Fulham played five at the back today with Antonee Robinson pushed forward as LWB. He is playing so well at the moment.
The left-back market…
- Thread starter Rozay
- Start date
Left backs we perhaps could sign in January, if we have money enough:
Alvaro Fernandez (Benfica)
Patrick Dorgu (Lecce)
Alphonso Davies (Bayern)
Theo Hernández (Milan)
Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)
Fernandez Gutiérrez (Girona)
Could also add
Ait-Nouri (Wolves)
Robinson (Fulham)
So who is the best fit for the system out of all these LWB options then?
In order of overall quality as a LWB (and not thinking about age) I’d say:
1. Theo
2. Davies
3/4. Mendes or Gutierrez
5. Robinson
6. Ait-Nouri
7. Kerkez
8/9. Alvaro or Dorgu - haven’t seen much of either this season so can’t really say.
Can't see us signing Hernandez due to age, think they would love to sign Davies but still sense he's Madrid bound. So the next best option is to do a deal for Mendes or anyone below that.
Yeah. And Robinson is two months older than Hernandez. 27 is past the prime age for a fullback, and INEOS would be fools to sign either of them for that reason. A team this far from contention has no business signing either of them.
One of the younger guys would be more than welcomed. Air-Nouri is only 23, on an even worse team (I think...), and should be reasonably affordable in the summer. Seems like he'd be the sweet spot to me if the chemistry/off-field stuff fits with the team.
We need to buy 2 left footed players. Statistically, these are harder to find. No harm accumulating. They will always have some value because of their rarity. I can't believe that Malacia is a top 25 left wing back based on FIFA but that's the way it rolls.
The question was who would be the best fit, so who would have the most impact if we were to drop them into the team today.
If the question is who should we sign with a medium to long-term view, things would be quite different:
1. Davies
2/3. Mendes or Gutierrez
4. Ait-Nouri
5. Theo
6. Kerkez
7. Robinson
8/9. Alvaro or Dorgu - haven’t seen much of either this season so can’t really say.
Leaving Alvaro and Dorgu at the bottom as on their own I don’t expect them to be ready to walk into our struggling team and lift us. If however, we signed any of the top 5 and we wanted another wingback, I think Dorgu would be an excellent shout as he can play on either flank, has bags of potential and is at least naturally physically ready for the league.
How about a cheeky loan bid for Zinchenko if all other moves fail. Looks like he will be glued to Arsenal's bench with the emergence of Lewis-Skelly as deputy to Califiori.
Before you laugh me off, I think he will be a upgrade over all your current options (bar a fit Shaw) at the LWB position. Gives you elite control, stability and ball progression from the left side of the pitch
Before you laugh me off, I think he will be a upgrade over all your current options (bar a fit Shaw) at the LWB position. Gives you elite control, stability and ball progression from the left side of the pitch
There is a young lad at Atalanta named Matteo Ruggeri who looks decent
Reguilon played well for Spurs today.
I'm not sure why we didn't get him in the summer (we probably wanted to cover the LB position with Dalot/Mazraoui until at least next summer), as he was available for peanuts.
If we really don't have a lot of money in January, he can still be a great value buy option as his contract is expiring at the end of the season. We don't have a fully healthy out and out LWB right now and I think he could fill that role better than Dalot does.
Would probably not cost more than £2-3m and he can stay as a reliable squad player if we sign a starting level LWB later on.
I'm not sure why we didn't get him in the summer (we probably wanted to cover the LB position with Dalot/Mazraoui until at least next summer), as he was available for peanuts.
If we really don't have a lot of money in January, he can still be a great value buy option as his contract is expiring at the end of the season. We don't have a fully healthy out and out LWB right now and I think he could fill that role better than Dalot does.
Would probably not cost more than £2-3m and he can stay as a reliable squad player if we sign a starting level LWB later on.
Spurs have an injury crisis at the back. I'd be surprised on that basis if they'd let him in leave. Udogie is out.
You might be right. I'd still snap him up on a free for next summer, though.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned Quilindschy Hartman from Feyenoord. I still have a bit of PTSD about Dutch players after Ten Hag but he does look very good. He's 6 foot tall, very good in build up and unlike Malacia, seems to have plenty of quality in final third (hes got 5 assists this season already). Might be a decent option if you could get him for a reasonable fee. Have a feeling that the Nuno Mendes rumours might be the usual agent strategy of linking their player to United to leverage a higher salary in contract negotiations.
He got 5 assists in 23/24. He's out since last march.
Ah you're correct. My bad. Sounds like he'd be well suited here so.
Best fit is easily Nuno Mendes. Already played that role in this exact system at Sporting, and is the right age profile.
However, in extremely weary of his injury history, especially in a position that is so physically demanding.
Ait-Nouri is my pick. Always been a big talent, started to excel over the past few seasons and at 23, he is yet to hit his best years. Also has over 100 premier league games to his name.
Dorgu for 25 million seems like steal.
After watching tonight’s game I would be looking at Ait-Nouri, always delivered a great cross, flat and with pace.
Technical ability and skill in abundance.
For me Dorgu is an all action LB or LCB. I dont believe he has the natural ability to lead an attack which is needed at LWB.
He is also very gungho which could be great for his current club and shows youthful determination, but its something that needs to be seperated when assessing him.
Dorgu is one of those 'seems exciting, great profile' type players. Athletic, tall, versatile, left footer that has played left back and right wing so potentially really suitable for Amorim. Likely to be cheapish and a good age...
... However, everything I've heard from people who watch him more than just on YouTube say he's really mediocre and not United quality. I've heard that one too many time now to dismiss it.
... However, everything I've heard from people who watch him more than just on YouTube say he's really mediocre and not United quality. I've heard that one too many time now to dismiss it.
of course we haven't - because no one can pronounce his first name
Dorgu
Kerkez
Mendes
3 options which are all better than Shaw, Malacia and Dalot at LWB.
I'd take any of them but I'm most interested in Dorgu and Mendes. Kerkez would be a decent signing but I don't think he has world class potential. Dorgu is a beast and he'd be my top target.
Kerkez
Mendes
3 options which are all better than Shaw, Malacia and Dalot at LWB.
I'd take any of them but I'm most interested in Dorgu and Mendes. Kerkez would be a decent signing but I don't think he has world class potential. Dorgu is a beast and he'd be my top target.
Kerkez by a distance, even if we have to wait for him. Knowing he’s prem proven counts for so much.
I really think a LWB, more so than a striker, will improve our performances considerably so I'll be glad if we're prioritising this right now.
Not sure why Miguel Gutierrez isn’t mentioned as much. €30m release clause.
Currently plays quite free role at left back for Girona where he floats both wide and centrally and is really involved with their play. Seems a really intelligent player, very calm and confident on the ball both going forward but also under pressure when playing out, which we absolutely need more in this team. Has a nice cross on him too.
Currently plays quite free role at left back for Girona where he floats both wide and centrally and is really involved with their play. Seems a really intelligent player, very calm and confident on the ball both going forward but also under pressure when playing out, which we absolutely need more in this team. Has a nice cross on him too.
Isn't he owned by City's holding company.
Doesn't matter with a release clause
So you are saying you would pick Alphonso Davies over Kane if we could have either for the same money and they were the same age?
Nobody in the world would do that.
If given the choice between a striker or a LWB I would opt for a back up GK.
We need to find the new John O'Shea
Just use the current one.
I feel like any time it's reported we don't want something to drag on, it's destined to do exactly that.
He is indeed but that’s not stopping Liverpool being linked to him. We have had some loose links but nothing concrete like Nuno Mendes.
I’d be very happy with either tbh.
How would you guys rate the quality (1-5) of all the LWB's linked to us, Davies, Kerkez, Mendes, Theo Hernandez etc?
Honestly I would be content with any of the ones we've been consistently linked with.
5 - IMO they’d all be great signings in different ways.
Davies - no transfer fee (albeit high wages) and is everything Amorim would want from a complete wing back.
Kerkez - has had a year or two to settle in the prem and has really kicked on this season which is a great sign. Might not be a technically solid as others but he’s quick, strong, makes aggressive runs and has outstanding determination.
Mendes - perfect age, has played the system before, possibly the best u23 LB/LWB in the world. Only downside is his injury record but at the reported fees I think he’s worth a shot.
Theo - obviously older than the others but he’s a physical beast and definitely should have a good 3 or 4 years in him at the very top. Arguably the best attacking LB in the world and again the reported fee isn’t crazy due to his contract. Would give the likes of Amass and Diego Leon room to grow and as he’d be tailing off in his 30s they would be breaking through at 21/22 y/o.
Thanks, very informative!