Virgil van Dijk

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hammocity said:
Watched him after we had been linked last season and was not impressed at all for a potential £40m at the time. Now it's £60m and I think that is way overpriced. Not sure who is available but if Vinny stays fit that is the key to our defensive solidity and Otamendi did much better alongside Vinny than in any other defensive pairing.
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The crux of the issue is that Vinny is unlikely to stay fit for a prolonged period. When he gets his inevitable injury, you'll have Stones and Otamendi left who don't play well together.
 
People now saying they werent impressed, not worth the money, Tolmie saying stones was a level above.... Stop talking pap, he's the best centre half in the league other than a fully fit vinny, was superb last season until his injury and was rightly considered a priority signing for city but looks like we've missed out... Dont back track and just accept he's chosen to sign for someone else, we dont have a divine right that players will just drop at our feet..

i'm sure there's a plan B, C and D so we move onto them.
 
goater1985 said:
People now saying they werent impressed, not worth the money, Tolmie saying stones was a level above.... Stop talking pap, he's the best centre half in the league other than a fully fit vinny, was superb last season until his injury and was rightly considered a priority signing for city but looks like we've missed out... Dont back track and just accept he's chosen to sign for someone else, we dont have a divine right that players will just drop at our feet..

i'm sure there's a plan B, C and D so we move onto them.
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By whom? I thought that notion was shot down yesterday
 
Akiva said:
You're correct that Pep has stated we'd be getting a CB, but what Tolm said is accurate too - our failings last season were primarily in missed chances. Pep has said as much on multiple occasions.

He's likely buying a forward this summer, if not Sanchez/Mbappe then another, and that seems much higher up the priority list for City right now.

That we didn't push hard for VVD only adds to that.
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Personally I think we should be buying both a forward and a centre half. Whilst Tolmie's right about the difference Kompany has made since his return, relying on him staying fit is a large and totally unnecessary gamble. Our centre halves were (and will be again) repeatedly asked to defend one on one in oceans of space last season, and very often they weren't big enough or strong enough to deal with that. Lukaku, Costa, Falcao and Wickham all scored against us after brushing aside weak challenges, Wellbeck, Kane, King, Rashford and several others did the first bit but then failed to convert. So many teams in this league employ strapping 6ft forwards and hoof the ball long and quick downfield, that more of the same is inevitable next season. No system is infallible, but Kompany is as good a safeguard as you're gonna get anywhere in the world against this bulldozing tactic. Not having cover in place for him is folly IMO. I would have welcomed Van Dyke with open arms. Big, strong and quick, with no obvious shortcomings in possession either.
 
Harvster said:
I am of the opinion that it won't be the end of the world if VVD does sign for LFC, or even CFC

I have, of course, only watched VVD occasionally on MOTD on BBC, or output from ITV, or BT1, etc

Other members of the forum clearly have more in-depth knowledge and have probably even viewed a DVD on VVD

I am also aware of historical issues when SAF nicked RVP

What I think we can all agree on is that usage of three digit names should be strictly verboten

Kevin's passing stats plummeted last season when usage of KDB reached an all time high, whilst Martin's career came to a shuddering end when some bozo decided that it was appropriate to refer to him as MDM, despite being the proud owner of only two names

Please bear the above in mind, should Virgil be a jolly good thunderbird and have a change of heart
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SBF SB likes this.
 
goater1985 said:
People now saying they werent impressed, not worth the money, Tolmie saying stones was a level above.... Stop talking pap, he's the best centre half in the league other than a fully fit vinny, was superb last season until his injury and was rightly considered a priority signing for city but looks like we've missed out... Dont back track and just accept he's chosen to sign for someone else, we dont have a divine right that players will just drop at our feet..

i'm sure there's a plan B, C and D so we move onto them.
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Wasn't even in the top 10 defenders VVD 17th Kolarov 8th Otamendi 5th
 
goater1985 said:
People now saying they werent impressed, not worth the money, Tolmie saying stones was a level above.... Stop talking pap, he's the best centre half in the league other than a fully fit vinny, was superb last season until his injury and was rightly considered a priority signing for city but looks like we've missed out... Dont back track and just accept he's chosen to sign for someone else, we dont have a divine right that players will just drop at our feet..

i'm sure there's a plan B, C and D so we move onto them.
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The best thing about football forums is when a team misses out on a target. He goes from what a player, must get him, to not good enough and we dodged a bullet.

It's fuckin comedy gold to read.
 
The bloke seems grounded and can get goals which I always like in a CB. I'd forgotten about him with the injury and all. But as soon as I saw the £50m tag I thought WTF. And it now seems that fee is nearer £60m... You could bid for any CB in world football and it wouldn't be much more surely??
 
Edwin Edwin said:
Adarabioyo staying/leaving is irrelevant..Out on loan if he signs a new deal at best.
Lol..Kolarov..Did 'okay' at times last season but right now he shouldn't even be a City player let alone an option at CB cause he's left footed..Can swallow his last year as backup LB not a CB.
Nico..An Enigma..Maldini on Tuesday,A Sunday league defender on Saturday..An option not a stalwart in our defence.
Stones..Has A LOT to learn..Not first choice YET for next season,2019 definitely.
VK..Obv our best CB by miles but going into a fourth consecutive year banking on his fitness is suicidal..Could easily break down in Sep when the window's shut leaving us with Stones + Otamendi. Should actually be a bonus having him if we have a new CB who's not a major drop off from VK.
Basically saying to sustain our title ambitions we have to sign a CB to start alongside VK..New fullbacks will actually help us more in the attacking side by creating overloads..So gaps will still appear at times.Else,we'll fall off again...Can't rely on outscoring your opponents every time,maybe in the PL vs the 'bottom' clubs but in Europe,no way.A new top CB is a must.
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Very well put
 
Van Dijk is a great CB. But imho I think people are making him much bigger than he is. More like what his top level can be. I'm not sure if he was to sign for us and the way our defence needs to play Van Dijk can do that. It's different playing for a top club, even more so one that sets up their defence like we do. it's not like any other European heavy weight seems to be that interested in paying a world record fee for a defender who had a great season for Southampton and recently became a Dutch international. I like Van Dijk joining our ranks. He will be very useful to our defence. It's just that I'm not as desperate to see him come to us as many do on here. We do need a CB, preferably left footed. If it's Van Dijk great. If it's not I'm sure we will find another that will raise the same question: Can he live up to the demands.
 
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goater1985 said:
People now saying they werent impressed, not worth the money, Tolmie saying stones was a level above.... Stop talking pap, he's the best centre half in the league other than a fully fit vinny, was superb last season until his injury and was rightly considered a priority signing for city but looks like we've missed out... Dont back track and just accept he's chosen to sign for someone else, we dont have a divine right that players will just drop at our feet..

i'm sure there's a plan B, C and D so we move onto them.
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VVD was absolutely not the best CB in the league. They were 11th with him playing and finished 8th with him out. Saying he was the best CB in the league is like saying Bony was a top 5 ST before we bought him. Plenty of come out and said that CB wasn't a priority position but VVD would be considered after other targets had been locked in. There's plenty of CBs out there and everyone is available until they're not. Can't miss out on what you didn't have or bid on in the first place.
 
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