Virgil van Dijk

[PrezIke]

If he goes to Liverpool, I can see why over us as we have 3 centre halves that are serious contenders for the starting eleven when fit, plus Kolarov who is really a CB now.

Maybe Pep considers playing Stones as a CDM, which could work,

I'd like to see us back in for Laporte if so, as he would be one for the future to partner with Stones, and could also get games rotating with whoever we sign as a LB, or on the left of a 3 man defence. I know a lot of our fans are mad at him for what happened last year, but otherwise the options are thin, and he won't be under heavy pressure so he can bed in slowly.

 

[Dax777]

I bet you'd have a hard time finding a Juve supporter that would keep Chiellini over Bonuci.
Matter of fact I was talking to three old Juve supporters yesterday that all said Chiellini was finished and it's time for him to leave.

Really! I was talking to 4 and they all thought Chiellini was better. I guess we need to find someone talking to 5 Juve fans.

But jokes aside, Chiellini is a far superior defender. Its not even a contest.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

I think Dijk would be a solid buy BUT....for me our fullback situation is one of the worse in the league and the biggest cause for our CB (back four) problems. Our CB's spent most of last season covering the space behind Zab, Clichy etc....almost doing the job of 2 people! If Txiki can sign Mendy/Walker our back four becomes our strength overnight!

It will improve matters certainly, but I wouldn't go overboard. Mendy and Walker would be more significant improvements on Clichy and Sagna offensively than defensively. I would expect them to push forward a lot and the gaps in behind them won't be much smaller than they were last season

 

[ChicagoBlue]

In our system, we leave center backs exposed, which is why they have to be mobile, have a tackle in them, be decent in the air, and have the speed to get around on the cover and have the ball control of a midfielder. Oh, and the back four needs a leader who commands the respect to get them in position when he says they aren't in position.

At the prices we are talking, you would expect to be able to tick every box with confidence, but I'm not sure VVD does, and at that price, we can't eff it up again!

 

[KingOdin]

If we triple his money, his family are able to relocate with him and Juve get a 60 million fee for a 30 year old then this deal looks like it's got legs. Oh plus Pep thinks he's double mustard.

The main problem is that his son has had health problems recently, moving his family might not be simple for him

 

[Blue warrior]

Andy Heaton from anfieldwrap is suggesting city weren't as interested as VVD's reps were making out in order to push a Liverpool move and says it looks like it's worked paraphrasing.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

In our system, we leave center backs exposed, which is why they have to be mobile, have a tackle in them, be decent in the air, and have the speed to get around on the cover and have the ball control of a midfielder. Oh, and the back four needs a leader who commands the respect to get them in position when he says they aren't in position.

At the prices we are talking, you would expect to be able to tick every box with confidence, but I'm not sure VVD does, and at that price, we can't eff it up again!

Your first paragraph is spot on

 

[kaz7]

The main problem is that his son has had health problems recently, moving his family might not be simple for him

The kid was ill last summer,hopefully he/she is better now

 

[Edwaardz]

Relying on Kompany's fitness would be such a big mistake. Last season is all the proof you need. I really hope we aren't making that mistake again.

 

[City Raider]

In our system, we leave center backs exposed, which is why they have to be mobile, have a tackle in them, be decent in the air, and have the speed to get around on the cover and have the ball control of a midfielder. Oh, and the back four needs a leader who commands the respect to get them in position when he says they aren't in position.

At the prices we are talking, you would expect to be able to tick every box with confidence, but I'm not sure VVD does, and at that price, we can't eff it up again!

bang on! not seen enough of him to know if he has all these qualities

this is madrid, barca money, which isnt an issue for us if we're sure so we mustn't be.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

In our system, we leave center backs exposed, which is why they have to be mobile, have a tackle in them, be decent in the air, and have the speed to get around on the cover and have the ball control of a midfielder. Oh, and the back four needs a leader who commands the respect to get them in position when he says they aren't in position.

At the prices we are talking, you would expect to be able to tick every box with confidence, but I'm not sure VVD does, and at that price, we can't eff it up again!

Have you ever watched van dyke? He ticks every one of them attributes that you mentioned.

 

[KingOdin]

The kid was ill last summer,hopefully he/she is better now

I have read that it is better but emotionally moving to a foreign country could be a trauma for now , maybe Bonucci could move initially alone without family

 

[Lancet Fluke]

If he goes to Liverpool, I can see why over us as we have 3 centre halves that are serious contenders for the starting eleven when fit, plus Kolarov who is really a CB now.

Maybe Pep considers playing Stones as a CDM, which could work,

I'd like to see us back in for Laporte if so, as he would be one for the future to partner with Stones, and could also get games rotating with whoever we sign as a LB, or on the left of a 3 man defence. I know a lot of our fans are mad at him for what happened last year, but otherwise the options are thin, and he won't be under heavy pressure so he can bed in slowly.

If he wouldn't fancy his chances of regularly getting picked ahead of Stones, Otamendi or Kolarov then maybe he isn't the player for us anyway.

 

[flobo]

I have read that it is better but emotionally moving to a foreign country could be a trauma for now , maybe Bonucci could move initially alone without family

His son needed a life saving operation last July..He almost gave up football because of it....I doubt he will move without his family

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

This is classic bluemoon! The first hint that he prefers the dreaded dippers to us, the keener we are on him! Yesterday it was a national scandal that Txiki was paying £60 million for him and £200 000 pw wages when he's good but by no means brilliant: today Txiki's costing us by not paying a few extra million to land a monster, the best CB in the PL/Europe/the world. "Get your finger out, Txiki!" I'm amazed so many City fans see so much of him as to be so sure that he's so good - I saw him at the Etihad this season and maybe a couple of times on the TV but that's it. IF City were in for him and IF he goes to Liverpool I'll be disappointed but at the moment all I can see is press reporting of what might be a story with a plot like a mystery written by a very drunk Agatha Christie - he wants to play for Guardiola! He's determined to turn everyone down for City! No, he isn't! It's all about 'istry! He wants to play for Liverpool! Will City cool their interest? Will Conte hijack the deal? United were never wanted him anyway. Read tomorrow's predictable episode. And you can bet it'll be written by a KFA.

 

[Sir peace frog]

I have read that it is better but emotionally moving to a foreign country could be a trauma for now , maybe Bonucci could move initially alone without family

his child was really ill, who the fuck would move without their family in them circumstances .

 

[Dax777]

Hope we don't get Bonucci, what a waste of money he would be

That's That's my view too. He'd spend his first year here being average and fans would claim he needs time to settle in ( an understandable excuse.)

By his 2nd year, he'll make one or 2 Hollywood passes that his fans can hold on to and conclude he is WC. But he will not show any unique Leadership or toughness. 2 qualities often erroneously ascribed to him.

But he will pass well, get roughed up by strong strikers and outpaced by quicker ones. In essence he'll be an older vversion of the current Stones. Very good footballer who's an okay defender. Sadly, unlike the current Stones, he'd have already been past his prime.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

Have you ever watched van dyke? He ticks every one of them attributes that you mentioned.

As with lots of players, his big test will be levels of concentration when not in the game constantly. I'm not saying he can't do it but there is no evidence he can. Besides, this will be the sixth Saints player to go up there, £160M will have changed hands and they'll still be lucky to finish top 4.

 

[KingOdin]

His son needed a life saving operation last July..He almost gave up football because of it....I doubt he will move without his family

his child was really ill, who the fuck would move without their family in them circumstances .

Bringing his son away from grandparents and the rest of the family is still a tough choice

 

[Sir peace frog]

Bringing his son away from grandparents and the rest of the family is still a tough choice

it is,but doesn't compare to him leaving his son after such a traumatic time does it.