I think it's going to be between Maguire and Alderweireld, who do you prefer considering age, injuries, price, quality?
Centre Back... Who do we go for?
- Thread starter Macern
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Probably Alderweireld. He's weak in the air, but he can be paired with Smalling and is a top defender with all the requisite experience.
De Ligt. Seen him in three or four full games now and he's just astonishing. I honestly think within a season he'd be starting for us, and we're talking about someone who would be 20 or so. Nailed on to be one of the best in the world.
Yes, he's playing lower intensity games against less competitive opposition. But Sanchez hasn't exactly struggled at Spurs, has he?
Yes, he's playing lower intensity games against less competitive opposition. But Sanchez hasn't exactly struggled at Spurs, has he?
Apart from Boateng, Alderweirald, Varane & Godin, seems like we tried for a centre back from a lot of serie A clubs this past window:
Skriniar - Inter
Koulibaly - Napoli
Bonucci - Milan/Juve
Manolas - Roma
Wonder why we weren't in for De Vrij earlier though. Great value at the price Inter got him for. Also, is Manolas any good?
Skriniar - Inter
Koulibaly - Napoli
Bonucci - Milan/Juve
Manolas - Roma
Wonder why we weren't in for De Vrij earlier though. Great value at the price Inter got him for. Also, is Manolas any good?
I’m amazed he’s still at Ajax to be honest. He’s not the sort of profile that Jose will go for though. He’ll probably go elsewhere soon and then we’ll try to buy him for a world record fee in a couple of years.
The maddening thing is in a season or two we'll probably end up replacing Jose with someone like Pochettino, and De Ligt is exactly the sort of player he would go for, especially if he was at United and had the financial muscle to secure someone like that even with big European clubs showing interest. But by the time that happens, he'll have gone to Bayern or Barca or PSG.
Without question, De Ligt. Best young, talented CB in the world. He isn’t going to get any cheaper.
Title should be changed to 'Left Centre Back...Who do we go for?' because Mourinho has mentioned time and time again that we need someone on the left. Not sure why he bought, both Lindelof and Bailly, if that was the case, but I agree. Doesn't necessarily have to be left footed, but someone who is comfortable on the left like John Terry was.
Maguire would be an option, but he's still young and inexperienced at the top level.
Someone like Chiellini, Godin, Koulibaly would be perfect. All comfortable on the ball, would lead the back line and would compliment our other defenders.
Maguire would be an option, but he's still young and inexperienced at the top level.
Someone like Chiellini, Godin, Koulibaly would be perfect. All comfortable on the ball, would lead the back line and would compliment our other defenders.
Toby and Skriniar
Jones out and one more
Jones out and one more
Both, Alderweireld and Skriniar play on the right. Dont see the point of getting more right sided centre backs. We need plays who are comfortable on the left.
Skriniar or Varane. Would love both
How much of a hinderence is it for a top class CB to play LCB or RCB. I can’t imagine it’ll take much to adapt to.
No one in my opinion, Varane/Alderweireld/Skriniar/Maguire/Godin/Chiellini/Jimenez are all of the standard required but no chance we get any of them realistically.
We either blow a load on Maguire or get Alderweireld next summer, otherwise it will be a relative unknown.
We either blow a load on Maguire or get Alderweireld next summer, otherwise it will be a relative unknown.
It's not that amazing, the kid's barely 19. There's plenty of time left for him to take the plunge. Would be an amazing signing for United though. He's talented as feck, but maybe even more importantly, down to earth, a natural leader and extremely driven to succeed. You won't see him driving around in a pimped car or flaunting his fancy new clothes, because he's busy working his arse off in the gym or on the training field. Truly a beacon of hope in the ocean of shite that is Dutch football.
You can do those things and still be a dedicated Footballer.
I think we will still go for Toby with the cut price deal. Skriniar would be my choice.
Pavard plays on the left for Stuttgart.
Jones and Rojo out and I'm tempted to put Lindelof on that list too.
You can, but the fact he's the first one on the field and the last one to leave the gym is a good thing in my book. You can post on insta with your new Ferrari and be a fantastic player, I just think setting priorities is a good thing for 18 year old kids.
Perhaps I'm just old fashioned. I'm a huge fan of Arjen Robben for instance, because unlike Wesley Sneijder or Rafael van der Vaart he stayed with the girl he had before he became famous instead of ditching her for a golddigger air head like the former two did. He's a simple unglamorous guy from a tiny village in Groningen and still is, even though he's a millionaire superstar now. Incidentally, unlike Sneijder and Van der Vaart, he's still world class at 35 whereas Van der Vaart and Sneijder started to decline when they were around 28. I'm not saying it's because they loved their glamorous lifestyles more than training, but to be honest, I'm actually saying that after all. Another example is Dirk Kuyt, I still have no idea which part of his game is particularly good, but he got an great career by keeping his head down and working his balls off.
Is Toby too old?
I can't decide. We could potentially have 3-4 years of him performing well, which sounds alright. If he takes any time to settle though that reduces.
I can't decide. We could potentially have 3-4 years of him performing well, which sounds alright. If he takes any time to settle though that reduces.
Skriniar has played on the left as well and looked comfortable. Just like Pavard.
Fair enough. What are his leadership qualities like?
Not really sure to be honest. I think he has looked unfazed when I've seen him and like someone who could take up the leadership role. It wouldn't hurt, if we got Alderweireld as well though. So far Skriniar had Miranda after all.
I wouldnt think so, but id much prefer us to geta centre back who currently plays on the left, rather than having to give them time to adapt.
Splash 80M on Koulibaly.
I think we'll let the contract run out for some of our CB's and buy absolute top quality ones next summer. Ed's ego would've been touched by the Banner and he'd want to make amends.
Cheers. Heard a lot about him but never seen him. We've got decent defenders, in my opinion. We just lack that leadership. Its what Liverpool lacked before Van Dijk signed.
You reckon we'll buy more than one?
Is Jones' contract up next summer? He definitely should go imo.
I think more than anything van Dijk was just a lot better than what they had. Similarly Skriniar might just be that player for us. I like most of our CBs, but none of them convince me currently that they should be starting constantly.
I'll target Koulibaly from Napoli next summer imo, if he's still as good as I always thought him to be. Will cost a lot, +75m at least, maybe even more.
I think so. Maybe a cut price Toby in the Jan window and a high profile defender in the summer. We'll get rid of Jones, Smalling, Rojo atleast. Lindelof and Baily will be the backups for the two we're buying. Think it'll be similar to what city did last season.
Yes. i will not be surprised if Jones , Smalling and Rojo are released or sold for minimal fee.
I'd keep Bailly and Smalling. They're both decent defenders under the right circumstances, especially so within a solid shape. I think we can get away wth selling Rojo, Lindelof and Jones.
Then I'd buy two centrebacks who excel at organising their teammates.
That would give us four first team CBs, with enough cover in case either of the two new leaders in the backline get injured.
Two leaders + two followers is about right. I wouldn't mind Maguire and De Ligt being the two leaders. One's a top defender coming into his prime, the other's a player with top potential. Both are natural captain material.
Tuanzebe can gradually be phased in as Smalling ages.
Keep Shaw/Dalot as long term first choice fullbacks. TFM can replace Valencia as a right back option. A random journeyman can replace Young as a leftback option.
Backline fixed.
Then I'd buy two centrebacks who excel at organising their teammates.
That would give us four first team CBs, with enough cover in case either of the two new leaders in the backline get injured.
Two leaders + two followers is about right. I wouldn't mind Maguire and De Ligt being the two leaders. One's a top defender coming into his prime, the other's a player with top potential. Both are natural captain material.
Tuanzebe can gradually be phased in as Smalling ages.
Keep Shaw/Dalot as long term first choice fullbacks. TFM can replace Valencia as a right back option. A random journeyman can replace Young as a leftback option.
Backline fixed.
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He signed a mega contract extension recently and they were quoting €100m before. Can’t see it happening but he’d be my number 1 choice.
Not sure TFM can replace Valencia at RB. Need a solid option and TFM can be very good centrally rather than on wings. Need new options across the backline, Agree with your suggestion of De Ligt but dont think he'll come to OT. Maguire was absolutely needed this year.
Jones is of no use at all. Out of those Smalling is the likliest to stay.
That should have happened 2 years ago. Never been convinced by either and all of them are blighted by injuries
Lose all 3, buy De ligt, maybe maguire and a good experienced centre half for stability while they settle in
Has anyone seen much of Scott McKenna of Aberdeen. I’ve seen little bits and bobs and he looks really quite promising. Celtic tried with a 3mil bid and it was rejected, Villa tried a 7mil bid and it was rejected but he is 21, left footed and my dad who has watched him more reckons in a year or 2 he’ll be better than any of the young talented CB’s in England.( Not sure if that’s his Scottishness coming through or he is being serious)
Apparently does this in training quite a bit.
Might be one to keep an eye on, not saying he’d walk in to our team now but if we were clearing out say Rojo and Jones he might not be a bad option although I’m guessing a mid level prem team might move for him in January.
Apparently does this in training quite a bit.
Might be one to keep an eye on, not saying he’d walk in to our team now but if we were clearing out say Rojo and Jones he might not be a bad option although I’m guessing a mid level prem team might move for him in January.
I'd like to see Skriniar and de Ligt here next season, replacing at least 2 departures, if not 3.