Robertd0803
Full Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2014
- Messages
- 6,606
*Edit* Never mind then.
No, they finished 2nd in the group behind Napoli.Benfica are out then?
This is brand new information.We can still sign him if he wants to come
Thanks, I got the groups final standings totally mixed up. Ah well cannot see Benfica selling in January now.No, they finished 2nd in the group behind Napoli.
I think he's got a minimum fee clauseThis is brand new information.
Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
Sometimes you sign younger players for their potential to develop into something better than you have, I know it sounds crazy but it's just how the world works nowadaysOh for Christ sake - he is not better than any of our 4 central defenders - so why sign him ?
Yeah but Jose works with a 23 man squad, GK's included. I would be surprised if we went with 5 CB's into next season. But maybe he doesnt trust them to stay fit. They were all injured at some point during the season.Blind isn't counted as a CB in Mourinho's plan so a 5th CB isn't too out of the ordinary. We signed Jones when we had Vida, Rio, Evans and Smalling in the team.
Long term they will just have to fight it out.
Yeah me too. He knows his defendersFor once we have a manager that I don't doubt in the transfer market, if Mourinho wants him then he has seen something there.
Especially regarding defensive players his transfer record is impeccable.
I think he needs to widen that pool a bit given the increasing number of games and travel. 25-26 seems more suitable if we have ambition to go far in 4 competitions.Yeah but Jose works with a 23 man squad, GK's included. I would be surprised if we went with 5 CB's into next season. But maybe he doesnt trust them to stay fit. They were all injured at some point during the season.
Rojo is meah, Smalling lack brains, Bailly will soon feck off to the African cup and Jones will probably return to the treatment room as soon as the January transfer window is closed. I think that Mou wants to keep everyone on his toes just in case any of our CBs do not carry their weight. The guy can play as RB too if neededOh for Christ sake - he is not better than any of our 4 central defenders - so why sign him ?
I think its a shrewd signing from Mou. He'll keep our CBs on their toes + he'll get a potential cover/competitor for Valencia. As they say form is temporary and class is permanent so I wont be surprised if soon enough Jones/Rojo form changesIt's worth pointing out that Lindelöf can also play as a RB and is quite comfortable there (not a Jones situation under Fergie). He's much more versatile than the CB's we already have. He's also 6ft 2 and only 22 years old. I've always seen him as a viable option to replace Darmian should Mourinho sell him.
In a weird sort of way, his injury has made this easier to take. We know we can still defend well without him.Bailly's going to the ACON and I'd be surprised if one of the remaining three weren't sold in the summer (just a gut feeling that Mourinho would like to get some more of his own men into the team rather than a comment on their quality) so I wouldn't be amazed if this happened.
An injury to Rojo, Jones or Smalling leave us awfully lightweight next month.
What kind of full back is he? Ive wondered if he might be seen as a short term right back while he adapts. Could he be an Ivanovic type player? I imagine having a 6ft + fullback gives you an extra man on corners, hence Chelsea always scoring plenty from corners.It's worth pointing out that Lindelöf can also play as a RB and is quite comfortable there (not a Jones situation under Fergie). He's much more versatile than the CB's we already have. He's also 6ft 2 and only 22 years old. I've always seen him as a viable option to replace Darmian should Mourinho sell him.
Rojo - in form but generally has been poor for usWe have Rojo, Jones, Smalling Bailly who are all class. Then we have Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzabe as back up who should start getting minutes here and there. We need wingers, not central defenders.
Please define class. Playing 5 good games in 2 years 2 of which should ended with a red card isn't class. Same as living most of their career in the treatment room. But hey they kept Rondon at bay. That serious business indeedWe have Rojo, Jones, Smalling Bailly who are all class. Then we have Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzabe as back up who should start getting minutes here and there. We need wingers, not central defenders.
Looking at our season thus far, the centre back position is the least of our worry. Rojo is in great form; Jones is performing like there is no tomorrow, and I disagree wholeheartedly with your assessment of Smalling. He actually makes few mistakes, but unfortunately he has made a few in important matches where people like you will not let anyone forget. He is remembered for making silly challenges and red cards where his red card stats are really good - compare his with Vidic for instance, even in important matches. He is poor on the ball though.Rojo - in form but generally has been poor for us
Jones- I think he is very good, but has been injury prone
Smalling- Was very good for 2 months then his normal level reappeared- physically he's very what you want but prone to errors and not the best with the ball
Bailly- been excellent apart from occasional erratic moments- has amazing potential but still raw
We need a reliable centre back in January, and ideally a midfielder who can replace Carrick when he needs a rest- although I would expect the latter to be more difficult to achieve in January and could be put off til the summer.
There are plenty of positions that need to be improved, we have weaknesses at fullback- Shaw hasn't shown anything too special on his return from injury and Valencia is getting on in age- but perhaps we can 'make do with what we have'. Without an in-form Martial or Mkhitaryan- as you say our wide players aren't ideal and (this may be unpopular) we should be looking to improve on Herrera in the long term if we are sticking with 4-3-3.
Throw on top of that - Ibrahimovic is our only reliable striker and he is 35.. there are plenty of areas for improvement in the squad!