Ryan Bertrand

[Jonsilfab]

With mendys stature he Cover centre back as well.

Doubt it. He's not intelligent or skilled enough defensively yet.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Rose will always be first choice when fit for England.

I'd dispute that. Whilst he is in the mix to be England's first choice left back when fit, I'd say in 15 years time, you won't be hearing his name banded around.

 

[2001BFGM]

I personally find him better than Mendy to be honest.

 

[Long Slow Goodbye]

But a lot of fullbacks could become the best in Europe under Pep's tutelage. Why are we fixated on this one?

Based on what exactly? Alves was already one of the best in Europe at Sevilla. Abidal played in a World Cup final 2 years pre-Pep. He turned Lahm into a midfielder, Alaba was already a European Cup winning leftback when Pep turned up. He's since also played Kimmich and Fernandinho out of position at rightback; there's no evidence of him ever actually doing what you suggest he could.

Pocchettino inherited Walker and Rose as maligned, flawed footballers, and managed to turn them into the best fullbacks in the league 'worth' £50m each; Guardiola has never facilitated such a quantum leap in quality like that for any player.

Bertrand would/will be a quality signing; he does everything unspectacularly well.

 

[higgi1p]

Where are we at with trying to get him?

 

[Daz_Blue]

Where are we at with trying to get him?

Tracking planes from Southampton

 

[NQCitizen]

I reckon he could keep Mendy out of the team if we want someone a bit more technical.

Think he could surprise a few with his quality (like a sort of Barry, Parker type signing).

 

[Nige's Tatts]

The only worry I have is, as a contender for the starting LB position for England, in a World Cup year, is he really gonna risk having reduced playing time & play second fiddle to Mendy? I'm not so sure.

 

[kaz7]

A move for Ryan Bertrand is now unlikely with Southampton not willing to sell him. [@SunMartinB]

 

[mdj0520]

If he isn't coming now then I suppose Danilo makes even more sense looking at the recent city watch tweet (can't remember which journo) that pep would use him at rb and lb.

Problem is it looks like Delph is leaving, which means we need a homegrown player and Bertrand was one of the few out there that I didn't think would look out of place starting games for us.