Kalidou Koulibaly

[93.20blue]

Didn’t @93.20blue mention that we were working on a deal for Ake a while back?

yep , Ake is the back up centre back Option The club have always been after to Laporte / Dias or koulibaly . A much bigger improvement to stones / Otamendi, with Garcia also being 4th choice. We play about 60 games a season , so would all get game time , pep loves rotation .

Didn’t @93.20blue mention that we were working on a deal for Ake a while back?

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

I can see us doing both Ake and Koulibaly.

It definitely sounds like we’ve got two defensive roles we want filling this summer - a right footed CB to come straight in and partner Laporte, and a left footed CB who can also cover LB - back up to Laporte and rotation with Mendy.

Clearly Koulibaly is the no 1 target for the first position - and he’d be perfect to own the role for 2/3 years, whilst we bring Garcia through.

It sounds like we’d love Alaba for the second position, but he really doesn’t fancy it, so Ake is a very good option if we can’t convince our primary target - clearly not as exciting, but for our need he’d be a great addition to the squad.

 

[JimmyGrimble10]

Koulibaly and Ake for Stones and Otamendi would be sensational business. Ake capable of playing at left back too and the option for five at the back is also there, especially with our full backs. Hopefully we can sign both.

 

[g180aj]

@93.20blue @tolmie's hairdoo @BillyShears any more I for on the possibility of Aouar and Havertz?

 

[mancityscot]

will ake want to come and play 2nd fiddle though? also what about the implications it would have for garcia

 

[simon23]

We're giving Otamendi away on a free this summer, I'm almost sure of it. Just getting his wages off the books will be enough IMO.

think you are right on that one as well

Cant see anyone paying money (or significant money) for a player his age......

 

[g180aj]

will ake want to come and play 2nd fiddle though? also what about the implications it would have for garcia

The reality with Garcia is getting 15-20 first team games next season is still a step forward, it hasn't hurt Foden seeing him the last few weeks.

 

[JamesMCFC]

Dunno if it's me but Aki does not stand out one bit.

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

Dunno if it's me but Aki does not stand out one bit.

he doesn't, but he's HG, better than Stones and Otamendi and left footed so an apt back-up for Laporte and can play some squad matches.

 

[Jumanji]

he doesn't, but he's HG, better than Stones and Otamendi and left footed so an apt back-up for Laporte and can play some squad matches.

Is he reaaaaally better than Stones or Otamendi, though? I see them all as similar-level players. Being left-footed is a thing, but it's not a massive thing brought to the table if he's not much better than what we've got. I look at left footed center halves on the left side and right footed players on the right side as like an icing on a cake and not a requirement. Granted, it's my humble opinion.

 

[ScottSinclair]

Dunno if it's me but Aki does not stand out one bit.

Nah, but he is solid, technical efficient and I believe he could go up a level or at least feel at home in a better team. Homegrown as well

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

Is he reaaaaally better than Stones or Otamendi, though? I see them all as similar-level players. Being left-footed is a thing, but it's not a massive thing brought to the table if he's not much better than what we've got. I look at left footed center halves on the left side and right footed players on the right side as like an icing on a cake and not a requirement. Granted, it's my humble opinion.

I think he has a better mentality than both, and I think he will be able to develop his ball-playing qualities under Pep as I think he has more potential to unlock. Not saying he'll ever be a world beater by any stretch but I think he has more in his locker in the right team.

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Koulibaly and Ake for Stones and Otamendi would be sensational business. Ake capable of playing at left back too and the option for five at the back is also there, especially with our full backs. Hopefully we can sign both.

Five at the back? even if we were being attacked by Martians, pep would never play five at the back.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

If Stones goes, i hope we get a decent fee for him and i hope he gets the recognition and gratitude he deserves. It may well be time for him to go but he has been a big part of both title wins and lots of cups. He's been a good servant and he's very well liked by his teammates, and I'll wish him well.

 

[Akpowell]

I don't think Ake would want to come as a back up player, while he's playing regular first team football at Bournemouth

 

[JimmyGrimble10]

Five at the back? even if we were being attacked by Martians, pep would never play five at the back.

3 at the back I meant with two wing backs. A system he has played regularly at Bayern.

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

I don't think Ake would want to come as a back up player, while he's playing regular first team football at Bournemouth

If he is confident of his own ability of course he would.

Playing under Pep and chance at winning trophies and all for a good wage yes he would come

 

[Jumanji]

We’re hijacking the thread talking about Ake, but while we’re at it: isn’t he short and is he not part of the reasons why Bournemouth might relegate?

 

[pudge]

We’re hijacking the thread talking about Ake, but while we’re at it: isn’t he short and is he not part of the reasons why Bournemouth might relegate?

The likes of Juninho, Di Canio, Keane even Kinkladze have been relegated to be fair.

At 25, if we were able to corner a deal with him and Bournemouth were to go down then especially for the price we could do a lot worse than him as a depth piece. Most notably Otamendi...

 

[decmancity]

I don't think Ake would want to come as a back up player, while he's playing regular first team football at Bournemouth

Id imagine if this sort of rumour is out in the papers then somewhere is speaking, Txiki would have spoken with his agent before any sort of official move so Ake seemingly hasn't said no.

Ake will fancy his chances to get in the first team, I presume we move on Ota and Stones. He could very well play RCB or play in a 3 if we got Koulibaily as well.