I know Pep likes his dwarves, but imo we need to find another cb at least in the realms of being as physically imposing as Vinny, as well as being a top player.
He is such a huge, imposing presence on the field. It disappears as soon as he goes off.
For me VK is the key to everything next season. When he plays we look a completely different team, players around him look completely different players. Look at what happened when he went off last night. If he stays fit for the majority of the season, I think we win the league.
One step at a time, mate but 7 on the bounce (I think?) is certainly going in the right direction.Pretty clear he is by far our most important player, a half fit kompany is better than otamendi and stones combined. Sadly its difficult to envisage him fully coming over his injury problems.
Most impressive thing for me during the last seven games is the improvement in his passing out. Too many times this season we have sat head in hands as our defenders shift it sideways and backwards ultimately putting others under pressure. Vinny is intelligent enough to know that it was an area he needed to work on. Some of his forward passes at pace allowed the player receiving the ball to have a yard more space which makes all the difference. If fit, this guy will be important for the next two years by which time Stones will have developed.
Totally agree, Kompany is still the best defender defensively (tackling/heading/pace/strength/intelligence) and offensively (passing, creativity and goals scored) by along way in our team. I'm slightly biased but think a fit in form Kompany is still the best centre back in the world. It is no coincidence that he played the majority of league games when we won both titles.
Definitely agree with this..never have I scene a centre back and very few players wits worthh such a complete skill set.
I have a feeling PEPs team will get the best out of Vinny.
I also think pep playing him ,4 -5 games in a row was a test to see whether it worth persisting with him. Which Vinny passed.
He has definetly left Pep with a conundrum going into next season.
At this moment in time I don't see Pep going out and buying a central defender even though we are a Vinny injury away from utter calamity.
I just think if we were to buy another defender and Vinny does manage to stay fit, what happens to Stones? It will be £50m wasted.
I think he will just buy fullbacks and a goalkeeper in the summer and leave the centre-half position until January.
That's why I think if anyone is in danger it's Nico.
He's improved a lot but he's not Pep's choice (Stones) and he's not the best defender (Kompany) and he's not the guy who covers left back and doesn't expect to play often (Kolarov). If you're going to replace anyone, it'd be him.
But I think we'll just stay the same at CB next season.
Not a prayer he doesn't sign a centre half..... you saw all you needed to know against Leicester last weekend. Vinny replaced and the usual disorganisation kicks in. Ota has been brilliant the last 12 games but I fear he's another out the door!
Not a prayer he doesn't sign a centre half..... you saw all you needed to know against Leicester last weekend. Vinny replaced and the usual disorganisation kicks in. Ota has been brilliant the last 12 games but I fear he's another out the door!