Virgil van Dijk

[TheThirdDeano]

Is he reliable?

He's no Anonymous!!

 

[cucumberman]

What the fuck? The guy has one bad game and suddenly everyone thinks he's not good enough?

Right now he's a hell of a lot better than almost anyone else in the league, and certainly better than Stones and Tosin will be for a good few years.

I agree. The game against Spurs is not a measure of his ability. certainly not in a match when they're down to 10 men and suicidal tactics. from the heatmap of players, Southampton just rely too much on him at the back as a CB and sweeper. Bertrand was high up the pitch as the wide playmaker and Soares and Fonte were both playing wide to the right. Against the forward players that Spurs has, they were alright in keeping it 1-2. Not sure why Redmond, a wide midfielder was tasked to mark Dele Alli's run when there should have been defenders around the outside box but it goes to show how open Southampton was playing.

If anyone's mistakes would be highlighted, it would be Dijk in his role in this setup. I still think a goalscoring defender who is the best in the league in terms of aerial duels and top 5 in the current CB rating in European league as a good shout.

I never did buy into John stones as the player that would solve our problem, and I argued this point many times in the Stones thread of how he has errors in him. Yes I support him once he wears the shirt but I'm not surprised he has made two errors that have led to goals. We have to live with the fact that Stones is yet to improve on his concentration. But the option of Stones-van Dijk and Otamendi-van Dijk would make us more solid in the air, more so Otamendi-van Dijk who between the two of them are the best in tackles and headers in the league respectively.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Means nothing though, I mean stones was absolutely shite for an entire season yet we still got stung for mega bucks and bought him anyways.

It's a case of having to buy 'somebody' I think, & they all cost too much money.

I have no problem with us signing Van Dijk (or Stones for that matter ) But I didn't think Stones would be the answer this season & there is no guarantee VVD will be. He could make us worse.

They are flawed players who we have to try & make a player out of, not the finished article. Same with Otamendi.

We might get lucky.

 

[Kompany is King]

If there is a deal does it look like January or the summer?

 

[the_game_161]

summer i imagine.

even though we do need help now.

 

[Dax777]

I don't think we need a Center Back. Actually, I'm sure we don't need one.

We need technically proficient fullbacks.

 

[mosssideblue]

I don't think we need a Center Back. Actually, I'm sure we don't need one.

We need technically proficient fullbacks.

I'd agree with that. Full backs are where we are struggling most

 

[City_Sean]

I don't think we need a Center Back. Actually, I'm sure we don't need one.

We need technically proficient fullbacks.

If we start to use a back three then fullbacks aren't a massive priority.

 

[Trautmann's Chiropractor]

If we start to use a back three then fullbacks aren't a massive priority.

I'd disagree. When we play 3 at the back we're relying on Sterling, Sane, Navas and Clichy to give us width. I'd hope any full back we bring in would play as a wing back from time to time too.

 

[cucumberman]

In Conte's system, Azpilicueta-Luis-Cahill seems to work in this league, with Azpilicueta as I will say through gritted teeth, doing well in wide right providing width.