Kalidou Koulibaly

[Marvin]

Manchester City have agreed a deal with Napoli over the signing of 29-year-old Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
On the Beebs webpage.

But if you trace it back it all stems from Alfredo Pedulla. He's been reporting on the story for some time and I've got no reason to doubt him but always better when there's more than one source.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Look at the impact on their Premier League goals conceded. That's the bottom-line.

2018/19 - 54
2019/20 - 36

They over-paid, and arguably he's not a top quality player in the bracket of Kompany and Van Dijk but he signifcantly strenthened their defensive game. Our interest in the player last Summer seemed to be pretty genuine.

Let's hope we've got a couple right this time.

 

[Bubbagump]

As this seems to be getting closer and closer now I have at last had a bit of a look on some videos to see what we may be getting.

Looks aggressive and strong, reads situations reasonably well and not a slouch. The bit that concerns me is the tackles could be now deemed out of control in this new non contact football world!

In fairness the prospect of going into the season with:

laporte, ake, tosin, koulibaly in comparison to last year Laporte, ota, stones, Garcia/ fern shows we have significantly improved the position in my opinion.

I really want tosin to succeed at city, learning from a giant as koulibaly on the game can only benefit us too.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Look at the impact on their Premier League goals conceded. That's the bottom-line.

2018/19 - 54
2019/20 - 36

They over-paid, and arguably he's not a top quality player in the bracket of Kompany and Van Dijk but he signifcantly strenthened their defensive game. Our interest in the player last Summer seemed to be pretty genuine.

I believe they overpaid for both Maguire and Wan-Bissaka but there’s no denying their defence has improved.

 

[Marvin]

I believe they overpaid for both Maguire and Wan-Bissaka but there’s no denying their defence has improved.

Wan Bissaka is very good stopping a winger but he's very limited going forward. Quick. Puts a lot of balls in but aimless. He'd drive Pep mad the amount of good possession he wastes.

 

[Damanino]

Their defence also benefit of Matic, Fred, McTominay guarding them, usually two of the 3 but sometimes all three played.

At City we rarely have Rodri, Fernandinho, Gundogan playing a midfield shield for the defence. Also Gundogan is zero help when we dont have the ball he rarely makes a tackle or fast enough to be close to action...

When we did have Rodri and Gundo together, most of those games we just lost.

Maguire would have looked horriblle imo with his pace of turn in a very high line defence. we would all be asking now how we paid 60m for a defender like that...

 

[Akpowell]

I can't decide about Kalidou.
One minute i think he'll be a bit Mangala'ish, dropping bollocks and giving penalties away.
Then I think he's going to be a beast, rock solid at the back, stopping everything.
Time will tell.

 

[asahartford1]

I believe they overpaid for both Maguire and Wan-Bissaka but there’s no denying their defence has improved.

And still conceded more goals than City, despite two defensive midfield players, and scoring half as many goals.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I can't decide about Kalidou.
One minute i think he'll be a bit Mangala'ish, dropping bollocks and giving penalties away.
Then I think he's going to be a beast, rock solid at the back stopping everything.
Time will tell.

He has the required ability, proven, but he has to produce it in our shirt.

All we can do is give him the opportunity.

 

[whipper]

I haven't seen much of him to be honest, just YouTube clips. What did concern me ( yes I know youtube clips) he doesn't seem to stay on his feet, reminded me a lot like Otamendi but with pace.

Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

And still conceded more goals than City, despite two defensive midfield players, and scoring half as many goals.

I think that’s why van Dijk is a tad overhyped. He’s a brilliant defender but he does have a lot of protection from their midfield.

 

[Gingers Dad]

Look at the impact on their Premier League goals conceded. That's the bottom-line.

2018/19 - 54
2019/20 - 36

They over-paid, and arguably he's not a top quality player in the bracket of Kompany and Van Dijk but he signifcantly strenthened their defensive game. Our interest in the player last Summer seemed to be pretty genuine.

They got 66pts in both seasons. So they basically spent £80 million to stand still. Dreadful signing for the price

 

[mosssideblue]

Maguire has improved United's defence a lot. He was very expensive but he's one of the better deals they have done over recent seasons.

They must have been really gash beforehand as, with him, they are still very poor

 

[Craig]

Wan Bissaka is very good stopping a winger but he's very limited going forward. Quick. Puts a lot of balls in but aimless. He'd drive Pep mad the amount of good possession he wastes.

Not too dissimilar to Walker in that both are exceptional one on one defenders but pretty limited going forwards. If you’ve got a right sided attacker like Sterling or Sancho it’s not a problem as they can back them up and allow them to get on with taking on fullbacks and providing the width. However Inverted wingers don’t really suit either of them.

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

Hope he's not a mangala 2.0

 

[Marvin]

They got 66pts in both seasons. So they basically spent £80 million to stand still. Dreadful signing for the price

Look at the impact on goals conceded. They can also afford to spend big money.

Sanchez was 'dreadful'.

 

[Marvin]

I can't decide about Kalidou.
One minute i think he'll be a bit Mangala'ish, dropping bollocks and giving penalties away.
Then I think he's going to be a beast, rock solid at the back, stopping everything.
Time will tell.

Well watch him over more than one game. I watched the Napoli v Liverpool games and thought this guy was simply amazing. The only player who I have seen completely boss and control Liverpool's forwards one on one.

 

[Gingers Dad]

Look at the impact on goals conceded. They can also afford to spend big money.

Sanchez was 'dreadful'.

So it's not a dreadful signing because they can afford it?

 

[Marvin]

So it's not a dreadful signing because they can afford it?

That's certainly a factor yes. If you are Sheff Utd £90m has a different signifance than if you are Man Utd.

ANd the bottom line is Man Utd's defence improved with him in the side. Limited he maybe. 'Dreadful' no way. The English language becomes meaningless if you use it in that way.

 

[wolviedinho]

We don’t concede a lot of goals and the criticism is unfair at times. The problem is that we look ropey at the back.. You never get the feeling during the game that we are in control. Stones, oto, Garcia, even Laporte.

At some point you know we are going to let 1 in. Hopefully Kk and Ake can solve this issue. It should not matter if we use a High line or not. Competent defenders who can take charge and command the back 4 is essential to stop the fuck ups each time a player breaks through the middle. Sort that out and we will be a tough unit to break down.

Pressure will then ease on the forwards knowing they have faith the defence will do its job. Winning by 1-0 next season will confirm if we have sorted out the problem and have bought the right players. Watch Rodney be transformed.