May be mistaken but seem remember last summer when there was talk of him leaving it was said he only wanted Valencia but they couldn't afford him, so you'd think something could be done there.Otamendi may yet have sale value, if included as part of a Torres team. I'd also think an italian team would go for him too.
The more I think about it, the more I can see him playing left back for us.
He gave an interview three years ago saying his favourite position is midfield. With the way we often play we expect our fullbacks to drift in and sit at the base of midfield. It's also cost us a few times this season (most recently against Chelsea and Southampton) when our current left backs have been caught out on the ball.
He's also way quicker than Zinchenko and Mendy. Mendy's sprint speed is decent but it takes him about 40 yards to accelerate. Recovery speed on the defensive end has cost us goals the same way it did in Pep's first season and then with Delph.
Although Ake will never been as dominant in the air as bigger defenders, he's an immediate improvement on any fullback we have. Walker's okay on the defensive end but has never been a threat from set pieces whereas Ake attacks the ball well and has a good anticipation of rebounds. Lightyears ahead of Zin and Mendy in that regard.
The only concern I'd really have is in terms of crossing. It's something we've lacked with the likes of Delph and Zinchenko because neither are naturally inclined to overlap down the wing. On the other hand, even when Mendy's crossing is on point we've struggled to get anyone on the end of it and the likes of De Bruyne, Mahrez, Foden and hopefully Ferran Torres all have the ability to whip in a dangerous ball anyway.
I might be talking out of my arse and I'm not sure that it's a good idea to go into yet another season without a reliable, natural left back but I'm sure we'll see him there at some point.
The problem is his wages. £120k a week apparently.
Depends what problem you think he is solving.Doesn't fill me with hope at all, I just dont think he's part of the solution. Possibly a decent squad player but nothing more. Our signings continue to be underwhelming
Who else has upset you that we've signed?Doesn't fill me with hope at all, I just dont think he's part of the solution. Possibly a decent squad player but nothing more. Our signings continue to be underwhelming
Who else has upset you that we've signed?
Mendy and Cancelo possibly?Who else has upset you that we've signed?
We might see him at left back in games when we are expected to be under intense pressure (Liverpool/that lot) but he’d offer precious little going forward, which would mean changing our entire shape and system of attack. He is an orthodox defender, so we should expect him to do just that and deputise for Laporte.
The way we play requires a left-footed centre back and a left-footed full back who can get forward. The pairing of Stones and Otamendi against Bournemouth merely evidenced the problems we continue to have when pairing two right-footed defenders. Stones’ passing remains circumspect, with him regularly passing the ball to Otamendi’s right-hand side, often behind him, which then means Otamendi has to collect the ball, turn, and play a right-footed pass to the full back. Because that pass is invariably spinning out of play, it means the full back has to wait for the ball to arrive, at best, or, as more often happens, retreat a couple of paces to collect the ball. All of those things take vital seconds and allow the opponents time to shuffle across and regroup. A left-footed centre back plays the ball so that it shapes in front of the full back and accelerates our point of attack.
Ake could well be the answer when Laporte is out/rested, but he’s not the answer to our left back problem. As you say, we can but pray that we’ll go into this season with two fit left backs. Maybe Ait-Nouri will come from Angers.