richardviking wrote:Sky Sports News, not the website. Give it an hour.
I don't think he's a bad player, but not half the player Alonso is. And he's more of a vigilant defender, in the mould of Mascherano.
What are your thoughts on Lucas? Could he step up to the plate?
Of all the players we're being linked with, I'd prefer Steven Defour. But he is unproven.
Poulsen is just a hard man in the middle really. Not much ability and not very productive, could back Masch up well, but he'd be a step down from Sissoko, so I don't see why we should bother.
Lucas I'm mixed on, people give him some unnecessary stick for no real reason, other than Goodison away in't cup he's never let us down, and he's played in some pretty big games in his time here. I don't really think Rafa has given him a role he thrives off, he's at his best when he can break forward into the box and support the striker. When he's played for us he's just been asked to chase people down and win aerial battles. He's held his own at times, but coming straight from Brazil, it's not exactly what his game was all about back then.
However, I'd like to see him take up a bit more responsibility, to step forward and try and play decisive passes, to have a shot from distance and just try something different. He just seems a bit 'frightened' when he plays, as though he just wants to get on with his work and do as he's told, but I'd like to see him take things on.
I think he'll be given more responsibility this year, I just hope he takes it in his stride and rises to it.
