bosnian_red
Worst scout to ever exist
Yeah. I think timber really helps with the line height, he's rapid and has that front foot defending mentality. New goalkeeper would be a must. But like you say, Varane is still a starter next season so it wouldn't have much of an impact from that POV until the season after when he fully takes over from him (you'd think), and by that point we would be developed further.Aye, set-pieces would be a concern, particularly with De Gea in goals as well.
The other concern I'd have is that a Martinez/Timber pairing would have their strengths emphasised and weaknesses minimised in a high possession, high line set up. But as it stands we're not a particularly high possession side and (according to a stat I saw during the week) we had the third lowest average defensive line in the league this season.
Obviously bringing in players suited to that type of system should help shift you closer to it, but I'm not sure we're going to see enough of a shift for that partnership to fully work in this team next season.
On the flip side, it's not like Timber would be starting every week at CB. Varane is still there, so fitness permitting you could rotate them to suit the opposition.
Still, Timber has been linked to Liverpool as well so it might not be us he eventually goes to anyway.
Don't see Liverpool spending big on a CB given their past spending in that position and their midfield needs tbh. Van dijk, Konate, gomez, matip as a 4... Who knows but I don't think they have that much to spend.