We should only go for a CB if its one of real quality and will be one of the first names on teamsheet. I don't see McGuire or Alderweireld being a big improvement to what we already have. No point signing a player just for numbers, if we can get a proven quality CB then great, although hard to see where one is available. If not I'd be happy enough going into the new season with the squad we have, the quality is there and with a few younger lads knocking at the door, I don't think we need to buy for the sake of getting an extra body in. If they aren't going to considerably improve the squad, don't buy them. Too much deadwood in the squad, don't need more. Time for Jose to give a Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe gametime and see what he can do at that level. The lads need a chance.
Alderweireld or Maguire
- Thread starter FootyGirl88
- Start date
- Status
We should have just got the Lenglet deal done for £35m or whatever it was ffs.
Skriniar the best of the 3 at the moment for me. Think he has a legitimate chance of staking a claim as being the best CB in the world if he has another strong season in Serie A & now the CL. Defends aggressively on the front foot, strong, seems composed and is good on the ball. Reminds me a bit of Kompany.
Koulibaly I rate as well and think he's probably under-rated a little bit in terms of his ability on the ball. He's had to have that playing at Napoli as they build from the back. Seemingly after the Napoli presidents comments though, he'd be too expensive and I would have Skriniar just over him at the moment + he's a few years younger.
De Ligt I haven't seen too much of as I don't watch Eredivisie, other than some of the EL games last year (including obviously the final against United). Seems a great prospect though, very composed for his age and a strong reader of the game already and technically very good.
If United were to sign one right now, I think it would have to be Skriniar, best on the fact I think he is the best at the moment and is still only 23 and defends in a way that really puts his team on the front-foot and helps them transition from defence to attack. Would probably be a £75m+ signing though (even if he did want to go to Old Trafford) and there probably is a slight question mark over how he'd work with Bailly, as both are pretty aggressive 'stopper' type CB's and that might leave them exposed from time to time.
Easier said than done - think he would probably always choose Barcelona over Man Utd. He's settled in La Liga and knows the league and Barcelona well, and they are the bigger attraction for players at this point (reputation, chances of trophies etc).
United might have guaranteed him more initial playing time, but he knows he is Barca's #3 CB already and will probably get a fair few minutes in La Liga as they rest Pique and possibly Umtiti for bigger ties. Plus Pique is 31 and Lenglet would appear to be his eventual successor.
That's why we offered Fellaini a new contract
The mood is low enough on here as it is.Koulibaly over all of them due to experience.
Skriniar is a great player but lacks experience, and isn't the leader that we need. De Ligt is a good prospect but isn't going to move us forward, he's one for the future.
If the objective is that we want to compete for titles & be competitive in the CL, those two defenders aren't likely to do that for us straight away.
Plus, we still have young inexperienced CB's in Tuanzebe who don't get any minutes as it is.
Harry M
Maguire literally seems like one of the most down to earth and normal footballers I've ever come across. He seems to be just a normal bloke in every interview I've ever seen of him. Not sure how Toby is more likeable than him when he's been very quick to be a right moan in the press about his situation at Spurs, but I suppose we all have different opinions.
I can’t see us selling Martial to you. The club has made it clear that it’s unwilling to strengthen a domestic rival.
As for Maguire v Alderweireld, I know how good Toby is on the ball, but I think Maguire is the best center back in the league at carrying the ball forward and creating something.
The guy was in the crowd with his mates two years ago cheering on England, and then brought his mates out this year to watch him and the team play. When he got home he celebrated with his extended family and friends - I know there’s a massive anti-English contingent on this forum, but you really won’t find a more likeable player.
I can’t see us selling Martial to you. The club has made it clear that it’s unwilling to strengthen a domestic rival.
As for Maguire v Alderweireld, I know how good Toby is on the ball, but I think Maguire is the best center back in the league at carrying the ball forward and creating something.
These stats also depend heavily on the defender next to the player mentioned. Vertonghen is also excellent on the ball. I'd bet he has similar stats as Alderweireld.
If you have Lovren or Wes Morgan next to you, you'd easily have more forward passes and changes created as the team depends entirely on you for them.
You also need to consider which club the players play for. I’d argue that it’s more difficult for a center back to attack/pass forward/create chances in a team like Leicester where you not only will see less of the ball, but also you’ll be pressed higher, defend a lot more and generally don’t have the same attacking opportunity compared to clubs like Spurs, Liverpool and City. I get your point about Alderweireld sharing the ball playing duties with Vertonghen, but I still think Maguire is the best CB in the league on the ball. Just my opinion though
If we sell Blind for £15m, Darmian for £15m and Rojo for £30m, would people who want Alderweireld or Maguire be happy to pay £75m in order to get one of them in?
The alternative being nobody, and the money not being used elsewhere.
The alternative being nobody, and the money not being used elsewhere.
Unless you want to see United play football like Leicester and last year's Southampton, I don't think you're analysing the facts in the right context there.
Of course!
What difference does it make for you and I, though?
Agreed, he's a role model for 2018 down to earthness. Problem I foresee is Jose's inate horror at a defender cruising past the opposition midfield lines ball at feet leaving massive areas of pitch empty of a red shirt behind him. No point buying him if he's not going to be allowed to do what he does naturally.
Maguire
It's a matter of principle. I don't want to support a club that buys itself to success at whatever cost. I also pitty regular matchgoers if there are increases in ticket prices to cover for excess (reckless) spending.
Last edited:
The smart money definitely seems to be on "neither" at the moment.
I disagree so strongly I don’t have any words - at least you can rest assured that United won’t outspend the likes of City..
Would rather pay 65 million for Alderweireld than 65 million for Harry fecking Maguire.
Why? I was just disagreeing with a post stating that Toby was better on the ball than Maguire which I don’t think is true.
We will get him if we really want him.
Woodward busy playing musical chairs or would smoke and mirrors be more apt?
Do you think something is going on Sults
Harry Maguire over Toby for me, I hope we get him.
Mina.
I don't think we should waste 60m for Toby or Maguire. Though i like Maguire as a player, but given that Leicester already sold Mahrez there is no way they will him go, unless it will be a Van Dijk offer.
I don't think we should waste 60m for Toby or Maguire. Though i like Maguire as a player, but given that Leicester already sold Mahrez there is no way they will him go, unless it will be a Van Dijk offer.
No idea, mate. All clubs have too much now and don't have to cash in or be bullied by bigger clubs. These obscene transfer fees will be the end of many clubs if suddenly the big media companies (Sky, BT) decide to lower their offers. They're already turning taps off for other sports.
Last edited:
Very true. BT have just lost my beloved UFC and NBA. Both huge and really popular brands/sports.
I'm hoping we get Maguire. Think he's underrated and ready to make a step up. Having a 38 game a season centre half will do us good. We need some consistency in that area.
Last edited by a moderator:
United's defence lacks composure or confidence in their ball playing skills. Only Blind had any semblance of composure and vision and a good skillset to move the ball out of defence. Unfortunately, he wasn't a defender and lacked in other areas, notably pace and height.
I agree and have said a few times how I thought Smalling and Blind were our best partnership post Rio/Vidic era. I thought he was alright at defending, too - read the play well and made a lot of really good interceptions. Even with his lack of height and pace, I don't remember him ever being bullied at CB. I thought he was one of our candidates for MOTM in the Europa final which was a very good defensive performance from us overall.
I think - preferably Maguire but I wouldn't mind either - could form a similar partnership with Smalling. I do think we are in urgent need of a composed CB as, now Blind's gone, I find all of our current ones very panicky when needing to play out from the back.
Alderweireld is my ideal signing and I am hoping this is just a smokescreen to get Levy to sell to us for a reasonable fee! Think this one could potentially go to the wire.
Alderweireld is exactly what we need at the back, experienced CB with PL experience, got leadership qualities, good with the ball, commanding in the air, able to chip in with a few goals, can play in in a 2 man or a 3 man CB partnership. He is 29, so currently in his prime and providing he stays fit, who is to say we cannot get 3-5 good seasons out of him? His stats when he plays for Spurs are immense, even while he was at Southampton it was impressive too!
During his season at Southampton, they had the second best defensive record in the league, they only conceded 1 goal more than the champions Chelsea and conceded less goals than everyone in the league including everyone else within the top 6! In his first season at Spurs, where Alderweireld played in all 38 games, Spurs had the joint best defensive record along with United. In his second season at Spurs (2016/2017 season). Toby played in 30 league games and Spurs had the best defensive record in the league!
This signing just makes too much sense if you ask me, only real stumbling blocks is dealing with Levy and the fact he has had some injury issues in the past season or so, so it depends if he has overcome them. Last thing we need is another CB who is regularly our injured and if we are to splash out £55m - £75m or whatever it is Levy would want, we need him to be available for around 80% of our games! If he could manage to do that and replicate those impressive defensive figures he produced while at Southampton and Spurs, I believe we could challenge for the league and run City close!
Alderweireld is exactly what we need at the back, experienced CB with PL experience, got leadership qualities, good with the ball, commanding in the air, able to chip in with a few goals, can play in in a 2 man or a 3 man CB partnership. He is 29, so currently in his prime and providing he stays fit, who is to say we cannot get 3-5 good seasons out of him? His stats when he plays for Spurs are immense, even while he was at Southampton it was impressive too!
During his season at Southampton, they had the second best defensive record in the league, they only conceded 1 goal more than the champions Chelsea and conceded less goals than everyone in the league including everyone else within the top 6! In his first season at Spurs, where Alderweireld played in all 38 games, Spurs had the joint best defensive record along with United. In his second season at Spurs (2016/2017 season). Toby played in 30 league games and Spurs had the best defensive record in the league!
This signing just makes too much sense if you ask me, only real stumbling blocks is dealing with Levy and the fact he has had some injury issues in the past season or so, so it depends if he has overcome them. Last thing we need is another CB who is regularly our injured and if we are to splash out £55m - £75m or whatever it is Levy would want, we need him to be available for around 80% of our games! If he could manage to do that and replicate those impressive defensive figures he produced while at Southampton and Spurs, I believe we could challenge for the league and run City close!
Martial = Toby and I doubt Levy will deal any other way with you as we will not strengthen you without you strengthen us.
Money now is not the be all for Tottenham to compete at top level in PL as 3 or 4 years ago we were turning over about £125m, now with new Ground we will turnover £400m+ add to that the money we will earn from NFL it financially is all looking rosy for us.
You can see we have now adjust our wage structure with players like Harry on £200k a week and with Bonuses (Tottenham have best bonus scheme in PL) he can earn nearer £300k a week.
Most PL clubs no longer rollover when the big boys come knocking for their players as they are all fairly cash rich with all the TV money that comes in so its made it more an even playing field. Obviously there are still the likes of City and to a lesser extent now a days Chelsea that use their Sugar Daddies money to buy them success.
Personally I want Toby to stay as IMO he is still the best CB in the PL. We do need to add players to our Squad but it is hard to find better than our front XI as that is a match for any in PL IMO it just strengthen in depth we need although we do have another good crop of youngsters coming through, Currently we are top of the International Champions Cup League and we have 9 of our front XI still on their Holidays as they were all involved in WC last weekend. Team made up of some very good youngsters like Amos and Skipp who I think may get Squad places this season or at lease one of them.
Last edited:
Fully agree with it being a more level playing field, hence makes it more harder for the bigger clubs to snap up players from even teams near the bottom of the PL. Unless of course you overpay, like how Liverpool did for Van Dijk by paying £75m for him.
IMO Toby is also the best CB in the league too, not just saying that because he is linked with us either, I have thought that for the past 2 seasons! Correct me if I am wrong, but the one position I can see Spurs improving their starting XI is the left-back spot?
In all honesty, if Martial isn't in favour with Mourinho and Toby wants out, instead of letting them rot on the bench or whatever is not ideal for both clubs. I would then do a swap deal because it improves ours and Spurs' team. Toby will improve us significantly and Martial, even if he doesn't start for you everygame, will be a devastating player off the bench.
Fully agree with
IMO Toby is also the best CB in the league too, not just saying that because he is linked with us either, I have thought that for the past 2 seasons! Correct me if I am wrong, but the one position I can see Spurs improving their starting XI is the left-back spot?
In all honesty, if Martial isn't in favour with Mourinho and Toby wants out, instead of letting them rot on the bench or whatever is not ideal for both clubs. I would then do a swap deal because it improves ours and Spurs' team. Toby will improve us significantly and Martial, even if he doesn't start for you everygame, will be a devastating player off the bench.
LB - We have Davies who had a good season last year and Rose. Rose of 2 years ago before injury and melt down was one of best in PL and lots wanted him, be nice to see the old Rose back again, well from our prospective
But yes it currently without Rose getting back to his best a position we could improve on.
If I were Levy I'd be trying to get the likes of Sessegnon and de Ligt and loan them straight back as both are going to be on most wish list in a year or two
Anyway as a newbie here nice to chat but I only get 3 posts a day
LB - We have Davies who had a good season last year and Rose. Rose of 2 years ago before injury and melt down was one of best in PL and lots wanted him, be nice to see the old Rose back again, well from our prospective
But yes it currently without Rose getting back to his best a position we could improve on.
If I were Levy I'd be trying to get the likes of Sessegnon and de Ligt and loan them straight back as both are going to be on most wish list in a year or two
Anyway as a newbie here nice to chat but I only get 3 posts a day
I agree, Rose 2 years ago was immense and if he could replicate that form, I would take him at United for sure!
Sessegnon and de Ligt are again players I would love at United but like you said, I still think they need 1-2 more years of development first. I'm so excited to see how Sessegnon does at Fulham in the PL this season! If he has a good season, not only would the big teams in the PL be after him but also the big European nations without a doubt.
Anyways, welcome to the CAF!
So if there’s been a briefing about toby being available, I wonder if we will try for him now.
I like him more than Maguire, though Maguire does look like more of a leader and organizer from the back, which is what we need a lot of
I like him more than Maguire, though Maguire does look like more of a leader and organizer from the back, which is what we need a lot of
At this point we need to just slap the cash down for either of them. I'm really not fussed now.
Same! Getting to the stage when it's very late in the club and the beer googles are on
- Status