Originally posted by Penny:
<strong>We all know Hofland and Mexes are good and upcoming ... yes that I have to agreed ... But then again - what we need is an "established" defender going up to his prime now ... where he should be around 24/25 now IMO ... We have got Stam at that age as well ... Fergie has that in his mind I am quite sure ... If he ever get any young one ... than I would think he will come together with an experienced one probably 28/29 ... Ayala ?!
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With Blanc being a 1 year replacement for Stam, and definitely retiring at the end of the season, I'm sure he'll want to get a world class replacement in again. Blanc was to buy time. Hopefully Ayala or Thuram or someone of that ilk will come in. Ayala would be my choice too. Perfect for the premiership in imo. Since we have Brown and O'Shea I am not too worried about young talent, unless it was exceptional like Mexes. But it seems we'll have to wait another year or two for him. David May will probably leave at the end of the season, but he didn't exactly play any games and O'Shea effectively replaces him (sorry Yaps, but its probably true). Irwin needs replacing though, and as good as Silvestre is going forward, he's still been poor at defending this season, so I think we need another left back and preferably like Irwin, one who can play either side.