Sometimes these types of signings are the real gems. Look at Arthur for Barcelona as an example. The lad is pure class, would have taken him at City all day long for what they paid for him.Checked transfermarkt, and he only has 36 apps for Cruzeiro. At 22, I would say that’s pretty bad, considering a couple big clubs are interested apprently. 30m sounds like a lot for him
Are people honestly arguing that VVD wouldn't have the capacity to learn Pep's methods and still be a great defender? He'd have the same opportunity to look as good as Laporte & Stones do. Because he isn't required to break lines with passing/dribbling/deep progressions doesn't mean he can't - when we were linked there were countless videos of him at Celtic/Southampton which showcased his ability to bring the ball out. It's partly why we were interested.
I disagree. He'd be a perfect fit.VVD wouldn’t look as good at City as he does at Liverpool.
Liverpool are under pressure far more often than we are, they generally have three defensive minded midfielders in front of him protecting him and defend far deeper far more often than we do. On the ball he’s “good” in comparison to Phil the Face or most other defenders but he’s not even close to Stones and Laporte at breaking lines and playing in midfield.
This rumour about Murillo didn't came from teamtalk . It came from hereThe source is hardly reliable
[@TEAMtalk] Manchester City have identified £30 million-valued Cruzeiro defender Murilo as a possible replacement for Vincent Kompany. Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and AS Monaco are also impressed by the 22-year-old, however City are believed to be at the front of the queue.
I disagree. He'd be a perfect fit.
If we had Laporte and Van Dijk at Centre half we'd have won the lot. The lad is the best around in his position and I absolutely hate it that Liverpool have got him. He's everything you want from a defender and more like Kompany was 5 seasons ago or a Vidic in his prime. Great on the ball, superb in the air, brilliant at reading a game, hardly gets beaten for pace and a commanding/powerful presence. Without him, Liverpool are finishing 4th in the league and have no chance of ever getting to a Champions League final. End of story.
Liverpool have a midfield 3 of Henderson, Fabinho and Wijnaldum, none of which are world class. Van Dijk has to deal with alot more at Liverpool than he would at City and makes everything look easy. Imagine him alongside Laporte, with our midfield Infront of him. We'd probably only concede about 12 goals in a season.
Laporte and Van Dijk are the two best in the league and both possess different qualities needed in a centre back.
Also the three VVD have in front of him are not meant to be world class.Klopp prioritises their ability to counter press in the opponents half, running around like madmen to keep the opposition pinned to enable that front free to benefit from the transition. This provides VVD with the kind of cover he could only dream about and with the time to read where to snuff out danger.VVD has 3 workman like midfielders in front him each game. He has had regularly two of the best pacy full backs in the the league playing alongside him each game.
Liverpool as they showed in the Champs league are prone to sitting deep for long periods waiting to try and hit a team on the break. VVD therefore can see everything in front of him is rarely in a position where he is dragged left or right or has to turn and cover 40 yards of space.
Laporte plays in a team where the high line is what 10-15 yards in the opposition half. So he has all that space behind him to cover. If Pep wants the fullbacks to invert and create overloads in the middle of the park he also has to cover his flank.
He has had Walker who has been brilliant but prone to short periods of ropeiness.
Laporte has had to also for two years contend with the number one left back being out. He had to go over there at times in a defensive three when Zinchy did not suit the tactics or needed more time to bed in.
Yet I've just read that VVD has to deal with a lot more at Liverpool than he would at City.
Okay.
Also the three VVD have in front of him are not meant to be world class.Klopp prioritises their ability to counter press in the opponents half, running around like madmen to keep the opposition pinned to enable that front free to benefit from the transition. This provides VVD with the kind of cover he could only dream about and with the time to read where to snuff out danger.