I'm not fuss about this if it happens, but how much did Arsenal sign him for from his previous club?
Thomas Vermaelen
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Benatia is a lot better than Vermaelen. A lot, lot better.
People will probably want Benatia because he's been the best centre back in the world this past season but yeah sure..
How does a player leave his previous club where he didn't get games, to come to another club on the basis that he might get games only when our current options are not fit, when he's an injury prone player himself?
If he's coming, then I doubt it's as back-up(unless he really has no ambitions) and it'd mean there are plans for him to feature regularly either as CB(hopefully not) or maybe LB if Evra leaves- a better option at least, as hopefully Shaw will be mostly fit, which would mean he won't get anywhere near the team.
If he's coming, then I doubt it's as back-up(unless he really has no ambitions) and it'd mean there are plans for him to feature regularly either as CB(hopefully not) or maybe LB if Evra leaves- a better option at least, as hopefully Shaw will be mostly fit, which would mean he won't get anywhere near the team.
Reading your posts(not only in this thread), you start to wonder why Fergie is even revered at all, seeing how much damage and dicking about he apparently did at the club
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10 million Euro rising to 12.
I think he is not rated here. I can't blame anyone for that. It is justified.
I feel that if, and I know it's a big if, he can stay fit, he can be a very good signing. Better than anyone other realistic CB signing for an immediate role.
I feel that if, and I know it's a big if, he can stay fit, he can be a very good signing. Better than anyone other realistic CB signing for an immediate role.
Do Arse fans rate him? They will have watched him more than us.
He has been very good, but the best in the world? I am not sure about that.
Anyway, he has had only a single very good season, so we'll see if it was just a great season or he really is a world class. On the other side, I agree that he is comfortably better than Vermaelen.
This past season I'd say he has been tbf, Chiellini's been good too. Who would you say has been better?
In his first few seasons he was quality and made premiership team of the year, this was during a period when Arsenal sold their best player every summer. His fitness record isn't that bad he missed 1 season with an injury and the other 3 he was first choice played 33-29-29 nowhere near as bad as people make out.
Some fans can't understand the difference in basic defending from a CB who is expected to play a high line and build attacks compared to a CB who sits on the 18 yard line and makes headers/clearances all day.
How does a player leave his previous club where he didn't get games, to come to another club on the basis that he might get games only when our current options are not fit, when he's an injury prone player himself?
If he's coming, then I doubt it's as back-up(unless he really has no ambitions) and it'd mean there are plans for him to feature regularly either as CB(hopefully not) or maybe LB if Evra leaves- a better option at least, as hopefully Shaw will be mostly fit, which would mean he won't get anywhere near the team.
Reading your posts(not only in this thread), you start to wonder why Fergie is even revered at all, seeing how much damage and dicking about he apparently did at the club
You have to remember a lot of fans are horribly fickle and clueless
Vidic and Rio were still important for the team for the simple reason that they were still class (at least the former) and available. Jones, Smalling and Evans all have issues in terms of fitness.
We won't improve the situation by getting an injury prone defender from Arsenal's thrash bin
Reading your posts(not only in this thread), you start to wonder why Fergie is even revered at all, seeing how much damage and dicking about he apparently did at the club
I always talk specifically from around 2010 onwards, of which his management would cross the lines of genius into the downright daft. He couldn't let go of his boys and implemented a rotation policy that benefitted only 3 players out of a squad of 25. The after effects, which were easy to predict, can still be felt to this day. His team selection against City at the Etihad cost us a league title. I don't mind admitting to it now, and I said it at the time, I thought he should have retired after that season. I believed his team selections during that run in were abysmal - Giggs against Wigan was disgraceful - and we weren't playing very progressive football. I thought he was done. Then he won another league title. There's his genius.
Now, whether the attractive football issue was down to his ideas, or a lack of spending power due to the debt, will be debated forever. However, I certainly think Sir Alex made a whole host of bizarre choices in his latter years. We won games, and god knows how, and that's what justified the barminess, it was his genius. But I think these criticisms are still fairly well argued certainly prevalent. And no, I don't 'blame' him, I'm just being constructive. There's players at the club that will probably share similar frustrations, namely Smalling and Jones.
Anyway, this is for another thread. Back to the defence issue, whoever you blame for it, it really shouldn't be the way it is now. Two years ago we thought it may have been sorted for a long time. Right now, many are doubtful of that.
But Vermaelen will come, so I expect this thread to end up a little like Fellaini's quite soon.
If you're referring to me I'll quite happily share my former opinions about the club. I've had them a long time and at least have the nackers to at least explain and admit to them. But yes, there a fickle supporters everywhere, it's the nature of the game. No biggie.
I think Vermaelen is a done deal and will get finalised once the world cup is over. It's too odd of a rumour for the tabloids to just make up especially when they can print stories about us having spending 150m+ on superstars X and Y. It seems to be common knowledge that LVG wants his LCB to be left footed and vice versa so he makes sense from a tactical point of view and I imagine he views Vermaelen as a defender who can flourish in the right system.
Well it is now.
Will happen in the next week I'd imagine now.
Agree
Yeah they're out now so if anything is happening we should find out in the coming days/week.
Wonder if there's any chance of us playing 3 at the back.
Otherwise surely this signing will stop us going after a Hummels or the like. We surely can't manage 5 defenders? Even with our defenders ability to get crocked at the same time
Otherwise surely this signing will stop us going after a Hummels or the like. We surely can't manage 5 defenders? Even with our defenders ability to get crocked at the same time
Smalling, Rio, Vidic, Evans & Jones?
No Europe.
Rio could barely make a decent performance a month, and Vidic wasn't reliable like old days.
Next season we wouldn't have two who were in a similar boat, meaning we'd surely be going 3 at the back, not signing a big defender, or completely marginalising a player or 2.
Our back four is injury prone. Vermaelen is basically a walking injury as well.
I don't see the point in this transfer. He is injury prone and he has not been playing first team football. If we are buying him for his experience then I'm sure we can find a better player than him. We need a world class CB to pair with our current younger CB's. Hummels, Benatia etc.
What a crap signing. Even the Arsenal and Belgium fans think he's shit.
So the idea is to pay the wages of 5 first team CBs, just so that 2 are available each week?
And then if theres a month or two when 4 or 5 are fit, people are unhappy with playing time
Good point actually. 4 + Keane should be enough.
However, if Shaw and Rafael get injured (and they both are a bit injury prone) then we would have a bit of a problem. Evra may be leaving as well.
Van Gaal knows him from their Ajax days I'm guessing? I'm as confused as anyone... hopefully we can make what's playing in front of the defence so good that we don't need to worry about it.
i think we're playing 5-3-2
If Evra leaves we'd obviously need a leftback to compete with Shaw. I don't think Vermaelen has ever been happy or looked any good as a leftback. Verthongen is the one who does quite well at leftback.
Like him, will be pleased if it goes through, imagine we'd get another centre back in also, then maybe get one of the current back four out.
I fail to see the point in this signing unless we are buying 2 centre backs this summer. We need a world class presence at the back, last season we leaked so many silly goals.
That'd certainly sort out the VP/Rooney/Mata situation
And explain why Ashley Young is still here and what we're doing with Valencia, Nani, Kagawa, Januzaj...
I really don't see the point in bringing in someone at the same level as our current CBs.
got everything crossed it just nonsense rumors..........
I can't wait until the season starts and these bs 5-3-2 rumours are put to bed.
yep, a distinct lack of pace and width.
we scratch our heads and think on then.
ps Young's still here as he's on monumental wages and no one would take him.
it doesn't make sense at this moment. But probably will pretty soon!
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