Nikola Milenkovic

Beaucoup

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Was wondering when we’d get down the list to this guy, next stop Umtitiville!
 

MrPooni

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fecking hell, we really are just working our way through Jose's list from last season aren't we? :lol: How long before we're linked with Jerome Boateng? Don't get me wrong, I was excited at the prospect of us signing Milenkovic last year but that was before the disastrous campaign that followed. He's a great prospect but by no means experienced enough to be the "commanding CB" we need IMO.
 

Bastian

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As much as we need a sure bet, I'd still prefer us to sign someone with higher potential than Maguire, for half the money. Still more risky than just buying Maguire, but other than Koulibaly, there is no sure bet remotely available.

Would be fantastic if we could offload one of ours in part exchange to Fiorentina + cash.
 

Berbaclass

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Has there ever been a poor Serbian CB bought by a PL team? Even Nastasic was decent, just injury prone. It's like they are all born to play there.
 

Suv666

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Usually I’d agree, but when the club doesn’t need the money is it really a useful tactic?

If this was Bruno Fernandes and Sporting Lisbon I could see them sweating over a smokescreen, because they need the money. But Leicester don’t, and they seem sincere when they say they don’t need to sell and want him to stay.
Maguire must be desperate to move though, at the price LCFC has put on him no one will buy him. Could be a tactic for Maguire to put some pressure on the club.
 

Rozay

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Has there ever been a poor Serbian CB bought by a PL team? Even Nastasic was decent, just injury prone. It's like they are all born to play there.
Nastasic was fecking class. Was totally bemused when he disappeared, never made sense to me. Always loved him as a player.
 

redasian

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If we get him we can revive Vidic's chant - just replace Nemanja with Nikola. Sign him just for that.
 

SATA

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This is just like the links of us going for the right back from Norwich to put some pressure on Palace and bang a few days later, AWB was officially announced. This will end the same for Maguire and Leicester
 

RkkMan

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Obvious smokescreen for Maguire like how we were linked with Max Aarons as a smokescreen for AWB even Fabrizio Romano has said Milenkovic ain't a priority for us now
 

dev1l

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Maguire is the superior player.
True.
Watched Milenkovic a couple of times playing for Serbia U21 and wasn't impressed. Though tbf the whole Serbian U 21 looked crap in the euros even if they have some exceptional talents
 

red thru&thru

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True.
Watched Milenkovic a couple of times playing for Serbia U21 and wasn't impressed. Though tbf the whole Serbian U 21 looked crap in the euros even if they have some exceptional talents
AWB did not look like a £50m+ player in U21's. Saying that, Madison looked bang average and only one or two nice moments for Foden.

Basically, don't judge just on the U21's performances.

Having said all that, I really don't think we can afford to wait to bed someone in right now. We need a ready to go kind of playe . Slab head fits the bill...even if I'm not his biggest fan.
 

dev1l

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AWB did not look like a £50m+ player in U21's. Saying that, Madison looked bang average and only one or two nice moments for Foden.

Basically, don't judge just on the U21's performances.

Having said all that, I really don't think we can afford to wait to bed someone in right now. We need a ready to go kind of playe . Slab head fits the bill...even if I'm not his biggest fan.
You re right. you can't judge a player on 2 matches. Still slabhead looks the finished article suits our situation better
 

RedRonaldo

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Let’s get him for 40m and Alderweireld for 25m, it’s better value than chasing Maguire for 80/90m.
 

devilish

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At 40m he is a no brainer. He's not the finished article yet but he's an excellent talent.
 

MisterLupus

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If they're really pushing the price on Maguire so badly I'd say this is a smarter move. One of the better candidates out there considering his age - and he's definitely a big upgrade to both Jones and Smalling.
 
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Suvvernmanc

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Is he as the same level as Skriniar?
Defensive wise not quite. His positioning isn't as good as Skriniar from what I've seen but Milenkovic is better on the ball, for that reason I think I'd prefer Milenkovic.
 

devilish

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Milenkovic has the makings of an excellent CB. He's fast, he's tall and he's got great technique. He can play as RB as well which means he gives us options. If we need experience and leadership then we might as well sell Rojo, Smalling and Jones since its pointless keeping players of their age if they aren't mature enough to lead the defence.
 

Invictus

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Is he as the same level as Skriniar?
Nope, maybe in the future but definitely not right now — he's far from the level of Koulibaly, Romagnoli, Chiellini, Škriniar. For context, Škriniar has almost half a decade of Serie A experience under his belt and is now a commanding centerback, whereas Milenković is a 21 year old still establishing himself in the league (while frequently deputizing at the fullback position and suffering a dramatic collapse with Fiorentina in the second half of last season). He is a considerable talent, no doubt (has the stature and technical skill set and athleticism and mentality to become a quality centerback), but definitely not ready to make an impact at a major club or lead a defensive line — and will need at least a couple of seasons to develop into a more consistent player (especially with regard to positioning). For the player's sake, I hope he stays put and focuses on refining his game for a few seasons yet, no point in joining a major club and risking stagnation — if he fulfills his potential, there will be no shortage of suitors in the future either. Plus, Fiorentina's new owner is quite rich (Forbes link) and they don't need to sell Milenković, Chiesa, etc.
 

Mylock

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we need someone to play on the left side, all our CH's are more comfortable on the right. Ake would be a good option, better than what we have and also cover shaw.
 

Lash

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@Adnan and @Bestietom must be delighted at this. It’s a bit worrying he’s more potential than anything atm, but better than paying double for Maguire.
 

devilish

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His passing stats look very poor from a quick glance. Not very good at long or short passing it seems.

edit: passing is better when playing as a CB.
Its difficult to say as he shifts from CB and RB. His crossing isn't that great which might have an impact on his passing skills
 

Cee90

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fecking hell, we really are just working our way through Jose's list from last season aren't we?
I thought about this too. It made me question how involved our managers are in identifying players and recruitment in general.

We seem to have a list of players which is compiled by someone (I presume in our scouting department) and the managers simply say yes or no.

Is that how it is supposed to work? I don’t see how it can work without a DoF.
 
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