Traore could be available for just £20 million
- Thread starter Nosmo-King
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jonny_greenings_sock
Well-known member
I'm not sure I've seen a player with that raw level of close control, destructive pace and power.... ever. Juninho with the build of a light heavyweight boxer.
In some of those PL cameos for us, his highlight games for Wolves and of course in the Champo, he's the best dribbler at pace I think I've ever seen. I'd include Ronaldo in that. The Champo was ridiculously easy for him but what blows me away is how straightaway he was leaving top, top defenders looking like training cones.
Of course he's inconsistent, can't defend, hasn't got a final ball and I think coaching him to be a more normal player probably made him a better player, but takes away what's so unique about Adama. There's no point in trying to teach a guy to play possession football, short passes and defensive positioning when, like in that City game for us, you can just give him the ball and he'll beat six men. There's hardly anyone in world football who can do that, you're talking Messis and Neymars.
If he could create and score he'd be unstoppable. I'd say he has more natural talent than someone like Sadio Mane, but less than 5% of his football IQ. It was so much fun to watch a player here who has a few things about his game that are truly world class, even if he is as frustrating as they come. Remember when Karanka and Pulis would both have to make him swap wings at half time so they could keep yelling at him!
I'd love to see him at a big club but honestly I think he'd be best at a midtable club here or Spain where he can be the main man and just wreak havoc. There's probably too much tactical responsibility for him at big clubs, and it's a shame to see someone with those crazy, once in a lifetime gifts not be on the pitch all the time.
In some of those PL cameos for us, his highlight games for Wolves and of course in the Champo, he's the best dribbler at pace I think I've ever seen. I'd include Ronaldo in that. The Champo was ridiculously easy for him but what blows me away is how straightaway he was leaving top, top defenders looking like training cones.
Of course he's inconsistent, can't defend, hasn't got a final ball and I think coaching him to be a more normal player probably made him a better player, but takes away what's so unique about Adama. There's no point in trying to teach a guy to play possession football, short passes and defensive positioning when, like in that City game for us, you can just give him the ball and he'll beat six men. There's hardly anyone in world football who can do that, you're talking Messis and Neymars.
If he could create and score he'd be unstoppable. I'd say he has more natural talent than someone like Sadio Mane, but less than 5% of his football IQ. It was so much fun to watch a player here who has a few things about his game that are truly world class, even if he is as frustrating as they come. Remember when Karanka and Pulis would both have to make him swap wings at half time so they could keep yelling at him!
I'd love to see him at a big club but honestly I think he'd be best at a midtable club here or Spain where he can be the main man and just wreak havoc. There's probably too much tactical responsibility for him at big clubs, and it's a shame to see someone with those crazy, once in a lifetime gifts not be on the pitch all the time.
SilentProf
Well-known member
He’d never be a starter at a top class club but what an impact sub he could be if you need a late goal against a tiring defence. His delivery has been proven to be very underrated I think when he takes the time to do it properly instead of just firing it in. Just tell him to get to the byline and pick a man to pass or cross to.
Johnnyweetabix
Well-known member
Agree I imagine he is a managers nightmare dilemma . Fast and strong but delivery and end product is really patchy . Can’t ever see a top side buying him . He is mid to lower premier league in my opinion
Traore has never played in a team with a really good midfielder who could thread a pass through a defence for him to run onto. As a centre forward he'd be brilliant against a defence holding a high line.
As it is - and was at Boro - all he gets are balls to his feet in deep positions or hopeful hail marys that he has to retrieve at the touchline.
He'd be great at Man City but they won't buy him because all he offers is incredible pace and the clock is ticking on that. He's almost 26, by the time he's 30 he'll be losing it.
As it is - and was at Boro - all he gets are balls to his feet in deep positions or hopeful hail marys that he has to retrieve at the touchline.
He'd be great at Man City but they won't buy him because all he offers is incredible pace and the clock is ticking on that. He's almost 26, by the time he's 30 he'll be losing it.
festa5
Well-known member
He's probably the best dribbler in the world. His stats certainly suggest as much.
As others have said it's his tactical awareness that's the issue. The top clubs, the top coaches use increasingly complicated systems and tactics and it needs the entire 11 to do their job. The days of being able to accommodate a maverick are over at the elite level.
We're seeing it a bit with Ronaldo at Man Utd. He still offers a lot, but his age and limits on his ability to press for 90 mins means picking him leaves the manager with a tactical dilemma.
Traore will always interest top sides because what he has to offer, pretty much no other player on the planet has. I imagine it's tempting, but it's a massive double edged sword. Can you accommodate him without too much detriment to the rest of the team? And is any detriment outweighed by the positives he has? Suspect that'll always be the dilemma for coaches throughout his career.
It's almost counter intuitive but more basic, no frills coaches like Pulis and Warnock are probably better fits for him precisely because they don't rely on more complicated systems and tactics. Thing is coaches like that tend not to be managing at that level.
As others have said it's his tactical awareness that's the issue. The top clubs, the top coaches use increasingly complicated systems and tactics and it needs the entire 11 to do their job. The days of being able to accommodate a maverick are over at the elite level.
We're seeing it a bit with Ronaldo at Man Utd. He still offers a lot, but his age and limits on his ability to press for 90 mins means picking him leaves the manager with a tactical dilemma.
Traore will always interest top sides because what he has to offer, pretty much no other player on the planet has. I imagine it's tempting, but it's a massive double edged sword. Can you accommodate him without too much detriment to the rest of the team? And is any detriment outweighed by the positives he has? Suspect that'll always be the dilemma for coaches throughout his career.
It's almost counter intuitive but more basic, no frills coaches like Pulis and Warnock are probably better fits for him precisely because they don't rely on more complicated systems and tactics. Thing is coaches like that tend not to be managing at that level.
red_harrington
Well-known member
As has been said, if he's in your team will the pros outweigh the cons?
In other words, will you score more goals with him in your team through his attacking ability, than concede through his lack of tactical nous?
It's a gamble. To make the gamble work, you'd need a top class CF to get on the end of his crosses, and a top class midfield to mop up the gaps & errors.
I very much doubt that the top teams would make such a gamble. As such, and I say this with regret, he is destined to continue his career with mid or lower table teams.
In other words, will you score more goals with him in your team through his attacking ability, than concede through his lack of tactical nous?
It's a gamble. To make the gamble work, you'd need a top class CF to get on the end of his crosses, and a top class midfield to mop up the gaps & errors.
I very much doubt that the top teams would make such a gamble. As such, and I say this with regret, he is destined to continue his career with mid or lower table teams.
