Kostas Manolas

ti vu said:
With hindsight. He was very good at Hamburger. At the start of his Chelsea career, he was fecking beast. He was top class vs Liverpool and Barcelona (dominated Ronaldinho when Ronaldinho was still performing at top level). Injuries and later daughter death messed up his career. He is in the mould as failure of Jones (if it's fully materialized). He was as talented as a young defender as it gets.

Anyways, as I said not too bad.
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Did not about either of these. Easy to dismiss a player with clouded memory.
 
Geordopolous said:
Oh no I think we should definitely sign this guy or another centreback. It's not our absolute priority but we need one I think for sure. That'll allow blind to get some game time in our midfield too. This guy looks quality for sure, do you know much about him?
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Not really, but i've seen some Roma matches and he did impress me. I think he is way better than Blind, who is in my opinion is not a central defender and should only cover there as Carrick did in Fergie time. The only problem with Manolas as i wrote already here is that i all game that i've seen he was situated more to the right, so a RCB. Can he play LCB, will Smalling switch or what i don;t know, but i would prefer to get a central defender that actually is comfortable at LCB.
 
Fortitude said:
Smalling's position as a starter is in doubt if this goes through, I feel. Marquinhos and Varane are on our radar for LCB, and I think we'll try for them all summer if there's a possibility we can get either one of them.

It looks like whichever one we could get would be paired with Manolas in a new CB pairing.
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I would be very surprised if we bought two new top class CBs and drop Smalling.
 
Ødegaard said:
For me, personally, it's more to it than just those numbers. But it's okay if you don't think so.
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We conceded on average 10.1 shots per game which is ranked as the best in the league. DDG saved most of them but to have such a low amount of shots against is also down to good defending. Blind was good at the back and I'm not making a case for him being a starter for all next season, just merely pointing out that if injuries occur I would be happy enough in his ability to come into the team and do a good job. I do get the part of it not being the best defence due to the fact we controlled the possession in most matches and done naff all with it.

Havent seen much from Manolos but comments seem to be mixed, seems strong and quick but has a temper and seems to be a cnut. But I think he would be just what we need to tighten things up even more and to take charge of the defence more, someone more vocal and willing to call people out if they mess up.
 
If we sign Manolas, I think we shoul also go for a CB like Koulibaly (If we sell Jones/Rojo and Blind moves to midfield.
How much do you think Manolas and Koulibaly would cost compared with Stones?
 
GloryHunter07 said:
I would be very surprised if we bought two new top class CBs and drop Smalling.
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If this Manolas talk has legs, I don't see how that won't materialise. He's a RCB, same as Smalling. Mourinho is a long time admirer of both Varane and Marquinhos, if he can land either one, he will. 3 into 2 positions doesn't go, so it stands to reason that the players he's brought in will be his preferred choices.
 
AbusementPark said:
We conceded on average 10.1 shots per game which is ranked as the best in the league. DDG saved most of them but to have such a low amount of shots against is also down to good defending. Blind was good at the back and I'm not making a case for him being a starter for all next season, just merely pointing out that if injuries occur I would be happy enough in his ability to come into the team and do a good job. I do get the part of it not being the best defence due to the fact we controlled the possession in most matches and done naff all with it.

Havent seen much from Manolos but comments seem to be mixed, seems strong and quick but has a temper and seems to be a cnut. But I think he would be just what we need to tighten things up even more and to take charge of the defence more, someone more vocal and willing to call people out if they mess up.
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Temper and cnut. Isn't that a great thing? It's a bit too nice in our defence.
 
Dont know much about this guy,cant remember me watching more then maybe 2 of his games. I see comments like he is not a top class but are there top class CBs on same level as Rio/Vidic? For me it looks that really world class CBs are rare bread at the moment.
 
Fortitude said:
If this Manolas talk has legs, I don't see how that won't materialise. He's a RCB, same as Smalling. Mourinho is a long time admirer of both Varane and Marquinhos, if he can land either one, he will. 3 into 2 positions doesn't go, so it stands to reason that the players he's brought in will be his preferred choices.
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I don't think which side a CB plays on matters that much to most of them really. Given how badly almost all of our squad under-performed last season it'd be highly surprising if one of our only players who had a bad season is dropped.

Then again no one would have believed he'd drop Mata when he rejoined Chelsea.
 
soap said:
I don't think which side a CB plays on matters that much to most of them really. Given how badly almost all of our squad under-performed last season it'd be highly surprising if one of our only players who had a bad season is dropped.

Then again no one would have believed he'd drop Mata when he rejoined Chelsea.
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Smalling is poor on his right side coming out of the defence on his good foot... imagine what he'd be like playing out of the wrong side! It has all the hallmarks of a horror movie, that!

Has Manolas ever played LCB? If he has, then at least it's feasible he could swap to accommodate Smalling, if he hasn't, I don't think he's about to start if he comes here, personally.
 
Fer said:
If we sign Manolas, I think we shoul also go for a CB like Koulibaly (If we sell Jones/Rojo and Blind moves to midfield.
How much do you think Manolas and Koulibaly would cost compared with Stones?
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Koulibaly is a quality defender we'd do well to get him. Monalas reminds me of Koscielny.
 
Fortitude said:
If this Manolas talk has legs, I don't see how that won't materialise. He's a RCB, same as Smalling. Mourinho is a long time admirer of both Varane and Marquinhos, if he can land either one, he will. 3 into 2 positions doesn't go, so it stands to reason that the players he's brought in will be his preferred choices.
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It also stands to reason that we wont replace one of our better players over the last two seasons when the squad has plenty of bigger issues to address.
 
Finally a manager who is not going to sign defenders because they left footers.
 
Fortitude said:
Smalling is poor on his right side coming out of the defence on his good foot... imagine what he'd be like playing out of the wrong side! It has all the hallmarks of a horror movie, that!

Has Manolas ever played LCB? If he has, then at least it's feasible he could swap to accommodate Smalling, if he hasn't, I don't think he's about to start if he comes here, personally.
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Whenever he's played with Jones, Smalling always played on the left CB side. Can't remember him ever being completely awful, but with Manolas he will be the guy looking to bring the ball out of defence.
 
Adam-Utd said:
Whenever he's played with Jones, Smalling always played on the left CB side. Can't remember him ever being completely awful, but with Manolas he will be the guy looking to bring the ball out of defence.
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On Smalling on the left CB side along with Jones. This can't be right except for this season, can it? For England U21, then SAF, and first season under LVG, Smalling had been always used as RCB whenever he partnered Jones IIRC. Only this season, LVG went nut and wanted Jones as his mainstay RCB if not for injury, that Smalling was moved to LCB side when the duo played together.
 
prath92 said:
I think blind played st CB because we didn't get ramoss
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Not so sure. I remember LVG saying at the start of the season that he had to decide between Jones and Smalling (until Jones made the decision for him by getting injured). Seemed like Blind was the most nailed on of the three at the time.
 
sullydnl said:
Not so sure. I remember LVG saying at the start of the season that he had to decide between Jones and Smalling (until Jones made the decision for him by getting injured). Seemed like Blind was the most nailed on of the three at the time.
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Agree. IIRC LVG literally named his 3 starters at the back after pre season is Darmian Blind Shaw with RCB was there for the taking. Jones was clearly favored to start with the other 3 before injury.
 
GloryHunter07 said:
It also stands to reason that we wont replace one of our better players over the last two seasons when the squad has plenty of bigger issues to address.
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According to whom? How do you know Mourinho's not looking at Smalling's mistakes and grabby hands and thinking he wants none of that in his notoriously miserly defence?

It's all well and good us saying what are problem areas, but Mourinho might have totally different ideas.

Let me ask you this: If Manolas comes in, do you think he'll be the only CB we'll sign this summer?
Adam-Utd said:
Whenever he's played with Jones, Smalling always played on the left CB side. Can't remember him ever being completely awful, but with Manolas he will be the guy looking to bring the ball out of defence.
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It's been extremely rare and infrequent that Smalling has gone LCB during his time here. I just can't imagine Mourinho wanting to further impose upon a player who is so poor and uncomfortable on the ball in his natural RCB position as to put him on the left. Just sounds incredibly counter-productive to me.
 
I've played centre back for more than 20 years and couldn't give a shit which side I'm on.

Van Gaal has brainwashed loads of you.
 
sullydnl said:
Not so sure. I remember LVG saying at the start of the season that he had to decide between Jones and Smalling (until Jones made the decision for him by getting injured). Seemed like Blind was the most nailed on of the three at the time.
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I don't remember him said that. Do you have any links to that? Smalling was our third captain behind Rooney and Carrick. I don't think he was going to be dropped at all.
 
Adam-Utd said:
Whenever he's played with Jones, Smalling always played on the left CB side. Can't remember him ever being completely awful, but with Manolas he will be the guy looking to bring the ball out of defence.
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Jones played on the left in LVG's first season.
 
prath92 said:
We targeted otamendi and Ramos last season neither of whom were left footers
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But they've both played on the left.

prath92 said:
I don't remember him said that. Do you have any links to that? Smalling was our third captain behind Rooney and Carrick. I don't think he was going to be dropped at all.
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He definitely said it. Jones was possibly going to be ahead of Smalling in the pecking order until the last or second to last pre-season game when Jones looked like crap and nature took it's course, if you will (partially via injury).
 
ti vu said:
Agree. IIRC LVG literally named his 3 starters at the back after pre season is Darmian Blind Shaw with RCB was there for the taking. Jones was clearly favored to start with the other 3 before injury.
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Hang on. I though Jones was always injured. I mean this guy may have played 1 game, but at no stage did LVG believe that Jones could play 90 minutes.
 
prath92 said:
I don't remember him said that. Do you have any links to that? Smalling was our third captain behind Rooney and Carrick. I don't think he was going to be dropped at all.
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This is a new manager, who might have different ideas about who is captain etc. If Carrick goes the vice captaincy is up for grabs.
 
DomesticTadpole said:
This is a new manager, who might have different ideas about who is captain etc. If Carrick goes the vice captaincy is up for grabs.
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Yeah. Smalling or DDG could be vice captain.

Organic Potatoes said:
But they've both played on the left.


He definitely said it. Jones was possibly going to be ahead of Smalling in the pecking order until the last or second to last pre-season game when Jones looked like crap and nature took it's course, if you will (partially via injury).
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Yeah but they aren't left footed. Neither was Jones.

I remember Smalling being part of the press conferences and all. I dont remember him ever saying Jones was over Smalling in the pecking order. Anyway even if that was even true it just goes on to assert that Blind was a backup at LCB to Ramos or otamendi and Jones/Smalling to be the RCB. And neither of them are left footed.
 
pablotatt said:
I've played centre back for more than 20 years and couldn't give a shit which side I'm on.

Van Gaal has brainwashed loads of you.
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I'm not sure why you're equating whatever level you're playing at with premier league football where every misstep or hesitation can have a costly outcome, but it is besides the point; some CB's are comfortable on either side - Vidic and Rio being prime examples of that - whilst others really aren't and play on a dedicated side except for injury crises or experimental phases for their entire career pretty much.

It's got nothing to do with LVG; it's simply something that is played out time and again for all to see.
 
Geordopolous said:
Smalling isn't as bad on the ball as most of you are making out
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It's opinion matter. IMO, Smalling is very poor on ball for very good to top class CB bracket. This has become a necessary requirement for modern football since teams press more and better (better stamina due to sport science) nowadays than in the past. Learning to pass out of the back at time is important. Teams are also better in possession now, so even for counter attack team, little time possession is more treasured. Having players who is wasteful on ball would be more punished as the game progresses.
 
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Geordopolous said:
Smalling isn't as bad on the ball as most of you are making out
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His technique makes him second-guess himself, which leads to mistakes and hesitancy that wouldn't otherwise be there. He can be easily pressured into giving weak turnovers and putting the team into a completely unnecessary compromising situation.

If he was more decisive and just hoofed it or played it wide and away from danger it would be less of an issue, but he doesn't do that when the heat is on and then he gets himself into a muddle.

He doesn't need to be a Koeman out of the back, or even a Terry, but his ability on the ball leaves a lot to be desired.
 
Every part of Smalling's game will look better when we give him a good partner
 
Tiber said:
Every part of Smalling's game will look better when we give him a good partner
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Why do you think that?

He's looked like a proper top class CB by himself a number of times and then he crumbles and makes individual mistakes that have little to do with anyone around him. He seems to have his highs and lows irrespective of what's going on around him.
 
Tiber said:
Every part of Smalling's game will look better when we give him a good partner
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Not want to derail to the thread further, but disagree. Smalling's best individual performance ever was this season partnered Blind. By that logic, Evans would still be at the club since he's very good with an experienced player to partner him. Smalling jas great physical attributes. Is very good overall. Yet he lacks the edge in game-reading, leadership, fear factor, the mind game/ cunningness... and being disabled in passing for modern very good CB bracket to push on to the next level.

Edit: why can't I get jomo out of my jead now? Now I mistype h for j. I blame you @sammsky1
 
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