Finding the Next VVD.....

[moron]

Hi All,

Just watching VVD in tonight's game - and since he signed for us, I cannot think of a more important signing that this club has made since the early 90's. I look back to our history and all those barren years and the common theme you can say is that we never had a solid defensive leader with the qualities needed both physically and game knowledge to win us stuff. I have seen great strikers been replaced at least twice in every decade - but did we ever really replace Alan Hansen until we signed VVD ? To this end - I want us to keep this thread so that we can list potential targets to replace him with the following minimum characteristics:

• Height - minimum 6ft2.5inch (ideally 6ft4)
• Characteristic must be between aggressive and soft just like VVD - so pretty cool in all situations
• When you look at this guy he must have some aura about him when he stands by himself - like he has everyone in our teams back. Must command respect.
• Must look physically intimidating but not overly muscled like Adama Traore
• Must have pace
• Must read the game well
• Must have High Availability Rate
• If he makes a mistake it cannot be bozo type mistakes
• Bonus: he has to smell nice as well
• He cannot be ugly looking - must be alright to look at ( I am not gay - just saying coz Hansen was good looking and so is VVD)

I don't know anyone in world football that matches VVD in any way - we have seen cunts like Ramos, and overly aggressive types like that manager of Bayern, or those that have that serious look on them all day like Rio Ferdinand/Terry in order to get the best out of themselves. I look at those two Arsenal boys - Gabriel plays like an over-aggressive type, and Saliba has that look that suggests he is scared of making a mistake - so before you ask - NO they don't deserve to to touch VVD's boots.

I am scared of the day he hangs up his boots or is injured or misses a game for us - I wish we had someone lined up ready to be his replacement in the academy - I really do. So please add to this thread if you see guys in world football who can replace VVD one day.

MORON

 

[ibromurph]

He's a combination of Ferdinand (technical, ball playing, calm), Vidic (dominant in the air, aggressive, aerial threat) and Stam (fast, aggressive, dominant 1 v 1s). He's also nearly 6'5 and an incredible leader.

You have players like Konate/Saliba who are good at covering the (fast, aggressive) side of things. Players like Gabriel who are good at covering the aerial threat, leadership and ball playing side of things. But you'll be hard pressed to find a CB with all these things.

Personally, I thought the closest to VVD was Botman (before he got injured) from Newcastle. Fast, aggressive, leader, with decent playing out skills. But honestly, no one in the league combines everything the way Virgil does. That's why he's a generational talent. Can't see anyone in world football with his entire skillset (even in his old age, he might have lost pace, but he has pretty much everything else in his tool box still).

 

[moron]

He's a combination of Ferdinand (technical, ball playing, calm), Vidic (dominant in the air, aggressive, aerial threat) and Stam (fast, aggressive, dominant 1 v 1s). He's also nearly 6'5 and an incredible leader.

You have players like Konate/Saliba who are good at covering the (fast, aggressive) side of things. Players like Gabriel who are good at covering the aerial threat, leadership and ball playing side of things. But you'll be hard pressed to find a CB with all these things.

Personally, I thought the closest to VVD was Botman (before he got injured) from Newcastle. Fast, aggressive, leader, with decent playing out skills. But honestly, no one in the league combines everything the way Virgil does. That's why he's a generational talent. Can't see anyone in world football with his entire skillset (even in his old age, he might have lost pace, but he has pretty much everything else in his tool box still).

yeah - but we have to start the search - I can see us falling off badly once he retires or is too old to be able to do what he does now. Yes - agree on that Botman observation - and you just reminded me of his other major quality which I have added - High Availability rate (unless of course he is assaulted by a mad Evertonian goalkeeper).

 

[Woland]

It's gonna be impossible. There's noone like him. When he had that shit season we were bollocks. Let's face it, we've had the best centre half that ever played the game for a while, so let's enjoy it and win another league or three while it lasts.

 

[moron]

It's gonna be impossible. There's noone like him. When he had that shit season we were bollocks. Let's face it, we've had the best centre half that ever played the game for a while, so let's enjoy it and win another league or three while it lasts.

I agree totally - but someone will come up - we just got to make sure we get that next guy. Those Dutch players are quite tall ? - I am sure Arne will find someone from his homeland while we still have Virgil to eventually replace Virgil. Fuck me - can you imagine if City had signed him ? -they would be on like 4 CL's by now to go with their 6 PL's

 

[bluebell]

Loic Bade and Cristhian Mosquera both 6ft 3 with pace and strength

 

[Woland]

Most CBs are tall, fast and strong dude. VVD has an immeasurable level of zen. Find that on your Top Trumps and come back to me.

 

[dogboy]

Loic Bade and Cristhian Mosquera both 6ft 3 with pace and strength

Neither good enough to lace his boots, then again who is?

 

[moron]

Loic Bade and Cristhian Mosquera both 6ft 3 with pace and strength

Not sure - neither of them good looking enough.

 

[Woland]

Yeah the next dude needs to look like a god and smell gorgeous. It's a tough gig.

 

[moron]

Yeah the next dude needs to look like a god and smell gorgeous. It's a tough gig.

You are a man of experience - you know that his looks are part of his Aura. But seriously - you know what makes him stand out above all defenders ? - I cannot remember any striker or forward doing him bad in any period of time he has played for us. That never happens to any defender - even those glorified Italian defenders used to shit themselves in the presence of R9. Virgil has no dominant opposite.

 

[bluebell]

Neither good enough to lace his boots, then again who is?

Both good enough to be 3rd choice. VVD is here for another 2 years at least ( I am assuming the contract is all but a formality), so the club has two years to mould a VVD replacement or find his heir. Right now the issue is if and when either Konate or VVD aren't available, there is a big drop off.

 

[moron]

Both good enough to be 3rd choice. VVD is here for another 2 years at least ( I am assuming the contract is all but a formality), so the club has two years to mould a VVD replacement or find his heir. Right now the issue is if and when either Konate or VVD aren't available, there is a big drop off.

We know the problem already - Konate has a problematic availability record - ok this time its coz some little shit decided to take bites out of him. Putting that aside - still expect Konate to have periods out of the game in any one season. But we all know that anyone who stands beside VVD looks great regardless of their normal ability - so whoever we get has to be such a player that if his sidekick partner is out he has to work with the next one that will be covering and still maintain his excellent level (assuming he will be excellent). This you cannot guarantee - or are we looking too much into it ? I don't think I am from the evidence of VVD we see.

 

[bluebell]

We know the problem already - Konate has a problematic availability record - ok this time its coz some little shit decided to take bites out of him. Putting that aside - still expect Konate to have periods out of the game in any one season. But we all know that anyone who stands beside VVD looks great regardless of their normal ability - so whoever we get has to be such a player that if his sidekick partner is out he has to work with the next one that will be covering and still maintain his excellent level (assuming he will be excellent). This you cannot guarantee - or are we looking too much into it ? I don't think I am from the evidence of VVD we see.

Quansah this season looked great did he?

 

[moron]

Quansah this season

yeah he made a few mistakes - but this season - Slot identified the issue and put in Konate. He was actually a problem last season - coz you if you remember we kept conceding early in each game and then overused him to the point where he started having bozo moments like against United. Not re-writing history but because we had no one else after Matip and Konate lost form we had to rely on him as Joe was covering at LB for most of the season.

Sorry point - is - if you take out VVD then the individual mistakes/flaws of the 'other' defender will become more obvious.

 

[bluebell]

yeah he made a few mistakes - but this season - Slot identified the issue and put in Konate. He was actually a problem last season - coz you if you remember we kept conceding early in each game and then overused him to the point where he started having bozo moments like against United. Not re-writing history but because we had no one else after Matip and Konate lost form we had to rely on him as Joe was covering at LB for most of the season.

Sorry point - is - if you take out VVD then the individual mistakes/flaws of the 'other' defender will become more obvious.

Mate, there isn't a VVD replacement unless you want to spend £80m on Bastoni but then again he is Italian so naturally as soon he steps into Liverpool he turns into turd.
I am not looking for a VVD heir in Jan, I am looking for 3rd choice who can rotate between Konate and VVD so we don't see the onset of fatigue in March/April

 

[Markeh]

did we sign virgil when he was around 27? might be important that for this one position we not be overly fussy on age if there’s an outstanding candidate. although conversely you’d probably like to bring in potential young replacements now to work alongside him for a few seasons.

but yea, impossible to replace. he has ridiculous attributes for one man

 

[moron]

Mate, there isn't a VVD replacement unless you want to spend £80m on Bastoni but then again he is Italian so naturally as soon he steps into Liverpool he turns into turd.
I am not looking for a VVD heir in Jan, I am looking for 3rd choice who can rotate between Konate and VVD so we don't see the onset of fatigue in March/April

the search must start now !!!! - that's the point of this thread, you need to post any potential candidates. I have given you the shopping list of qualities to look for.

 

[binomial]

One thing’s for sure, neither Colwill nor Branthwaite are the answer.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Hi All,

Just watching VVD in tonight's game - and since he signed for us, I cannot think of a more important signing that this club has made since the early 90's. I look back to our history and all those barren years and the common theme you can say is that we never had a solid defensive leader with the qualities needed both physically and game knowledge to win us stuff. I have seen great strikers been replaced at least twice in every decade - but did we ever really replace Alan Hansen until we signed VVD ? To this end - I want us to keep this thread so that we can list potential targets to replace him with the following minimum characteristics:

• Height - minimum 6ft2.5inch (ideally 6ft4)
• Characteristic must be between aggressive and soft just like VVD - so pretty cool in all situations
• When you look at this guy he must have some aura about him when he stands by himself - like he has everyone in our teams back. Must command respect.
• Must look physically intimidating but not overly muscled like Adama Traore
• Must have pace
• Must read the game well
• Must have High Availability Rate
• If he makes a mistake it cannot be bozo type mistakes
• Bonus: he has to smell nice as well
• He cannot be ugly looking - must be alright to look at ( I am not gay - just saying coz Hansen was good looking and so is VVD)

I don't know anyone in world football that matches VVD in any way - we have seen cunts like Ramos, and overly aggressive types like that manager of Bayern, or those that have that serious look on them all day like Rio Ferdinand/Terry in order to get the best out of themselves. I look at those two Arsenal boys - Gabriel plays like an over-aggressive type, and Saliba has that look that suggests he is scared of making a mistake - so before you ask - NO they don't deserve to to touch VVD's boots.

I am scared of the day he hangs up his boots or is injured or misses a game for us - I wish we had someone lined up ready to be his replacement in the academy - I really do. So please add to this thread if you see guys in world football who can replace VVD one day.

MORON

Hyppia was a leader and a very good one. What he lacked in pace he made up for in game reading. He was just let down by keepers behind him and some of the players around him.

We just need to keep an on Celtic.

Robbo and Virgil have been great products.

 

[ibromurph]

One thing’s for sure, neither Colwill nor Branthwaite are the answer.

Colwill might develop to a decent level (UCL level; probably not world class level) under the right tutelage.

Branthwaite looks shite.

 

[Modo]

It's gonna be incredibly difficult to find a ball playing defender like van Dijk.
Hence why he's talked about as one of the best defenders ever in PL.
Honestly I see one clear option and that's Bastoni from Inter.

There are other options like Antonio Silva from Benfica and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth but they're untested and young.

But remember the name Huijsen. He's got it all.

French defenders usually have the size, the pace and the physicality, but they're often lacking in the technical part of the game.
We saw that up close with Sakho.
Obviously there are exceptions. Varane for instance.

 

[binomial]

Colwill might develop to a decent level (UCL level; probably not world class level) under the right tutelage.

Branthwaite looks shite.

They’ll be a lot of CBs on the move in the summer, so the sooner we get our noses in front of the line and get one of our top targets in, the sooner we can relax.

From Murillo to Hincapie to Diomande to Lukeba to Bassey to Inacio to Bade.

One guy we should definitely be looking at is Kouleriakis. Looked super impressive against Ireland and England.

 

[Hyena]

Huijsen is an obvious target based on forum criteria

Tall, not bad looking, lanky, PL proven, good height, Richard Hughes is a known simp, young, aerial potential, and not short at all.

There's another obvious target - Murillo. But he's only 1.83 m so I wouldn't dare to suggest him

 

[Dreambeliever]

It's gonna be incredibly difficult to find a ball playing defender like van Dijk.
Hence why he's talked about as one of the best defenders ever in PL.
Honestly I see one clear option and that's Bastoni from Inter.

There are other options like Antonio Silva from Benfica and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth but they're untested and young.

But remember the name Huijsen. He's got it all.

French defenders usually have the size, the pace and the physicality, but they're often lacking in the technical part of the game.
We saw that up close with Sakho.
Obviously there are exceptions. Varane for instance.

We could do a lot worse than to pay Bournemouth back for Smith, Ibe and Solanke by raiding them for
Huijsen
Kerkez
Semenyo

 

[Dreambeliever]

Of course if we don’t and they don’t go to a big rival and pull up trees StevieM will quote this post forever and day.

 

[StevieM]

One thing’s for sure, neither Colwill nor Branthwaite are the answer.

I love it when people do this.

I wonder if people were saying the same about the 21-22 year old Van Dijk at the same age - when he was in his final year at Groningen or first year at Celtic.

It still astounds me the amount of times people can decide whether a players going to make it or not years before they’re anywhere near their prime or even reached their developmental ceiling.

No doubt they’d be the same clowns that decided the 21/22 year old Egyptian Chelsea signed from Basel in 2013 was not the answer.

 

[StevieM]

Of course if we don’t and they don’t go to a big rival and pull up trees StevieM will quote this post forever and day.

And I’d be right to, although to be fair to you, these Bournemouth players are all young players with high ceilings and not middle aged aged shite players who had a 10 game streak of good form once in their life.

 

[Modo]

We could do a lot worse than to pay Bournemouth back for Smith, Ibe and Solanke by raiding them for
Huijsen
Kerkez
Semenyo

We are interested in Huijsen and we're using his time Bournemouth as an audition. That's my theory. He's only 19 years old.

 

[binomial]

I love it when people do this.

I wonder if people were saying the same about the 21-22 year old Van Dijk at the same age - when he was in his final year at Groningen or first year at Celtic.

It still astounds me the amount of times people can decide whether a players going to make it or not years before they’re anywhere near their prime or even reached their developmental ceiling.

No doubt they’d be the same clowns that decided the 21/22 year old Egyptian Chelsea signed from Basel in 2013 was not the answer.

You have people who have opinions and people who sit on the fence and say nothing because they know that way they can’t be judged later down the line. A lot of talking but without saying much. No one knew of Van Dijk at Gronigen so yes, people would’ve been asking who the fuck this donny was. Salah didn’t do much of note in the limited time he had at Chelsea, so had we signed him off the back of that then I’m sure people would’ve been asking why we’re signing a Chelsea flop.

Neither happened and we ended up signing both at 24/25 after they had eached performed at a high level. Would they turned out to be the players they are now had they not had the years between at Celtic/Southampton/Fiorentina/Roma? You tell us Mr know it all.