Scout Report – Michu
Filed under: Scout Reports - Posted by: Paul
Michael Laudrup’s third foray into the summer transfer market since becoming manager of Swansea has seen the Spanish attacking midfielder Michu arrive for a deal in the region of £2m. The 26-year-old – whose full name is Miguel Perez Cuesta – joins up at the Liberty Stadium on a three-year contract from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, after his goalscoring exploits helped the Spanish side narrowly avoid relegation by a mere two points last season:
The move for Michu continues Laudrup’s policy of plundering talents that have previously caught his eye in Spain’s top-flight, with fellow new boys Jonathan De Guzman and Chico both having featured under the Dane in La Liga. Similar to De Guzman and Chico, Michu admits the allure of playing for Laudrup was simply too good an opportunity to miss:
I’m very happy. I had other offers, but I really wanted to come to Swansea because of the coach, the style of play and the Premier League. I’ve always followed the Premier League from Spain and I watched a lot of Swansea games last season. They played good football and I liked their style. I also know how Michael Laudrup’s teams play, so I’m looking forward to being part of that.
The Statistics
Michu began his career in the lower leagues in Spain where, as a 16-year-old, he debuted for Real Oviedo. Over the course of four campaigns, he notched 13 times in 100 appearances before being snapped up by Celta Vigo in 2007-08. Initially, he featured in the club’s “B” team but a tally of 10 goals from 28 games saw him end the campaign in the first-team at the second division side.
A modest 15 goals in 103 appearances over the next three seasons were unable to help his side win promotion to La Liga – a missed spot-kick in the 2010/11 promotion play-off against Granada proved costly as his side slipped to defeat 5-4 on penalties. Michu’s chance of playing in the Spanish top-flight was not to be denied, though; Rayo Vallecano came calling last summer after his contract with Celta expired and snapped him up on a Bosman.
Handed a role in “the hole” in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Michu was a sensation in his one and only season in La Liga. Despite their lowly league position, Vallecano racked up 53 goals – only six less than third placed Valencia – and their attacking approach helped Michu return 15 goals and three assists, making him the top scoring midfielder in Spain’s top division last time round.
The Prospects
Initially, many had expected De Guzman to slot into the attacking midfield position vacated by Gylfi Sigurdsson but Laudrup perhaps hinted at an alternative slot upon the player’s arrival when he stated the Dutch international could play in “anywhere in midfield”.
Michu, on the other hand, is a far more direct type of player and seems to be in the driving seat for the central role behind a lone striker as Laudrup goes about rebuilding his squad in light of Brendan Rodgers’ departure. Although his ability to create opportunities for others isn’t quite up to Sigurdsson’s level, Michu is likely to offer a substantial goal threat for the Swans; standing 6 foot 1, he’s good in the air as well as on the ground and his strong work-ethic should also stand the Spaniard in good stead as he adjusts to the rigours of the Premier League.
With both player and manager experiencing the English top-flight for the first time, there’s some trepidation as to how quickly the Welsh club will settle under Laudrup but the Dane has already spelled out his intention to maintain the same shape and style of play from last term, suggesting the transition could well be seamless. Already, Michu is garnering plenty of attention, despite the fact he has yet to be added to the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game; bearing in mind that De Guzman came in at 6.0, a similar cost looks on the cards, though. The Spaniard has been handed a 5.5 valuation in the Sky Sports game, offering us a viable mid-price Fantasy contender for the season ahead.
Casting an eye over the fixture list, Swansea have been afforded one of the kindest opening schedules of any side. Over the first eight Gameweeks, they play at home five times – with (WHM, SUN, EVE, RDG, WIG) all visiting the Liberty Stadium, in addition to trips to QPR, Villa and Stoke, some level of investment in Laudrup’s troops seems a sensible tactic. If Michu can settle quickly and replicate his Vallecano form, Swansea – and Fantasy managers – may well have found their Sigurdsson replacement for the season ahead.
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paul
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July 23 at 9:39 pm
cag6117 says:
Who is starting with Tevez in their teams? I am tempted to stay away initially but leave myself enough money to get him in if he starts/does well in the first two games.
July 23 at 9:41 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Could some1 state the 100% defenders that are starters for Southampton?
July 23 at 9:44 pm
Who needs Mourinho - We've got our physio. says:
Fonte Hooiveld are 100%. Other than that, nobody is 100%.
I am an avid Saints fan, I would put my money on Clyne starting along with Fox. 90% of the time Fox starts. Clyne is new so a bit of a wildcard, he is very talented but as he is young I would rate him at 70% to start. If not him, it should be Richardson or Butterfield.
If you are looking for who to have as a cheapo in defence, Hooiveld is an absolute goal machine and will score goals this season but Fonte the season before last was also pretty prolific so if you want to save the extra cash go for Fonte. (I have Fonte if it reassures you
)
July 23 at 9:47 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Mate u are a life saver
I brought in Fonte but i began to question if I should get Clyne or stick with Fonte…
A huge applaud for u Sir
July 23 at 9:48 pm
Who needs Mourinho - We've got our physio. says:
No worries buddy, good luck for the season ahead
July 23 at 9:52 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Same for you
Check out this team
Migno-Foster
Fonte-Shawcross-Hangeland-Ferdinand-Demel
Bale-Hazard-Noble-Marin-Larsson
Aguero-Bent-Jelavic
Ur opinion?
I got 1.5 in the bank to swap Marin for Kagawa
Would u prefer this or a shuffle in forwards for a Rooney-Aguero-Petric combo?
July 23 at 9:55 pm
jkisthe1 -Waiting to find out the price of Michu says:
That defence is way to cheap IMO. I’d want at least 1 big hitting defender and i don’t think Brede qualifies. ShawX certainly doesn’t with his opening fixtures (I have Bego but am hoping for saves to make up for it)
July 23 at 9:57 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
That bad mate ? :/
What would u advise me?
And thanks for dishing out the hard truth no1 else has told me that my defense need help…
July 23 at 10:03 pm
Who needs Mourinho - We've got our physio. says:
I would think about replacing Shawcross with a big hitter. What about one of the Chelsea defenders, capitalise on a double gameweek and easily transferrable for city or united defenders after.
Marin is a good differential but I’d be tempted not to put all your eggs in one basket, i.e be wary of two chelsea midfielders gameweek 1 as gameweek 3 they aren’t playing so you are basically tied in to using your free transfer for both gameweeks on replacing them/ensuring you have a strong team out for gameweek 3.
Have you thought about maybe VDV, siggurdson or Bale for some tottenham coverage?
July 23 at 10:10 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
As i wrote before i am aiming to lose Marin and add Kagawa
But now that our friend mentioned, in addition to u, losing Marin and adding a big defender seems legit…
But whom should i bring in as a 7.0 mfder?
In defense i’m thinking Clichy…
Any thoughts?
July 23 at 10:12 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Or Ashley Cole…
July 23 at 9:48 pm
PigeonIslandFC says:
What do you think of Lallana’s FPL potential? He was in my initial team but fixtures and a deeper pre-season role has put me off.
Also do you not think that you will sign another centre back? If so which of the 2 centre backs would b most under threat?
July 23 at 9:54 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Personnaly i also had this problem :/
Wanted to go for him at the beginning of the season but i need for the Saints to have a kind schedule for him to convince me even more…
Still Lambert in mid-season seems nice during their more “convenient” schedule
July 23 at 9:58 pm
Who needs Mourinho - We've got our physio. says:
Lallana I am personally of the opinion he is hugely underrated, without being biased. He has had a deeper pre-season role in my opinion a) to avoid injury but mainly to accommodate the youth that Adkins has been playing, I.e Ward-Prowse.
I think if you look totally objectively his price tag puts people off as for 1mil less you can get Noble, but as far as assists and goals and chances created Lallana is by far the best prospect from the newly promoted teams and better than a very large segment of the same priced players available. He will play 90 minutes in every game unless they are 4-0 up which I can’t see happening all too often, and is the heart of the Saints team.
In brief, he is a great differential, as practically nobody has selected him so far.
If you aren’t sure then maybe wait till our first 4 GWs are over, since we’ve got United City and Arsenal in the first 4 games. I personally have picked up and aim to play him vs Wigan (H) and United (H) the week after. St Mary’s is a fortress and went unbeaten in 2011.
Regarding the central defenders, I think if we do get another centre back it will be a young centre back with potential but who is not totally developed yet, hence won’t threaten either Hooiveld or Fonte. To get a better CB than the two we have would require minimum £5mil investment and since we’ve already spent relatively big for a newly promoted team I can’t see it.
However should you be right and they get a new centre back, I’d have to say Fonte would probably be first to go but by the tiniest margin ever as for me they are equal apart from Hooiveld has been more prolific in front of goal recently.
July 23 at 10:16 pm
PigeonIslandFC says:
Thanks. That’s really insightful. You might well have convinced me to make the following transfers.
Sinclair & Noble -> Michu & Lallana
I will also look at Fonte vs Mariappa. I guess you think Fonte is a better bet?
July 23 at 10:21 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Mariappa is more of a gamble cz no1 knows who are the CB that are gonna start each game for Reading
On the other hand Southampton’s home for is great so I’d say Fonte all the way
July 23 at 10:24 pm
PigeonIslandFC says:
You have sold it to me.
July 24 at 10:54 am
EdenoftheEast says:
when will michu join the fantasy league??
July 24 at 9:34 pm
Who needs Mourinho - We've got our physio. says:
Glad I could help mate, hope it pays off for you. Fonte is a sure fire starter whereas Mariappa is a gamble so depends on how your team is shaping up at the moment – i.e if you are gambling on quite a few players already perhaps it’s best to go for Fonte, if not Mariappa might just pay off.
July 23 at 9:41 pm
PigeonIslandFC says:
Boredom kicked in and I decided to put together a team with less than 5% ownership. Surprised how potentially good it is.
Given Schwarzer
Taylor Huth Kaboul Agger Mariappa
Sigurdsson Lampard Nasri McClean Pienaar
Tevez Bent D Cisse
July 23 at 9:45 pm
SMOOTH says:
which back 7 looks better
A. DDG Begovic
clichy ivanovic cuellar demel fonte
B. Jussi Begovic
Clichy ivanovic hangeland collocini fonte
C. or any other in this budget
July 23 at 9:48 pm
Who needs Mourinho - We've got our physio. says:
B for me.
July 23 at 9:49 pm
Title20 says:
RMT
Krul, Green
Lescott, simpson, ferdinand, ivanovic, tierney
Sinclair, Noble, Maloney, Hazard, Y Toure
Rooney, Torres, Pog
0.5 left over
July 23 at 10:16 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Play Aguero in the First week(@home vs Southampton) and in GW swap him for Rooney (@home vs Fulham)
July 23 at 9:52 pm
gers23 says:
thoughts on this team guys
DDG/ federeci
ivanovic/lescott/hangeland/cuellar/demel
hazard/bale/pienaar/noble/guthrie
aguero/torres/d cisse
July 23 at 9:53 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Figueroa or Alcaraz or Jenkinson?
July 23 at 9:56 pm
InAlexWeTrust says:
Figueroa cz he’s an attacking ace
July 23 at 9:56 pm
jkisthe1 -Waiting to find out the price of Michu says:
Alcaraz.
Wigan reportedly looking to buy another cb. Figueroa has been playing there, but he’s naturally a lb, so he’ll be at risk. Apparently Sagna is ahead of schedule to return.
July 23 at 9:57 pm
PigeonIslandFC says:
Not Jenkinson!!! Taylor? Wilson? Fabio? If Wigan then I would go for Alcarez. Goalscoring potential and a player you could build your team name around!
July 23 at 9:58 pm
jkisthe1 -Waiting to find out the price of Michu says:
Do you mean
Escape from Alcaraz?
Been done
**Looks around for Mull*
July 23 at 9:57 pm
jkisthe1 -Waiting to find out the price of Michu says:
also NEW POST
July 23 at 9:59 pm
markm8 says:
RMT Version 3.0
DeGea Begovic
Koscielny Kaboul A. Cole Lescott Gunter
McClean Ramiers Taarabt Noble Kagawara
Suarez Tevez Torres
July 23 at 10:22 pm
I taught Ashley Young how to earn penalties says:
New Post?
July 23 at 10:26 pm
I taught Ashley Young how to earn penalties says:
De Gea (Jaaskeleinen)
Cole Lescott Haangeland Harte (Mccartney)
Kagawa Hazard Pienaar (Maloney, Britton)
Rooney Aguero Vaz te
What do you guys think?
July 23 at 10:30 pm
PigeonIslandFC says:
Just swap Harte and Vaz Te and it is fine.
July 23 at 10:43 pm
I taught Ashley Young how to earn penalties says:
Isnt harte on free kicks?
July 23 at 10:41 pm
MB10 says:
Hazard or Torres??
July 23 at 10:43 pm
I taught Ashley Young how to earn penalties says:
Hazard. gets goals and assists and Torres still is unreliable for chelsea
July 23 at 11:23 pm
Gwaihir says:
Both for GW1
July 24 at 1:00 am
mottttaaaa says:
rate my defense pleasee
jaas bego
ivanovic / hange / fabio / cuellar / colocinni
July 24 at 8:28 am
Jake9 says:
Best midfielder for 9.5 or under besides Hazard?
July 24 at 8:37 am
Jake9 says:
Cant decide between three teams
Team 1
Friedel Federici
Hangeland Lescott Cole Clyne Demel
Bale Hazard Sinclair Taarabt Noble
Aguero Suarez/Adebayor Graham
Team 2
Friedel Federici
Hangeland Shawcross Cole Clyne Demel
Cabaye Hazard Sinclair Taarabt Noble
Aguero Suarez Torres
Team 3
Mignolet Federici/Jaask
Hangeland Shawcross Cole Clyne Demel
Kagawa Hazard Bale Taarabt Noble
Torres Graham Aguero
July 24 at 8:41 am
Jake9 says:
Who is QPRs firs choice keeper?
July 24 at 6:06 pm
Giggs22 says:
Surely it will be Green?
July 24 at 9:40 am
edman says:
Hey guys wondering if u guys could have a look of my team being from Aust hard to keep up with all the news
De gea / Jaaskelainen
Mariappa, Hangeland, Cole A, Fox, Hooiveld
Noble, Gerrard, Hazard, McClean, Lallana
Torres, P Cisse, Pogrebnyak
with 4mill left still
July 24 at 10:59 am
EdenoftheEast says:
need some help sorting out my team guys…
DeaGea Ruddy
Vertonghen Clyne Huth Tierny Fabio
Dobbie Ridder Kagawa Silva Hazard
Aguero Ba Giroud
What do guys think??
July 24 at 1:37 pm
Torres will OWN this season says:
is if worth getting michu?
July 24 at 6:05 pm
Giggs22 says:
Hi all, new to the site!
Please RMT, few changes already
Krul/Green
Clark/Coloccini/Lescott/Koscielny/Fabio
Nani/El Ahmadi/Ramires/Park/Hazard
Rooney/Torres/Graham
July 24 at 6:06 pm
Giggs22 says:
Ramires for Marin? Will he play though?
July 24 at 7:22 pm
eagles4ever says:
Lads lads lads….
A. Yaya/sess/Hazard/Maloney or Allen/Noble
Or
B. Yaya/Walcott/Hazard/Gutherie/Noble
A or B?