Apologies, I didn't realise that you only wanted replies from @shaelumstach, the Amazon prime documentary showed behind the scenes conversations about the transfer and decision making. I would certainly recommend it. With hindsight it would have been money well spent, particularly as Liverpool would have been denied their best player, who has transformed their side. I genuinely don't think they would have won the CL or had such success in the PL without him.
van Dijk has given them a boost ( although they tried to get him on the cheap and wasn't interested in meeting Southampton's asking price) It is their keeper who really improved them
I think the addition of both VVD and Alisson have made their defence so improved.
I disagree Liverpool seemed equally as strong with Adrian when Alisson was out injured for many weeks at the start of the season. VVD is by far their strongest player.van Dijk isn't any different to the one at Celtic or lesser extent Southampton than he is at Liverpool , as you said in the earlier post he is more protected by their midfielders, and faults (yes hes has them) will be exposed more in our system. Not knocking his overall ability or suggesting the current centre backs are any better (or worse), I think the keeper has improved them more.
I disagree Liverpool seemed equally as strong with Adrian when Alison was out injured for many weeks at the start of the season. VVD is by far their strongest player.
van Dijk isn't any different to the one at Celtic or lesser extent Southampton than he is at Liverpool , as you said in the earlier post he is more protected by their midfielders, and faults (yes hes has them) will be exposed more in our system. Not knocking his overall ability or suggesting the current centre backs are any better (or worse), I think the keeper has improved them more.
VVD scored both goals against Brighton, it shows how important he is to their side.They had their jitters (especially against Brighton) where they clung onto the 3 points when Alisson got sent off, Adrian got away with gifting them an equaliser, and van Dijk in their side.
VVD scored both goals against Brighton, it shows how important he is to their side.
They have not dropped any points in the 9 games Adrian has played. The only points they dropped were against the rags the first game Alisson returned from injury.
We have a drop off when Ederson is out, they don't seem to when Alisson is out.
Fair enough mate.
Much as I detest the club and their supporters, they have a very good team, and their constancy has to be recognised. For me , the " decisions " they have received from VAR and refs in general taints their achievements.
As I said I'm not knocking his overall ability, but we shouldn't be constantly beating ourselves up with not signing the player either
We have never had Bravo in his prime though, Bravo is 36, (3 years older than Adrian).Adrian isn't any better than an in his prime Bravo
City do not sell their best playersWe have never had Bravo in his prime though, Bravo is 36, (3 years older than Adrian).
I wonder if we would have won the CL last year if we had bought VVD? Laporte had a nightmare against Spurs. I like Laporte but wonder what will happen if Barca come calling? I was reading his agent and hero is Puyol.
He’s an absolutely brilliant defender. Of course I’d love us to have him.Hypothetical but if we had signed VVD , do you think he would have fitted into our setup ?
Agreed as a club we don't normally, but Pep also wouldn't keep players that say they want to leave. We like a happy squad. Hopefully he stays, (and Pep stays), but I hope Puyol doesn't try to engineer a move to Barca, we'll see.City do not sell their best players
I agree Laporte is very composed but Stones has lost some self confidence and composure in the last 12 months. He's only got 18 months on his contract and there are stories that the club is not sure about renewing it?He’s an absolutely brilliant defender. Of course I’d love us to have him.
But I think his ability on the ball is vastly overrated. Yes, he’s great at playing the 40 / 50 yard switch. But so are Laporte and Stones.
But the difference on the ball is Laporte and Stones are much better in tight situations, under pressure, playing seemingly risky 10 yard passed and keeping possession when under intense pressure. That is absolutely paramount to the way we play.
I’m not saying Van Dijk couldn’t improve upon that, but he couldn’t just slot in to our team and instantly do that as well as Stones and Laporte. VVD’s first instinct is to get rid of danger, whereas Stones and Laporte’s first instinct is to keep possession.
I’m not saying one way is better than the other, it’s just different.
There seems to be something not quite right with Stones this season. But I think people forget just how good he was at the start of last season.I agree Laporte is very composed but Stones has lost some self confidence and composure in the last 12 months. He's only got 18 months on his contract and there are stories that the club is not sure about renewing it?
Stones has had some documented relationship issues, over the past 12 months that seem to have impacted his on-field performances. He shares Arteta's agent and reports have linked him with a potential future move to Arsenal?There seems to be something not quite right with Stones this season. But I think people forget just how good he was at the start of last season.
The narrative has been written that Kompany led us to the quadruple. But the reality is, we were having a phenomenal season while Stones was playing and Kompany was injured.
Even though Stones has had a dip, he’s still an incredibly talented player. Particularly on the ball his composure under pressure is incredible for a centre half. I’d definitely be giving him a new contract, alongside Laporte he was excellent.