Kalidou Koulibaly | Signs new contract.

[endless_wheelies]

One of those signings we just can't not make.

Will instantaneously give everyone in the team and club a massive lift and elevate our status within world football.

 

[Eric's Seagull]

One of those signings we just can't not make.

Will instantaneously give everyone in the team and club a massive lift and elevate our status within world football.

Agreed. Get this done please Woody. We could do with a bit of a morale boost.

 

[Hazza83]

While in the home leg he was the main reason Liverpool didn't get a single shot on target for the first time in several years.

I think that is being very generous to Koulibaly. If you watch the game, Liverpool were awful. Klopp doesn't often criticise his teams (he tries pretty hard to protect them most of the time), but he has mentioned a number of times how poorly Liverpool played in that game (and the game in Belgrade).

I actually think he's an excellent CB and United would do very well to secure his services. I'm just trying to figure out if he is that vocal leader/organiser which is why VVD was worth every penny for Liverpool. VVD has all the ability but I think what makes him worth the money we paid is his ability to organise and improve the other players in our defensive line. If Koulibaly is a good CB in his own right without that leadership quality, you'll need someone else in your back line capable of being vocal and organising everybody.

 

[nainaisson]

I think the Evening Standard story by James Robson is another Woodward briefing where he claims he's willing to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a player who isn't available. De Laurentiis won't sell an important player like Koulibaly in January, just like Perez wouldn't sell Varane in the summer. Ed uses the press briefings to fool United supporters into believing he made serious bids for them, knowing full well they were never really available in the first place. As long as the story is "United's £100m Bid for Koulibaly Rejected," the impression is given that United are willing to spend big but world class players are inaccessible due to a crazy market.

 

[Raees]

After watching him live he’s not £90m worth and not in our current set up - his distribution is very hit and miss, and his organisation of the backline isn’t perfect. He’s like an upgraded Bailly.

If VVD is worth 75m and IMO probably 100m now - Kouli is more near the 60m mark. He’s a step below.

 

[Patrick08]

After watching him live he’s not £90m worth and not in our current set up - his distribution is very hit and miss, and his organisation of the backline isn’t perfect. He’s like an upgraded Bailly.

If VVD is worth 75m and IMO probably 100m now - Kouli is more near the 60m mark. He’s a step below.

Pretty much think the same. Toby makes much more sense at the moment.

 

[Berbaclass]

Yes, you are right and people think we wouldn't get 20m for an England national where the likes of Ibe is going for 15m ?

50m is very much a realistic fee for both of them .

They're on too high a wage to get good money for them and they obviously now have less time on their contracts. We'd get closer to £30 Million for both and it would be fair.

Jones is injury prone and his contract is up in the summer. Worth about £10 Million max.

Rojo is also injury prone and is generally just a loose cannon, also on 80k a week. Worth like £15-20 Million max.

Nowhere near the £50 Million you're quoting.

 

[Eric's Seagull]

Ed uses the press briefings to fool United supporters into believing he made serious bids for them, knowing full well they were never really available in the first place. As long as the story is "United's £100m Bid for Koulibaly Rejected," the impression is given that United are willing to spend big but world class players are inaccessible due to a crazy market.

Agree with this. In my opinion Ed is a master of using the press for his own devices. He is just doing it to boost his image with the fans and make it look as if he is trying to get class players who are going to improve us, when he would rather spend £50m on a player and keep the rest 'to go towards another player who may become available'. Bo()ocks. Just Ed talking crap again. We are United and should pay whatever takes to get the right player even if its £10 or £20m if the player is of the desired calibre.

 

[AkaAkuma]

The best defenders mature into their team peaking around 26-29. They need to grow into the position at the club over a number of years - it's not possible to sign one of the shelf.

Factor in his price and build, id be worried about his signing turning sour.

I'd rather look at skriniar or a player around 24

 

[Bestietom]

80 million is too much for Koulibaly. He is a good commanding player, but not world class. We could get Milenkovic and Alderweireld for this. I think we need to look at building a squad.

Spending it all on 1 player is not the answer anymore. We need numbers if we are gonna have a chance to catch up on the other top teams. Milenkovic will be one of the best CB's in a couple of year, and would learn from Alderweireld or another top CB.

 

[Eric's Seagull]

80 million is too much for Koulibaly. He is a good commanding player, but not world class. We could get Milenkovic and Alderweireld for this. I think we need to look at building a squad.

Spending it all on 1 player is not the answer anymore. We need numbers if we are gonna have a chance to catch up on the other top teams. Milenkovic will be one of the best CB's in a couple of year, and would learn from Alderweireld or another top CB.

We have the money and should spend whatever it takes. In my opinion Khoulibaly is one of the best in the world and we should pay whatever it takes to get him and Milenkovic, who I heard is £50m. Which will be seen as a bargain if he fulfills his potential.

 

[Bergman]

80 million is too much for Koulibaly. He is a good commanding player, but not world class. We could get Milenkovic and Alderweireld for this. I think we need to look at building a squad.

Spending it all on 1 player is not the answer anymore. We need numbers if we are gonna have a chance to catch up on the other top teams. Milenkovic will be one of the best CB's in a couple of year, and would learn from Alderweireld or another top CB.

There is no football team in which Koulibaly wouldnt start, so he is by definition, World Class...

 

[Eric's Seagull]

There is no football team in which Koulibaly wouldnt start, so he is by definition, World Class...

If a world-class player come available, especially in an area we are in desperate need of a player we should be interested. We should pay whatever it takes, we are supposed to be the richest club in the world and time we started acting like it mate.

 

[Bestietom]

There is no football team in which Koulibaly wouldnt start, so he is by definition, World Class...

Depends the way you see a player as World Class. Koulibaly is strong and commanding, but is not a great passer of the ball, which to me is what makes a World Class CB.

 

[Suv666]

Jesus, its like we are Everton. We dont need potential we need finished articles. And KK is as close as we're going to get. Who gives a shit about the costs. I'm sure 90% of you were appalled when Lpool signed VVD. It dosent seem that bad now does it?

 

[Suv666]

80 million is too much for Koulibaly. He is a good commanding player, but not world class. We could get Milenkovic and Alderweireld for this. I think we need to look at building a squad.

Spending it all on 1 player is not the answer anymore. We need numbers if we are gonna have a chance to catch up on the other top teams. Milenkovic will be one of the best CB's in a couple of year, and would learn from Alderweireld or another top CB.

KK is currently in the top 10 CB's in the world. And before being linked to us half the cafe hasnt even heard of Milenkovic. We dont need potentially good players. We have boat loads of potential.
Yeah lets buy quantity over quality. Mid team table mentality.

 

[Pow]

Depends the way you see a player as World Class. Koulibaly is strong and commanding, but is not a great passer of the ball, which to me is what makes a World Class CB.

Eh hes a good passer of the ball and great at stepping out with it.

 

[Suv666]

learn from Alderweireld or another top CB

Alderweireld is a top CB but Koulibaly is not?
The same Alderweireld who hasnt played in feck knows who many months and kinda injury prone?

 

[Jig1234]

You just need to go back to our last game to prove this wrong.

No. I don't.

- He takes far too many touches.
- Doesn't pass forward.
- Makes stupid tackles inside the box.
- Has been at Utd for almost a decade and still hasn't established himself. If he's so good why did we sign two CB's and why does Mourinho want another?

Are you suggesting Mourinho wants us to give him a 3rd CB, so he can find the perfect partner for Chris Smalling? - If that is the case, we are doomed.

 

[Patrick08]

We have the money and should spend whatever it takes. In my opinion Khoulibaly is one of the best in the world and we should pay whatever it takes to get him and Milenkovic, who I heard is £50m. Which will be seen as a bargain if he fulfills his potential.

We have the money, but my view is that major chunk should be used in the central midfield and attacking midfield and on right wingers. Clubs take advantage of the situation that we have the money and we want the player.

It was said, pogba is world class and he would solve all our problems of creativity in the middle, then it was said he needs def mid around him to unleashed, then he 's best in mid 3, we said lukaku will solve our striker problems and goal scoring charts, then it was said Sanchez will come in and complete out attacking set. Similar is the situation now with koulibaly.

Our midfield is the one responsible for the problems we face offensively and defensively as well, defense needs some addition, though spunking 90 m on a single player will not automatically plug in the goals and makes us a world beater team unless we address the real issue that is the midfield.

Getting one defender for world record money will not solve all our attacking problems in the team instantly.

 

[Decomposing In Paris]

Let's just spend the money. I'd rather we went for quality and backed it with youth. £100m on Koulibaly, £35m on Alderweireld...

Back 4:
Shaw Koulibaly Alderweireld Dalot

Back 3:
Koulibaly Alderweireld Bailly

Backup: Young Tuenzebe Lindeloff TFM

Smalling, Jones, Rojo, & Valencia may all need to move on. Might be a little harsh on Smalling, but he's neither top class or young.

 

[Pav1878]

If a world-class player come available, especially in an area we are in desperate need of a player we should be interested. We should pay whatever it takes, we are supposed to be the richest club in the world and time we started acting like it mate.

Absolutely. Who cares how much he costs? Liverpool didn't with van dyk and city sure as hell don't care .

Let's start throwing our weight around the market and pay the money for the best.

But let's make sure we identify and target the right players with the aid of DoF

 

[Eric's Seagull]

Absolutely. Who cares how much he costs? Liverpool didn't with van dyk and city sure as hell don't care .

Let's start throwing our weight around the market and pay the money for the best.

But let's make sure we identify and target the right players with the aid of DoF

Exactly to be the best you've got to willing to pay top fees for the best players not £30m here and £40m there for average players.

Starting to irritate me how long we've been looking for a DoF, get him in as soon possible prefarable before the end end of the season so he can assess the situation and like you said identify and target the right players not players who Woody thinks are value for money or sell shirts.
We need players to come in who are going to do the job on the pitch because of their ability regardless of them being a superstar name and whgo see it as an honour to step onto the pitch in our shirt not just turn up plod around for 90 minutes and collect their £100+ thousands a week.

 

[Johan07]

We have the money, but my view is that major chunk should be used in the central midfield and attacking midfield and on right wingers. Clubs take advantage of the situation that we have the money and we want the player.

It was said, pogba is world class and he would solve all our problems of creativity in the middle, then it was said he needs def mid around him to unleashed, then he 's best in mid 3, we said lukaku will solve our striker problems and goal scoring charts, then it was said Sanchez will come in and complete out attacking set. Similar is the situation now with koulibaly.

Our midfield is the one responsible for the problems we face offensively and defensively as well, defense needs some addition, though spunking 90 m on a single player will not automatically plug in the goals and makes us a world beater team unless we address the real issue that is the midfield.

Getting one defender for world record money will not solve all our attacking problems in the team instantly.

I completely agree that the focus in January and in the summer window should be at CM. We need two players there and its not going to be cheap.
One top-class CB should be enough during those windows. I rather replace Lukaku before buying a second CB as well.

 

[J_XO]

Let's just spend the money. I'd rather we went for quality and backed it with youth. £100m on Koulibaly, £35m on Alderweireld...

Back 4:
Shaw Koulibaly Alderweireld Dalot

Back 3:
Koulibaly Alderweireld Bailly

Backup: Young Tuenzebe Lindeloff TFM

Smalling, Jones, Rojo, & Valencia may all need to move on. Might be a little harsh on Smalling, but he's neither top class or young.

Will not happen, makes too much sense

 

[Mcking]

No. I don't.

- He takes far too many touches.
- Doesn't pass forward.
- Makes stupid tackles inside the box.
- Has been at Utd for almost a decade and still hasn't established himself. If he's so good why did we sign two CB's and why does Mourinho want another?

Are you suggesting Mourinho wants us to give him a 3rd CB, so he can find the perfect partner for Chris Smalling? - If that is the case, we are doomed.

There's a lot of myths and lies on this post, it is basically the opposite of the truth. You really need to catch the Valencia game if you missed it, because there was no Smalling to hold the attack back, yet the attack looked like it was being held back by something.
For your first three points, unless you can pull up some genuine proof, then it is safe to say you are talking out of your ass. On your fourth point, he has been at Manchester United for almost a decade as you said, and in the eight years he's been at Manchester United, he's managed to establish himself as Manchester United's best and first choice center back and one of the best in the league.
Well, Bailly and Lindelof were signed to partner Smalling, but it turns out that both are not good enough if we go by what Mourinho has led us to believe, so it is only right that Mourinho requests for another CB as it is obvious that Smalling desperately needs a decent partner. Madrid had Ramos but signed Varane, Barcelona had Pique but signed Umtiti and Lenglet, City had Stones but signed Laporte, Tottenham had Alderweireld and Vertoghen but signed Sanchez, Juventus had Chiellini but signed Bonucci, Man United have Smalling, so a decent partner needs to be signed for him.
Tbh, I can only pick two okay lines from your post; the fact Smalling has been at Man Utd for almost a decade and the phrase, "we are doomed". As far as I can tell though, the "we" can't be me, and it is unlikely to be Manchester United.

 

[Mcking]

Let's just spend the money. I'd rather we went for quality and backed it with youth. £100m on Koulibaly, £35m on Alderweireld...

Back 4:
Shaw Koulibaly Alderweireld Dalot

Back 3:
Koulibaly Alderweireld Bailly

Backup: Young Tuenzebe Lindeloff TFM

Smalling, Jones, Rojo, & Valencia may all need to move on. Might be a little harsh on Smalling, but he's neither top class or young.

It is easy to lay it on paper that way, but I don't really think it is sensible to handicap the team by moving on the best, very good, top, proving and most reliable center back at the club. Bailly has proven to be not-good or at least, unreliable, and nobody knows how Alderweireld and Koulibaly will turn out. They might turn out like Lukaku, like Sanchez, Matic, Darmian, Rojo, Fred, Blind, Shaw, Bailly, Lindelof, Di Maria, Pogba - I could go on and on. After staking £135m, we'd probably have to wait three, four years to see if they can come good until it dawns on everyone that they won't, and we'd stake another £135m and the cycle goes on. I'd say signing either and keeping Smalling as first choice to provide a smooth transistion and healthy competition is the way to go.

 

[giorno]

It would take a truly stupid offer to get him in january(i'm talking well upwards of £100 million)

And the price might not change next summer either

Toby will be available for £25m i believe?

I don't think you're gonna sign Koulibaly

 

[Decomposing In Paris]

It is easy to lay it on paper that way, but I don't really think it is sensible to handicap the team by moving on the best, very good, top, proving and most reliable center back at the club. Bailly has proven to be not-good or at least, unreliable, and nobody knows how Alderweireld and Koulibaly will turn out. They might turn out like Lukaku, like Sanchez, Matic, Darmian, Rojo, Fred, Blind, Shaw, Bailly, Lindelof, Di Maria, Pogba - I could go on and on. After staking £135m, we'd probably have to wait three, four years to see if they can come good until it dawns on everyone that they won't, and we'd stake another £135m and the cycle goes on. I'd say signing either and keeping Smalling as first choice to provide a smooth transistion and healthy competition is the way to go.

Well he's out of contract in the summer, which played into my thinking.

 

[Mcking]

Well he's out of contract in the summer, which played into my thinking.

A new contract wouldn't take much, and there are rumours he's been offered one.

 

[endless_wheelies]

It would take a truly stupid offer to get him in january(i'm talking well upwards of £100 million)

And the price might not change next summer either

Toby will be available for £25m i believe?

I don't think you're gonna sign Koulibaly

Given our current situation Koulibaly is to an extent a veblen good.

 

[JJ12]

At least say something constructive. Axel is having a good season at Villa and is much better on the ball than Smalling. I think after almost a decade of Smalling and his awful distribution, he has had enough time to prove himself. He is responsible for our abysmal build up from the back.

Smalling is far superior than Axel. Axel may get better at some point but not even close at this point.

 

[Ekeke]

So I've seen some posts about people not being that impressed with his passing.

However he has joint 6th most key passes from a CB this season along with David Luiz, out of every player in the major leagues. I think that shows that he clearly knows what to do with the ball

 

[Renegade]

If a world-class player come available, especially in an area we are in desperate need of a player we should be interested. We should pay whatever it takes, we are supposed to be the richest club in the world and time we started acting like it mate.

Did you say that when we splashed 75m on Lukaku? Our record signing midfielder is sitting on our bench. We have another 50m midfielder sitting next to him. Our 40m 29 year old DM is strolling around our midfield and One of the highest paid players in the league aka “final piece to our attack” is MIA. I don’t think spending has been our problem.

People are going to be so shocked when our new CB signing doesn’t change our team’s fortunes. Having to listen to Jose pluck another excuse out of thin air. He’ll complain about not being backed with a striker of his choice completly ignoring the fact we’ve signed Lukaku. His supporters will eat it up of course and say he hasn’t been backed financially.

 

[Eric's Seagull]

Did you say that when we splashed 75m on Lukaku? Our record signing midfielder is sitting on our bench. We have another 50m midfielder sitting next to him. Our 40m 29 year old DM is strolling around our midfield and One of the highest paid players in the league aka “final piece to our attack” is MIA. I don’t think spending has been our problem.

People are going to be so shocked when our new CB signing doesn’t change our team’s fortunes. Having to listen to Jose pluck another excuse out of thin air. He’ll complain about not being backed with a striker of his choice completely ignoring the fact we’ve signed Lukaku. His supporters will eat it up of course and say he hasn’t been backed financially.

Think you are confusing me for someone else mate.

Don't think Lukaku was ever worth £75m and never said I thought he was going to be that world class striker we craved, still hasn't got it in him. Waste of money just at the time there didn't seen too be much available (Lukaku, Morata, Belotti?).

Our record signing has a bad attitude problem which I thought was going to play a lot better here bu the needs to grow up, he's nearly 26 now and start act it, also if you pay a world record fee for someone you expect world class performances regularly which he is clearly not giving. Haven'y possible got a clue what Jose is thinking about Fred mate.

Regarding our plodder we signed from Chelsea I was against the signings the first place, He is supposed to be right in the middle of hie prime age wise and should at least be able to put in something resembling a decent 90 shift, for your information I never wanted him at all and wanted Fabinho But we know how that happened. Think we made a big mistake with Lukaku which Jose should take responsibility for and ship him out for someone who scores regular.

I get it when some supporters say we haven't been backed enough, due to the about of backing we have been given we should be doing better. Some of his signings have been mediocre at best.

I don't think spending but not spending wisely has been our problem. I thinkn the problem id doening itwisely. I am neither a fan of Jose and Woody and personally think Jose needs to go and the club need to bring in the DoF as he clearly doesn't know much about football.

I think Koulibaly who in my opinion is a top 3 in the world centre-back would make a significant difference but not so much on his own, I think we need someone like Milenkovic by the side of him.

Also although the club has spent money I think we should have spent more as we are the richest club in the world and should show it, all think the money should be put in the hands of someone who will spend it more wisely that Woody and Jose as i despise both.

Thoughts @renegade

 

[Renegade]

Think you are confusing me for someone else mate.

Don't think Lukaku was ever worth £75m and never said I thought he was going to be that world class striker we craved, still hasn't got it in him. Waste of money just at the time there didn't seen too be much available (Lukaku, Morata, Belotti?).

Our record signing has a bad attitude problem which I thought was going to play a lot better here bu the needs to grow up, he's nearly 26 now and start act it, also if you pay a world record fee for someone you expect world class performances regularly which he is clearly not giving. Haven'y possible got a clue what Jose is thinking about Fred mate.

Regarding our plodder we signed from Chelsea I was against the signings the first place, He is supposed to be right in the middle of hie prime age wise and should at least be able to put in something resembling a decent 90 shift, for your information I never wanted him at all and wanted Fabinho But we know how that happened. Think we made a big mistake with Lukaku which Jose should take responsibility for and ship him out for someone who scores regular.

I get it when some supporters say we haven't been backed enough, due to the about of backing we have been given we should be doing better. Some of his signings have been mediocre at best.

I don't think spending but not spending wisely has been our problem. I thinkn the problem id doening itwisely. I am neither a fan of Jose and Woody and personally think Jose needs to go and the club need to bring in the DoF as he clearly doesn't know much about football.

I think Koulibaly who in my opinion is a top 3 in the world centre-back would make a significant difference but not so much on his own, I think we need someone like Milenkovic by the side of him.

Also although the club has spent money I think we should have spent more as we are the richest club in the world and should show it, all think the money should be put in the hands of someone who will spend it more wisely that Woody and Jose as i despise both.

Thoughts @renegade

Ultimately I just don’t trust Jose with another penny. He could sign Messi tommorow and I’d have doubts about how he’d fit.

I don’t belive in spending what ever it takes though, purely because history shows we make expensive errors very often. If we had said in 2014/2015 we could have Pogba in midfield everyone would say “just pay what ever”. We have him and now it’s a waste. Same as Sanchez.

A CB or 2 is absolutely needed but I understand Woodward not wanting to be held to ransom on prices. It’s not the best way to conduct business. If Mourinho had his own way we’d spend 60m on Willian & 60/70m on Toby. For them to be needing to be replaced 2 seasons later ala Matic. Whilst winning nothing in the meantime and getting no return on our investments. Total waste of money. Maybe KK is the answer but not with Jose he won’t be which means 100m down the drain and important years of KK’s footballing prime wasted while we do nothing under Jose.

 

[christinaa]

It's very very difficult to do business with Napoli and their president!

 

[Eric's Seagull]

Ultimately I just don’t trust Jose with another penny. He could sign Messi tommorow and I’d have doubts about how he’d fit.

I don’t belive in spending what ever it takes though, purely because history shows we make expensive errors very often. If we had said in 2014/2015 we could have Pogba in midfield everyone would say “just pay what ever”. We have him and now it’s a waste. Same as Sanchez.

A CB or 2 is absolutely needed but I understand Woodward not wanting to be held to ransom on prices. It’s not the best way to conduct business. If Mourinho had his own way we’d spend 60m on Willian & 60/70m on Toby. For them to be needing to be replaced 2 seasons later ala Matic. Whilst winning nothing in the meantime and getting no return on our investments. Total waste of money. Maybe KK is the answer but not with Jose he won’t be which means 100m down the drain and important years of KK’s footballing prime wasted while we do nothing under Jose.

I agree with a lot of your points mate.
Due to Jose'd recent track record with signing players, I would trust his judgement oh his own. That is why I think we need a DoF.

Although I believe e should spend whatever it needs someone more competent needs their hands on the purse strings not Jose and Woody. I for one a glad that Jose didn't get granted the money for Willian and although Toby is a decent player at his age I think the price was a bit over the top. I think should we sign Koulibaly he will be an immense signing for although not for Jose, if Jose signed him he would just be using top quality wall paper to paper over the cracks.

I for one am sick of Jose' mentality of pay whatever we need to now for immediate success which currently isn't working for us to fork out shes loads in three years time and repeat again.

I personally think before we make another signing we need a good DoF (Luis Campos) in mate and someone in who can do a better job that Jose. In my opinion Leonardo Jardim, I think we should also bring in someone like Paul Mitchell to work along side Campos and whoever else we need to, even if we have to make up job titles for then to get us challenging for the top honours.

 

[Eric's Seagull]

It's very very difficult to do business with Napoli and their president!

How come please?
It is because he's stubborn as he he has a lot of money, wants to keep his best players because he thinks he can genuinely win Serie A in the near future or is there some other reason please?

 

[Red Star One]

Having watched more of Serie A than any other league (apart from Premier League of course) I think he’s comfortably top3 out there with Chiellini still easily the best CB in the world, followed by Koulibaly and Skriniar. He’s two levels above anyone in our defense these days and I believe he’s not a finished material yet - although we wouldn’t be buying him for potential, but for immediate impact.
His positioning, aerial ability and awareness is what we lack. If there’s any chance we could convince him to come to Manchester, we should spend even 70m.
Also, loved him for this