Yes please. He seems like he would be attainable as well. Seems like the club has zero inerest though.
Centre Back... Who do we go for?
- Thread starter Macern
- Start date
I would sign him, but think he'd take time to settle into our squad.
Jonathan Tah from Leverkusen looks the most interesting player if we can't get the obvious choices we're linked to.
He's physically imposing at 6'4 and is also fast. Good on the ball from what I've read and is still young at 23.
Admittedly I've only seen him in action via YouTube which isn't the best way to judge a player. So if anyone who has watched him play for Leverkusen for a period of time, care to share their thoughts on Tah's potential?
Koulibaly at 23-24 took off under the tutelage of Maurizio Sarri. Mainly because he had the tools that Sarri could work with, like ability on the ball, physicality and pace. Tah seems to have very similar strengths, but is better in dealing with aerial balls due to being 6'4.
He's physically imposing at 6'4 and is also fast. Good on the ball from what I've read and is still young at 23.
Admittedly I've only seen him in action via YouTube which isn't the best way to judge a player. So if anyone who has watched him play for Leverkusen for a period of time, care to share their thoughts on Tah's potential?
Koulibaly at 23-24 took off under the tutelage of Maurizio Sarri. Mainly because he had the tools that Sarri could work with, like ability on the ball, physicality and pace. Tah seems to have very similar strengths, but is better in dealing with aerial balls due to being 6'4.
I’m not sure that’s true. We’ve actually been linked with him previously.
I'd be happy to replace Jones, Rojo, Bailly and Smalling with Tarkowski and Schar, both solid, PL proven, cheap, not made of glass and wouldn't block Tuanzebe in the long term (If he comes good). To partner Lindelöf I'd try De Ligt, with Koulibaly/Issa Diop/Mario Hermoso being the alternatives.
Issa Diop, Hermoso, Ake, Akanji.
De Ligt isn’t coming here, Koulibaly and Maguire will be too expensive and Alderweireld surely won’t want to join at this stage of his career.
We can’t continue with what we have so we have to look at younger players that can be developed, there’s plenty all over Europe. We need to invest some time and effort because there’s no point repeating this every summer or watching same dross all the time.
We can’t continue with what we have so we have to look at younger players that can be developed, there’s plenty all over Europe. We need to invest some time and effort because there’s no point repeating this every summer or watching same dross all the time.
I have reached the point where I would just pay the money for Koulibaly or even Alderweireld's cheap release clause, we just cannot afford to go into next season with Lindelöf and one of the chuckle brothers partnering them, the guy needs better quality alongside him so Ed needs to go out and make that happen before we go on tour.
You could see again last night why de Ligt is so sought after, he made a mistake on the penalty and got nutmegged by Sancho, but he steadied himself, got the equalizer and was excellent as the game went on, it's not just his quality we could use, it's his strong mentality, sadly I can't see it happening and every other option is a downgrade.
Koulibaly remains the only other really good option, the rest are ok CB's that lack any kind of leadership in a back 4 that is rudderless.
Koulibaly remains the only other really good option, the rest are ok CB's that lack any kind of leadership in a back 4 that is rudderless.
We need a tall commanding centre back,great in the air and good on the ball.Problem with Smalling is that he is not strong and awful on the ball and we need that in our back line.Lindelof is also lightweight(not strong enough) and also aerial liability but to some extent good on the ball and we should aiming a centre back to pair Lindelof and improve on lack of quality in departments mentioned.
Firstly to say is that I know is that Koulibaly would be exposed in Premier league because he is missing aerial presence,and is too expensive.
First choice should obviously be De ligt.He has everything we need,strong,good on the ball,great aerial presence,leader,20 this summer and time to even get better.
Second choice,Ibrahima Konate.Also 20 and good player in him with attributes we desperately need.Other targets should be Tah,Issa Diop,Andersen,Saliba.
Firstly to say is that I know is that Koulibaly would be exposed in Premier league because he is missing aerial presence,and is too expensive.
First choice should obviously be De ligt.He has everything we need,strong,good on the ball,great aerial presence,leader,20 this summer and time to even get better.
Second choice,Ibrahima Konate.Also 20 and good player in him with attributes we desperately need.Other targets should be Tah,Issa Diop,Andersen,Saliba.
We should move on from De Ligt, he is not coming here.
Milenkovic, and Tah, would be my choices.
Milenkovic, and Tah, would be my choices.
Tah actually might suit us better than De Ligt in our current predicament.
Milenkovic and Upamecano good alternatives.
Maquire, Koulibaliy
Very depressing. We should at least try to get M. Keane back.
Nathan Ake. Left side and footed. No real weakness.
de Ligt is the dream, but sadly unrealistic. We need to strengthen other positions, so I'd rather not blow £100m on Koulibaly.
Honestly, I think we need two. I would be very happy with Alderweireld and Ake from Bournemouth.
Alderweireld, Ake, Lindelof & Smalling is a good set of centre backs. Jones is the bonus 5th choice whose never fit. Ship off Bailly and Rojo to the highest bidders. Tuanzebe to continue his development on loan at Villa for another year.
Honestly, I think we need two. I would be very happy with Alderweireld and Ake from Bournemouth.
Alderweireld, Ake, Lindelof & Smalling is a good set of centre backs. Jones is the bonus 5th choice whose never fit. Ship off Bailly and Rojo to the highest bidders. Tuanzebe to continue his development on loan at Villa for another year.
Please for the love of God no. He is no better than the shite we already have.
I do not understand the Fascination about Maguire, for the sums being quoted, £60-80mill. IMO he is over rated, I have watched him a few times and he keeps getting beat for pace and is not the best 1 v 1. At United, if we start dominating games he will be exposed to alot of those situations.
Also, he is not a real leader either, rather spend £40-50m on a younger European CB
Also, he is not a real leader either, rather spend £40-50m on a younger European CB
I don’t think it has to be depressing, we could buy all Upamecano, Saliba and Collins for similar or less than Maguire or Koulibaly. Loan out Saliba and Collins and see how they develop. Upamecano or Tah couldn’t be worse than the players we already have.
There are plenty more players who you could get replace any of those with as well, France have at least half a dozen good young cb’s alone.
They’ll be players moving in this window we’ll be willing to pay double or more for in a years time. We actually have the chance to buy those players ourselves now and try to build a team rather than deluding ourselves we will be in a title race and need to spend 100m on a cb.
We won’t sign a CB. It’s been reported that Ole wants to develop Smalling and Jones.
That is just a smokescreen so nobody suspects our sneak move for Jagielka.
And Upamecano, Tah, Ake, Akanji ++++ would all improve our current starters. As long as we find someone who is not diving into tackles, can pass and receive the ball and relatively mobile, then we should be very happy.
I'm sure we'll get one. Probably not any of the ones which have been reported.
I think Nathan Ake would be a good buy. Has PL experience. Only reason he is not in the Dutch team is because of de Ligt and Van Dijk. He is left footed good in the air and can cover for Shaw at left back. Also wouldn't cost a fortune
Definitely agree on Ake. Would be my preferred choice unless by some miracle de Ligt does end up here. Ake and Lindelof would be a pretty good first choice combination and both still have upside and so could form a real partnership in the new look squad.
Fecking develop?! They've veterans not kids.... they've been here for 20 fecking years!!!
Seriously. I think he's bang average and agree with our scouts that he's no better than what we've already got.
Exactly, very unfortunate we are only linked to Maguire and De ligt. There are so many options who could improve us.
Reliable reports?
I really really hope that it’s bullshit mate.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....decision-Matthijs-de-Ligt-Tuanzebe-gossip/amp
Probably not reliable, but worrying nonetheless.
Shane Duffy, 6'4, scores headers, leader at the back reads the game well 27 years old. Not saying he's the be all and end all but he's better than our current lot and would cost feck all. Well worth a punt in my opinion.
Jones to earn his salary, could be developed as physio. He must have solid knowledge and experience now.
Is he good on the ball?
Eugh. No thanks, he’s trash. Graeme potter doesn’t fancy him either. Dunk is much better.
Not Particularly
Mind you Van Dijk was average at Celtic , decent at Southampton and great at Liverpool . Some players respond to been surrounded by better players .
My thoughts:
De Ligt = ideal signing but we're not favourites
Koulibaly = Napoli don't want to sell
Maguire = City are favourites
Which leaves (out of the links to us I've seen...):
Manolas/Skriniar/Ruben Dias = possible
De Ligt = ideal signing but we're not favourites
Koulibaly = Napoli don't want to sell
Maguire = City are favourites
Which leaves (out of the links to us I've seen...):
Manolas/Skriniar/Ruben Dias = possible
I certainly would prefer him in my team than any of the over hyped English center backs like Maguire and Stones