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Centre Back Options

van_Pommel

Well-Known Member
May 10, 2004
3,061
971
It's clear we need a CB, I think most on here agree. Ideally someone who's good enough to be a guaranteed starter next to Verts. With that in mind I'm quite interested to hear who people think we should be after/could realistically get.

I'm not against Shawcross. He's solid and I would like to see more English players in the team so for the right price, why not?

Benatia would be a dream, but I think he would be too expensive and would prefer to stay at Roma another season anyway with them in CL this year.

Thoughts?
 

0-Tibsy-0

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2012
11,201
43,790
It's clear we need a CB, I think most on here agree. Ideally someone who's good enough to be a guaranteed starter next to Verts. With that in mind I'm quite interested to hear who people think we should be after/could realistically get.

I'm not against Shawcross. He's solid and I would like to see more English players in the team so for the right price, why not?

Benatia would be a dream, but I think he would be too expensive and would prefer to stay at Roma another season anyway with them in CL this year.

Thoughts?

If we are going Premiership proven and Capable of a high line then I would have Curtis Davies and Winston Reid over Shawcross. Not saying they are my first choice defenders, but they are higher up on the list than Shawcross...
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,391
I'd wait for Moreno if possible. De Vrij was good in Brazil but haven't seen anything much of him apart from that. Schar looks a good prospect. I think we might end up with Richards which isn't the worst thing in the world since he's versatile and could do with a challenge.
 

van_Pommel

Well-Known Member
May 10, 2004
3,061
971
I'd wait for Moreno if possible. De Vrij was good in Brazil but haven't seen anything much of him apart from that. Schar looks a good prospect. I think we might end up with Richards which isn't the worst thing in the world since he's versatile and could do with a challenge.

Richards is very quick, and would put pressure on Walker which he probably needs. Always looked better at right back than centre back though.

I think Moreno is more comfortable on the left centre position, same as Verts. If that's the case then I'd rather go for someone who's a natural partner for Verts rather than competition.

Wouldn't be surprised to see United get De Vrij.
 
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idontgetit

Well-Known Member
Aug 21, 2011
14,404
30,804
Could maybe turn Sandro in to a CB. Never seen him get bullied physically by anyone. I'm only saying this though because I will make up any reason whatsoever not to sell him lol
 

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
I've always liked Richards but the problem we face is that we're not sure on the fitness of Kaboul and I can't see how Richards helps with that situation given his own horrendous injury record.

Personally I'd be looking at keeping all of our current centre backs and bringing in a starting right-sided player to partner Vertonghen. It would need to be somebody with quality and who is reliable in terms of injuries. I don't really watch enough football to know any specific players that would fit the bill - could Shawcross step up in the same way that Cahill has since he went to Chelsea? Is Varane actually available (even on loan - special relationship!)?

Going into the season with 5 CBs seems a little excessive, but it means we wouldn't have to worry about Kaboul's ongoing problems. If he can prove that he's over the injuries and gets back to how he was then we're on a winner and can ship one (probably Dawson) out as early as January.

Am I right in thinking that Younes and Vlad can both play either side of the CB pairing whereas Jan is very much LCB and Daws is absolutely RCB?
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
Davies and Vlaar would do me as organisers paired with Vertonghen. Possibly Alderweireld for his relationship with Verts too.
 

bceej

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2013
2,444
3,191
Would anyone say Howedes is an option? Looked solid at the World Cup, despite playing out of position.
 

Dirty Ewok

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2012
8,970
19,389
Angleo Ogbonna.....athletic guy, big, moves very well, strong in the air.....stuck behind Chiellini at Juve and apparently looking to move somewhere he would play more. Think i saw his asking price is something like £8m......would be a nice one for Baldini to flex his Italian connections on.

Alderweireld would be a solid shout can't imagine his asking price would be all that high and he may be looking to get somewhere he can play more regularly.
 

mcnspur

Active Member
Jul 20, 2013
130
78
Kostas manolas for me. Seen quite a bit of him last season and was really impressed. He's 23 and wouldn't cost too much.
 

SpursOldBoy

Stevie Perryman
Aug 18, 2005
216
158
I thought Duarte had a good World Cup for Costa Rica. One of the better CBs on show.

I'm not sure what his club form is like though - he plays for Brugge so is used to the European game and could be worth a gamble. Any one here follow the Belgium league and give and insight into his strengths/weaknesses?
 

Spursking

Well-Known Member
May 16, 2004
5,431
2,457
I have to say that when I hear a name like Shawcross, it doesn't sound like a top 4 finish....? I think we deserve someone better.
 

Spursidol

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2007
12,636
15,834
I'd agree we probably need a new CB and possibly 2 if Kaboul is not likely to come back to the same standard as he was 2 years ago. But that's a lot of uncertainty.

However looking at our current CB position it looks like :

Vertonghen - will sign a new contract. He's as good as we are likely to get
Kaboul - Still a question mark for fans as to whether he will get back to form
Chirches - minor injuries in 1st year, but if fit in the 2nd year should be far more accustomed to PL
Dawson - Not right for a high line defence - but actually played the most of the CB's last season

Veljkovic - Newcomer on the block. I'm not suggesting he'll play much PL football, but if he plays in a number of EL and domestic cups he could relieve a load off the other ?CB's
Fryers - On the basis of the US Tour (a small sample of 2nd rate games), I'sd suggest Veljkovic has moved ahead of Fryers, but the same argument applies, Fryers could take some load off the other CB's

So I think our options are greater than last season, and if the club feels that Kaboul is getting back to his best the CB may be less of an imperative, as I could certainly live with Dawson as a 4th choice.

But if there are doubts over Kaboul's fitness, and Chirches probably needs to raise his game above last season, then I'd certainly welcome an experienced CB.

A much higher priority position to upgrade than any midfield or forward position where our options are already better.
 
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