Haha thanks for quoting that, didn't even remember saying that on here
but unfortunately I knew at the time that Liverpool signing Van Dijk would be the catalyst to them winning trophies again. He was that good at Southampton that he was on the cusp of greatness and Liverpool got his best years and made them a European / English force again.When I read your post I thought this guy's the Oracle..Haha thanks for quoting that, didn't even remember saying that on here
I could never understand anyone doubting Van Dijk's ability at the time I thought. I remember Southampton played Liverpool in the league at St.Mary's (I think the game ended 0-0 or 1-1) and Van Dijk (who was playing for Southampton at the time) literally was him against the whole Liverpool attack, sometimes 3-4 Liverpool players running at him at pace and they couldn't find a way past him. I remember thinking at the time that was as good as a performance I've seen from a centre-back since Vidic, Terry, Maldini etc days. I would have instantly got on the phone to Southampton after that match and paid whatever they wanted for him.When I read your post I thought this guy's the Oracle..
But it was funny reading back on how some thought he was big and slow. And others questioned his ability on the ball. We all mistakes but it was funny reading some of the posts..
This is a common thing on the caf. Plenty people said Ruben Dias wouldn't be good in the PL either and hey ho, surprise surprise, they were wrong.
I agree mate, he was showing potential to be a top level CB. But every time he would make a mistake his thread would get a bump, which was funny to read back on.
Overarching point is true, but Dias, Laporte, and Stones are all much taller and accordingly weigh more than Kounde.
I'm no expert on actually playing the game but in my opinion many aerial duels are unnecessary if you hold a well marshalled line from free kicks and good positioning and timing from corners and long throws.
Your point would hold some value if it were true but it isn't each of the players you mentioned were linked with United they didn't come out of Blue . Mitten mentioned our interest in Diallo and Pellistri first ,Luckhurst and Whitehall followed up on that who so ever we sign as CB next summer would be someone who would have been linked with United it won't be out of the blue signing for certain.
My theory is if the cafe has strong views against a signing, we should sign that player. I learnt that after we signed Michael Carrick.
Links to Pau Torres seems to have dried out lately but there are rumours saying he s still our no 1 target
Maguire is right footed, but his natural side isnt necessarily RCB when he plays LCB for years and years.
good in the air, fast and left footed? Sign him up. I've also read he's good on the ball but I've never seen him play.
Imo on the ball he s one of the best.(Torres)
This. We don't need a giant. We need someone to compliment maguire.
Seems to be highly rated and I was listening to a podcast last week where the guest was a Villareal fan who said he was extremely good.
This.
Hmm.. maybe because we're still struggling with headings when defending?
Generally agreed but you know Evra was a fullback, you are not as exposed in the air form a fullback as much as from CB. People also underestimate the EPL, it´s very specific league still full of crosses and phisicality. What happens when Maguire is injured, ffs, I mean we are one injury away from a real trouble. We should find someone to compliment Maguire, yes, but someone who can stand in when he´s out. Look at Liverpool without Van Dijk for instance, it´s a different team. Why to sign a player who is 1,78 and of slight build when you can have a proper player made for the league.
Why Konate? Aren't you worried about his past injuries?
Being right footed its much easier to progress the ball from RCB position (options are better) and looked better in few matches for England when he played RCB with left footed Mings as LCB.
We have a relatively big team and we always concede from corners and set pieces so I think it's unimportant how big he is tbh.
Yea there's more to it that lack of height for sure.
Maybe on a whiteboard but not on a pitch. You must have defenders who can beat the man they're up against to the ball from free kicks. No ifs, no buts. And against a good striker, you won't necessarily get a clean jump.
Yeah I agree. He seems the best available to us and I’d be happy with this signing.
This, plus @Brightonian ‘s post further up the page are good points. That West Brom goal almost definitely gets called a foul in La Liga. Much softer duels would probably get called — as the massive amount of fouls for/against seen to suggest from your post.
I'd normally be with you on this because lack of height so often correlates with weakness in the air but his height doesn't seem to be detrimental on his game and Fbref.com has him in the 92nd percentile for aerials won per 90. That could be because teams are peppering his box with crosses to exploit his height but percentage wise he's no worse than Lindelof this year and was much better last year. I've seen very little of him myself but everyone raves about this guy and David Cartlidge, a writer who's views I trust compared him with Van Dijk before he blew up in terms of his impact and considers him the best centre back in the world right now.
You ready to give up Axel then? Think I'd give him one more season.
