Josko Gvardiol

[Blue Coop]

He’s only 21 - he should be judged on his raw attributes as a defender and his leadership qualities at such a young age. The rest will be moulded. Hes got 2-3 years before he becomes what Dias was when we signed him, and that hasn’t turned out badly at all.

 

[Manc in London]

Hope he has improved since our CL game ;)

 

[Manc in London]

Didn’t I read the other day that the winners of the Champions league have all contained a Croatian player for the last 10yrs?! Can we not get him in before June 10th

Yes but I am sure that every team we have beaten in the CL knockout stages this year has had a Croatian. :)

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Didn’t I read the other day that the winners of the Champions league have all contained a Croatian player for the last 10yrs?! Can we not get him in before June 10th

trying to appease the CL gods but having 2 lined up in Gvardiol and Kovacic in some sort of loophole.

 

[ganganvince]

Not being negative but it’s terms agreed with player but other clubs could have agreed those terms as well and then it’s down to negotiating a fee with his club along with any other interested parties..

Well lets hope in Aug there isn't a Gvardiol nearly joined but the deal fell through at last minute thread.

 

[p.taker]

How is his rendition of Jingle Bells?

 

[skillman]

I’m not against it at all but where does he fit in? Stones and Dias don’t deserve to be broken up (neither should be dropped) while you then have Akanji and Ake (who again, neither deserve to be dropped) as back-ups and both can play left back too.

He can’t exactly be comfortable being a direct replacement for Laporte considering how sparingly he’s been used this season.

That’s assuming Laporte leaves. Which seems likely but so has Bernardo for the past 2 years.

 

[christened at st marks]

Personal terms agreed.

Whom else have we agreed with?

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

I’m not against it at all but where does he fit in? Stones and Dias don’t deserve to be broken up (neither should be dropped) while you then have Akanji and Ake (who again, neither deserve to be dropped) as back-ups and both can play left back too.

He can’t exactly be comfortable being a direct replacement for Laporte considering how sparingly he’s been used this season.

That’s assuming Laporte leaves. Which seems likely but so has Bernardo for the past 2 years.

Gvardiol/Ake - Dias/Stones - Walker/Akanji

would be my guess intitally, with Lewis/Stones or Gvardiol inverting to the 3-2 with Rodri etc depending on the game/lineup

 

[Dribble]

I’m not against it at all but where does he fit in? Stones and Dias don’t deserve to be broken up (neither should be dropped) while you then have Akanji and Ake (who again, neither deserve to be dropped) as back-ups and both can play left back too.

He can’t exactly be comfortable being a direct replacement for Laporte considering how sparingly he’s been used this season.

That’s assuming Laporte leaves. Which seems likely but so has Bernardo for the past 2 years.

Injuries to Stones, Aké & Laporté have cost us dearly over the last few season. This is why Akanji has been my signing of the season.

When injuries have struck, Akanji's slipped in seamlessly & been used right across the back-line & impressed in every position.

Unfortunately, Laporté seems to be the player to miss out when everyone's fit an available. It is what it is. I'd rather have a Laporté problem, than the no CB's available issues we've had previously...