Looks like possible end to that then if Barca have found some spending money
Would have to disagree, yes Bonucci is very good for Juventus, but who isn't? It's one thing to play in a highly organised team with arguably the best defenders in the best defensive system on the planet - to then play City's somewhat manic defensive tactics with far more expected of you. We've seen similar issues with players, Otamendi was fantastic (& still does well IMO, most of the time) yet now people don't seem to rate him here, Savic was terrible for us, yet seems a solid defender for Atletico, Bravo was fantastic everywhere else yet has had a poor season with us.If we're looking at spending 50m for a center back, make it Bonucci not van Dijk. He's a great player and only 25 but Bonucci is one of the three best center backs in the world and would transform our back line immediately.
That said, I wouldn't be disappointed if we don't sign anyone in the position. Not only is Kompany incredible (when fit), Otamendi had a massively underrated season imo. And Stones is only going to get better. Add in Tosin and Kolarov as cover and we're sorted.
If we genuinely are trying to sign VVD, I would like to know which person at the club was responsible for ignoring him when he left Celtic, seeing as it appears the club will almost certainly have been scouting him at that time.
I recon I can fucking guess mind you.
Having a pop at someone for not signing VVD 4 years ago is harsh IMO.
However, what VVDs journey to the top represents is a huge flaw in the loan system of youngsters. Which is a reason I can see us going down the route of permanent deals with a buy back clause instead of loans.
The progression of VVD and Denayer is the perfect case in point. One player went to a side where he was guaranteed 1st team football, has been given time to adapt and because he is a valuable asset to the club, had his interests looked after. Denayer on the other hand has been tossed to a number of different clubs who don't care about his long-term future, have constantly played him out of position and looks no better than he did 3 years ago.
Sometimes it's better to pay the going rate when the player is ready to fulfil that potential than take the risk.
Having a pop at someone for not signing VVD 4 years ago is harsh IMO.
However, what VVDs journey to the top represents is a huge flaw in the loan system of youngsters. Which is a reason I can see us going down the route of permanent deals with a buy back clause instead of loans.
The progression of VVD and Denayer is the perfect case in point. One player went to a side where he was guaranteed 1st team football, has been given time to adapt and because he is a valuable asset to the club, had his interests looked after. Denayer on the other hand has been tossed to a number of different clubs who don't care about his long-term future, have constantly played him out of position and looks no better than he did 3 years ago.
Sometimes it's better to pay the going rate when the player is ready to fulfil that potential than take the risk.
There were the usual 'he's shit 'cos he's playing in Scotland' crew on here.
Apart from those, I think there were very few who spent time watching VVD & Denayer, who wouldn't have been happy seeing both brought to City, as our squad cb options.
The fact we saw neither, is somebody's doing imo.
I recon that person has now gone.
There is a lot of truth in the argument that loan players are not looked after. You have to pick a loan carefully or they are just meat for the training ground and utility squad men to bulk up the numbers when cash is tight. Denayer looked fantastic as a young player breaking through at Celtic and he has gained a lot of experience in playing in Turkey and Sunderland since however his form has not really moved on as he has moved clubs and positions. Would he be a better player now if he had left us after that year in Scotland and found a club where he would have started in his favored position week in week out. Would the stability have been a good thing. When you look across at VVD who had that path it's hard to say no.
Roberts is at a similar juncture now, will be interesting to see what we do with him?
We should play him or sell him. But that's another thread.
We had our guy playing next to VVD at Celtic & both were being watched by most of europe.
If we sign VVD for big money (which I would like) the fact we did nothing from such a position of advantage it is still a 'miss' not quite of Utd/Pogba levels but an open goal nontheless.
This. Why, what have they done?.Barca can fuck off.
Rumors circulating they're interested in both van Dijk and Mbappe.This. Why, what have they done?.
They don't have the money for either without a major sale and don't need a forward or a centre half, I'd call bullshit on that one.Rumors circulating they're interested in both van Dijk and Mbappe.
Yeah, I'm doubtful they're going for both as well, but that's the rumor. Sam Lee reported that the big trigger point that might throw a hitch in our plans is if they are going to throw a big sum of money at Mbappe, which might have a domino effect on our transfer priorities.They don't have the money for either without a major sale and don't need a forward or a centre half, I'd call bullshit on that one.
They don't have they money to though, simple as that. They don't have the cash to pay Monaco and don't have the room in their budget, they'd have to sell Messi or Neymar and the only cash buyers would be ourselves or PSG.Yeah, I'm doubtful they're going for both as well, but that's the rumor. Sam Lee reported that the big trigger point that might throw a hitch in our plans is if they are going to throw a big sum of money at Mbappe, which might have a domino effect on our transfer priorities.
We don't really, just a lot on here seem to want one. Full backs and goalkeeper were our biggest priorities.We do require a centre half!
We must agree to disagree because a top quality centre back is a top priority imo, and I bet we sign one.We don't really, just a lot on here seem to want one. Full backs and goalkeeper were our biggest priorities.
We don't really, just a lot on here seem to want one. Full backs and goalkeeper were our biggest priorities.
We must agree to disagree because a top quality centre back is a top priority imo, and I bet we sign one.
We were looking to upgrade last summer and failed to do so and that cost us big style with Vinny's injury problems, and I just think it would be stupid to make the same mistake again. Without Vinny, we have Stones who I rate highly but is still young and needs a solid partner, Otamendi, who I'm afraid I just don't rate, and Kolarov, who just isn't a centre back. If Vinny gets injured we're basically fucked and that's why I believe a centre back must be near the top of list of signings.Top priority right now has to be RB and LB, we might think we have them in the bag but nothing is done until it's done. From then on the only business is upgrades, we don't need a CB but if VVD is significantly better than what we have then why not? Personally I think he is better but the issue is how much better for it to be worth it? Do we sell Oto?
I dont think anyone would disagree with the need, its the who makes way that has been discussed. If we take Vinnie out of the equation to make that call, I think Ota is far more secure that Stones and Kolorov. Whether pep thinks this way, who knows. maybe, no one makes wayWe were looking to upgrade last summer and failed to do so and that cost us big style with Vinny's injury problems, and I just think it would be stupid to make the same mistake again. Without Vinny, we have Stones who I rate highly but is still young and needs a solid partner, Otamendi, who I'm afraid I just don't rate, and Kolarov, who just isn't a centre back. If Vinny gets injured we're basically fucked and that's why I believe a centre back must be near the top of list of signings.