(Is it time to get rid of) Zlatan Ibrahimovic

[Beadling Boy]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

Okay. Thanks for the feedback.

[Valeron]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

why? He's still in the top 5 scoring strikers in the game, even allowing for missing 1 match, 5 yellows and generally outrageously bad luck. He will score heavily this season.

[Mav3rick]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

why? He's still in the top 5 scoring strikers in the game, even allowing for missing 1 match, 5 yellows and generally outrageously bad luck. He will score heavily this season.

I agree, I think I might get him in for Aguero over Christmas

[Beadling Boy]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

why? He's still in the top 5 scoring strikers in the game, even allowing for missing 1 match, 5 yellows and generally outrageously bad luck. He will score heavily this season.

Good point. Ibra's scored three times in the past 2 matches he's played. OTOH, Lukaku has 0 goals, 0 assists in the past couple of games.

[Bolt]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

why? He's still in the top 5 scoring strikers in the game, even allowing for missing 1 match, 5 yellows and generally outrageously bad luck. He will score heavily this season.

Good point. Ibra's scored three times in the past 2 matches he's played. OTOH, Lukaku has 0 goals, 0 assists in the past couple of games.

He's still rubbish. Couldn't finish if he was the star of a porn movie.

[Beadling Boy]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

why? He's still in the top 5 scoring strikers in the game, even allowing for missing 1 match, 5 yellows and generally outrageously bad luck. He will score heavily this season.

Good point. Ibra's scored three times in the past 2 matches he's played. OTOH, Lukaku has 0 goals, 0 assists in the past couple of games.

He's still rubbish. Couldn't finish if he was the star of a porn movie.

That joke doesn't work so well when the player you're talking about has scored 5 goals in his last 3 games.

[Bolt]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

why? He's still in the top 5 scoring strikers in the game, even allowing for missing 1 match, 5 yellows and generally outrageously bad luck. He will score heavily this season.

Good point. Ibra's scored three times in the past 2 matches he's played. OTOH, Lukaku has 0 goals, 0 assists in the past couple of games.

He's still rubbish. Couldn't finish if he was the star of a porn movie.

That joke doesn't work so well when the player you're talking about has scored 5 goals in his last 3 games.

Perhaps, but it also references the fact that he's missed about 50 chances in his last 3 games.

if you're so set on him, then get on with it and transfer him in.

[Gambit]

for those still with him I certainly wouldn't get rid, he's looked good in the last few games and more importantly United have looked to be creating a lot of chances (from what I have seen).

Ibra has missed chances, true, but the main thing for any striker (real life or fantasy football) is that you are getting chances, if the striker has quality, which he does, then the goals will come.

Everton (a) isn't the worst fixture at the moment and once they get passed the Spurs game next week, United have a run of fixtures as good as anybody. If this run coincides with Martial recovering his form and Mkhitaryan finally showing his class then Ibra could score heavily.

Not sure how many top teams still have him but with players like Kane and Costa proving very popular he could almost be a heavyweight differential.

[Beadling Boy]

Is Ibra a good trade for Lukaku?

Ibra is not a good trade for anyone.

why? He's still in the top 5 scoring strikers in the game, even allowing for missing 1 match, 5 yellows and generally outrageously bad luck. He will score heavily this season.

Good point. Ibra's scored three times in the past 2 matches he's played. OTOH, Lukaku has 0 goals, 0 assists in the past couple of games.

He's still rubbish. Couldn't finish if he was the star of a porn movie.

That joke doesn't work so well when the player you're talking about has scored 5 goals in his last 3 games.

Perhaps, but it also references the fact that he's missed about 50 chances in his last 3 games.

if you're so set on him, then get on with it and transfer him in.

As long as he's consistently scoring goals, like in his last 3 matches, it doesn't matter how many chances he misses, right?

I already transferred him in - He helped me score 72 points last GW - no need to tell me to it. It's clear you dislike him very much, despite his output.

[Weisenwolf]

This question was originally asked on 4th November when he was blanking and plunging in value. The answer at that point may well be different to the answer now.

[Valeron]

Bolt - what big chance did he miss though? 1 against Burnley for sure. Apart from that he came up against some inspired keepers and basically had no breaks for a few matches. Similar to the run Suarez had when he first joined Liverpool and the likes of you were writing him off as a guy who couldnn't handle the mighty EPL etc.

A few matches when nothing goes his way is a better indicator than an outstanding 15-odd year career? Stupid.

[Bolt]

It's clear you dislike him very much, despite his output.

Clear as mud

I'm a United fan. I don't actually dislike him, as such, but he frustrates the hell out of me and he'd be a damn site higher on my Christmas Card list if his missed chances hadn't cost us about 10 points already this season

[Bolt]

Bolt - what big chance did he miss though?.

You need to go through the highlights of the Stoke, Burnley and West Ham league games to count them. be prepared though, have a calculator rather than just an abacus.

A few matches when nothing goes his way is a better indicator than an outstanding 15-odd year career? Stupid.

Or perhaps what is stupid is failing to acknowledge the possible effects of him getting older and moving to a league more competitive than any he's played in in some years?

Ya think??

[Carlos Kickaball]

A few matches when nothing goes his way is a better indicator than an outstanding 15-odd year career? Stupid.

By that are you referring to a 15 year career where he spent most of it playing in dominant teams, none of it in the Premier League, and the last 4 in a much weaker league?

Since Zlatan's left PSG, Balotelli has scored 6 in 6, and Cavani has 14 in 13, and Falcao has scored 5 in 7, must be such a tough league to score goals in.

He's in his mid thirties, playing for a team struggling to get in the Champions League places, in a league he's never played in before, and in FPL he's been priced as a super premium. It's not ludicrous that people think he could do well in the Premier League, but it's surprising that people think he's worth it at over 11m! Zlatan as already scored 7 in 12, which is pretty good, but as a 11m+ FPL pick he's really got to be outscoring more of the other premium players.

[Valeron]

Bolt - think you need to separate bad misses from top saves by keepers etc. Just as smart people did when Suarez went through a similar run.

Carlos - i'm not a United fan by any means but don't you think Ibra and United have been on the wrong end of most of the breaks. I agree with Mourinho that they deserve to be on a lot more points. I personally think Ibra and United will perform score just as well as Sanchez/Arsenal, Costa/Chelsea and Kane/Spurs for the rest of the season. Zlatan's PPG is pretty good considering the yellow cards and general undoubted bad luck.

[Beadling Boy]

It's clear you dislike him very much, despite his output.

Clear as mud

I'm a United fan. I don't actually dislike him, as such, but he frustrates the hell out of me and he'd be a damn site higher on my Christmas Card list if his missed chances hadn't cost us about 10 points already this season

Okay - I better understand your previous comments. If I were a ManU fan, I'd also be frustrated with Ibra's many, many misses.

[Carlos Kickaball]

Carlos - i'm not a United fan by any means but don't you think Ibra and United have been on the wrong end of most of the breaks. I agree with Mourinho that they deserve to be on a lot more points. I personally think Ibra and United will perform score just as well as Sanchez/Arsenal, Costa/Chelsea and Kane/Spurs for the rest of the season. Zlatan's PPG is pretty good considering the yellow cards and general undoubted bad luck.

That all seems fair.

Personally I think I'm a little less sympathetic towards Zlatan in terms of how much luck he has had, and would not select him if I thought he was merely going to score the same as other slightly cheaper strikers like Kane and Costa.

[Finisher1]

It's not ludicrous that people think he could do well in the Premier League, but it's surprising that people think he's worth it at over 11m!

What a great concession to admit the opponent is not ludicrous

"You are not ludicrous, I give you that"

[Bergkamp_22]

A few matches when nothing goes his way is a better indicator than an outstanding 15-odd year career? Stupid.

By that are you referring to a 15 year career where he spent most of it playing in dominant teams, none of it in the Premier League, and the last 4 in a much weaker league?

Since Zlatan's left PSG, Balotelli has scored 6 in 6, and Cavani has 14 in 13, and Falcao has scored 5 in 7, must be such a tough league to score goals in.

Stuff like this is very short sighted CK, with all due respect i think this is your pure fantasyfootball mind talking.

For me, it comes down to talent, primarily i judge technically, then consistency and physical aspects can come in thereafter.
Zlatan's technical ability is unprecedented, any questioning that and i'd say you or anyone doesn't understand football. His goal record then speaks for itself.

It's hardly just Zlatan struggling in this Utd team, personally i believe the issue is more on the managerial side which i can't be bothered to go too deep into, but Jose is a different man from 2010 onwards. Losing his motivation skills a bit for me, a lot more serious and less of a balanced person as a result.

Now regarding what you said, how about..
Oh, Kane was top goal scorer in the PL last year but he couldn't hit a barn door at the Euro's when the going got tough
Vardy? One season wonder, PL must be a joke if players like him can score as many as he did

Way more to it than sees the eye, and also all of the players you mentioned do have talent, although have wasted it or gone past their peak.
Finally, he has had an outstanding career. All those dominant teams you spoke of? He was there on merit. Star of Inter, star of Milan, and yes, PSG. Ok, Barca schoolboy ethics and it didn't work with Pep. But honestly, this obsession with the PL being all so tough does my head in. How many clubs from PL have won the CL since 2009? Once, by fluke. And our league is the best? Lol.

[FP1990]

I don't think a team winning the champs league proves or disproves that their league is the best.

As a whole the premier league has more strength in depth and is more exciting than any other.

[gallus]

So is Ibra now the first choice for Aguero replacement? They do have Spurs next but after that they have great fixtures for 5 weeks.

[The Real Slim Shady]

[Bob Newhart]

So is Ibra now the first choice for Aguero replacement?

First choice? hell no, unless you already have Kane and Costa. Probably not even then.

They do have Spurs next but after that they have great fixtures for 5 weeks.

More opportunities for United to create chances for him to miss, hence raising the blood pressure of his owners. Been there, done that, have the t-shirt.

[Carlos Kickaball]

All those dominant teams you spoke of? He was there on merit.

And now at 34 he's at a Europa League team that are unlikely to challenge for the title. On merit.

A few matches when nothing goes his way is a better indicator than an outstanding 15-odd year career? Stupid.

By that are you referring to a 15 year career where he spent most of it playing in dominant teams, none of it in the Premier League, and the last 4 in a much weaker league?

Since Zlatan's left PSG, Balotelli has scored 6 in 6, and Cavani has 14 in 13, and Falcao has scored 5 in 7, must be such a tough league to score goals in.

Stuff like this is very short sighted CK, with all due respect i think this is your pure fantasyfootball mind talking.

For me, it comes down to talent, primarily i judge technically, then consistency and physical aspects can come in thereafter.
Zlatan's technical ability is unprecedented, any questioning that and i'd say you or anyone doesn't understand football. His goal record then speaks for itself.

You seem to just dismiss points about, the EPL being a new league for Zlatan, Ligue 1 being easier than the PL, and PSG being more dominant than United. In fact you don't just ignore those concerns, you imply that anyone who makes them somehow doesn't understand football.

Now regarding what you said, how about..
Oh, Kane was top goal scorer in the PL last year but he couldn't hit a barn door at the Euro's when the going got tough
Vardy? One season wonder, PL must be a joke if players like him can score as many as he did

You could also do a lot better than criticising me for saying that Kane had a bad Euros, or that Jamie Vardy is a one season wonder, I may not rate Vardy and have been slow to cotton on to Kane, but they don't seem that contentious. I've been around long enough to have been much more wrong about things than that.

Points about Zlatan's price, age, lacks of PL experience, and the relative difficulty of playing for United (which you seem to acknowledge yourself) shouldn't just be ignored. Even as someone who's not that interested in bringing him in I can appreciate his ability as a player.

It's not ludicrous that people think he could do well in the Premier League, but it's surprising that people think he's worth it at over 11m!

What a great concession to admit the opponent is not ludicrous

"You are not ludicrous, I give you that"

It's a concession I can't always give.

[Bergkamp_22]

And now at 34 he's at a Europa League team that are unlikely to challenge for the title. On merit.

Sure, entirely his merit that they're a Europa league side this season.

You seem to just dismiss points about, the EPL being a new league for Zlatan, Ligue 1 being easier than the PL, and PSG being more dominant than United. In fact you don't just ignore those concerns, you imply that anyone who makes them somehow doesn't understand football.

You keep referring to Ligue 1 like it's the only league he's played in, he's played in better leagues and that's why it wears thin with me. Let alone the fact the PL (perhaps however, up until this season with the introduction of a better overall standard of managers), is incredibly overrated. I don't care if he's new to the league or not, it's completely overstated and letting Fantasy terms influence yourself.

You were comparing Zlatan with the likes of Balotelli, Falcao and Cavani. Of which, he is in an entirely different league. And indeed, if you don't think so you surely do not understand football so don't attempt to change or rather sidestep the point i was making.

You could also do a lot better than criticising me for saying that Kane had a bad Euros, or that Jamie Vardy is a one season wonder, I may not rate Vardy and have been slow to cotton on to Kane, but they don't seem that contentious. I've been around long enough to have been much more wrong about things than that.

Again CK, i was not criticising. Hell, before my whole post i stated with all due respect because i anticipated (as i've seen you reply to others, losing count of how many times) you may take it personally should somebody oppose your opinion. Those examples were purely for the sake of it, i had no idea on your views over Kane or Vardy.

Points about Zlatan's price, age, lacks of PL experience, and the relative difficulty of playing for United (which you seem to acknowledge yourself) shouldn't just be ignored. Even as someone who's not that interested in bringing him in I can appreciate his ability as a player.

For me personally he is a rarity where he has aged indeed like a fine wine. Physically he's in ridiculous condition. Lack of PL experience as stated doesn't go so far with me. But overall i understand, this is all my personal opinion. For the record, he's not even in my team. So don't think you're up against an #1 fan of his. I just feel overwhelmingly you are way too critical over him and attacking his apparent, supposed, obvious weak points (age, "no PL experience").

If Messi arrives one day, i hope he can "adapt"

[Paulista]

Having found some form again, and with those fixtures, it has to be time to consider him again? Or are the masses still not convinced?

[Mav3rick]

I really considered him for the upcoming fixture run, but actually that little bit of extra cost over Costa & Kane causes me issues in my defence, and it's not even clear that Ibra is a better bet than Costa (although the stats do suggest he is, the way that Mourinho seems to try to shut up shop worries me).

I wouldn't blame anyone for picking him, but for now, he's not for me.

[Turd Ferguson]

I'm considering bringing in Ibra for Kane in GW18. Kane's fixtures toughen up a little and I'd captain Ibra at home vs Sunderland. Mourinho has been complaining too much about luck, but I do agree with him that their performances have been better than their results. Pogba and Mkhitaryan are starting to look more settled, and I think that means United are on the cusp of superior form.

[Bob Newhart]

I think that means United are on the cusp of superior form.

We seem to have been on that cusp for most of the season, yet it never seems to happen

[Turd Ferguson]

I think that means United are on the cusp of superior form.

We seem to have been on that cusp for most of the season, yet it never seems to happen

I think that's the essence of FPL. The general strategy is to jump from bandwagon to bandwagon. Of course, that means that we tend to jump on a week or two late, because we wait to see a player score a few goals. Then we stay on a few weeks too long, because it isn't until after a few blanks that we consider the player "out of form."

The next level is if we can find a way to consistently predict the next bandwagon and the end of the current ones. I don't know if we have sufficiently good statistics to do that (or if we ever will), but I think in this specific case United are as good a bet as any to hit form in the Christmas period and Ibra is the center of their attack.