia at Juventus.

                  Napoli are the second strongest team in Italy. They beat Liverpool in the UCL last season. It's not a bad move, but a move to Arsenal or United for him would have been better.

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                  • #24
                    Well said Don

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                    • #25
                      I agree well said Don. I think Manolas is a better defender and overall player than Sokratis now. I admire Sokratis toughness and bravery as a player but Manolas has the edge on him based on his speed and height. Both are strong and fast. Manolas very rarely gives fouls away and he is really good in 1v1. That’s why it wasn’t like him to let Insigne score the way he did. Sokratis gives fouls away more and that’s where his issue is. I personally like both as they are the perfect duo in my opinion. In terms of passing I think they are both level. Manolas is calm under pressure and can use his speed to recover. His concentration is an issue at times but he is still very reliable.

                      I think we can say Manolas is our most expensive and most valuable Greek player ever.

                      To me if Kyriakos Papadopoulos was fit most of the time I believe he would’ve surpassed both today. It’s a shame his career has been what it is because of injury. His fearlessness and power are tremendous. Also able to score goals. He is more tougher and a fighter than Sokratis and is decent in the ball. His only problem was that he is a hot head and takes things too far. All 3 would be perfect in a 3 CB formation.

                      https://youtu.be/4dGIEOZhyac
                      Last edited by Dean97; 07-03-2019, 02:17 AM.

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                      • #26
                        Sokratis is a tougher and more cynical defender. He's also more of a leader and more level-headed. The problem he has now is his acceleration isn't what it used to be. He's still very fast, but he's slow out of the gate. On the ball, his passes are pretty simple: he's at the cusp of the 90% rate out of about 55 passes per game. If he were better at his long balls, he'd probably see more of the ball. He puts up better numbers than Manolas, but Sokratis doesn't play with as much individual skill. Sokratis is more the no-nonsense type. He used to be great getting forward out of defense, much like Godin or Hummels, but these days he's a pure hard man who keeps things simple on the ball.

                        Kyriakos was Cannavaro times two. And he was the best passer of the ball between all the Greek defenders. I think part of the reason why he struggles with knee injuries was because of his passing technique. He really opens up the instep of his foot (leg), to an unnatural degree, when he made passes. He's a bit of hot head. I hope he can salvage his career yet. He's been playing in the preseason for Hamburg, so let's see what happens. It's been a rough six years for him.

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by Don Giovanni View Post
                          Sokratis is a tougher and more cynical defender. He's also more of a leader and more level-headed. The problem he has now is his acceleration isn't what it used to be. He's still very fast, but he's slow out of the gate. On the ball, his passes are pretty simple: he's at the cusp of the 90% rate out of about 55 passes per game. If he were better at his long balls, he'd probably see more of the ball. He puts up better numbers than Manolas, but Sokratis doesn't play with as much individual skill. Sokratis is more the no-nonsense type. He used to be great getting forward out of defense, much like Godin or Hummels, but these days he's a pure hard man who keeps things simple on the ball.

                          Kyriakos was Cannavaro times two. And he was the best passer of the ball between all the Greek defenders. I think part of the reason why he struggles with knee injuries was because of his passing technique. He really opens up the instep of his foot (leg), to an unnatural degree, when he made passes. He's a bit of hot head. I hope he can salvage his career yet. He's been playing in the preseason for Hamburg, so let's see what happens. It's been a rough six years for him.
                          Great post.

                          I have to agree with everything you said. If Kyriakos and Retsos can stay injury free this season which I hope to God happens, then Greece can start winning games with them added at the back. Kyriakos can go RB and Retsos LB if need be. We will be much safer like this at the back. Both are good when they get forward too. A bit off topic I know haha.
                          Last edited by Dean97; 07-03-2019, 07:42 AM.

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                          • #28
                            I don't know how we'll line-up or if we can field all these players (probably not), but at least we have options and should someone get injured or suspended, there's no huge downgrade in quality. We're looking strong at center-back, a lot stronger than at full/wing-back.

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                            • #29
                              Come on Dean, we can’t put Kyrgiakos as RB and Retsos LB just for the sake of it.

                              I don’t think KPaps will ever really recover from his injuries tbh, Retsos, needs to recover also

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                              • #30
                                Originally posted by Amorgos View Post
                                Come on Dean, we can’t put Kyrgiakos as RB and Retsos LB just for the sake of it.

                                I don’t think KPaps will ever really recover from his injuries tbh, Retsos, needs to recover also
                                That’s true Amorgo that’s why I said if healthy. Retsos can play RB or LB. We haven’t got anyone good enough at RB yet and if Kyriakos is healthy he could fill in there if we want to be secure at the back. He’s played there once and did well. Just a thought. Something similar to what Don suggested with securing our defence since our fullbacks are not up to standards defensively.

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