Yes, and just like Hansern said, best case scenario VD plays alongside the new signing if he gets back to his best.
The who should we sign in January thread
- Thread starter Hansern
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Status
The argument on really spending money, for me, is to upgrade Matip to a more reliable and available player, whilst filling the gap shorter term. Gomez is clearly a good player and will develop, so we continue to invest in him for the future. So you go for someone top quality and pose it to him as you compete for the place alongside VVD with the newbie, he’s your playing partner for 3-4yrs time, and you’re going to get loads of playing time anyway given our number of games.
On that basis I think you have to go Upamecano (regardless of how much I’d like us to go “fuck it, live in the now man” and sign Koulibaly)
On that basis I think you have to go Upamecano (regardless of how much I’d like us to go “fuck it, live in the now man” and sign Koulibaly)
Last edited:
I think it's easier for a CB to look solid in a 3-man defense, so for that reason I'm generally suspicious of defenders that come from the 3-at-the-back teams (full-backs too) – a lot of them are in for a rude awakening when playing with one less partner to cover for them plus the factor of playing on a team like Liverpool when we often leave just 2-3 players to defend the entire half of the pitch when we're on top. Our CBs have to be supremely comfortable at covering a lot of empty space and dealing with pacy attackers without much help, they have to be complete players, not just defenders. That's why the likes of VVD are so incredibly rare and valuable. Caleta-Car sounds intriguing, but I probably have never seen him play – other than that only Upamecano seems to fit the bill.
Last edited:
He's just driving down the price for us ..
Did you see him lumbering back during one of the scummer's attacks? He was a disgrace.
He's a top all-round footballer, very much in the modern image, and I'd love us to sign him up, but they'll charge silly money regardless of the contract situation.
I'm guessing that's where the 'less than 12 months left on his contract' comes into it 😉
Only 28 yrs old. Even if we signed him next Summer, when out of contract, we'd get 4-5 yrs out of him. Green light !
He hasnt played particularly well at centre back this season, and we're now well stocked at left back.
Dont think this transfer would make much sense.
Our new CB must be someone who fit our playing style, can adapt to the league and has the best years ahead of him. Thats not Alaba.
Dont think this transfer would make much sense.
Our new CB must be someone who fit our playing style, can adapt to the league and has the best years ahead of him. Thats not Alaba.
It is difficult to get a CB from a foreign league and expect him to perform right away. I don't remember many that made the transition that quickly which is what we need. Most of the top ones playing regular football will be on stupid money anyway, if they fail to settle in right away it will be a waste of resources for this season.
I think the smart money in Jan will be to find one of those young high potential CBs plying their trade in the championship or even premier league, both to provide cover and also be part of the planning for next season.
I think the smart money in Jan will be to find one of those young high potential CBs plying their trade in the championship or even premier league, both to provide cover and also be part of the planning for next season.
A proven versatile defender that IS in his prime (he's 28 - 24th June - not 31/32) in fact a year younger than VvD and plays for a team that has far more similarities to our style of play (esp. high line) than most ... doesn't make sense? Whereas an unproven much younger CB is?
CBs hit prime in their late 20s, should we secure Alaba for next season that's exactly what he'll be ... in his prime.
TBC I have no idea if he is the defender we need, pretty much anyone is going to be a gamble (how many were/still are advocating Upamecano after he was ripped apart by United this week?) especially young CBs, but the facts are that he's a vastly experienced and versatile class player who would definitely strengthen the squad.
Last edited:
He's on £165,000 per week (source: salary sport) at the moment (slightly less than the previous 2 years) so that is clearly hyperbolic speculation
A proven natural left back, yes. But as a CB I cant say that I'm that certain you can use the above.
I'd rather sign someone who is a natural CB, younger and who is more adapted to playing that role in our team.
Alaba is 180 cm, and his main weaknesses are heading ability and tackling.
So, you're getting a CB that is used to the highline and is competent going forward but not improving our defensive side of the game.
I dont think thats the best option for us, or the solution going forward. And not something I'd pay 200k a week for or signing at 29.
We need another type of defender.
Upamecano or Konate are the two I'd be most interested in getting. That doesnt change after one game against Utd were Nagelsmann went all out attack and set their line almost into Utds half on 1-0.
Konate would probably be my first choice. 6"4, pacey, great one on one and very good on the ball and still only 21.
If we are looking for quaility not for silly money then perhaps we should be looking to Canada and the States foer CB both country have had some very good players come out of there in the last couple of years...
Alphonso Davies (Canadian) Bayern M
Christian Pulisic (American) Chelsea
Weston McKennie (American) Juve
Tyler Adam (American) RB Leipzig
Gio Reyna (American) Borussia Dortmund.
Yes I know that the players named are no CB but we could find one or two out there if we paid more attention to players from the two countries
Alphonso Davies (Canadian) Bayern M
Christian Pulisic (American) Chelsea
Weston McKennie (American) Juve
Tyler Adam (American) RB Leipzig
Gio Reyna (American) Borussia Dortmund.
Yes I know that the players named are no CB but we could find one or two out there if we paid more attention to players from the two countries
He's on 165k and apparently wants to earn as much as the top earners at Bayern i.e. Lewandowski, Neuer and Muller, who I believe are on 250-300k.
Seriously doubt we'd want him for that.
I agree we shouldnt ve looking at a 4th choice CB the player we bring in should be capable of replacing Virgil in 2 or 3 years so its a short list ofnplayers to choose from. I think this season will be the final straw with Matips injury problems, I like him hes a good defender but in no way reliable enough to be first team. If Rhy Williams shows promise then Id be inclined to sell Matip, otherwise Id keep him as 3rd/4th choice.
And then we go buy someone like Jota and make everyone go "where did that come from?!"
You didn't have Jota in your summary of linked players, right?
As opposed to Thiago who we were linked with for a couple of months!
Yeah, well point is, we sometimes don't have a clue who we're signing.
The Firm did really well to keep the Jota news under their hat until just before he signed ... consummate professionals
Nope, I first heard of the link maybe 2 days before he officially signed. Out of the blue, like Fabinho. But with other transfers, like Tsimikas, our list of targets was pretty well-known.
- Status
Similar threads
