Matthijs de Ligt / signs for Juventus, lowering their average age to 56

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We sign this guy and there is actually hope for this club in the next decade. Could be a catalyst transfer.

This is the sort of statement signing we desperately need! Not some over the hill former galactico; we need a world class player that everyone admires and is developing into their prime years! Other stars will take note and want to join the 'project' too! I'm thinking the likes of Sancho, Felix etc! Fingers crossed!!!!
 
We sign this guy and there is actually hope for this club in the next decade. Could be a catalyst transfer.
Are centre backs ever "catalyst transfers"?
Genuine question, as forwards seem to be the ones who genuinely change the direction of top clubs.
 
If we've had scouts looking at this dude for years why are we only trying to get him now if he's a once in a generation talent? My arse. Either we've not had scouts looking at him or our scouts are shite and about as useful as the average fan since we're only looking at him now.
 
Are centre backs ever "catalyst transfers"?
Genuine question, as forwards seem to be the ones who genuinely change the direction of top clubs.
Van dijk did literally this only a year ago
 
Are centre backs ever "catalyst transfers"?
Genuine question, as forwards seem to be the ones who genuinely change the direction of top clubs.
Dunno about catalyst, but Rio was the first signing (i.e. non homegrown player) that would go on to be a part of the 2008 side.
 
How do you know? Do you have a crystal ball?

I don't think I need a crystal ball to say a 19 year old player has his whole career ahead of him. It's just the truth, unless he dies or quits football for medical or personal reasons, all of which are very unlikely.
 
Or:
De Ligt has been known by all top clubs in Europe since he was 15. Probably one of the most well scouted players of all the players in Europe in his age group by every top club in Europe.
And:
Do you seriously think that a mid-level scout calls up Ed Woodward "and told Woodward about him". What complete nonsense.
You are citing unconfirmed information from a mid-level scout that was pretty much sacked by United.
Not a very well thought out post. Or you are probably just wumming.
Well thanks for being rude but the scout was Derek Langley who was at the club 16 years, far from a mid level scout. He talked about talking to Woodward and identifying de Jong and de ligt and the club not acting on it. The same scout brought the likes of chong to the club. He called Woodward up and told him he didn't believe in the competency of the staff at club as they didn't listen to his recommendations. He also recommended upamencano to the club.
 
The obvious choice would be joining Barca, playing with Messi and De Jong, winning trophies every year, and challenge for CL
The 2nd choice would be joining PSG, high salary, playing with Neymar and Mbappe, winning league every year, and challenge for CL
The most challenging choice would be joining Man Utd, playing with Young and Jones, risking his whole career winning nothing, challenge for top 4 spot in the league

:lol::lol:

Unbelievable :rolleyes:
 
Are centre backs ever "catalyst transfers"?
Genuine question, as forwards seem to be the ones who genuinely change the direction of top clubs.

I think it's harder for CBs to be catalyst transfers because it usually takes some time for them to mature and become leaders in the pitch and the dressing room. But think about Sergio Ramos. He took his time to develop but in his prime he was integral in helping his team win four Champions League trophies.
In a team with dire need of fresh blood, solid defending, and leadership, hell yes MdL would be a catalyst.
 
He's improved them immeasurably. Still not won anything yet and it's hardly Cantona-esque. Good call though.
Let’s hope that continues, got a feeling this excuse won’t last tomorrow though! :(
 
If we've had scouts looking at this dude for years why are we only trying to get him now if he's a once in a generation talent? My arse. Either we've not had scouts looking at him or our scouts are shite and about as useful as the average fan since we're only looking at him now.
Every other scout in the world is shit too then. In the last year De Ligt has gone from ‘prospect’ to ‘real deal.’ Instead of spunking a big fee on a possibility, we will be spunking a massive fee on a dead cert.
 
You could argue Van Dijk has been for Liverpool.
You could, but I'm not going to, as it totally contradicts my post!

See, he's a great example of how a top CB can complement what's already there but I still wouldn't describe him as a catalyst. A massive improvement? Yes. A catalyst? Not really. He's not changed the trajectory of the club. Klopp is the catalyst.

And yes, I will regret this post within the next 26 hours.
 
Some of you doubters are bloody miserable, come aboard the hype train! We're signing Matthijs fecking de Ligt!!! :devil::devil:
 
Are centre backs ever "catalyst transfers"?
Genuine question, as forwards seem to be the ones who genuinely change the direction of top clubs.

Well he’d definitely be a ‘catalyst’ for change. Would make a major statement in the market and perhaps make other transfer targets view us as a lot more attractive. At least I think that’s what the poster meant - and he’d be right. Still think it’s unlikely to happen but we are absolutely right to give it our best shot imo.
 
You could, but I'm not going to, as it totally contradicts my post!

See, he's a great example of how a top CB can complement what's already there but I still wouldn't describe him as a catalyst. A massive improvement? Yes. A catalyst? Not really. He's not changed the trajectory of the club. Klopp is the catalyst.

And yes, I will regret this post within the next 26 hours.

He could be a catalyst for our rebuild not our immediate successs. In the sense that I dont think he is a pushover and he would help us attract others at a time when are not looking the safest destination. However he would just be a piece of the puzzle because we still have lots to build. We need loads of changes. 4 or 5 quality additions. New tactics. New mentality.

I mean we use to have Van De Sar, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Rooney, Roni, Tevez..... there is no player as good as any of those in any position apart from perhaps DDG but I personally dont remember Van De Sar going thru the poor spell David is currently having. So no we dont fundamentally shift things by acquiring a 19 year old defender but he could certainly be one of the key pieces. Long way to go.
 
SAF would’ve signed him after the Europa league final 2 years ago. Anyone could see he had quality even then, so it’s a bit annoying we’re having to pay him a kings ransom to even be in with a shout. It would stun me if he came here, but I can’t help be hopeful at the same time.

And what if he wasn't ready for a move then?
 
In the sense that I dont think he is a pushover and he would help us attract others at a time when are not looking the safest destination.

This is a big factor, which I think is being overlooked.
Imagine if a woman chose you over some handsome movie star. The other women would be very intrigued and curious about what makes you so attractive.
It's not different with football and players :lol:
 
I’m slightly confident. But if De Ligt was as straight forward and no nonsense in his personality as we want on the pitch, wouldn’t he just come out and say what’s going on?

I know his contract might suffer with negotiations etc but the type of player we are hoping for, surely he would just let us know - no nonsense?

That is assuming contact negotiations take this long and he is told not to announce where he is going.

God I know nothing
 
This is a big factor, which I think is being overlooked.
Imagine if a woman chose you over some handsome movie star. The other women would be very intrigued and curious about what makes you so attractive.
It's not different with football and players :lol:

I know the feeling. My girlfriend's friends are intrigued, and my girlfriend is questioning her decision.

Man of mystery.
 
We said this with di Maria, Pogba and Sanchez. There's no single catalyst until the club is well managed on and off the pitch.
We might've said it with Pogba, because we've been desperate for a quality midfielder since Keane/Scholes, but we didnt say it with the other two, mostly because we weren't planning on building the team around them anyways.
 
We might've said it with Pogba, because we've been desperate for a quality midfielder since Keane/Scholes, but we didnt say it with the other two, mostly because we weren't planning on building the team around them anyways.

Pretty sure everyone was up in the air about getting a potential ballon d'Or and a world class player in Di Maria.
 
He'd be one super confident player to come to us with a view to moving to Barcelona in a few years!
No guarantees in this game. Although the Woodward wad would no doubt help.
 
Pretty sure everyone was up in the air about getting a potential ballon d'Or and a world class player in Di Maria.
Of course everyone was excited since it was a marquee transfer, but i also remember alot of people including myself wondering how we were going to use him. His best days was being a winger, but we were desperate for a central midfielder. Anyways I get the caution some people still have about big money transfers, but its hard to see how this kid can be a bust. He's top tier talent for sure, with the heart and determination to go with it.
 
Of course everyone was excited since it was a marquee transfer, but i also remember alot of people including myself wondering how we were going to use him. His best days was being a winger, but we were desperate for a central midfielder. Anyways I get the caution some people still have about big money transfers, but its hard to see how this kid can be a bust. He's top tier talent for sure, with the heart and determination to go with it.

Ofcourse he is a talent but I'd worry more about the club fecking up his development than him impacting the club.
 
This is the sort of statement signing we desperately need! Not some over the hill former galactico; we need a world class player that everyone admires and is developing into their prime years! Other stars will take note and want to join the 'project' too! I'm thinking the likes of Sancho, Felix etc! Fingers crossed!!!!

He is obviously a cracking young player and has leadership abilities too and we desperately need a good centre back as we havent had one since Rio/Vidic......BUT, people are going a bit overboard about the effect he has on our side signing him, as we need several such signings, this is where I totally agree with you. We really need a signing like this early in the window as a catalyst short term for this window.
Lets be honest, as big a club as we are, we arent really an exciting proposition at this moment football wise for top players and no matter how good he becomes, signing the likes of Daniel James isnt something to excite other players but if we were to sign a couple of players like a Felix or DeLigt, it shows real ambition and could make the difference in other deals
 
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