Ten Hag will want him at CB, I have little doubt about that. He wants him for his front foot defending, which aids the high press, and his playmaking ability from the back. His size is a non issue as far as I’m concerned. There have been some superb CBs who were under 6ft. Baresi, Cannavaro, Ayala, Mascherano, etc etc. He’s aggressive, tough, and composed. Against low block teams he’ll be able to step into midfield to provide that overload, and has been shown to handle big strikers well. So I really don’t see where the whole size furore comes from.
Playing out from the back and being an aggressive, high pressing team, it’s easy to see why ETH wants him and why he’ll likely prove pivotal to our play, with and without the ball. I think Maguire will struggle under ETH to be first choice. I see Varane and Martinez being first choice sooner or later, but early pre-season impressions are that Bailly might have a bigger role to play than ever previously thought. His pace and urgency in stepping out of defence has been superb in pre-season. I’ve never been a fan, but it’s amazing what a different coach and approach to the game can do for some players. As ever, can he remain fit?
Lindelof is an unknown. Think he is a very reliable defender who gets often under rated on here, and his play making from the back is really quite good. But he’s physically very average. Neither aerially dominant, strong or quick. Just pretty average at all three. I’m not sure how he’s going to fare tbh. I’d still pick him above Maguire though, who looks all wrong for a high press system.