Centre-back pairings - still not settled

[Leftback99]

Our best CBs has to me been obviously Maguire +1 for a long time but unfortunately his partners are hugely injury prone or inexperienced. I hope we can move on Martinez and De Ligt in the Summer and replace with better and more reliable but that will be difficult.

 

[bosnian_red]

Elephant in the room is our centre backs are really a problem even though individually they seem to be very popular with our fans particularly on here.

Our 3 experienced centre backs are injury prone in De Ligt, Maguire and Martinez, and they have zero pace between them, and one of them is tiny. Yoro and Heaven are young and aren't at the required level yet.

Only really a fit De Ligt I view as good enough to be first choice for a club like us, but he should be partnered with a better CB who has pace.

It's not a horrible group but yeah obviously will need upgrading. Injuries are the main issue with them. De Ligt is quality when fit, but we only really got 1.5 seasons of fitness from him. Martinez is quality when fit, but he has been injury prone. Maguire is good, but older and will have his injury issues too. Still, if De Ligt can get back to playing most games then it's not a big issue IMO, as Yoro and Heaven are an excellent pair of 4th and 5th choice there. It's just that our #1 and #2 CBs have missed over half the season each, which will never do. This summer we'll focus on the midfield, but I could see us putting a lot into the defence the following year.

 

[berbasloth4]

yoro and heaven have the potential to be a generational pairing but it’s far to soon now. We need two or at least one of our experienced centre halves to be always available to help guide them through.

Rudiger is available on a free in the summer he is a livewire but he is rarely injured and could rub off on yoro and heaven

 

[Isotope]

Our best CBs has to me been obviously Maguire +1 for a long time but unfortunately his partners are hugely injury prone or inexperienced. I hope we can move on Martinez and De Ligt in the Summer and replace with better and more reliable but that will be difficult.

If only we could sell Martinez and de Ligt, we maybe able to afford one reliable CB.

If we sort out our midfield with good ball playing ones, we don’t really need a playmaker CB that obviously will be much difficult to find and very expensive.

 

[cyril C]

Our best CBs has to me been obviously Maguire +1 for a long time but unfortunately his partners are hugely injury prone or inexperienced. I hope we can move on Martinez and De Ligt in the Summer and replace with better and more reliable but that will be difficult.

Put it from the opposite perspective. Our best pairing, was supposed to be De Ligt + Martinez, unfortunately, or fortunately, we have Maguire available, while Yoro is still learning on the job at our expense.

Don't think we can sell anyone apart from Dalot for any decent price. So best to invest in a CB to pair up with Martinez or De Ligt, whoever is available, take Maguire as 3rd CB, and Yoro as 4th. Shaw can backup Martinez.

I would say forget about the left foot right foot thing, keep the game simple. Whoever can play comfortable on either side, get a priority to start or R1.

 

[1976red]

Need to sort this area if team out in order to play more dominant style of football (higher line, possession based).
De ligt and Martinez fitness cannot be relied upon, Yoro isn’t suited to premier league (lindelof tendencies) and Harry’s value is that of experience for limited games (slower tempo or deeper block)moving forward.
My preference would be to sign 2 players to move us forward into a new partnership era.
RCB - DEBAST (Belgian from sporting). Excellent athletic profile, technical ability, passing range and personality to dominate. Has natural relationship with Lammens. Maguire as understudy.
LCB - MURILLO (Brazilian from forest). Premier league proven, durable, technically proficient, quick, strong. Shorter in profile but competitive in air. Likes defending. Heaven as understudy.

Sales of Yoro, de Ligt, Martinez, Fredericton, Ajofree, Jackson, Monro to make room.

Thoughts?

 

[croadyman]

Need to sort this area if team out in order to play more dominant style of football (higher line, possession based).
De ligt and Martinez fitness cannot be relied upon, Yoro isn’t suited to premier league (lindelof tendencies) and Harry’s value is that of experience for limited games (slower tempo or deeper block)moving forward.
My preference would be to sign 2 players to move us forward into a new partnership era.
RCB - DEBAST (Belgian from sporting). Excellent athletic profile, technical ability, passing range and personality to dominate. Has natural relationship with Lammens. Maguire as understudy.
LCB - MURILLO (Brazilian from forest). Premier league proven, durable, technically proficient, quick, strong. Shorter in profile but competitive in air. Likes defending. Heaven as understudy.

Sales of Yoro, de Ligt, Martinez, Fredericton, Ajofree, Jackson, Monro to make room.

Thoughts?

Yes I like the suggestions, however wouldn't sell Yoro because will only regret it further down the line. Despite his age I did like the suggestion of Rudiger from @berbasloth4 for his leadership and experience. Only problem might be the wages that he's on at Real. Someone else who could be a shrewd signing is Senesi who is free agent in summer.