Not really, that just your opinion. I am not even calling him world class, he would be very good for us as a CB just like he is for Napoli. He is miles better than Jones Rojo and Smalling too, its a bit silly to say he wouldn't significantly improve our defence by a long way (e.g transform) both defensively and in terms of bringing the ball out and defending higher up the pitch
He obviously isn't since he made errors in Naples and Paris... shrugs
Who's the top 5 defender who's available?
There were LOADS of United fans that didn't want Lukaku and plenty that questioned whether Mkhitaryan had the mentality to play for United and most of us had barely even heard of Bailly to make any kind of judgment. So you are not sold on Koulibaly? Cool, who do you want us to bring in? As one way or another we need another CB.
Quote me.
Great. I was arguing with a guy who's only ever seen highlights.
Yes, saying I watched highlights of Milan v Napoli clearly suggests I've never, ever in my entire life seen Koulibaly play a full game. Of course. The strawman arguments are out in full force tonight.
I straight up asked you if you'd only seen those highlights and you failed to respond.
Let's do this. Rojo + cash.
I agree with both your answers to those questions. However let me ask you a third question. Is it worth spending the ridiculous amount of money Napoli will be asking for him? You see, Napoli might not be London but their team is relatively rich. They don't need to sell us Koulibaly and would want to take us to the cleaners just like arch enemies Juventus did with Pogba.
You think Pogba was expensive?
Pogba and Ronaldo were young when they were signed up by United (second time round) and Real. This is different. You've got a 27 year old, whose nowhere near to the likes of Stam or Rio, who'll cost 85m to get him here.
I'd rather spend 85m on Koulibaly than a combined 75m on Toby and Milenkovic. We need real top quality, rather than bloating our squad with more players than it needs.
He's absolutely at the level of Stan and Rio. He's the best centre back in the world.
No he's not.
Agreed, I wonder how many clamouring for Milenkovic have actually seen him play?
Who's better?
I disagree. Koulibaly is a good defender but as said he's not a Stam, a Vidic or a Rio and at age 27 I can't see him improve enough to justify that fee. Honestly I can't see anyone whose good as those three and whose currently available.
Just because there's no Stam or Rio available that doesn't mean we should splash the cash on someone who doesn't justify the price tag. As said, unless there's a prime Baresi, a prime Rio or a prime Stam available then spending 85m on one player would be crazy. Instead we should do what we always did ie strengthening the backline by bringing in the right sort of players while hoping they would be able to stand up and be counted.
Our backline is crying out for 1 commanding experienced CB. We dont need any potential . Theres potential there with Lindelof and Bailly. We should pay the money . 27 is not old for centre backs. Infact they get better. Godin at 33 is still one of the best. In addition we're looking for LCB and he fits that profile
Honestly? Yes.
I agree, sadly Varane is basically «untransferable» though.
That's something someone like Toby can do, possibly better then Koulibaly. However, I think our biggest issue in defence is the lack of talent across the back 4. Our CBs aren't that talented (Smalling, Bailly, Rojo) while our FBs are mainly failed wingers. So I'd say, lets not break the bank to get leadership and let instead strengthen the backline in a significant way.
. Avid followers of Napoli I take it?Lets start from the last comment first. If we really want to sort defence out then we need an experienced top quality CB + two fullbacks (RB and LB). That will cost us more then 100m. Now instead of blowing most of it on Koulibaly who I promise you, is good but hardly a Rio Ferdinand level of defender lets properly strengthen the back 4 instead. Milenkovic will provide us top quality for both RB and CB. He's tall, he's very talented, his distribution is top notch and while his positioning is still a bit meah he's improving year after year. Tierney on the other hand will provide aggression, a mean cross and will push Shaw to perform. Last but not least, Toby would provide us with the commanding experienced figure we need as CB. He isn't as agressive as Koulibaly is and tbf he doesn't really need to be with the likes of Bailly and Hodor around. In exchange he bring EPL experience to the mix, which is valuable considering its a much more aggressive and pacier style of football then the Serie A is.
You're not a fan I can tell.
I am a big fan of him actually. He's among the best CBs in the Serie A in fact alongside the likes of Chiellini and Skriniar. What I am not a big fan off is his fee. Mainly because I believe we need to sort 2 possible 3 positions in defence and I don't think he'll be able to paper the cracks by himself.
