I completely agree. I'm not privy to who is available or who is good enough, however I've seen Koulibaly and the RBL CBs play a little, but until those types of players are signed by United then Maguire and Lindelof is what ticks. Smalling was firmly placed 3rd or 4th going into the season by Ole and staff, so even if we all wanted or still think the pairing of Maguire and Smalling could work, it's obvious that Smalling's on ball composure and decision making planted him behind Maguire, Lindelof, and Tuanzebe at the beginning of the season. I use Smalling as an example because he is aerially dominant, fast, tall, and aggressive in the tackle which looks to compliment well with Maguire, but that's it. The composure and nerve on the ball and reading of the game can make players seem passive, but that's not always the case. Knowing your teammates have these calming influences steadies their teammates in all situations and doesn't invite room for panic or complete desperation.
Kalidou Koulibaly
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I completely agree. I'm not privy to who is available or who is good enough, however I've seen Koulibaly and the RBL CBs play a little, but until those types of players are signed by United then Maguire and Lindelof is what ticks. Smalling was firmly placed 3rd or 4th going into the season by Ole and staff, so even if we all wanted or still think the pairing of Maguire and Smalling could work, it's obvious that Smalling's on ball composure and decision making planted him behind Maguire, Lindelof, and Tuanzebe at the beginning of the season. I use Smalling as an example because he is aerially dominant, fast, tall, and aggressive in the tackle which looks to compliment well with Maguire, but that's it. The composure and nerve on the ball and reading of the game can make players seem passive, but that's not always the case. Knowing your teammates have these calming influences steadies their teammates in all situations and doesn't invite room for panic or complete desperation.
I agree mate.
A rumour like this one makes currently no sense till the CAS decision about their european ban.Reportedly on his way to Citeh for 80m euro's on a 5 year deal according to reports this morning...
If true,funny how he's too old for the caf yet apparently not too old for Guardiola
I think he'll prove the Caf doubters wrong. A partnership with Laporte would be quite the prospect.
I would love it if we bin Lindelof and get this guy. Our defence would be almost unbeatable with him and Maguire protecting Big Dave
I think he'll be very good for City too and it suits Guardiola who is expected to win now.
Yeah, I think so too. I know you prefer a younger model, but he'd also suit us, next to Maguire. Would be an enormous upgrade on Lindelof. But too pricey given the number of issues we need to address.
Issue is the focus is Sancho, and then at that point is there cash remaining for him and a midfielder?
The real benefit to United if they get Sancho and another world class player, each summer from that point you can sign a player for 70-80M if you needed them the rest of the squad is that young that it's not a concern, you can literally swap out a player or two each season and continually rebuild.
Koulibaly is a top defender but the issue is his price tag honestly, United would have to offload Jones, Smalling, Rojo, perhaps get Sanchez off the wage bill and then somehow try to find a way to make the signing.
I think after Sancho and a top midfielder... which would be seen as a priority, how Koulibaly is affordable I have no idea.
Someone to form a 5 + year partnership with AWB and Maguire would just be unbelievable though and I think Koulibaly is perhaps a 3-4 year player in terms of his age
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Just stay clear of him, for half the money we could get Lucas Hernandez who is out of favor in Bayern and its a great CB.
Yeah, long-term he may not be the best investment. Although I'm yet to believe Napoli will get the fee bandied about. I'm a bit uncertain about our vision though, if the board is saying it's a 3 year process of becoming seriously competitive, that will also impact our ability to attract top quality. I'm not sure world class players want to join if we're not expecting to fight for the top titles for - what would now be - the next two years. This is a pretty odd window with the relaxing of FFP and the slight drop in prices (it seems), perhaps an opportunity to really push on. I don't know how much the club can invest in one window - but I am definitely hoping that we've been busy trying to offload a number of players so we cut costs and improve the quality of the squad.
Bayern paid 80 million for Lucas, why would they sell him for a huge loss? I also have a feeling he would get eaten alive in the EPL, he seriously lacks physicality.
I thinl they would take 50 without a doubt, they bought him for their LB spot and now its nailed for Davies who is younger.
Its a good point about physicality though I think he did a great job in Spain.
Pretty sure they bought him as a CB given that's where he's been played at for Bayern almost exclusively even when Davies wasn't the starter yet
Who was the LB before Davies took over? Since Alaba was converted into a CB early in the season.
He was initially converted as a CB due to injuries they had (coincidentally due to Lucas and Sule being hurt) but he was playing LB at the start. Even Pavard had some games where he played LB.
Davies did such a good job filling in that he's become nailed on as their starter now.
Lucas plays LB for France but he's played mainly as a LCB for Bayern
Good to know Thanks! I watched him more in Atletico rather tham in Bayern, I dont follow bundesliga much, I thought he played as LB there.
Liverpool missed Werner because of fee. Surely they can't afford him?
I'm not really sure that's true. My hunch is they weren't desperate for him, he'd not immediately walk into the team and they knew he was keen on joining, so probably tried to see if they could penny pinch a bit and Chelsea said thanks, we'll have him. With Koulibaly, he would obviously walk into their team and form a pretty frightening partnership with van Dijk, and an outstanding back five. A much bigger priority to address that centre back position I'd assume. And we've seen Klopp flirting with Sancho recently...
football-italia.net/155698/koulibaly-ive-made-my-decision
Sounds like he will stay in Napoli
Sounds like he will stay in Napoli
Ake as the backup and Koulibaly as the starting CB it seems..
City have informed Napoli that they want Koulibaly but aren't gonna pay Napoli's €75m asking price.
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Off course City will get him for less than we wasted for Maguire
feck me.
Chelsea getting Ziyech, Werner and possibly Havertz
City possibly getting Ake and Koulibaly
Liverpool apparently trying to sign Thiago
Meanwhile, over at Old Trafford, we're faxing over the documents for that JLingz sponsorship to go through
Chelsea getting Ziyech, Werner and possibly Havertz
City possibly getting Ake and Koulibaly
Liverpool apparently trying to sign Thiago
Meanwhile, over at Old Trafford, we're faxing over the documents for that JLingz sponsorship to go through
I think most could see this coming a mile off, even with the news about Ake. With Pool winning the title and FFP dead I expect Pep to break some spending records this summer.
It's going to sting if they get him for anything less than 70m
Would be glorious to see him being linked with Liverpool and City, and then ending up here.
De Laurentiis wants €75m, a sum City aren't willing to pay according to Di Marzio.
Smalling + 50m. That might tempt them.
feck me.
Chelsea getting Ziyech, Werner and possibly Havertz
City possibly getting Ake and Koulibaly
Liverpool apparently trying to sign Thiago
Meanwhile, over at Old Trafford, we're faxing over the documents for that JLingz sponsorship to go through
Still every chance we could get Sancho, Van Der Beek & maybe Upamecano
He's 29, COVID... Really shouldn't cost much more than €60-70m.
I'd pass on him. 29 years old and could be a new Mangala.
I'd take him for 40m, which would never happen. Only City would be willing to pay over 60 for him these days.
De Laurentiis should have taken the £70-80m that was mooted last year when Koulibaly’s stock was high instead of demanding the insane amount he did. He has an ageing, depreciating asset on his hands now and with Covid-19 playing havoc with the markets, he may not fetch even half that now.
Hopefully Ake has more ambition then becoming Sane
Feck me what a window that would be.
You don't rate Maguire?
What?
feck me.
Chelsea getting Ziyech, Werner and possibly Havertz
City possibly getting Ake and Koulibaly
Liverpool apparently trying to sign Thiago
Meanwhile, over at Old Trafford, we're faxing over the documents for that JLingz sponsorship to go through
There is always someone early in the window trying to make every rumour to our rivals sound like a done deal and any rumour about us sound like nothing, in order to prove the myth that they typically get better players in the market than we do.
At the end of the window, they generally disappear, before they turn up at the start of the next window with the same joke. Is that you?
He'd be a quality buy,make no mistake.
The fax jokes and Woodward bashing are weird because inaccurate. We often get big transfers early, Wan Bissaka and Fred being examples in the last two years even Lukaku was a relatively quick transfer when you consider that it was a top all time fee, sometimes it feels like some fans think that transfers are like going to the supermarket, you pick your article and checkout.
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