Thomas Vermaelen

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If he can stay fit, V would be a very nice addition to the squad. We have to assume the medical will turn up no chronic problems. And if it does, no deal.
 
How good is he in the air (he seems short for a CB)? Without Vidic we have always struggled to combat balls played into the box?
 
Ole240599 said:
How good is he in the air (he seems short for a CB)? Without Vidic we have always struggled to combat balls played into the box?
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He's very good in the air, he has a fantastic leap. It's probably one of his only strengths and why he scored quite a few goals from set pieces.
 
He would be alright for us, shame hes going abroad instead.
 
This deal would make a certain amount of sense, especially considering the limited amount suitable CB targets there are.

There's not much point in saying "imagine what LvG can do with him" when his biggest problem is being a crock though. There's really not much LvG can do about that, we're taking a punt here.

I'd also point out that a lot of people were complaining about our inability to settle on a CB pairing before now due to injuries. Adding Vermaelem certainly won't help in that regard.

Still, if a miracle happens and Vermaelen does stay fit? Then he'll be at least a decent signing imo. If he recaptured his best form he'd be our main CB and if he didn't he'd still add depth to our threadbare list of defensive options.

Plus 10-15m is really nothing these days. I wonder what sort of wages he'd be on?
 
Luke Shaw must become injury prone. That's the only type of defender we like at OT
 
sullydnl said:
This deal would make a certain amount of sense, especially considering the limited amount suitable CB targets there are.

There's not much point in saying "imagine what LvG can do with him" when his biggest problem is being a crock though. There's really not much LvG can do about that, we're taking a punt here.

I'd also point out that a lot of people were complaining about our inability to settle on a CB pairing before now due to injuries. Adding Vermaelem certainly won't help in that regard.

Still, if a miracle happens and Vermaelen does stay fit? Then he'll be at least a decent signing imo. If he recaptured his best form he'd be our main CB and if he didn't he'd still add depth to our threadbare list of defensive options.

Plus 10-15m is really nothing these days. I wonder what sort of wages he'd be on?
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70,000 at Arsenal.. I'm sure he will chance his arm/expect that to be upped here.
 
I'm thinking the opposite. I don't believe United would have bid if they didn't know Vermaelen wanted to come and he had decided on Barca.
 
The one time I actually want Barca to sign a player they are messing it up. Have they even tried to tap him up yet?
 
This makes a lot of sense.

Left footed, experience, good with the ball and leadership qualities. I can see Vermaelen as a regular and Blackett as a back up. Both in perfect age, one with experience and one upcoming. To be honest an absolute brilliant move from LvG. If Woody finalize this then we have a great left side regarding experience and hunger. Vermaelen/Shaw gives us both pace and steel and with Tyler Blackett and Reece James not far behind it looks very good.
 
What do people think the starting defence will look like with Vermaelen part of the squad? I hope not to see too many without Evans, because I'm pretty sure he'll play for certain. One bad game against Liverpool doesn't change the fact that he'd looked our most consistent defender up to that point in pre-season.

EDIT: Position in the defence is important too, eg. Vermaelen left, Jones right, Smalling central, etc.
 
I'm not at all surprised at all Arsenal want to sell him abroad. Less chance it could come back to bite them that way. I'd rather us sell the likes of Nani to foreign clubs for the same reason.

It was reported two months ago that we'd agreed terms wth him. I assume it's still just waiting on the agreement with Arsenal. They'll give in but we might need the player to dig his heels in that he wants to join us. Assuming his head hasn't now been turned by Barcelona that is. I'm sure van Persie will be trying to ensure he joins us.
 
Dazzmondo said:
What do people think the starting defence will look like with Vermaelen part of the squad? I hope not to see too many without Evans, because I'm pretty sure he'll play for certain. One bad game against Liverpool doesn't change the fact that he'd looked our most consistent defender up to that point in pre-season.

EDIT: Position in the defence is important too, eg. Vermaelen left, Jones right, Smalling central, etc.
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I would guess Evans (right), Smalling (centre), Vermaelan (left).

Although even if we sign Vermaelan soon, I'd imagine Jones will start the Swansea game.
 
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BBC showing his age as 23. Was a mite confused when I read it.
 
Manucho the boss said:
It might be the only reason Arsenal are willing to sell him to us though. Even if Koscielny and Mertesacker are their first choice, a fit Vermaelan would be a useful squad player to them.
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Contract running out next year is the reason he is being sold.
 
ThanksBoss26 said:
I would guess Evans (right), Smalling (centre), Vermaelan (left).

Although even if we sign Vermaelan soon, I'd imagine Jones will start the Swansea game.
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I've only just realised Evans is actually right footed. He can of course use both very well, but I had believed up to now that he was actually left footed. I think that may be a good guess actually. Smalling hasn't looked great when playing on the right because there seems to be more of a reliance on passing the ball well, but he has looked excellent in the central role as the simple pass appears to be easier in that role. With both Vermaelen and Smalling in defence we also look far more formidable in the air. Certainly we'd look more dangerous from set pieces. Considering how well Smalling's done in the terms of actual defending (tackling, positioning) I think he does deserve to start. I really think that looks very solid defensively and would mean good distribution also.
 
15 millions... Low risk level deal. Wenger doesn't even protesting the thing like it was with R.V.P.

It's up to player now. Door to Manchester United wide open after three legends of defense left. He could get plenty of chances here but I wouldn't be surprised if Blackett would put solid pressure on him. The young lad is no joke, didn't had smallest problems against Inter, Real Madrid and Liverpoolski.

I can only imagine the reaction from naysayers when United will have doubts over Verm's health. Interesting times ahead.
 
At $15M would be a proven buy for us. Not sure why so many want him to go to Barca. Will be first choice Sweeper/LCB for us when fit and if injured, provide the other younger centre backs valuable game time. Also fits Van Gaal's philosophy like a glove.
 
Pronewbie said:
At $15M would be a proven buy for us. Not sure why so many want him to go to Barca. Will be first choice Sweeper/LCB for us when fit and if injured, provide the other younger centre backs valuable game time. Also fits Van Gaal's philosophy like a glove.
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Exactly. In this system we need a different type of defender than we did before; we need someone who is skilled at bringing the ball out from the back and linking up with the midfielders/recycling possession.

Vermaelen would suit this system really well.
 
Maybe his girlfriend quite fancies a move to Barcelona too. There are worse places to live.
 
unitedbhoy said:
I actually quite like him as a player. It's just the injuries that worry me, but surely Van Gaal is confident he can stay fit.
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Well if those injuries are correct , i'll find it very hard to think that he would ever be anywhere near his best again.
 
15 million if true seems a lot

Chelsea got Gary Cahill - a better defender - for something like 6/7 in his final year

I feel like we'd be adding to the numbers rather than adding quality
 
Arsenal lose some experience, Vermaelen goes to Barca, pool stuck with Agger, we get Benatia... Would be perfect :D
 
Mixed emotions between 'Jesus, Woody can't even close a deal for Vermaelen' and 'Thank feck Woody can't even close a deal for Vermaelen' :lol:
 
What happened to last night and us being the favourites to sign him?
 
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