I still think this is a terrible signing if it happens but I can't believe he'd be our only defensive signing, we are still at least 1 CB short.
Thomas Vermaelen
- Thread starter Santos J
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Yep, this is pretty much where I am with this signing. I wouldn't say I'm against it but it is a bit of a risk.
If he recaptures the form of 2009/10 then we'll have some player. 
If he recaptures the form of 2009/10 then we'll have some player.
I remember The Arsenal fans rating him as the best CB in the league back then and gave him the nickname Verminator.
He'd be the most pointless signing since Owen.
I don't mind the idea of signing Vermaelen, but not if it includes Smalling going the other way. What a rip off that would be.
We'd better not gift them Smalling in exchange, I'd be pretty disappointed.
A youtube vid of a defender scoring some goals. Just what we need.
Anyone got his Football Manager stats? :muppet:
I can't see us going in for that. They might well have suggested it because Wenger tried to sign Smalling when he was playing for Fulham, but I'm sure we'd reject any request. It doesn't make sense to let another defender go when four have already left this summer (assuming Evra completes his move to Juventus).
What is this bollox exactly?
Yep, but then again we've no idea how van Gaal rates Smalling. There was talk he was on probation alongside Cleverley, Young and Fellaini.
Seeing as we're obviously lacking in attacking options and goals, but very solid in defence, a CB that attacks well, but isn't actually that good at defending is what we should be impressed with. Makes sense.
He's the spitting image of the alien from American Dad.
I've yet to decide if this is a positive or a negative.
That was a ridiculous rumour, wasn't it? Smalling is better, younger, plays regular and less of a sick note than Vermaelen. Yeah give them Smalling plus cash and throw in Januzaj and Mata as well sure
It would hardly make sense trying to replace Rio and Vidic by getting Vermaelen and swapping Smalling.True, but I think there may have been an element of the press just putting forward the most obvious names in that. I've no doubt some of them might be under threat, but I'd be surprised if one is Smalling at this stage.
So should I cancel my shirt order with Hummels on the back then?
Wish we'd just sign him already. I've always liked him, and even though he's been abit downhill the past two years, I still think he can improve at Old Trafford.
I dont wish Smalling to go the other way - only a straight swap would be worth it if that at all.
I dont wish Smalling to go the other way - only a straight swap would be worth it if that at all.
How good is Vermaelen on the ball? Because that is our main problem. With our current defence we have no chance of building from the back.
Probably one of his main attributes, his ability on the ball.
I'd demand money from Arsenal as well as Vermaelen if we were handing over Smalling!
Add that to the fact that he'd be an okay back up to Shaw and it kind of makes sense. Hopefully it wouldn't be the only defender be buy though.
Pros
Another one of Arsenal's captains
van Gaal is familiar with the player
Left footed centre-back, which we currently possess none of
Premier League experienced
Can play left-back
Cons
As injury prone as Smalling and Jones
Not an upgrade on any of our current centre-backs
Another one of Arsenal's captains
van Gaal is familiar with the player
Left footed centre-back, which we currently possess none of
Premier League experienced
Can play left-back
Cons
As injury prone as Smalling and Jones
Not an upgrade on any of our current centre-backs
feck sakes, he's coming guys
If him coming means that one of our current centre backs is going then it's an absolutely awful, shit deal.
If it doesn't, then I probably couldn't care less.
If it doesn't, then I probably couldn't care less.
Might be decent on the left side of a back 3, but he gets exposed badly at left back
Isn't Evans a left-footer, or rather he's comfortable on both feet? He also played as a leftback for NI iirc
This. Vertonghen is the one who is better at left back.
Vermaelen loses form when shifted around as well. Don't think playing left back for him should be that much of a advantage honestly.
Just two-footed
Vermaelen was linked with other clubs before being linked with us. If he leaves it doesn't mean it has to be to us... /wishful thinking
No problem with this potential signing at all, was made Arsenal captain for a reason, and that is that he is a very good player, yes we need to keep him fit but it could be a chance worth taking if the fee, and wages are reasonable.
As a backup centre back/backup left back, he'd be fine. If he's going to be our answer to vidic and rio leaving, and the only centre back we sign this window the it's pretty poor business. He's got good qualities on the ball can probably do a good job at left back and allow us to sometimes play three at the back, but he's not going to be top class from what I've seen.
I wouldn't have a problem with it either per say, if the fee was small. But it would be one centre back who isn't in the top tier and we've got plenty of those.
Still of the opinion if we can get him for under 10m, I would see it as smart enough business.
If signing him as a stopgap for a season allows us to spend big on more pressing areas of the pitch (Vidal) than I'm all for it. My main concern in defence is injuries, but with an extra CB and fewer games next season, we should be okay. Sure, Vermaelen has his injury concerns too, but it would have to be completely rotten luck to have Smalling, Jones, Rafael, Evans and Vermaelen injured around the same time.
Ideally we'd all love a Hummels-type signing, but having already spent nearly £60m, and possibly another £40m on a midfielder, and having so far failed to recoup any money, it would make sense to target a budget option. Particularly if he can cover LB too.
I still have concerns about the actual quality of a Evans/Smalling, Evans/Jones, Jones/Smalling CB partnership, but if we're not going to give them a chance now, I can't see them ever realising their potential with us. So if we take this season to give them their chances, with Vermaelen as back-up I would completely understand. Doesn't mean I wouldn't welcome Hummels though.
Ideally we'd all love a Hummels-type signing, but having already spent nearly £60m, and possibly another £40m on a midfielder, and having so far failed to recoup any money, it would make sense to target a budget option. Particularly if he can cover LB too.
I still have concerns about the actual quality of a Evans/Smalling, Evans/Jones, Jones/Smalling CB partnership, but if we're not going to give them a chance now, I can't see them ever realising their potential with us. So if we take this season to give them their chances, with Vermaelen as back-up I would completely understand. Doesn't mean I wouldn't welcome Hummels though.
I would like for LvG's head to be checked if we are ready to give over Smalling for Vermaelen.
Rooney, Januzaj, Mata, Welbeck, Herrera, Carrick, Shaw, Rafael, Jones, Smalling, Evans and De Gea.
These players can't be let go by LvG. It will seriously piss me off if we let/make any one leave.
LvG let the likes of Kroos and Fabregas(allegedly) go. He is yet to make any signings. So the jury is out on who he decides on signing.
But if we let even one of those listed above go, then it will be bad start for him as far as squad building is concerned, IMO.
PS: I would have loved to put Chicha and Nani on that list. But I think they are all set to go :-(
These players can't be let go by LvG. It will seriously piss me off if we let/make any one leave.
LvG let the likes of Kroos and Fabregas(allegedly) go. He is yet to make any signings. So the jury is out on who he decides on signing.
But if we let even one of those listed above go, then it will be bad start for him as far as squad building is concerned, IMO.
PS: I would have loved to put Chicha and Nani on that list. But I think they are all set to go :-(
We won't be giving up Smalling, a young English talent, for Vermaelen - an older CB with no knees and not near the player he was a 2-3 years ago. Simply won't happen.
He was very good in his first season but I'm not sure if that was because he kept scoring goals so made lots of headlines. Was that goal scoring papering over certain flaws in his game that have now become evident and the reason he's no longer a favourite of Wenger?
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