Indeed and I believe they have some sort of partnership with Benfica. Also saw a rumor(on twitter) that we might be sending some kids their way on loan after all these deals. Plus if he gets his chance our old Rony might fill Bernardo's old spot.On a side note, Monaco clearly have an excellent scouting network and are moving in the market equally efficiently as we seem to be.
It's a broad question, but defending is a broad art! Pep always says we attack in small spaces and defend big spaces, so I guess defending when exposed 1 v 1 is an essential quality that all our defenders need. Incidentally, it's one of Stones' greatest weaknesses which is why I don't have him down as being one of our first choice centrebacks (he drops off and off until the ball is in our net). So if he's good 1 v 1, that's encouraging. His height and aerial prowess is a big plus too. I think we also need defenders that are aggressive and prepared to press and intercept the ball high and early. So if he can do that too then that's smashing :)What do you mean by being good at defending? It's pretty broad. He seems good at 1v1, he makes a lot of interceptions and he's physical enough to not get bullied.
his positioning is the area that seems to need work but he's going to be coached by a guy who is obsessed with positional play so I assume he will improve there.
It's a broad question, but defending is a broad art! Pep always says we attack in small spaces and defend big spaces, so I guess defending when exposed 1 v 1 is an essential quality that all our defenders need. Incidentally, it's one of Stones' greatest weaknesses which is why I don't have him down as being one of our first choice centrebacks (he drops off and off until the ball is in our net). So if he's good 1 v 1, that's encouraging. His height and aerial prowess is a big plus too. I think we also need defenders that are aggressive and prepared to press and intercept the ball high and early. So if he can do that too then that's smashing :)
Bebe came out of the blue.Do united even do quick deals for decent players
Him & Walker would add pace & height to our fullbacks (as would Fabinho if he's on the cards). Height was something I was always happy to see Kolarov for, the amount of times his height helped defending at the back post where Clichy got killed in the air was one of his few aspects I appreciated. No idea how good Mendy is in the air, but he should be big & strong enough to help protect that situation we often seemed vulnerable in.
Sounds very positive then. Our press should be at a high level next season and any signings that enhance that aspect of our game are good ones. If we can, on average, regain possession slightly faster and higher up the pitch, it will translate into more chances and more goals. If we can get Mendy, Walker and Fabinho over the line, we'd look quite formidable I reckon.He seems to be good at pressing.
Bernardo Silva is as well, I saw whoscored tweet yesterday that no one in Ligue 1 won the ball back in the opposition half more than Silva - Jardim was big on pressing and winning the ball back quickly and everyone we buy from Monaco will be good at that aspect of the game.
I agree with Stones but I think it's something that will he will get over. There's an indecisiveness to him at the moment 1v1 but it's fixable - in fact maybe knowing there's a pair of fullbacks quick enough to cover across might make him more likely to commit to a challenge earlier.
Him & Walker would add pace & height to our fullbacks (as would Fabinho if he's on the cards). Height was something I was always happy to see Kolarov for, the amount of times his height helped defending at the back post where Clichy got killed in the air was one of his few aspects I appreciated. No idea how good Mendy is in the air, but he should be big & strong enough to help protect that situation we often seemed vulnerable in.
So was Micah. Didn't help him towards the end of his time here.
If Richards never had his chronic injuries, he may well have developed in to a much better right-back than he did.So was Micah. Didn't help him towards the end of his time here.
HahaBebe came out of the blue.
Ok, a BETTER DEFENCE than the one he inherited, which wasn't as good as he hoped! hence the wholesale departure of Zaba, Clichy, Sagna. Bernado Silva given No. 20 shirt suggests Mangala will be off too. From what we are hearing,2 more defenders and a keeper possibly being announced next week shows Pep's priority is to revamp the defence.You think the guy who has had the best defense 7 of the 8 years he has been manager just "learned this season he needs a decent defense."? :(
Possibly. But Micah was an awesome player between, say, 08-13. Then he just seemed to be intent on beefing up his torso. Which seemed to affect his form, which nosedived after that.He's a lot more skilled than Richards.
Possibly. But Micah was an awesome player between, say, 08-13. Then he just seemed to be intent on beefing up his torso. Which seemed to affect his form, which nosedived after that.