The right back market

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If we're going to sign a rightback, it should be someone who is already top class or at least has top class potential.

Right now we have Dalot and Mazraoui. They're both decent players, not great, not terrible, just average. They're serviceable, but the position can definitely be improved. I don't want us bringing in another average rightback. I'd rather keep those two and spend the money elsewhere.

I can't really think of many attainable options with elite potential besides Kayode and Livramento. As for proven quality, Porro is one of the few names that comes to mind. He had an awful season, but we've seen him perform at a very high level before.

That said, I don't think rightback is a priority at the moment. We should be focusing on bringing in three midfielders, a leftback, and a backup striker. I don't think there will be enough funds left to seriously address other positions after that.
 
I don't particularly like Dalot, but managers seem to like him a lot, and he's a top end athlete in his prime years able to play 50+ matches a season. And Mazraoui is a very solid, experienced fullback who at 28 is also still in his prime years.

It just isn't even remotely a priority position this summer.
 
sullydnl said:
I don't particularly like Dalot, but managers seem to like him a lot, and he's a top end athlete in his prime years able to play 50+ matches a season. And Mazraoui is a very solid, experienced fullback who at 28 is also still in his prime years.

It just isn't even remotely a priority position this summer.
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It isn't but hopefully we have some sort of plan, as we know Dalot and Mazraoui's ceiling. I'd like to see us take an Ayden Heaven type punt on a young RB with potential at least.
 
CM said:
I know it's a bit of an unpopular opinion but I think I'd rather a RB came in than a LB this summer, given the choice. Neither of Dalot or Mazraoui are good enough for me to feel comfortable with that position staying stagnant for another year, and I'd rather roll the dice on Dorgu becoming something at LB for us with the cover of Shaw (and Mazraoui, if needed) than sticking with the same players we already know aren't really good enough on the other side.

I know Palestra from Cagliari is supposed to be quite highly rated. It'd be nice to have an option at RB who is capable in attack - and might actually help Amad and Mbeumo who have looked stale for a number of months now.
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Dorgu is obviously going to be considered a LW or an OShea type under Carrick rather than a LB. Which leaves us shaw with his injury record and 2 right backs being asked to cover Lb.
No, we need a LB. We have enough at RB and neither are so bad that they need immediately replaced
 
sullydnl said:
I don't particularly like Dalot, but managers seem to like him a lot, and he's a top end athlete in his prime years able to play 50+ matches a season. And Mazraoui is a very solid, experienced fullback who at 28 is also still in his prime years.

It just isn't even remotely a priority position this summer.
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Exactly. It’s not as bad as the narrative being pushed
 
golden_blunder said:
Exactly. It’s not as bad as the narrative being pushed
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What is the narrative being pushed? He's not a good final third player and looking back on Amorim's horrible setup, it did provide a platform for Mbeumo and Amad did really well at RWB. Both of those players benefit from having a player who is competent in the final third, and can stretch play. Dalot has some good attributes, but he'd be more valuable as a squad player than a first XI player. It's not simply about that position in isolation, but its collective implications.
 
I’d be delighted with a new first team right back

Dalots best attributes are being readily available (which can’t be understated) and being a very good athlete. Tall. Strong. Relatively quick

But it ends there for me I’m afraid. His game intelligence and pass choice so frequently destroys an attack. It’s infuriating.

There are a number of players I’ve been delighted to see leave in recent years based either on ability, physicality and/or attitude. The list is too long…but now many have left, Dalot is at the top of the pile

He for me has the attitude and the physicality… but lacks elite level ability. And is quite a way off

But alas. I’d expect him to survive with more pressing concerns.
 
Bastian said:
What is the narrative being pushed? He's not a good final third player and looking back on Amorim's horrible setup, it did provide a platform for Mbeumo and Amad did really well at RWB. Both of those players benefit from having a player who is competent in the final third, and can stretch play. Dalot has some good attributes, but he'd be more valuable as a squad player than a first XI player. It's not simply about that position in isolation, but its collective implications.
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Is he someone that needs replaced straight away? No, we have enough pressures on the budget this summer

Is he someone that could be upgraded on? Yes
 
Pughnichi said:
I’d be delighted with a new first team right back

Dalots best attributes are being readily available (which can’t be understated) and being a very good athlete. Tall. Strong. Relatively quick

But it ends there for me I’m afraid. His game intelligence and pass choice so frequently destroys an attack. It’s infuriating.

There are a number of players I’ve been delighted to see leave in recent years based either on ability, physicality and/or attitude. The list is too long…but now many have left, Dalot is at the top of the pile

He for me has the attitude and the physicality… but lacks elite level ability. And is quite a way off

But alas. I’d expect him to survive with more pressing concerns.
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Dalot is top of the players at the club you want to leave? That to me is absurd.

Obviously there are better Right Backs out there. But 2/3 midfielders, LB, CB, Striker and even LW (that I would take as arguable) are bigger priorities.

There are many players who should be out the door before Dalot.
 
golden_blunder said:
Is he someone that needs replaced straight away? No, we have enough pressures on the budget this summer

Is he someone that could be upgraded on? Yes
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He is someone who if the opportunity to upgrade presents itself either via interest in Dalot or Mazraoui or if a genuinely better player becomes available (Kayode or Munoz for example, if we're just talking within the league).
 
Pughnichi said:
I’d be delighted with a new first team right back

Dalots best attributes are being readily available (which can’t be understated) and being a very good athlete. Tall. Strong. Relatively quick

But it ends there for me I’m afraid. His game intelligence and pass choice so frequently destroys an attack. It’s infuriating.

There are a number of players I’ve been delighted to see leave in recent years based either on ability, physicality and/or attitude. The list is too long…but now many have left, Dalot is at the top of the pile

He for me has the attitude and the physicality… but lacks elite level ability. And is quite a way off

But alas. I’d expect him to survive with more pressing concerns.
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Can we upgrade him ? Yes, but every position in our squad is upgradable.

Do we have the money ? No

Do we have other pressing concerns- 100%.

So not this year or next year.
 
ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg said:
Dalot is top of the players at the club you want to leave? That to me is absurd.

Obviously there are better Right Backs out there. But 2/3 midfielders, LB, CB, Striker and even LW (that I would take as arguable) are bigger priorities.

There are many players who should be out the door before Dalot.
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many players out before him? Nah

I wasn’t including players that have been contracted to us but loaned out. Just players that were part of the first team last season.

IMO…

Lemmens - nope
Shaw - had a better season
Maguire - had a better season
Martinez - a better player when on form
De Ligt - arguably our best player until injury
Yoro and Heaven - solid prospects
Dorgu - progressing nicely
Mazraoui - I just feel more secure with him. No brain farts.
Amad - nope
Mbuemo - nope
Cunha - nope
Fernandes - nope
Sesko - nope

That leaves Bayindir, Ugarte, Zirkzee and Mount that could also be understood.

Mount offers at least something - when fit

No qualms if he was third out after Ugarte and Zirkzee though

But I’ve had a dislike for Dalot being our starting rb for some time.

Game of opinions eh

And I doubt it happens this season given our requirements
 
Bastian said:
He is someone who if the opportunity to upgrade presents itself either via interest in Dalot or Mazraoui or if a genuinely better player becomes available (Kayode or Munoz for example, if we're just talking within the league).
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I like Kayode from what I’ve seen, but you’re talking prob 45m+
So therefore that’s a job for a different window
 
golden_blunder said:
I thought that Jose would perhaps go for him, but Dumfries has killed that avenue

I don’t see any Italian team giving us serious money
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Yeah, it's perhaps unlikely now that Jose didn't come through, but I could imagine Atleti might be an option (Marcos Llorente has been playing right back, but he's more of a midfielder). Inter will obviously need to replace Dumfries. For the right team Dalot is a good purchase.
 
Pughnichi said:
many players out before him? Nah

I wasn’t including players that have been contracted to us but loaned out. Just players that were part of the first team last season.

IMO…

Lemmens - nope
Shaw - had a better season
Maguire - had a better season
Martinez - a better player when on form
De Ligt - arguably our best player until injury
Yoro and Heaven - solid prospects
Dorgu - progressing nicely
Mazraoui - I just feel more secure with him. No brain farts.
Amad - nope
Mbuemo - nope
Cunha - nope
Fernandes - nope
Sesko - nope

That leaves Bayindir, Ugarte, Zirkzee and Mount that could also be understood.

Mount offers at least something - when fit

No qualms if he was third out after Ugarte and Zirkzee though

But I’ve had a dislike for Dalot being our starting rb for some time.

Game of opinions eh

And I doubt it happens this season given our requirements
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Dalot regressed a little last season, but still decent. He's about the most reliable player in our backline bar Maguire. The rest are either injury prone (Shaw, De Ligt, Martinez, I'd lump Maz in here too, even though he's been better recently), about to be phased out (Maguire) or young and inconsistent (Yoro, Heaven, Dorgu). Getting rid of Dalot would be absolutely idiotic. I'd rather we keep him and upgrade on Maz, but most likely it's like 2 summers out unless a good opportunity presents itself.

My prediction is: unless Diogo Dalot regresses alot the next 2 seasons, he's going to stay into his 30s and might even finish his career with us.
 
Rainy nights in Stoke said:
Dalot regressed a little last season, but still decent. He's about the most reliable player in our backline bar Maguire. The rest are either injury prone (Shaw, De Ligt, Martinez, I'd lump Maz in here too, even though he's been better recently), about to be phased out (Maguire) or young and inconsistent (Yoro, Heaven, Dorgu). Getting rid of Dalot would be absolutely idiotic. I'd rather we keep him and upgrade on Maz, but most likely it's like 2 summers out unless a good opportunity presents itself.

My prediction is: unless Diogo Dalot regresses alot the next 2 seasons, he's going to stay into his 30s and might even finish his career with us.
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I actually thought that he got a bit better under Carrick
 
We could upgrade there sure, but left back Cm , back up ST are far more important / urgent
 
Rainy nights in Stoke said:
Dalot regressed a little last season, but still decent. He's about the most reliable player in our backline bar Maguire. The rest are either injury prone (Shaw, De Ligt, Martinez, I'd lump Maz in here too, even though he's been better recently), about to be phased out (Maguire) or young and inconsistent (Yoro, Heaven, Dorgu). Getting rid of Dalot would be absolutely idiotic. I'd rather we keep him and upgrade on Maz, but most likely it's like 2 summers out unless a good opportunity presents itself.

My prediction is: unless Diogo Dalot regresses alot the next 2 seasons, he's going to stay into his 30s and might even finish his career with us.
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ManUtd need better than decent

Decent isn’t enough for me. Especially when compared to full backs from previous successful teams like Irwin, Neville, Evra. He’s miles off them

But I do agree that availability is a huge tick for him and means we don’t have to worry too much about injury/selection.

The thought of Dalot retiring at Utd terrifies me haha

And getting rid of him wouldn’t be idiotic if a replacement was signed. Others already in here have suggested that Muniz and Kayode would be upgrades and attainable. Hell - if they aren’t…it’d be refreshing to just see someone else other than Dalot misplacing passes and killing attacks. But perhaps for another summer when we have more than 1 central midfielder
 
Pughnichi said:
ManUtd need better than decent

Decent isn’t enough for me. Especially when compared to full backs from previous successful teams like Irwin, Neville, Evra. He’s miles off them

But I do agree that availability is a huge tick for him and means we don’t have to worry too much about injury/selection.

The thought of Dalot retiring at Utd terrifies me haha

And getting rid of him wouldn’t be idiotic if a replacement was signed. Others already in here have suggested that Muniz and Kayode would be upgrades and attainable. Hell - if they aren’t…it’d be refreshing to just see someone else other than Dalot misplacing passes and killing attacks. But perhaps for another summer when we have more than 1 central midfielder
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So you prefer Maz + Kayode over Dalot + Kayode? I don't think the club would agree, but we'd probably get zilch for Maz in the market, whereas Dalot could probably bring in a fair whack to finance a purchase. So it's not outside the realms of possibility.
 
The thing about Dalot is that his best attribute is his ability to stay fit.

He’s a very underwhelming player at best because he’s always good for 2-3 brainfarts each game and that’s not good for a defender.

Honestly, I’ll rather we play a formation where we can get Amad as RWB to see if we can get him and Mbeumo partnership on the right flank going again.
 
elmo said:
The thing about Dalot is that his best attribute is his ability to stay fit.

He’s a very underwhelming player at best because he’s always good for 2-3 brainfarts each game and that’s not good for a defender.

Honestly, I’ll rather we play a formation where we can get Amad as RWB to see if we can get him and Mbeumo partnership on the right flank going again.
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Thing is people tend to remember moments that don't look that great, and they tend to amplify those in their memory to end up with 2-3 brainfarts each game. That is absolutely not the case. A few brainfarts across the course of a season, sure. But nothing like 60-90 brainfarts across the entirety of a season (unless misplacing a pass to hit an opponent is classed as a brainfart, in which case everyone has a lot of those).

What people don't remember is a player being in the right place at the right time to intercept the ball, receive a pass or stretch play out wide. They don't remember the thousands of times a player does something solid, but not spectacular. Dependability and solidity is a very underrated ability in football I think.
 
Rainy nights in Stoke said:
So you prefer Maz + Kayode over Dalot + Kayode? I don't think the club would agree, but we'd probably get zilch for Maz in the market, whereas Dalot could probably bring in a fair whack to finance a purchase. So it's not outside the realms of possibility.
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It’s fair to summarise…I just dislike Dalot. He doesn’t excite me for attacking purposes when I see his name on the team sheet. And I don’t feel secure when I see his name either

Like you/others have said. He’s just decent. Which is ok

But yes I’d keep Mazraoui ahead of him. Who the replacement might be…well I don’t have access to all the data but I certainly would be more optimistic with Muniz and Kayode.

Dalot has been here 8 years. Flattered to deceive. Done little of note during a period of (most would suggest given our status) repeat failure…

3 decent games. Followed by 4 terrible ones. He’s had more than his fair chance

But despite all that..I still def agree there are other priorities.
 
Pughnichi said:
It’s fair to summarise…I just dislike Dalot. He doesn’t excite me for attacking purposes when I see his name on the team sheet. And I don’t feel secure when I see his name either

Like you/others have said. He’s just decent. Which is ok

But yes I’d keep Mazraoui ahead of him. Who the replacement might be…well I don’t have access to all the data but I certainly would be more optimistic with Muniz and Kayode.

Dalot has been here 8 years. Flattered to deceive. Done little of note during a period of (most would suggest given our status) repeat failure…

3 decent games. Followed by 4 terrible ones. He’s had more than his fair chance

But despite all that..I still def agree there are other priorities.
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Yeah fair enough. We'll disagree on his utility overall, but I agree that he's not very exciting
 
Rainy nights in Stoke said:
Thing is people tend to remember moments that don't look that great, and they tend to amplify those in their memory to end up with 2-3 brainfarts each game. That is absolutely not the case. A few brainfarts across the course of a season, sure. But nothing like 60-90 brainfarts across the entirety of a season (unless misplacing a pass to hit an opponent is classed as a brainfart, in which case everyone has a lot of those).

What people don't remember is a player being in the right place at the right time to intercept the ball, receive a pass or stretch play out wide. They don't remember the thousands of times a player does something solid, but not spectacular. Dependability and solidity is a very underrated ability in football I think.
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I somewhat disagree with this

I could be on the matchday forum vs whoever and easily comment and count the number of times he does something poorly

And I’m not blinkered. I also could comment on the good things he does as well

The problem with the good stuff…it normally has a pre cursor of ‘Bloody Hell!!’
 
Rainy nights in Stoke said:
Yeah fair enough. We'll disagree on his utility overall, but I agree that he's not very exciting
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I will concede that I’m perhaps being overly critical of him

I do remember predicting we might have the next Gareth Bale when he signed! It sounds ridiculous saying it out loud now. Or typing it at least haha

That young full back that goes on to put up outstanding attacking numbers playing further forward

We were told he was the best young fullback on the planet who excelled in the final third

This is no doubt where my frustration comes
 
Pughnichi said:
many players out before him? Nah

I wasn’t including players that have been contracted to us but loaned out. Just players that were part of the first team last season.

IMO…

Lemmens - nope
Shaw - had a better season
Maguire - had a better season
Martinez - a better player when on form
De Ligt - arguably our best player until injury
Yoro and Heaven - solid prospects
Dorgu - progressing nicely
Mazraoui - I just feel more secure with him. No brain farts.
Amad - nope
Mbuemo - nope
Cunha - nope
Fernandes - nope
Sesko - nope

That leaves Bayindir, Ugarte, Zirkzee and Mount that could also be understood.

Mount offers at least something - when fit

No qualms if he was third out after Ugarte and Zirkzee though

But I’ve had a dislike for Dalot being our starting rb for some time.

Game of opinions eh

And I doubt it happens this season given our requirements
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I think Shaw is very debatable once we moved to a back four. I'd say Shaw was better in the matches where he had to just focus on defending as we were under pressure, but Dalot was better in the matches where we were playing more expansive. Everyone focuses on the fact Shaw doesn't get forward himself very much anymore, but it's gone under the radar that his ability to play out from the back has also declined quite a bit and I'd give Dalot the edge there now. Even though his final third decision making is fairly poor, he actually gets us on the front foot quite often by dealing with the first line of opposition pressing himself then playing good balls up through the second line to our attacking players (particularly in the central areas of the pitch). It's actually quite a good weapon when we're transitioning from defence to attack.

Combine that with Shaw being pretty much guaranteed to have injury problems next year if we rely on him playing too many games, and Dalot has to be ahead of him now IMO. He also comfortably outperformed Mazraoui these last few months under Carrick.

Those are the players that can be directly compared. I won't go into the others as many of them then have so many questions over them (can they be fit, can they be consistent) that it's difficult to do a direct comparison.
 
Pughnichi said:
many players out before him? Nah

I wasn’t including players that have been contracted to us but loaned out. Just players that were part of the first team last season.

IMO…

Lemmens - nope
Shaw - had a better season
Maguire - had a better season
Martinez - a better player when on form
De Ligt - arguably our best player until injury
Yoro and Heaven - solid prospects
Dorgu - progressing nicely
Mazraoui - I just feel more secure with him. No brain farts.
Amad - nope
Mbuemo - nope
Cunha - nope
Fernandes - nope
Sesko - nope

That leaves Bayindir, Ugarte, Zirkzee and Mount that could also be understood.

Mount offers at least something - when fit

No qualms if he was third out after Ugarte and Zirkzee though

But I’ve had a dislike for Dalot being our starting rb for some time.

Game of opinions eh

And I doubt it happens this season given our requirements
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You want a list of players I would move on before Dalot? FYI that doesn’t mean all these players should be sold:

Onana - obviously
Bayindir - obviously
Ugarte - of no use
Zizkee - useless

Assume we aren’t counting Sancho, and Malacia.

Rashford - he’s still our player, best for everyone if he goes.

Now it gets more interesting

Maz - I like him, but and I certainly wouldn’t sell him as he’s a good squad player, but he’s not a first team player.

Martinez - not fit enough. Half a player.

Shaw - not a long term option. Delighted he stayed fit, I’d keep him for another season then let him go on a free.

Mount - never wanted to buy him, good player when fit, but that’s rare, and we have better players than him wherever he plays.

So that’s 9 players ahead of Dalot. That, by any definition is ‘many players’.

Even if you just said Onana, Bayindir, Ugarte, Zirkzee and Rashford - that’s 5. Tell me with a straight face you would keep any of those ahead of Dalot?

So he would be nowhere near the first out the door.
 
Pughnichi said:
But I’ve had a dislike for Dalot being our starting rb for some time.
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I'm genuinely curious how long? Was it 22/23 when he was fairly good? 23/24 when he was our player of the season? Because those were the last times he played at RB before Carrick came in.

What I've found is that the majority of people who are really harsh on Dalot seem to be basing it primarily on 24/25 and the first half of 25/26, an 18 month period where he was played at LB, LWB and RWB. Yes he was poor for those 18 months, but he was basically being played everywhere but his main position. In fact he even started looking a fair bit better the one time he got a couple of months at RWB, but then he got moved back to the left because Amad was always going to have priority on the right.

It's not a coincidence that he straight away started looking better again after Carrick came in and simply played him at RB. Like basically every other player in the squad he did still have a couple of bad games but overall was good.
 
Prior
MadDogg said:
I'm genuinely curious how long? Was it 22/23 when he was fairly good? 23/24 when he was our player of the season? Because those were the last times he played at RB before Carrick came in.

What I've found is that the majority of people who are really harsh on Dalot seem to be basing it primarily on 24/25 and the first half of 25/26, an 18 month period where he was played at LB, LWB and RWB. Yes he was poor for those 18 months, but he was basically being played everywhere but his main position. In fact he even started looking a fair bit better the one time he got a couple of months at RWB, but then he got moved back to the left because Amad was always going to have priority on the right.

It's not a coincidence that he straight away started looking better again after Carrick came in and simply played him at RB. Like basically every other player in the squad he did still have a couple of bad games but overall was good.
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Prior to the dates you’ve provided

He was signed in 2018. Failed to establish himself in the first 2 seasons and underwhelmed so much, he became surplus to requirements. We sent him away from the club on a season long loan at Milan. I think it was wrong after that point to reintegrate him when he had shown very little to suggest he was worthy

He won Utd player of the season in a truly awful team that finished the lowest in the league since 1990 and bottom of UCL group stage with a staggering 4 pts. There weren’t many contenders. He won it more likely, because as I and others have mentioned…he was an ever present. A good physical specimen. Though I’m not sure being an ever present that season is a good thing
 
MadDogg said:
I'm genuinely curious how long? Was it 22/23 when he was fairly good? 23/24 when he was our player of the season? Because those were the last times he played at RB before Carrick came in.

What I've found is that the majority of people who are really harsh on Dalot seem to be basing it primarily on 24/25 and the first half of 25/26, an 18 month period where he was played at LB, LWB and RWB. Yes he was poor for those 18 months, but he was basically being played everywhere but his main position. In fact he even started looking a fair bit better the one time he got a couple of months at RWB, but then he got moved back to the left because Amad was always going to have priority on the right.

It's not a coincidence that he straight away started looking better again after Carrick came in and simply played him at RB. Like basically every other player in the squad he did still have a couple of bad games but overall was good.
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He’s also been here 8 years

Yr 1 - couldn’t establish himself
Yr 2 - couldn’t establish himself
Yr 3 - sent out on loan
Yr 4 - rotated with AWB
Yr 5 - rotated with AWB
Yr 6 - player of (a terrible) season
Yr 7 - you admit above he was poor
Yr 8 - you admit above he was poor

Not a great CV really
 
ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg said:
You want a list of players I would move on before Dalot? FYI that doesn’t mean all these players should be sold:

Onana - obviously
Bayindir - obviously
Ugarte - of no use
Zizkee - useless

Assume we aren’t counting Sancho, and Malacia.

Rashford - he’s still our player, best for everyone if he goes.

Now it gets more interesting

Maz - I like him, but and I certainly wouldn’t sell him as he’s a good squad player, but he’s not a first team player.

Martinez - not fit enough. Half a player.

Shaw - not a long term option. Delighted he stayed fit, I’d keep him for another season then let him go on a free.

Mount - never wanted to buy him, good player when fit, but that’s rare, and we have better players than him wherever he plays.

So that’s 9 players ahead of Dalot. That, by any definition is ‘many players’.

Even if you just said Onana, Bayindir, Ugarte, Zirkzee and Rashford - that’s 5. Tell me with a straight face you would keep any of those ahead of Dalot?

So he would be nowhere near the first out the door.
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Read the second sentence of my second paragraph

I’ll give you 3 haha…and I did also say no issue with Ugarte and Zirkzee ahead of him

We disagree on 4 though - which is fine of course
 
Are any of our youngsters rated enough to get some game time? Considering the MLS talk, maybe we should even consider trying out on of our young CM's there to get them experience? In a way it benefitted Lewis Skelly in that he got to see the speed & power at this level and then he shined a bit at CM for Arsenal.
 
Pughnichi said:
He’s also been here 8 years

Yr 1 - couldn’t establish himself
Yr 2 - couldn’t establish himself
Yr 3 - sent out on loan
Yr 4 - rotated with AWB
Yr 5 - rotated with AWB
Yr 6 - player of (a terrible) season
Yr 7 - you admit above he was poor
Yr 8 - you admit above he was poor

Not a great CV really
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His age and injury issues should be taken into account.

Year 1 - 19yo who spent half the season out injured
Year 2 - 20yo who spent half the season out injured
Year 3 - 21yo sent out on loan
Year 4 - 22yo fairly poor season IIRC
Year 5 - 23yo fairly good season (was downright good for the first half of the season, but another injury knocked him around a bit after that)
Year 6 - 24yo who was our player of the season, and it certainly wasn't just because of him being ever-present. He and arguably Bruno were the only players who could hold their heads up high after that shambolic season as they were miles better than anyone else. Edit: Mainoo as well now that I think of it.
Year 7 - 25yo who was poor while being played entirely out position.
Year 8 - 26yo who was poor in the first half of the season while being played out of position, then good in the second half of the season while being played in his proper position.

Yes it took him a bit longer to get going than expected (perhaps due to missing huge amounts of the first two seasons through injury), but he was still only 23 years old when he started showing a fairly normal progression for a young player. Up until he then started getting played out of position for 18 months anyway, where I think it's very harsh to hold it against him too much now that we've gone back to a back four again. As long as he is played at RB next season there's no real reason to think he won't be, at the very least, fairly good.
 
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bond19821982 said:
Can we upgrade him ? Yes, but every position in our squad is upgradable.

Do we have the money ? No

Do we have other pressing concerns- 100%.

So not this year or next year.
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On the flip side he’s a player we could probably get a decent fee for - there’s been rumoured interest from a few big clubs for a while. If we played it smart it’s not unfeasible that we could move him on and bring in a younger profile with a higher potential for negligible outlay. We’ve not been ruthless enough with decisions like that in the past, instead retaining players beyond their peak years and then struggling to get rid of them. Right now he’s probably at an age where there will never be better time to sell.
 
Right back isn't a problem position at all for me since Carrick came in. Dalot has done fine but Mazraoui in my eyes is much better but didn't really get an opportunity from we reverted to is as it was around AFCON time, and results were so good after he returned. I expect he will be first choice at the start of the season and show his class there, with Dalot adequate backup/competition. It's almost the least of my concerns
 
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