Thread: jean makoun

i think we don't need him, we've got palacios that is better than makoun

at the world cup makoun played not that good

Makoun, anit they biscuits?

Reports in France say that we've made an approach for Makoun. Lyon have not rejected the move but have set his price at €10m. That seems to be a very reasonable deal to me

He'd certainly have a good chance. You say we have plenty in CM but I'm not so sure, particularly with Hudd out long-term. We have central-mids, but they're all very similar. All our midfielders are of the creative type &, with the exception of Wilson, we have no real swashbuckling, take no prisoners types & we have no one capable of any real discipline & playing a proper, DM role. Makoun can do that.

What's more, there is a leader in him. We aren't as desperate as we once were for leaders in our team, but they are mostly in our backline & we don't really have a midfielder who can grab us by the scruff of the neck and drag us back into a game or keep us hanging on in one.

I'm convinced that our inability to keep a clean sheet stems not from our defence now but from our midfield & our lack of any real experience in there or ay sort of cover for that backline. It was so evident in the Chelsea game - as exciting as it was to watch, when the ball came out of our defence we needed someone capable of dictating the pace better - putting their foot on the ball & getting everyone to take a couple deep breaths & gather themselves. Instead it was just frantic & it cost us ultimately.

Whether that person is Makoun it is difficult to say. He certainly has experience of big games and he certainly has many of the qualities to which I'm referring. However, I'm not positive he has really hit the heights his earlier career suggested (which is highlighted by the fact that Lyon are taking a €4m hit on him, despite selling him in his prime). He is still quality tho & we've all seen how a player can stagnate in 1 club, where his environment and those around him no longer suit him, only to move to pastures new and really burst out of his shell. I could see something similar happening with Makoun for sure.

Originally Posted by TheTouni

Now that Wilson is getting slowly back on track I`m not sure we should go for this one. Not a terrible deal, but I`d pass this one.

&, if we get Becks, that certainly takes care of the point I was making about our lack of real experience in the midfield, even if it is just till march

I'm really pleased for Wilson too btw. I always preferred that he regain some form than us look to replace him. I've got a lot of time for the lad but you obviously have to do what is right by the club at some stage tho. He has started to look his old self again recently & it is as if someone has just told him to try & keep it simple. Then again tho, he can still pull a great pass out the hat when he wants to, even if it is not his forté - that little reverse thru ball for Charlie to cut back was a beauty & caught out the whole Fulham defence

SS says that Villa are close to signing him. Harry?