Centre Backs Under The Radar

[Inigo Montoya]

De Ligt- always in the spotlight
Koulibaly - not exactly unknown is he? We seem to be looking at the ones out if our reach or a bit past it.

Are there CBs out there that are just right for developing? Surely there has to be a VVD type playing in Europe/ PL that should be monitored.

 

[Tommy]

I like what I've seen of Skriniar whenever I've seen Inter play. Not longed turn 24, strong, decent with his feet & a good tackler.

 

[Ekeke]

De Ligt- always in the spotlight
Koulibaly - not exactly unknown is he? We seem to be looking at the ones out if our reach or a bit past it.

Are there CBs out there that are just right for developing? Surely there has to be a VVD type playing in Europe/ PL that should be monitored.

I mean, statistically he was through the roof from his first season at Southampton. He's also statistically the highest rated CB this season, but higher at Southampton.

Some people dont like stats, but its a heck of a coincidence that the CB who is always at or around the top each season is also the best CB in the world. It would be far more accurate if everytime they made a mistake it counted against them, but thats not currently considered.

Schar and Otamendi are the other 2 highest rated CBs by stats alone. Nowhere near as good as VVD in his first season in the premier league and also much older than he was.

So no, there isnt another VVD at least the Southampton version, in the premier league

Bednarek would be the highest rated statistically under the age of 27. He's 23 and another Southampton player.

So he's one who might do better at a bigger club, who knows. Still has time on his side anyway but I dont think anyone would think hes going to be as good as VVD.

Next would be Tarkowski and Michael Keane who are both already 26. And Phil Jones at 27.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Jonathan Tah.......

 

[sun_tzu]

I think Tah would do well in the premier league

Probably attainable at a not too crazy price from Leverkusen and as Boatang and hummles get older I think you will see him more and more in the German team (he already has a handful of caps and is 23)

Akanji has looked decent when Ive seen him but admittedly only a couple of times... and if Barca really are considering letting Umtiti go I hope we are all over that... obviously hes not under the radar but again i think he would be a good option

 

[WolfInSharp'sClothing]

Eder Militao of Porto and Ruben Dias of Benfica are a couple who could do really well at a European giant.

I also think Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen could have a similar impact on the PL to Van Dijk.

 

[charlenefan]

Earlier in the season the lad on loan at Celtic from Leicester was getting rave reviews...

 

[Raw]

Tuanzebe?

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Ake is developing nicely

 

[Melville Red]

Why not look at the Championship? Some decent players who play in a hard league and will be more suited to stepping up than some one who is used to playing in a much slower game.
Some of our best signing have been from lower leagues or smaller clubs within in the PL, but I think we should start rebuilding around more British players who know what it’s like to earn their place.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Upamecano

 

[JJ12]

Eder Militao of Porto and Ruben Dias of Benfica are a couple who could do really well at a European giant.

I also think Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen could have a similar impact on the PL to Van Dijk.

Hasn't he signed for Real?

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Why not look at the Championship? Some decent players who play in a hard league and will be more suited to stepping up than some one who is used to playing in a much slower game.
Some of our best signing have been from lower leagues or smaller clubs within in the PL, but I think we should start rebuilding around more British players who know what it’s like to earn their place.

Norwich have 3 young English defenders that it will be interesting to see their development. Jamal Lewis at left back, Max Aarons at right back and Ben Godfrey at centre back. Max Aarons won the leagues best young player at the EFL awards.

I'd say Tomori is the best young English centre back in that division, he recently won Derby's player of the year. He belongs to Chelsea though.

There's Tuanzebe obviously too.

Doubt that many would want to gamble of players of that profile though.

 

[WolfInSharp'sClothing]

Hasn't he signed for Real?

Oh yeah, joins in the summer for 50m Euros. I guess he's been spotted then!

I think he'll go on to be excellent.

Meanwhile, United dither over spending £25m on Alderweireld or chucking £60m down the toilet for Maguire.

Sign them young, sign them hungry and they'll go on to blossom at your club.

 

[WolfInSharp'sClothing]

Ake is developing nicely

Pervert.

 

[Dinghy]

Kristoffer Ajer at Celtic.

 

[Hawks2008]

Zagadou of Dortmund looked a good prospect when I caught some some of their games earlier in the season. Big and strong while being good on the ball. Still young and learning though so probably one for the future.

 

[settembrini]

Ake for sure. Better CB than all our current options aside from Smalling. He's quicker, better on the ball and better in the air than Lindelof. Calmer and better decision maker than Bailly/Jones/Rojo. Also counts as home grown, is naturally left sided when all our other CBs aside from Rojo are better on the right and has a great fitness record (38/38 league appearances last season and 34/34 so far this season).

 

[izec]

Earlier in the season the lad on loan at Celtic from Leicester was getting rave reviews...

Benkovic. I wonder what is going on with Soyuncu at Leicester. He isnt getting as much game time as i thought he would, he was highly rated at Freiburg.

 

[ghagua]

I hope the team avoid Koulibaly, not enough brains to cope with the pace of the Premier league. I would try and get Skriniar and Ruben Dias from Benfica. Also would try and sign Jamal Lascelles if we can get rid of Rojo, Bailly and Jones. Unfortunately it seems De Ligt is Barcelona bound.

 

[Infra-red]

Tah and Andersen. Strong, tall (6ft5 & 6ft4), good in the air and on the ball, 23 & 22 years old.

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

Is Tah a Ball playing CB?

 

[SiRed]

Already mentioned but Nathan Ake will waste his career if he stays at Bournemouth. He is ready for a step up in my opinion.
Strong, fast, great in the air, great on the ball, scores the odd goal. Could be perfect for us.

 

[Infra-red]

Is Tah a Ball playing CB?

Has completed the second most passes (behind Sule) of any defender in the Bundesliga this season.

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

With Ole talking about English core I think Ake will be a choice. Left footed LCB.

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

Has completed the second most passes (behind Sule) of any defender in the Bundesliga this season.

Okay that's good. He looks stocky and seems able to do a Smalling on the attackers in the videos I have seen. If he can pass that's even better.

 

[Ekeke]

Zagadou of Dortmund looked a good prospect when I caught some some of their games earlier in the season. Big and strong while being good on the ball. Still young and learning though so probably one for the future.

All true but has made quite a few mistakes. Might get there but if we're expecting an instant upgrade he isnt it yet

 

[Ekeke]

With Ole talking about English core I think Ake will be a choice. Left footed LCB.

What?

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Pervert.

Silly boi

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Is Tah a Ball playing CB?

Yes. A 'secret weapon' on FIFA and FM since 2014

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

What?

I thought he was English because of the long time at Chelsea

 

[AltiUn]

I've been harping on about him for a while but I really like the look of Manuel Akanji at Dortmund, he's 23 and already looks a fantastic player. He won't come cheap but I'd go for him. He's very physically gifted with great strength and pace, think he's about 6'1/6'2 so a good height too. Not only is he a good defender but he's very good on the ball from what I've seen, calm and a strong passer both short and long range. Most importantly, he looks a real leader at the back which is something we can all agree we've been sorely lacking.

 

[ErranMorad]

How is Milenkovic progressing at Fiorentina? I remember a few links of our interest last summer.

 

[Cliche Guevara]

Under the Radar, for me, is someone who can become World Class within three years, that nobody else is after.

Or, someone good enough to improve us now for under £20m.

Otherwise it’s just who is not quite in the elite bracket, or who is a bit cheaper than anyone else we can get.

 

[Jacob]

Tuanzebe

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Tuanzebe

Good potential but doesn’t strike me as a leader.

I’m thinking of someone who is psychologically imposing as well as having the technical
Gifts

 

[Jacob]

Has to be Ake.

 

[Melville Red]

Norwich have 3 young English defenders that it will be interesting to see their development. Jamal Lewis at left back, Max Aarons at right back and Ben Godfrey at centre back. Max Aarons won the leagues best young player at the EFL awards.

I'd say Tomori is the best young English centre back in that division, he recently won Derby's player of the year. He belongs to Chelsea though.

There's Tuanzebe obviously too.

Doubt that many would want to gamble of players of that profile though.

Interesting, I had heard that Norwich had a couple of decent defenders.
All these big money transfers just makes me think are we missing out on a new Pallister or Bruce? Why does it always have to be a foreigner we sign? Or come to think of it any other club in the PL. it’s a sad state of affairs.

 

[Melville Red]

Already mentioned but Nathan Ake will waste his career if he stays at Bournemouth. He is ready for a step up in my opinion.
Strong, fast, great in the air, great on the ball, scores the odd goal. Could be perfect for us.

He’s also Rudd Gullit’s love child.

Apparently.

 

[Bwuk]

Benkovic will have a break out year at Leicester next season.