Kalidou Koulibaly

[ctid1894]

And because the dressing room needs leaders too. Fernandinho is going to be 35/36 he will not be a starter. I expect a new STARTING CB alongside Laporte and if the other of Stones/Otamendi goes, a second CB brought in. We don't need to splash out on another LCB figure because THATS WHAT LAPORTE IS FOR. We need a starter ALONGSIDE him. And cut out this whole we're turning into a 3ATB. We will never be set to one formation/system.

If Fernandinho is a regular starter next season we can wish the league title goodbye next year too

Our biggest problems this year were a lack of width on the left from Sane and a slow, laboured build-up due to the lack of a natural left footer at CB when Laporte was unavailable.

Koulibaly can play LCB at any other club, under any other manager but we need a left footed player there, unless it's an emergency. Pep has said it multiple times, a left footer allows us to play out from the back far quicker with a balanced pairing. We have enough right footed CB's, we only have 1 left footed CB, that's the problem that needs addressing. Ezzy as much as he annoys me is bang on when he says three at the back is a very viable option with two left footed CB's, it would keep Laporte (who I think is better than VVD) in the centre.

 

[Larry Stranger]

Our biggest problems this year were a lack of width on the left from Sane and a slow, laboured build-up due to the lack of a natural left footer at CB when Laporte was unavailable.

Koulibaly can play LCB at any other club, under any other manager but we need a left footed player there, unless it's an emergency. Pep has said it multiple times, a left footer allows us to play out from the back far quicker with a balanced pairing. We have enough right footed CB's, we only have 1 left footed CB, that's the problem that needs addressing. Ezzy as much as he annoys me is bang on when he says three at the back is a very viable option with two left footed CB's, it would keep Laporte (who I think is better than VVD) in the centre.

Yeah he thinks we are getting Bastoni from Inter who would be a good shout, but I'd be surprised to see Inter sell him and him wanting to leave Italy TBH. The only other left footer I'd go for is Pau Torres, but again who knows where he stands on being sold. You have to look at all options.

 

[Ezzy]

Yeah he thinks we are getting Bastoni from Inter who would be a good shout, but I'd be surprised to see Inter sell him and him wanting to leave Italy TBH. The only other left footer I'd go for is Pau Torres, but again who knows where he stands on being sold. You have to look at all options.

Inter Milan bough Bastoni from Atalanta in 2017, he went on a two year loan, so this is Bastoni's first season playing for Inter.

Inter have a Left footed CB, Lorenzo Pirola, (turned 18yr old Feb 20th) in their youth system who is very close to breaking in the First team. He has already done pre season with the team, and made the bench in the league and Europe as well.

Pirola is rated just as highly as Bastoni & just signed a 5 year deal a week ago.

Inter are also reported to be Interested in Samuel Umtiti(left footed) & Clement Lenglet (left footed) from Barcelona.

So Inter at least look to be preparing to replace Bastoni, but since he has 3 years left on his deal, we will most likely have to pay £55M + Bonus.


What better way for them to replace Bastoni than with an experienced LCB and their own highly rated LCB academy graduate.

 

[ctid1894]

Yeah he thinks we are getting Bastoni from Inter who would be a good shout, but I'd be surprised to see Inter sell him and him wanting to leave Italy TBH. The only other left footer I'd go for is Pau Torres, but again who knows where he stands on being sold. You have to look at all options.

It would be Alaba for me if we could get him as part of a swap deal if he wants to come, if or more likely when Sane leaves. The other alternative would be Ake at Bournemouth, as he could also play LCB, as an inverted LB or even in midfield in an emergency, the fact he's classed as homegrown is a bonus.

 

[simon23]

It would be Alaba for me if we could get him as part of a swap deal if he wants to come, if or more likely when Sane leaves. The other alternative would be Ake at Bournemouth, as he could also play LCB, as an inverted LB or even in midfield in an emergency, the fact he's classed as homegrown is a bonus.

I like Ake but is he good enough - bit of a question mark for me - Id happily be proven wrong

 

[ctid1894]

I like Ake but is he good enough - bit of a question mark for me - Id happily be proven wrong

He's definitely got the ability; he's at the right age, has enough versatility to adapt to our changes in formation and my personal opinion is he would be one of the better suited to playing in a high back line with pace and agility.

That said you just never know, we bought Mendy when everyone thought he was potentially one of the best left backs in the world and due to injuries he's going to struggle to ever recapture the form that made him so formidable at Monaco and even in his first few games with us.

 

[sutty66]

nope not singing kk ezzy said so..

 

[the_tevez_wiggle]

Koulibaly and alaba fix this defense. Koulibaly laporte partner. Alaba left back 1st team and cover for mendy. Sell cancelo and use couto as walkers backup. If ppl still want a laporte backup tah is a cheap transfer that could be a huge gem under pep.

Walker couto
Alaba mendy
Koulibaly stones
Laporte alaba/tah

Cancelo nico angelino and zinchenko sold covers at least half of defensive transfers. We dont need another rb. We didnt need Danilo or cancelo!!! The games they played maffeo or frimpong could of played, so give this young Brazilian lad a go.

 

[Easy]

Koulibaly and alaba fix this defense. Koulibaly laporte partner. Alaba left back 1st team and cover for mendy. Sell cancelo and use couto as walkers backup. If ppl still want a laporte backup tah is a cheap transfer that could be a huge gem under pep.

Walker couto
Alaba mendy
Koulibaly stones
Laporte alaba/tah

Cancelo nico angelino and zinchenko sold covers at least half of defensive transfers. We dont need another rb. We didnt need Danilo or cancelo!!! The games they played maffeo or frimpong could of played, so give this young Brazilian lad a go.

Koulibaly and Alaba together would not fix the defense they would totally transform it. Changing it from average to one of the worlds best.

I would keep Cancelo though, no chance Couto makes the team yet as he’s so young and fullback is one of the toughest positions to play for Pep. Don’t see Semedo as an upgrade either.

 

[Akpowell]

We'll probably end up signing Ake

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

nope not singing kk ezzy said so..

Haha let it go mate
"Has he upset you or something"?:))
Like a dog with a bone.

 

[Tevez City]

 

[ctid1894]

Koulibaly and alaba fix this defense. Koulibaly laporte partner. Alaba left back 1st team and cover for mendy. Sell cancelo and use couto as walkers backup. If ppl still want a laporte backup tah is a cheap transfer that could be a huge gem under pep.

Walker couto
Alaba mendy
Koulibaly stones
Laporte alaba/tah

Cancelo nico angelino and zinchenko sold covers at least half of defensive transfers. We dont need another rb. We didnt need Danilo or cancelo!!! The games they played maffeo or frimpong could of played, so give this young Brazilian lad a go.

Tah is Wes Morgan in disguise.

 

[the_tevez_wiggle]

Tah is Wes Morgan in disguise.

Apart from 2 years ago he was one of the most promising cbs in the world. Power, pace, composure, passing short and long, leadership, aerial power, intelligence. A couple of injuries set him back, a run of games free from injury and I reckon you are looking at a £50m cb. Plus hes still young and cheap. Look at bailey as well, super potential 2 years ago but struggling now. Maybe the clubs training is poor, maybe overplayed who knows but both were class prospects but stalled through injury.

I can see your comparison in his power, leadership and aerial ability, but his technical side and potential far exceed wes Morgan.

 

[ctid1894]

Apart from 2 years ago he was one of the most promising cbs in the world. Power, pace, composure, passing short and long, leadership, aerial power, intelligence. A couple of injuries set him back, a run of games free from injury and I reckon you are looking at a £50m cb. Plus hes still young and cheap. Look at bailey as well, super potential 2 years ago but struggling now. Maybe the clubs training is poor, maybe overplayed who knows but both were class prospects but stalled through injury.

I can see your comparison in his power, leadership and aerial ability, but his technical side and potential far exceed wes Morgan.

He's got a technical side? He's got the subtlety of a breeze block, a decent cross-field diagonal and a decent punt over the top when there is acres of space to play it into and that's it. Can you honestly imagine with the size of the fucker him nimbly playing out from the back with short, quick, incisive passes and having the agility to make multiple changes of direction to create space and angles for the next pass? Give me a break.

There's very few players of that size who that have that ability, Yaya Toure was one but we all know he was a freak of nature technically, so please don't use him as a comparison.

As for potential, what do you think he can improve?

 

[the_tevez_wiggle]

He's got a technical side? He's got the subtlety of a breeze block, a decent cross-field diagonal and a decent punt over the top when there is acres of space to play it into and that's it. Can you honestly imagine with the size of the fucker him nimbly playing out from the back with short, quick, incisive passes and having the agility to make multiple changes of direction to create space and angles for the next pass? Give me a break.

There's very few players of that size who that have that ability, Yaya Toure was one but we all know he was a freak of nature technically, so please don't use him as a comparison.

As for potential, what do you think he can improve?

Considering hes 24 theres plenty he can improve. His balance, his work ethic, his quick passing, basically he can improve many things like every 24 year old. I could say if you didnt watch vvd and just went off his stature everything you said could be said about him. Yet ppl rate him as best in the world and 1 of our biggest mistakes. Anyway a forum is about opinions. Mine being this "breeze block" player under pep could be an absolute beast.

 

[ctid1894]

Considering hes 24 theres plenty he can improve. His balance, his work ethic, his quick passing, basically he can improve many things like every 24 year old. I could say if you didnt watch vvd and just went off his stature everything you said could be said about him. Yet ppl rate him as best in the world and 1 of our biggest mistakes. Anyway a forum is about opinions. Mine being this "breeze block" player under pep could be an absolute beast.

Fair enough, if that's what you believe, we're a million miles apart on this one.

As for VVD, he's muscular but also very lean and Tah just isn't. It's like comparing Andy Morrison and John Stones, if you take it to extremities.

 

[domalino]

I know this is the transfer forum and stupidity is the order of the day, but I really don't get posting this.

What's it supposed to say? Don't buy a world class defender because he made a mistake?

I guess we should never have gone near this bloke.



Van Dijk gifted Wolves a goal with an absolute howler this season. Guess he's shit too.

 

[the_tevez_wiggle]

Fair enough, if that's what you believe, we're a million miles apart on this one.

As for VVD, he's muscular but also very lean and Tah just isn't. It's like comparing Andy Morrison and John Stones, if you take it to extremities.

People just see different things pal.

 

[Ezzy]

I know this is the transfer forum and stupidity is the order of the day, but I really don't get posting this.

What's it supposed to say? Don't buy a world class defender because he made a mistake?

I guess we should never have gone near this bloke.

Maybe it's meant to say that Kalidou is not this surefire, impossible to fail, world class for 3+ more years, must have defender?

Especially when he is 29? Played about 50% of available games because of injury and poor fitness.

Especially when the majority of our signings need 1 year to adapt to Pep's way of playing?

After all Kalidou has never played in the premier League, so why do you think he will hit the ground running like Laporte did?
When Laporte was 23 & at the top of his game when he joined?
Kalidou would be 29 and battled fitness issues all season long.