Ibrahima Konate’

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Rocknrolla69er

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I may be mistaken, but I find the logic of some posters baffling. Have I read that we shouldn't sign players such as this because we have Lindelof, Bailly, Tuanzebe etc players who for one reason or another arnt good enough or are always injured but can still do a "job"? I find this crackers, we don't need to keep players who just do a job, we need to be always evolving all the time and constantly looking for improvements to the squad and team. That's what makes champion teams, particularly when you get the recruitment right.

We can't settle for average or give endless amounts of time hoping prospects come good, including players that have come through the United system.

This kid and Haaland should be huge prioritys regardless of Tuanzebe, Bailly, Maguire, Lindelof, Jones, Rojo,Smalling, McGrath , Pallister and Greenwood
 

golden_blunder

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I may be mistaken, but I find the logic of some posters baffling. Have I read that we shouldn't sign players such as this because we have Lindelof, Bailly, Tuanzebe etc players who for one reason or another arnt good enough or are always injured but can still do a "job"? I find this crackers, we don't need to keep players who just do a job, we need to be always evolving all the time and constantly looking for improvements to the squad and team. That's what makes champion teams, particularly when you get the recruitment right.

We can't settle for average or give endless amounts of time hoping prospects come good, including players that have come through the United system.

This kid and Haaland should be huge prioritys regardless of Tuanzebe, Bailly, Maguire, Lindelof, Jones, Rojo,Smalling, McGrath , Pallister and Greenwood
Not quite sure why you mention these guys but if we had either of them at their peak we wouldn’t be talking about cbs right now
 

Rocknrolla69er

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Not quite sure why you mention these guys but if we had either of them at their peak we wouldn’t be talking about cbs right now
I was taking the piss a little, what with people mentioning centre backs we could of kept who have left in Smalling, Rojo etc.

People need to stop accepting mediocrity, go out and sign the best prospects and players available, not hanging onto average players.

Oles doing a great job of identifying them and moving them on, but reading comments some posters seem to want them to say, unless im getting the wrong end of the stick
 

GledTheRed

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I may be mistaken, but I find the logic of some posters baffling. Have I read that we shouldn't sign players such as this because we have Lindelof, Bailly, Tuanzebe etc players who for one reason or another arnt good enough or are always injured but can still do a "job"? I find this crackers, we don't need to keep players who just do a job, we need to be always evolving all the time and constantly looking for improvements to the squad and team. That's what makes champion teams, particularly when you get the recruitment right.

We can't settle for average or give endless amounts of time hoping prospects come good, including players that have come through the United system.

This kid and Haaland should be huge prioritys regardless of Tuanzebe, Bailly, Maguire, Lindelof, Jones, Rojo,Smalling, McGrath , Pallister and Greenwood
Yes please, one of the best CB' i have ever seen.
 

Andersons Dietician

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He’s great but his injury record is quite concerning to me -

https://www.transfermarkt.com/ibrahima-konate/verletzungen/spieler/357119

It’s hard to tell if it’s just him being so young at 21 as a lot of youngsters get injuries in their first few years and they suddenly clear up BUT I think that record looks a bit worse than that.

He also doesn’t have a buyout like Upa, does he? In which case he’d likely cost a fortune if they’d even entertain letting him go.
There is a rumour that there is a 40 mil release clause which activates this summer. Seems weird they’d have both have clauses activate this summer but I guess they panicked on Upa and just scrambled to get him under a new contract rather than lose him on a free.

I wanted Konaté over Maguire when that was a thing and I’d still sign him but guess to be the partner to Maguire. Looks like the real deal and hopefully can only get better.
 

hubbuh

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MR. TRUE :lol: That lonely poster on the wall behind him is a bit odd. Is he still living at his mums place or something?
 

Red_toad

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Is he fast?
Yes, not rapid but faster than either of our current pair. His best quality is you can just see he’s a born leader, he’ll go far in the game ‘if’ he can stay injury free, had a big injury that’s resulted in lots of small issues that keep recurring. I’d guesstimate Ole is after a left sided centre half, so that‘d rule him out. But who knows, him and Demiral would be the defenders I’d like Ole to go after if we’re looking to invest this summer. But one or two of Jones, Harry, Lindelof, Eric and Axel would need to be moved on, that’s not going to be easy given their wages, abilities, injury record etc.
 

DWelbz19

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He looks gigantic. A bit too built, perhaps? I’d worry about his mobility in terms of agility/balance/reactions etc.
 

croadyman

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Yes, not rapid but faster than either of our current pair. His best quality is you can just see he’s a born leader, he’ll go far in the game ‘if’ he can stay injury free, had a big injury that’s resulted in lots of small issues that keep recurring. I’d guesstimate Ole is after a left sided centre half, so that‘d rule him out. But who knows, him and Demiral would be the defenders I’d like Ole to go after if we’re looking to invest this summer. But one or two of Jones, Harry, Lindelof, Eric and Axel would need to be moved on, that’s not going to be easy given their wages, abilities, injury record etc.
This position has to be the absolute top priority this summer because conceding 30 goals just isn't on, what on earth Ole is seeing in this Harry & Victor partnership I really don't know and is really costing us at important moments
 

DWelbz19

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Jaap Stam says hi.
23 years ago! Football has changed a god awful amount since then. Konate’s physique is seriously impressive, but he’s built in the way Lukaku was here. It might be too much muscle, I think. Joe Gomez had similar issues until Klopp made him cut down a bit!
 

Adnan

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23 years ago! Football has changed a god awful amount since then. Konate’s physique is seriously impressive, but he’s built in the way Lukaku was here. It might be too much muscle, I think. Joe Gomez had similar issues until Klopp made him cut down a bit!
He's actually not got a lot of muscle on him at all. Kounde who is considerably smaller has packed on far too much muscle if you compare both players. Kounde is a little tank very similar to Depay in that regard. The below video shows Konate in a normal tee-shirt and he's got a slim but athletic physique.

 

DWelbz19

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He's actually not got a lot of muscle on him at all. Kounde who is considerably smaller has packed on far too much muscle if you compare both players. Kounde is a little tank very similar to Depay in that regard. The below video shows Konate in a normal tee-shirt and he's got a slim but athletic physique.

That video is over 2 years old. You only have to look at the start of this one to see his physique. The guy is pretty massive, there’s no denying it. It has its benefits, but I do think he’s simply a bit too big. That’s all there is to it!
 

Adnan

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That video is over 2 years old. You only have to look at the start of this one to see his physique. The guy is pretty massive, there’s no denying it. It has its benefits, but I do think he’s simply a bit too big. That’s all there is to it!
He's a big guy there's no denying that very similar in build to Van Dijk.
 

Devil may care

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He's very quick both laterally and in a straight line mate and has played under Rangnick who had both Konate and Willi Orban on the half way line as the last line of defence in a lot of games. And aswell as being exremely dominant in the air, he was also statistically the best CB at dribbling the ball out of defence in the BuLi. he's the closest CB I've seen in profile to Van Dijk.

He's suffered one injury of note and that was likely due to playing every minute in the league after Upamecano was ruled out for the season. He then played 5 matches for France in the u21 European Championships which for a teenager was too much at the time and likely caused his injury. I don't believe he was well managed.
Fair enough mate, you've watched more of him than me, just when I've seen him he moves like Pogba, fast once he builds up a head of steam, but not super quick off the mark or agile enough moving cross field, it wouldn't be an issue if Maguire wasn't so cumbersone but I just feel a smaller, lighter CB would fit with him, I can't see past Kounde in terms of suiting the ludicrously undroppable Maguire, if he had to earn his place like the other CB's I'd be fine with Konate partnering Lindelof.

How long was he out for in total with that injury? And has he made a full recovery from the injury or has he had little lay-offs since his return?
 

Inigo Montoya

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People seriously questioning his physique? Some real experts on here!
 

Devil may care

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People seriously questioning his physique? Some real experts on here!
He's built like a heavyweight boxer, we are looking for a CB to partner a large, immobile CB who starts every game, some of us just feel a physically different type of CB is a better fit, hardly a crazy concept.
 

andersj

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Most relevant question, IMO, relates to injuries and lack of minutes. Spends a lot of time on the bench. Even when they play with three at the back.

Seems to be quite a few good options at CB. That was not the case two years ago. I would think these are our options:

- Pau Torres
- Jules Kounde
- Dayot Upamecano
- Ibrahima Konate
- Nikola Milenkovic

Maybe Demiral too could be an option if Juve really want Pogba?
 
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Adnan

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Fair enough mate, you've watched more of him than me, just when I've seen him he moves like Pogba, fast once he builds up a head of steam, but not super quick off the mark or agile enough moving cross field, it wouldn't be an issue if Maguire wasn't so cumbersone but I just feel a smaller, lighter CB would fit with him, I can't see past Kounde in terms of suiting the ludicrously undroppable Maguire, if he had to earn his place like the other CB's I'd be fine with Konate partnering Lindelof.

How long was he out for in total with that injury? And has he made a full recovery from the injury or has he had little lay-offs since his return?
You could be right mate and Kounde could well be the answer next to Maguire. But you have to understand that I'm very Jurgen Klopp like when it comes to CBs and have always favoured CBs that are tall, athletic and technical. So please take what I say with a pinch of salt because it doesn't mean I'm right.

He was out for almost a year and when he returned the same injury played up again and he had to have surgery which seems to have done the trick. He sprained his ankle soon after and missed some games but is back in the Leipzig squad once again so it'll be interesting to see if he can remain injury free and recapture the form that made one German media outlet name him their player of the year at only 19 and described him as a phenomenon.

But I'm all for Kounde too, because you're someone who like me loves the technical aspect of the game and I doubt you'd want Kounde if he wasn't extremely talented on the ball. Pau Torres is another CB that we've been linked with in recent times and he may also be someone that might be of interest, eventhough I know very little about him.
 

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He’s my first choice, but I’m returning to the feeling I’ve had in recent years where I don’t even believe in signings anymore. That Everton game really took a lot out of me emotionally, and has put me, hopefully temporarily, in a place where I feel it doesn’t matter who we sign. I’ve felt like this a number of times in recent years, and true to it - we’ve signed Di Maria, Falcao, Bastian, Schneiderlein, Pogba, Depay, Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, Sanchez and others and haven’t looked like a title winning side for a minute.

The idea of Sancho, Haaland, Konaté and co sounds great - but I’m just tired of being let down by this lot at the moment.

Konaté just edges Koundé for me due to height, but both are top drawer.
 

NYAS

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He’s my first choice, but I’m returning to the feeling I’ve had in recent years where I don’t even believe in signings anymore. That Everton game really took a lot out of me emotionally, and has put me, hopefully temporarily, in a place where I feel it doesn’t matter who we sign. I’ve felt like this a number of times in recent years, and true to it - we’ve signed Di Maria, Falcao, Bastian, Schneiderlein, Pogba, Depay, Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, Sanchez and others and haven’t looked like a title winning side for a minute.

The idea of Sancho, Haaland, Konaté and co sounds great - but I’m just tired of being let down by this lot at the moment.

Konaté just edges Koundé for me due to height, but both are top drawer.
Maybe we should go exclusively down the academy route. And rely on a couple of your favourites like Axel and Brandon Williams ;)
 

Inigo Montoya

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He's built like a heavyweight boxer, we are looking for a CB to partner a large, immobile CB who starts every game, some of us just feel a physically different type of CB is a better fit, hardly a crazy concept.
But given how quick he is...

Is his mobility an issue? Not heard that it’s a problem
 

Rozay

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Maybe we should go exclusively down the academy route. And rely on a couple of your favourites like Axel and Brandon Williams ;)
Maybe. Fill our team with ‘passion and tradition’ and hope for the best.
 

Adnan

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Most relevant question, IMO, relates to injuries and lack of minutes. Spends a lot of time on the bench. Even when they play with three at the back.

Seems to be quite a few good options at CB. That was not the case two years ago. I would think these are our options:

- Pau Torres
- Jules Kounde
- Dayot Upamecano
- Ibrahima Konate
- Nikola Milenkovic

Maybe Demiral too could be an option if Juve really want Pogba?
I think Milenkovic might be the sensible buy due to his contract running down? But I agree with the names you've mentioned and believe we will likely sign one of those CBs.
 

hubbuh

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Most relevant question, IMO, relates to injuries and lack of minutes. Spends a lot of time on the bench. Even when they play with three at the back.

Seems to be quite a few good options at CB. That was not the case two years ago. I would think these are our options:

- Pau Torres
- Jules Kounde
- Dayot Upamecano
- Ibrahima Konate
- Nikola Milenkovic

Maybe Demiral too could be an option if Juve really want Pogba?
Isn't that Sven Botman supposed to be talented? Lille OSC are top of Ligue 1 so they must be doing something right.
 

Harry190

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Haaland in front and Konaté at the back. Like two bulldozers.
They're just built to bully others. Size of the shoulders on those dudes.
 

hubbuh

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Haaland in front and Konaté at the back. Like two bulldozers.
They're just built to bully others. Size of the shoulders on those dudes.
Can we try and squeeze Grealish's calves in somewhere while we're at it.
 

golden_blunder

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He’d be my first choice, absolute mountain. I always get the same vibe watching him that I did with a young Stam: you shall not pass

I’ll be disappointed if we don’t go balls in for him
 

SAFMUTD

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He would be my number 1 target for the CB position, for 40M he's a no brainer my only concern with him is his injury record. We have suffered from that with Bailly, but after all 30M doesnt get you much, put in an extra 10M and you got yourself a very exciting defender. Jules Kounde would be better, but I dont think he'll move for less than 60-70M.
 

Aouer-United

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Konate is more like the type of Varane and Rio, they're so calm and cover for their partner who is more aggressive like Ramos and Vidic. Maguire strikes me as more of aggressive CB rather than calmness CB. Konate's ariel battle is impressive.

I am curious how good he is at breaking line pass to find a midfielder? I felt that is one of the most important keys we need from CB's ball playing. Not passing to fullback all time.
 
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