I’m curious on how those three youngsters we signed this month fit into the plans - are they purely youth team players to be given minutes on loan or the cup or are any of them in line to cover first team CB duties should we lose a player or two with injury.
With Leoni and those three youngsters, does this mean we are now in a space we can bring in another ‘older’ player for CB if the price is right? or will we look for a similar age profile to Guehi or to Leoni?
It’s funny looking at Transfermarkt at the players out of contract this summer and the first page seems to be a whose who of people who either played for us or were heavily linked - Wilson, Neves, Brandt, Fabinho, Goretzka,
Hard to tell with those kids, I bet the club doesn’t know yet until they see them in the building and on the grass. Wouldn’t put too much expectation until they see them and we see them.
I’d say they are more youth signings for now, but obviously some who prove are good in training and games might for example go to pre-season. Then it’s up to them, go and prove yourself, merit it.
It’s more and more obvious that we will need to bring someone or starting quality (not too young, not too old), especially if Konate is leaving and he probably is with each day that passes.
Since I think Virgil if he stays is bound to remain a starter at LCB, I see us going strong for a quality starting RCB. That’s what I think would’ve happened this season anyway, Guehi into direct competition with Konate at RCB and then potentially replacing him.
Then we’ll see if we go for another one, what happens with Gomez who will have a year left, can Leoni get himself fit to be one of 4 options (that will be the hope I presume), etc. You have Robbo’s situation, so will we keep him or go for a new LB or a hybrid option who can cover LB and LCB.
In general, we also have to see what we accomplish this season because CL football is far from secured and if Slot is still here. But even with a new head coach in charge, the heart of defence must be an area of focus, like Ornstein’s recent article said at the end.
id take TAA back in a heartbeat…as @ILLOK has previously pointed out, that creativity and release from the back is sorely missing, points were made about Wirtz replacing his creativity from a different area on the park…personally id love to see him co exist with Wirtz, feed Frimpong early on the right and just generally interact with Ekitike.
yes please.
ill take the ‘defensive lapses’ all day every day for some of that…
A season’s worth of games missed over the last two and a half seasons. Even if I could completely disregard him stringing the club along and running down his contract, and even if Real Madrid let him go back on a free transfer, that would be a massive red flag because we already have plenty of talented right backs who have much worse fitness record.
It’s worth noting though that Trent isn’t nearly as dependent on a physical style of play as are Jeremie or Conor. So while he has had his share of injuries, he’s still likely to be more available than them two.
Also, it is about the style that we want not about Trent adapting his style, our full backs have to get up and down, and if Trent had injuries last season under Arne he will still be susceptible if he came back.
