Kalidou Koulibaly

[Neville Kneville]

I'm far more relaxed with Stones because I trust Garcia and I would happily put faith in Adaradiayo and Harwood-Bellis as well. If all else fails we have Fernandinho, Rodri and Walker as fallback options and another transfer window in January, if the very worst happens and 5 players all fuck up their chances which I just don't see happening.

I don't trust any of those tbh.

 

[blueparrot]

The biggest positive change in our defending next season will be the increase the intensity of our press, it'll alleviate the pressure the CB's are currently put under as we've seen in previous seasons.

This season has been a bit of a write-off in that respect because of the slowing down of Silva (as much as I love him), the introduction of Rodri (who I think will be excellent next season) and the over reliance on Sterling and Mahrez to play every game because we had no true alternatives. Laporte's injury was also a huge loss which we hope will not happen again next season, it would be extremely unfortunate if it did.

Foden, Bernardo and Torres all being closer to the team will make a huge difference in our defensive capabilities, simply by improving our press.

Ake, I think at £35m quoted it's far more sensible than Koulibaly and gives us more options (3 CB's and also ability to play LB and DM in emergencies).

I don't agree Koulibaly is two footed either, he can use his weaker foot just like Ederson can but you wouldn't want him to have to rely on it.

Koulibaly has spent his whole time relying on his weaker foot playing on the left. It’s simple for me last year we wanted Maguire to partner Laporte, we didn’t get him and gambled on Stones. Fair enough but Stones proved unreliable, Laporte got injured. Ake will replace Otamendi but will also cover left back. So do we repeat the gamble that backfired and roll the Stone dice again or do we replace Stones with an experienced centre back, think I know the clubs answer, same as mine and cost , not my problem.

 

[domalino]

For some reason I've always thought he was taller. Didn't think laporte was taller!

You're not the only one

When I arrived for my medical, I was very nervous, because I didn’t speak any Italian yet. I was greeted by the chairman, Mr. De Laurentiis, in the hallway.

And I think this says everything about Napoli and the club.

He’s looking at me kind of funny, and he says, “Oh, you’re Koulibaly?”

I say, “Yes, I am Koulibaly.”

He says, “But you’re not tall? Aren’t you 1.92 meters?”

I say, “No, Mr. President, I am 1.86 meters.”

He says, “Damn! It is written everywhere that you are 1.92! I am going to have to speak to Genk and get some money back!”

I say, “It’s alright, Mr. President, you pay the full amount. I will give every centimeter back to you on the field, don’t worry.”

​

From his players Tribune article which is well worth reading.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/kalidou-koulibaly-napoli-we-are-all-brothers

 

[ctid1894]

Koulibaly has spent his whole time relying on his weaker foot playing on the left. It’s simple for me last year we wanted Maguire to partner Laporte, we didn’t get him and gambled on Stones. Fair enough but Stones proved unreliable, Laporte got injured. Ake will replace Otamendi but will also cover left back. So do we repeat the gamble that backfired and roll the Stone dice again or do we replace Stones with an experienced centre back, think I know the clubs answer, same as mine and cost , not my problem.

That's all good, you're just as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. I'm happy to debate all day long with posters like yourself, no problem. There's certain bellends, no names mentioned, who cry like a woman if you dare to have an alternative opinion and start with accusations, so they get put in the notebook and treated with the contempt they deserve.

 

[ctid1894]

You're not the only one

When I arrived for my medical, I was very nervous, because I didn’t speak any Italian yet. I was greeted by the chairman, Mr. De Laurentiis, in the hallway.

And I think this says everything about Napoli and the club.

He’s looking at me kind of funny, and he says, “Oh, you’re Koulibaly?”

I say, “Yes, I am Koulibaly.”

He says, “But you’re not tall? Aren’t you 1.92 meters?”

I say, “No, Mr. President, I am 1.86 meters.”

He says, “Damn! It is written everywhere that you are 1.92! I am going to have to speak to Genk and get some money back!”

I say, “It’s alright, Mr. President, you pay the full amount. I will give every centimeter back to you on the field, don’t worry.”

​

From his players Tribune article which is well worth reading.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/kalidou-koulibaly-napoli-we-are-all-brothers

That's brilliant.

 

[lightning Rodri]

Good montage. However, those clips show Napoli sitting deep, so it’s harder to ascertain how comfortable he is when turned higher up the park. His longer cross field passes went awry with both feet, and Juve set up against and pressed him in such a way that he had to thread a needle to get it forward, which he couldn’t do, or pass safely left, which he opted to do repeatedly.

I don’t doubt his defensive qualities, phenomenal strength, but he’s going to have to work on bringing the ball higher up the park and threading passes through. That’s the aspect of Stones’s game that has been improving, but imposing himself physically has not.

He was doing these well under Sarri.

 

[OB1]

I don't trust any of those tbh.

I really like the look of THB but it's very early days and I wouldn't want to rely on him either.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I really like the look of THB but it's very early days and I wouldn't want to rely on him either.

Absolutely. Very promising.

But at kids level, he's a big unit compared to being a not very big unit at PL level, so it would be a surprise if he can just step in, plus he isn't as assured on the ball as Garcia (which is Garcia's only current talent imo, the rest is like mass hypnosis).

 

[manygoose]

Have we signed anyone from outside the PL in a summer transfer window under Pep who hasn't taken a year to get going? Ederson springs to mind but am lost after that. If his first season is anything like bernardo or mahrez it would be a big gamble at 29 years old. Especially for a club record fee.

Having said that, Napoli didnt fair too bad against Liverpool this season

 

[MCFC_4Heatons]

I think Skriniar is a better option if we can get him for around the same fee, looks like we're all in for this guy...