But are any of the 4 wanting to go from regular starters to not been. The argument is there is enough games for all 4 isnt true. Teams dont rotate there preferred 2 in the big games.
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He did well, especially towards the end, which earned him that start in Paris ahead of Matip, when I expected Joel to start. But looking back and how we set up, it was probably the right call.
And now weāre looking to add another āKonateā (whether the new guy would be younger, older, better technically, cheaperā¦ who knows, weāll see). And thatās what weāre really talking about, no?
Iām not obsessed with buying, this is a very good team that will likely have a more active summer transfer window that a lot of the past ones. Sometimes we were a bit too inactive, itās up for eternal discussion. I donāt know how long youāre on these forums, but Iām certainly not one who just screams buy this, buy that. I hate large squads, but yes I want the closest possible to a 22-man squad that can compete and win multiple trophies. Like the club.
What the club does 24/7 365 is to always look at ways we can improve, that never stops. And we as fans have the freedom to discuss it. Either what weād like or what we think the club will do. Who doesnāt want to discuss that, doesnāt have to.
Itās not the same. Every player is different. What Trent did after his dozen games in 16/17 is very, very rare. Weāre always open for local talent and players who will be here for the rest of their careers, but if theyāre good enough. The reality is that it doesnāt happen very often. Itās rare and itās beautiful when it happens.
Bradley could be well capable to grab that position with both hands next season. Iām still not sure what weāll do there. Have Gomez as his competition/backup or we judge itās too light. Whether weāll buy 1, 2 or 3 defenders. I feel it could be 2. That said, I didnāt expect us to sign more than 2 midfielders in the summer of 2023 and we ended up signing 4. Four.
For me, Konate was the replacement for Matip as the starting RCB and 2nd in hierarchy. I donāt even think the club looks at it that way, who exactly did Quansah replace. Heās obviously part of our CBās for two seasons now. Did well last season, didnāt manage to earn or steal other peopleās game time this season. Whether Gomez or Quansah is the one to move out if we bring someone in, thatās also up for discussion. I said yesterday Iād lean towards keeping Quansah.
No, I wouldnāt. Mate, I cannot follow all direct conversations you have with all other forum members, but if youāre talking in more general terms now to people who just want signings in every transfer window, itās okay. I donāt get boners over transfers, I donāt hate any of our (nor rival) players. I donāt rate some of them (and it has itās levels), thatās just natural.
Konate has won Matipās place in the starting XI for most of the time during his time here. We have certain activity going on in defence. We want defenders, at least one. What is it exactly hard to understand or discuss about? Should we not expect transfers but be shocked when theyāre suddenly announced? Should we not talk about possible transfers before theyāre announced because it annoys you?
Err how about extend Konate?
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Well, two out of the new boys plus Quansah would probably end up being the first choice pair in the not too distant future. The third one would then play the role that Gomez has been playing the last few seasons.
That could happen this summer of course. Does he want to extend? I suppose weāll have to wait and see.
But why would 2 established centre backs come into wait thats the point im making. Unless you are Man U teams donāt rotate centre backs.
We donāt need to have 4 āVirgilsā at CB. But itās an absolutely natural discussion if we need more with Virgilās age, Konateās situation Gomez and Quansah behind them. And if itās Gomez mostly competing with/backing up Bradley at RB, then yes a CB is a bloody must.
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I wouldnāt go so far as to call two 19 year olds āestablishedā. Perhaps they would be keen to understudy and learn from our main CBs. Huijsenās already spoken admiringly about Virgil.
Of course, if Konate extends then that simplifies things and we only need to buy one CB.
But I think we would still need to have a fourth CB option in the event of emergencies. If itās Quansah, then going on whatās happened this season he wouldnāt get much game time. So maybe a loan would be best for him. Would we then want injury-prone Gomez as the back-up? And would he want that? So we might have to buy two CBs in the end.
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I do think we should be signing a CB, even if Gomez stays. Weāve relied in him too often and heās usually either injured or struggling for form due to recovering from injury.
Iād like to see a new young CB come in behind van Dijk to play the LCB role. Preferably someone actually left footed. Then you have Konate and Quansah for RCB, van Dijk and NewCB for LCB. Gomez could either be a deep utility for across the backline or leave if he wants to.
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Since Virgil is our best CB and playing all games (we could rest him a bit more), I think it makes more sense that our 4th option is his direct backup and the new guy competes mostly with Konate. That doesnāt mean the 4th option wouldnāt also compete for the other spot. I actually prefered Quansah at LCB more than at RCB last season. Konate for me even if able to do a job at LCB, should remain a RCB.
But weāll see also if we have a left footed player in mind who can play LCB and LB. That is not Kerkez though.
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The deals for Virgil and Salah really break the summers business into a couple of essentials and then a lot of options. It was looking like a summer where weād need six or seven essential. Now I think itās three or four, and then a few opportunistic/luxury moves.
I think the essentials are now a pair of fullbacks, and a top drawer forward. Then, slightly less of a priority, a versatile midfielder to add to the four we have. Slot clearly doesnāt want to play Elliot in midfield, and seeās Endo only as an option to close down the lask five minutes of Games. So we need a fifth option - as we are now the midfield looks shattered.
I think we need to get those four done really early, and then we can be a bit more exploratory with the rest of the summer.
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Yep. We should be doing everything we can to renew him & maximise that established partnership with Virg. Our 4th best/most consistent player this season behind Virg Grav and Mo.
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Do they play regularly now for there teams yes.
Makes a degree of sense. Get the feeling Joe is keen to play more and whilst he didnāt make a public fuss about the Newcastle interest last summer you could see him thinking maybe heās lost a year of his career sticking with us
Quansah Iāve always felt could do with a PL loan move like Colwill had at Brighton to really get tested week in week out. Heās just not going to get that here right now and I worry itāll hamper his development.
Huijsen and Hato would be great additions. Question would be whether thatās Hato plus a left back? I think it would have to be but would also give us some wiggle room next summer when Robertsonās deal comes to an end. Essentially youād have a left sided Gomez getting some game time at both CB and left back for a couple seasons with the possibility of succeeding Virg in a couple years.
Perhaps a bit too much upheaval, especially with the uncertainty around Konate but maybe it ends up Konate and Gomez out, Huijsen and Hato in and all three young lads are basically fighting to partner Virg with Quansah and Hato covering as third choice options at fullback.
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I could live with that.
And to go one step further, if Konate wonāt sign a new deal, I would sell him this summer and retain Quansah, giving a CB group of Virg, Huijsen, Quansah and Hato.
Hato takes the versatile Joe Gomez role, able to cover fullback too.
Edit:
Arguably it has too much youth, but they can all play, and in a way, I like that they can all learn from Virgil Van Dijk, who is imperious, and good as he is, his best gift might be in leaving behind the next crop of defenders for the club to benefit from for years to come.
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Yes, they do so yes theyāre established. But theyāre still just teenagers.
Mmmā¦ I wonder which club heād prefer right now ā¦
Manchester United and Liverpool are among the clubs interested in signing Lyonās 21-year-old French forward Rayan Cherki this summer. (Mail - subscription required)
Oh, it seems weāre buying multiple forwards ā¦
Liverpool are considering a move for Eintracht Frankfurtās 22-year-old French striker Hugo Ekitike this summer. (Caught Offside)
Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are leading the race to sign Real Betisā 19-year-old Spain U21s winger Jesus Rodriguez. (Caught Offside)
I could not imagine this ever happening ā¦
Chelsea explored the idea of signing 33-year-old Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk this summer, before he signed a new contract with Liverpool. (Mail - subscription required)
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They may have explored it but he went no.
Maybe he didnāt fancy 8 years more.
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Gomez such an interesting one. He loves it here but wants to play a bit more, but equally he canāt be relied on to play a bit more.
After the injuries this season I doubt anyone is gonna pay us what heās worth so it wouldnt surprise me if he ends up seeing out his contract then moving on, no idea how long that is like.
2 more years, heāll be 30 then.