Ryan Bertrand

[WarhawkMO1]

much happier with him than i am with Walker. who i still don't see as capable to play in Pep system. Bertrand does seem to possess the necessary attributes to play in a Pep side though, much more of a brain on him and not completely reliant on pace. He's far from spectacular but he's homegrown and the simple fact is most top teams in this country have to compromise somewhere to fit in the homegrown players as there's very few good enough at this level. He's a good, sound compromise. I'd say only marginally better than Clichy and obviously younger, will seem like a lot better transfer if we can get Mendy in too. Mendy and Bertrand is a strong left back duo.

Why not have both? Oh wait, I think we will!!!!

 

[Ballet On Ice]

Bertrand- HG, in his prime, can play CB and is very good in general. We will soon have four regular starters for England.

We could have three of the back four

 

[Dax777]

I actually think if we signed Bertrand and Mendy for the LB position then Bertrand would come out on top, at least for the first season.

I think so too.

 

[Dax777]

He could be quite special in our suspected formation, however, agree that it may take 12 months with mendy but he could be the best in his position in Europe, if the penny drops from Peps coaching...

But a lot of fullbacks could become the best in Europe under Pep's tutelage. Why are we fixated on this one?

 

[Gundogan's Moustache]

Seems to have gone pretty quiet this one

 

[JustAnotherCityFan]

Bertrand- HG, in his prime, can play CB and is very good in general. We will soon have four regular starters for England.

Rose will always be first choice when fit for England.

 

[Manncity]

3,4,3

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

i think hes a better player then walker and better value for money. if we can get him for 30m that would be great.

 

[BlueAnorak]

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

I think so too.

With mendys stature he Cover centre back as well.

 

[Jonsilfab]

With mendys stature he Cover centre back as well.

Doubt it. He's not intelligent or skilled enough defensively yet.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Rose will always be first choice when fit for England.

I'd dispute that. Whilst he is in the mix to be England's first choice left back when fit, I'd say in 15 years time, you won't be hearing his name banded around.

 

[2001BFGM]

I personally find him better than Mendy to be honest.

 

[Long Slow Goodbye]

But a lot of fullbacks could become the best in Europe under Pep's tutelage. Why are we fixated on this one?

Based on what exactly? Alves was already one of the best in Europe at Sevilla. Abidal played in a World Cup final 2 years pre-Pep. He turned Lahm into a midfielder, Alaba was already a European Cup winning leftback when Pep turned up. He's since also played Kimmich and Fernandinho out of position at rightback; there's no evidence of him ever actually doing what you suggest he could.

Pocchettino inherited Walker and Rose as maligned, flawed footballers, and managed to turn them into the best fullbacks in the league 'worth' £50m each; Guardiola has never facilitated such a quantum leap in quality like that for any player.

Bertrand would/will be a quality signing; he does everything unspectacularly well.

 

[higgi1p]

Where are we at with trying to get him?

 

[Daz_Blue]

Where are we at with trying to get him?

Tracking planes from Southampton

 

[NQCitizen]

I reckon he could keep Mendy out of the team if we want someone a bit more technical.

Think he could surprise a few with his quality (like a sort of Barry, Parker type signing).

 

[Nige's Tatts]

The only worry I have is, as a contender for the starting LB position for England, in a World Cup year, is he really gonna risk having reduced playing time & play second fiddle to Mendy? I'm not so sure.

 

[kaz7]

A move for Ryan Bertrand is now unlikely with Southampton not willing to sell him. [@SunMartinB]

 

[mdj0520]

If he isn't coming now then I suppose Danilo makes even more sense looking at the recent city watch tweet (can't remember which journo) that pep would use him at rb and lb.

Problem is it looks like Delph is leaving, which means we need a homegrown player and Bertrand was one of the few out there that I didn't think would look out of place starting games for us.