The search for a left back...

matys

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It's quite obvious we are not looking at signing any left backs
Maybe we are, but we can't find anyone who would improve us significantly. That's why I asked that question, I don't follow other leagues and so have no idea if there is anybody out there who we should be chasing.
 

Mcking

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Is there any realistic target on the market that would be an instant upgrade on Shaw?
Dunno, Junior Firpo? Maybe Kieran Tierney? The latter would tear up the EPL and would bench the injury prone Shaw.
 

SportingCP96

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@SportingCP96 Do you rate him as the next Roberto Carlos?
Nothing like Roberto Carlos in play style:lol:

What I can say is he is one of the diamonds in the Sporting academy. He is very very highly rated and if he develops like we envision he should be the starting left back in Portugal for a very long time in the near future. He has Speed, strength, and very good technical ability. He has played 2 first team appearances and looks every bit of the real deal that we though he was.

At the moment we have 3 players with huge potential and that is Nuno Mendes, Eduardo Quaresma, and Joelson Fernandes.

There are others I like a lot as well but I am going to wait until they make it on the first team to discuss them.

Mendes is going to be special though I think. Still early days though which is why he needs to stay here a couple of years to see exactly what he will become.
 

RkkMan

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I`d be doing everything I can to get Bukayo Saka he`s the real deal.
 

BenitoSTARR

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Is there any realistic target on the market that would be an instant upgrade on Shaw?
Instant not really. There are some good LBs at other clubs but Shaw is solid enough that it would take someone with something special to be confident of them doing a better job.

If we go based on potential there’s a few candidates but bear in mind Shaw was seen as potentially the best LB in the league when we signed him so potential and actual career pathways often don’t match up.
 

Andersons Dietician

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Dunno, Junior Firpo? Maybe Kieran Tierney? The latter would tear up the EPL and would bench the injury prone Shaw.
The injury prone Kieran Tierney would rip up the the EPL and Would bench the injury prone Shaw? Can’t tell if you’re post was supposed to be ironic given Tierney is injury prone, already plays in the premier league for Arsenal and hasn’t really done anything of note other than be injured.
 

Adnan

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Kieran Tierney superb against Sheffield United. If he can catch a break from injuries then he will be among the most complete fullbacks in the league.
 

Rozay

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Similar to how Saka has featured up the whole left-side, could we potentially sogn and convert a player into a LB? I know the caf is famously against playing players’our of position’, but it’s such a specialist role with limited quality options.

Anyway, I’m thinking a player like Dwight McNeil. I think he could make a great LB potentially. He has a great size and engine, a fantastic delivery too. He could be a utility option, but ai don’t think he’s good enough to join a top club as an outright forward player. I think between LB/LWB, LW and even CM, which I think he has the potential to play, he could be a top player.

I haven’t focused too much on his defensive game, but I think if you have the athletic attributes, full-back is one of the easiest roles to learn. We have had former wingers playing at full back for ages ourselves, and I imagine almost all top full-backs are former wingers anyway.
 

M Bison

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Don’t think we’ll sign a LB but Jamal Lewis looked decent yesterday. I’d personally stick with Shaw and Williams though.
 

Class of 63

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Still think we should give Fred a run-out at left-back before we look to bring anybody else in, he's obviously going to miss out in midfield more and more now that it looks as though Paul Pogba might stay(which is nice of him!), and on his performances over the last 6 months he doesn't deserve to be left out of the team completely.
 

Rozay

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Don’t think we’ll sign a LB but Jamal Lewis looked decent yesterday. I’d personally stick with Shaw and Williams though.
Both are just above average to me. Above average can do for a period in terms of priority, but it is certainly not a position that is secure with a top player.
 

tenpoless

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Nothing like Roberto Carlos in play style:lol:

What I can say is he is one of the diamonds in the Sporting academy. He is very very highly rated and if he develops like we envision he should be the starting left back in Portugal for a very long time in the near future. He has Speed, strength, and very good technical ability. He has played 2 first team appearances and looks every bit of the real deal that we though he was.

At the moment we have 3 players with huge potential and that is Nuno Mendes, Eduardo Quaresma, and Joelson Fernandes.

There are others I like a lot as well but I am going to wait until they make it on the first team to discuss them.

Mendes is going to be special though I think. Still early days though which is why he needs to stay here a couple of years to see exactly what he will become.
Thanks :)
 

anant

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Genuinely speaking, who do you guys regard as better LBs as Shaw in the PL?
For me, I'd only swap out Shaw with Robertson. Chilwell, Alonso, Mendy are all good going forward, but defensively are really poor. If we look at all round game of Shaw, I'd say he's not as bad as people on here regard him as.
 

mu4c_20le

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Theo Hernandez is a solid attacking LB, can't believe we didn't even look at him when he left Madrid for less than 20m.
 

AltiUn

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Genuinely speaking, who do you guys regard as better LBs as Shaw in the PL?
For me, I'd only swap out Shaw with Robertson. Chilwell, Alonso, Mendy are all good going forward, but defensively are really poor. If we look at all round game of Shaw, I'd say he's not as bad as people on here regard him as.
I think Digne's better too. Even if he's better than a few now, like Tierney and Chilwell, I think they'll surpass him soon enough.

I'd argue that it says a lot more about the overall quality of PL left backs than anything else.
 

Sandikan

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Replacing Shaw has to be well down the priority list, which i'd probably order as below

1 - Right sided quality attacker
2 - Lindelof improvement
3 - A younger more mobile version of Matic unless we can convert either McTom or Fred into this position long term
4 - sort the goalie situation
5- then left back
 

Leftback99

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Similar to how Saka has featured up the whole left-side, could we potentially sogn and convert a player into a LB? I know the caf is famously against playing players’our of position’, but it’s such a specialist role with limited quality options.

Anyway, I’m thinking a player like Dwight McNeil. I think he could make a great LB potentially. He has a great size and engine, a fantastic delivery too. He could be a utility option, but ai don’t think he’s good enough to join a top club as an outright forward player. I think between LB/LWB, LW and even CM, which I think he has the potential to play, he could be a top player.

I haven’t focused too much on his defensive game, but I think if you have the athletic attributes, full-back is one of the easiest roles to learn. We have had former wingers playing at full back for ages ourselves, and I imagine almost all top full-backs are former wingers anyway.
I think that's a good shout. Especially with our use of 3-5-2 with Shaw as a LCB. I think we need an upgrade on Shaw but there aren't a lot of stand out options.
 

beingshe7don

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Shaw (24) and Brandon Williams (19) are fine for now. I do think Brandon has a few gears to go... I think this could be addressed after RW, AM, CM, DM & CB
 

Rozay

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Theo Hernandez is a solid attacking LB, can't believe we didn't even look at him when he left Madrid for less than 20m.
Aye, I’m a fan of his. He and Hakimi really impressed me for Real against us in pre-season 2017.

Aye could really do with a new LB. Keep seeing people mention this Grimaldo fella everywhere but can’t say I’ve watched him, any good?
Grimaldo is brilliant, although misses too many games. He’s just an all round footballer, and will make our attacking play much smoother all down the left side. I honestly reckon he could play central midfield or #10.

Anyway, he’s often injured, but I like him a lot. I suspect there would be a few defensive question marks here too.
 

Rozay

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Replacing Shaw has to be well down the priority list, which i'd probably order as below

1 - Right sided quality attacker
2 - Lindelof improvement
3 - A younger more mobile version of Matic unless we can convert either McTom or Fred into this position long term
4 - sort the goalie situation
5- then left back
4 and possibly 2 could come from within the group.
 

Skills

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Similar to how Saka has featured up the whole left-side, could we potentially sogn and convert a player into a LB? I know the caf is famously against playing players’our of position’, but it’s such a specialist role with limited quality options.

Anyway, I’m thinking a player like Dwight McNeil. I think he could make a great LB potentially. He has a great size and engine, a fantastic delivery too. He could be a utility option, but ai don’t think he’s good enough to join a top club as an outright forward player. I think between LB/LWB, LW and even CM, which I think he has the potential to play, he could be a top player.

I haven’t focused too much on his defensive game, but I think if you have the athletic attributes, full-back is one of the easiest roles to learn. We have had former wingers playing at full back for ages ourselves, and I imagine almost all top full-backs are former wingers anyway.
How about Fred? He's also got a fantastic engine, good passer and carries the ball quite well. His lack of size/experience defending the box might hurt him, but full backs aren't usually that tall.
 

Adnan

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Tierney fantastic in attack/defense for Arsenal. We should keep an eye on his progress if he can stay injury free which is the issue or has been.

 

Rozay

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How about Fred? He's also got a fantastic engine, good passer and carries the ball quite well. His lack of size/experience defending the box might hurt him, but full backs aren't usually that tall.
Potentially, but I doubt he has the crossing ability.
 

Skills

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Potentially, but I doubt he has the crossing ability.
He's an accomplished passer, so crossing isn't that hard to learn for someone of his passing ability. I mean, who do you think is more likely to learn how to cross - someone like AWB or Fred?
 

Andersons Dietician

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Aye could really do with a new LB. Keep seeing people mention this Grimaldo fella everywhere but can’t say I’ve watched him, any good?
He’s made of glass but he’s good going forward not good as a defender. It seems all anyone wants is a winger playing as a LB so we might as well sign Leroy Sanè.
 

Adnan

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Robin Gosens is very impressive going forward, and he's got 8 goals already this season in Serie 'A' but Atalanta play with wing-backs, and not sure how he'd cope in a flat back-four with more defensive responsibility.
He would cope fine.
 

RooneyLegend

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Robin Gosens is very impressive going forward, and he's got 8 goals already this season in Serie 'A' but Atalanta play with wing-backs, and not sure how he'd cope in a flat back-four with more defensive responsibility.
He'd do well, he can defend and is a fierce competitor.