Potential Centre-Back Options?

[sullydnl]

I note we've been linked with Jurrien Timber if ETH is appointed manager:

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From what I've seen of him he's a very good footballer but likely to frustrate those who demand their CBs to be very physical. Though if we were to appoint ETH, I would think increasing our backline's ability on the ball would be far more of a priority anyway.

Which CB options do you think we should target? And more broadly, what type of CB do you think we need?

 

[2 man midfield]

I quite like this ‘signing players to immediately address problems you’ve identified from using your eyes’ approach Ten Hag is reportedly employing. As opposed to the ‘assess the squad for 12 months’ approach that we’re used to.

 

[ti vu]

I note we've been linked with Jurrien Timber if ETH is appointed manager:

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From what I've seen of him he's a very good footballer but likely to frustrate those who demand their CBs to be very physical. Though if we were to appoint ETH, I would think increasing our backline's ability on the ball would be far more of a priority anyway.

Which CB options do you think we should target? And more broadly, what type of CB do you think we need?

Our CB target need to be both fast and aerial competent. Can't compare to Pep's City, even if we would improve with more possession based football under ETH because DDG is still here. He still needs protection during corner, and when opposition forward breaking through our high line.

Pep replaced Joe Hart immediately when he arrived. Even when Bravo turned out to be a failure, it's clear to see that for this kind of system, you need a proactive sweeper GK.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

In before he's only 5'10.

 

[Leftback99]

A 20 year old CB from the Eredivisie with 6 caps will 'immediately address our defensive problems' (including lack of protection from DM and a keeper who doesn't leave his line). More nonsense from the Mirror.

 

[Van Piorsing]

One of 50 central defenders we'll be linked in upcoming months. Timber's a definition of a system player and still one for the future. If Hag would stay here for more than typical 3 years, perhaps it would be interesting signing as a project, but only for low price.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

A 20 year old CB from the Eredivisie with 6 caps will 'immediately address our defensive problems' (including lack of protection from DM and a keeper who doesn't leave his line). More nonsense from the Mirror.

You're correct it's hyperbole and naïve of the greater issues causing our defensive problems. However, Timber is an awesome prospect. Potentially top 5 best centre backs in the world in future. Having only 6 caps in this Dutch side isn't so bad as the centre back pool is currently very impressive - Van Dijk, De Ligt, De Vrij, Blind, Ake etc.

 

[sullydnl]

Having read various breakdowns of ETH's tactics, the thought of our back five trying to do what he demands of his back five at Ajax makes me wince. For that reason I would massively prioritise ability on the ball, excluding anyone who isn't excellent in that regard as an option.

Obviously there are certain physical demands in the PL you can't get away from but I'd rather have a coherent system do the heavy lifting in terms of our defence (as is the case at City) and that means committing to it with the players you buy and putting up with the inevitable growing pains.

If we end up with a different manager then obviously the priorities shift somewhat.

 

[JuriM]

Having read various breakdowns of ETH's tactics, the thought of our back five trying to do what he demands of his back five at Ajax makes me wince. For that reason I would massively prioritise ability on the ball, excluding anyone who isn't excellent in that regard as an option.

Obviously there are certain physical demands in the PL you can't get away from but I'd rather have a coherent system do the heavy lifting in terms of our defence (as is the case at City) and that means committing to it with the players you buy and putting up with the inevitable growing pains.

If we end up with a different manager then obviously the priorities shift somewhat.

Absolute every modern center back need to have quality on the ball skills to do it on the highest level - not being able to play with ball on your feet means you are a man down in modern pressing system.

 

[GledTheRed]

Timber is fantastic.

 

[sun_tzu]

Bastoni is a player I would love here

De ligt as well

Both would probably cost a lot and want cl football ... Kounde and Pau Torres possibly the same

Fofana?

Timber would be a good edition but I wouldn't necessarily expect an immediate impact (probably more of an impact than baily or Jones makes currently though)

 

[JohnnyLaw]

How’s Tapsoba doing nowadays?
Definitely seems to have the combination of physique and technique you want in a modern CB.

Listed as a comprable defender to Timber I found Facundo Medina of Lens who looks like a talented ball-playing CB, but like Timber not the biggest.

 

[Newstyle]

Let’s sign a new CB every summer and hope it will resolve our defensive issues instead of solving the core problems with a non existent midfield and not good enough fullbacks. Caf in a nutshell.

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

No thanks to 178cm Timber. We need left-footed Schlotterbeck.

 

[sullydnl]

Another factor is that if we did try to sign a CB this summer (and we may well not) you'd think they'd have to be a younger, relatively cheap CB given other areas of the team are more immediate targets for upgrade.

So where last summer we were being linked with the likes of Varane, Pau Torres and Kounde, you'd suspect we'd be shopping from the tiers below that this summer.

Perhaps what would make someone like Timber interesting is that he has previously been used at RB by ETH as well, another problem position for us. At only 20 maybe a role competing for RB and replacing Bailly/Jones as back-up CB would make sense for him.

 

[Kaos]

The fact he’s looking to bring in Timber suggests he doesn’t rate nor have any confidence in Maguire starting for us, which is promising.

Or we just end up with Maguire-Timber as our CB pairing and it’s Varane that gets dropped which would be hilarious.

 

[Leftback99]

The fact he’s looking to bring in Timber suggests he doesn’t rate nor have any confidence in Maguire starting for us, which is promising.

Or we just end up with Maguire-Timber as our CB pairing and it’s Varane that gets dropped which would be hilarious.

Do you take all Mirror stories as 'fact'?

 

[Kaos]

Do you take all Mirror stories as 'fact'?

Yes, more out of hope than expectation. I’m a dummy I know.

 

[flappyjay]

Let’s sign a new CB every summer and hope it will resolve our defensive issues instead of solving the core problems with a non existent midfield and not good enough fullbacks. Caf in a nutshell.

We added varane and conceded more than we did last year. It's should be clear the bigger problem is not just individuals. How we defend as a team and our inability to control games is a bigger issue for me.

 

[sullydnl]

Let’s sign a new CB every summer and hope it will resolve our defensive issues instead of solving the core problems with a non existent midfield and not good enough fullbacks. Caf in a nutshell.

The goal isn't to sign a CB to fix our problems. The goal is to sign a CB who suits the system that will fix our problems.

The same applies to other positions. We're not just signing to improve individual quality, we're signing to improve cohesion. But that cohesive system may well involve bringing in a new CB among other positions.

Not least when we only really have three CBs and at two of them have had their fair share of injury problems this season.

 

[Red_toad]

No thanks to 178cm Timber. We need left-footed Schlotterbeck.

Shame he’s got zero interest in leaving Germany. Be a very good purchase.

 

[Stadjer]

No thanks to 178cm Timber. We need left-footed Schlotterbeck.

Taller than Cannavaro and same height as Kounde. If a player has the athetic ability to jump high and is smart enough to time his jump right the height isnt a problem.

 

[Adnan]

If ten Hag is appointed and he does sign Timber, then he'd be our best right back and potentially someone that can also play at CB in the EPL. But a young player like Timber with his versatility to play in multiple roles would be brilliant for us imo.

I personally think he'd be utilised as a right back in the EPL.

 

[sullydnl]

If ten Hag is appointed and he does sign Timber, then he'd be our best right back and potentially someone that can also play at CB in the EPL. But a young player like Timber with his versatility to play in multiple roles would be brilliant for us imo.

I personally think he'd be utilised as a right back in the EPL.

If he could play RB and effectively replace Bailly/Jones as cover at CB then that'd be great, two birds with one stone.

From the little bits I've seen of him he looks a talented footballer but I'm not sure if CB is where he'd end up long term or not.

 

[Adnan]

If he could play RB and effectively replace Bailly/Jones as cover at CB then that'd be great, two birds with one stone.

From the little bits I've seen of him he looks a talented footballer but I'm not sure if CB is where he'd end up long term or not.

It's difficult to predict but I can see him being utilised as a RB in the EPL or even in a back 3 as a CB. He's very comfortable on either foot and was even utilised at RB when Serginho Dest left for Barcelona.

Ten Hag has even said that Timber can comfortably be utilised at LB as well. And players of this type of potential really should be seriously considered by us imo. And if we do end up appointing ten Hag, then I can see us potentially signing Timber and Antony.

 

[Thoms]

Timber is amazing. The kid has it all imo. Will be gutted if he leaves.

 

[Freak]

Timber is amazing. The kid has it all imo. Will be gutted if he leaves.

How would you compare Timber to De Ligt when he was playing for Ajax?

 

[BrilliantOrange]

A 20 year old CB from the Eredivisie with 6 caps will 'immediately address our defensive problems' (including lack of protection from DM and a keeper who doesn't leave his line). More nonsense from the Mirror.

6 caps competing with De Ligt Van Dijk and De Vrij

 

[BenitoSTARR]

6 caps competing with De Ligt Van Dijk and De Vrij

The snobbery surrounding Eredivise is sad. There are some very good players here!

 

[MadDogg]

Tapsoba was statistically amazing the last two seasons, and the two matches I actually watched he was definitely impressive (his partner Tah also looked quite good). This season his stats have fallen away though, so not sure if he's having a difficult season or if it's the way the team has set up differently.

 

[onemanarmy]

Timber is the only player I'd want from the Ajax team. Amazing prospect.

 

[Thoms]

How would you compare Timber to De Ligt when he was playing for Ajax?

In my opinion: on the same level as when De Ligt left to Juve. His versatility is amazing. He can fit into our NT defense without a problem but were stacked with good defenders.

 

[Rampant Red Rodriguez]

Technically gifted, meaning that he will get battered in the air?.

 

[golden_blunder]

Let’s sign a new CB every summer and hope it will resolve our defensive issues instead of solving the core problems with a non existent midfield and not good enough fullbacks. Caf in a nutshell.

How’s it the Cafs fault when they are just commenting on a report that suggests that is who ETH would like to bring with him?

 

[golden_blunder]

Steve Bruce is only 6ft so not a huge CB yet he was fantastic in the air due to his timing, determination and willingness to stick his head in there. A smaller CB can succeed if they are the same

 

[R'hllor]

Yea players that he would bring would solve problems we have....for month or two, until they catch what ever current squad spreads.

 

[aeh1991]

As a cheaper alternative to the often mentioned players here, Kim Min-Jae of Fenerbahce is a hidden gem. He is a 1.90 physical beast, very fast, great at interceptions, good tackling, solid in the air. Overall a very well-rounded CB. He has played less than a season in Turkey but is already called the best CB of their league. He is probably the most important player for the Korean NT, even before Son. He likes to concentrate on his defensive duties and is not a ball playing CB, although his short and long passes are solid, also making some great through passes once a while. The amount of goals Fenerbahce have conceded this season is a bit misleading as mostly it was due to individual mistakes by the other CBs. He kinda reminds me of Vidic. Not only in terms of playing style but also being a lesser known foreign CB from a smaller European league. He'd cost 10-20m euros apparently and has been linked to Spurs, West Ham, Everton, Porto, Leipzig and PSV in the recent past. IMO he would be the kind of player who would make a huge step under ETH, wouldn't sulk being a 3rd or 4th CB and would complement each of the other CBs that are in the club atm. I'm not allowed to post media yet, but you can watch some of his YT highlights. He is not one of those players who only look good on the compilation videos, but also stands out on the pitch, which is not easy for a CB. I hope he is at least on the scouting list.

 

[sullydnl]

Thought Pau Torres was class for Villareal yestersday but don't think he'd be an option for us this summer.

 

[Freak]

Think ETH would most likely bring Timber along with him. He does seem like he loves that guy.

 

[Rozay]

Gleison Bremer is making a lot of noise at Torino this aeason. Powerful Brazilian centre-half.