Virgil van Dijk

[the plasterer]

As I'm a lazy twat and can't be arsed going back shit loads of pages, am I correct in assuming he's agreed to join the candle brigade??

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Bonucci looks great in a compact team like Juve, but we defend huge spaces.... really don't think he's the right guy for us.

 

[citizens_1976]

With you totally on this .

Bang on.

Anyone actually thinking we don't need another centre back are being very very naive.

 

[MCityFC]

If that's 'your point' then it isn't a very good one. Relying on Kompany to stay fit is a completely unnecessary and dangerous gamble. We need to buy someone with similar attributes (tall, quick, strong, able to defend open spaces and take responsibility), cos Stones, Kolarov and Otamendi are each deficient in at least one of those attributes.

I never said relying on Kompany was good. I said "I hope we do" sign another CB it just doesn't need to be a 60m CB. You can get those attributes in players that dont cost 60m and want 200k a week; for example, Pepe on a free transfer would be a good signing imo.

 

[The Black Shed]

We will win nowt without defenders, so hurry the fcuk up and sign some! CL experienced and around the 25 yr mark.

 

[Andy Morrisons jock strap]

As I'm a lazy twat and can't be arsed going back shit loads of pages, am I correct in assuming he's agreed to join the candle brigade??

Well he has said Liverpool is his prefered choice but not a done deal yet they still have to come up with 60m and 200k a week

 

[jonah62]

Hope Kompany doesn't pick up an injury on international duty as you can add a few million more to any perspective signings as they realise our desperation for a commanding centre half

 

[kaz7]

As I'm a lazy twat and can't be arsed going back shit loads of pages, am I correct in assuming he's agreed to join the candle brigade??

Van Dijk has told Liverpool he wants to join them, they must now negotiate a world record fee for a defender with Southampton. [@_pauljoyce]

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I said "I hope we do" sign another CB it just doesn't need to be a 60m CB. You can get those attributes in players that dont cost 60m and want 200k a week; for example, Pepe on a free transfer would be a good signing imo.

Van Dijk has won more tackles and aerial duels in the Premier League than any other defender since joining Southampton. That on it's own isn't the single criteria we should be looking at but, when you add the fact that he is relatively young, composed in possession, technically sound, deceptively quick and evidently has plenty of leadership qualities, you have to say that he has a hell of a lot going for him.

 

[Manc in London]

World record for a defender? Laughable.

Liverpool trying to relive the glory days by recruiting Southampton players. LOL

 

[BringBackSwales]

Van Dijk has told Liverpool he wants to join them, they must now negotiate a world record fee for a defender with Southampton. [@_pauljoyce]

Surely it's only a world record fee if he signs for us?

 

[IWasHere]

Prepare to be surprised my friend .

Maybe Fabinho too

 

[EL APACHE TEVEZ]

World record for a defender? Laughable.

Liverpool trying to relive the glory days by recruiting Southampton players. LOL

Panic buy

 

[aguero93:20]

Not even the best at Juventus

Fool

I agree with him, rate Chiellini far higher. As did everyone else watching them until Guardiola started praising Bonucci last season. If we want someone to take up Kompany's role, Chiellini is the leader and the powerhouse of the Juve backline.

 

[deano ou812]

Van dyke may well be a good player,but and if he goes to Liverpool it will help improve their backline but they need far more than just him to be up there challenging next season ..

 

[IWasHere]

Honestly, I think it's more embarrassing to adopt the rag cafe approach of "we mustn't have wanted him" than to accept that maybe, just maybe, a player actually wanted to play for a club other than City.

Agree. He'll play more games there than he would at us or Chelsea. Makes sense that he'd go there.

 

[jimharri]

Bang on.

Anyone actually thinking we don't need another centre back are being very very naive.

Apart from a few deluded posters, I don't think too many on here believe that. We can't rely on Vinny being injury free for the season. Otamendi isn't the answer. Kolarov (while a better CB than a LB) definitely isn't the answer either. Adarabioyo is untried, and will Pep chance playing him anyway? Which only leaves Stones. Van Dijk would have been ideal, being younger than Bonucci and also having plenty of PL experience. But if he has his sights set on a move to Liverpool, there's not a lot we can do.

 

[TFC]

Agree. He'll play more games there than he would at us or Chelsea. Makes sense that he'd go there.

Yep, if he goes to the dips, best of luck to the lad.

 

[IWasHere]

Yep, if he goes to the dips, best of luck to the lad.

If they manage to buy keita, VVD, a good goalkeeper and left back they'll be title contenders for sure.

 

[aguero93:20]

Apart from a few deluded posters, I don't think too many on here believe that. We can't rely on Vinny being injury free for the season. Otamendi isn't the answer. Kolarov (while a better CB than a LB) definitely isn't the answer either. Adarabioyo is untried, and will Pep chance playing him anyway? Which only leaves Stones. Van Dijk would have been ideal, being younger than Bonucci and also having plenty of PL experience. But if he has his sights set on a move to Liverpool, there's not a lot we can do.

Not sure tbh, Otamendi and Stones improved as the season went on. I think with a year playing under Guardiola plus a full pre-season with the team for Stones they'll be fine. 4th choice centre halves usually aren't that great so Kolarov is a strong option as a 4th choice. Vinny is a risk, yes, but our other injury problems seem to have been sorted since Guardiola started to oversee the medical staff so I'm going to be optimistic to the point of idiocy there. If he stays fit, we should be more than strong enough to win the league and make a case in Europe. Cups are nice but the LC is a nightmare fixture-wise in January and I wouldn't give a flying fuck about the FA cup if we were still going in Europe and in a tight title race if I'm honest.