Davy Klaassen / Joel Veltman

[lukadownthelane]

I believe Klaassen is the least passed-to player in the Ajax midfield, some say because the others don't trust his ball skills which definitely are limited. He's a work horse-type attacking player, very atypical of Ajax. Before Klaassen, Ajax had De Jong in the same role and he didn't exactly set the PL alight in Newcastle (and is now back in Holland).

Veltman is not a new Vertonghen or Alderweireld. They've had him playing full back for a while now, not exactly a recommendation for center back.

Alderweireld couldn't get a start at CB until he joined Southampton.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Alderweireld couldn't get a start at CB until he joined Southampton.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

I too have eaten the wall many times before

 

[LaSpurs]

Alderweireld couldn't get a start at CB until he joined Southampton.

Except for those 128 apps for Ajax he had under his belt


But in any case, I feel much more strongly against Klaassen coming than Veltman (to warm the bench).

 

[nipponyid]

Hopefully a smokescreen for Dolberg/De Ligt, promising young guys who Poch could mold into our set-up!

 

[Bobbins]

I've been waiting for Veltman to grow into the player everyone thought he could be for a while now, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

I think he'd be better at CB than Dier and would make a very nice trio with Jan and Toby to his left, but he lacks Dier's versatility (he's a cack RB) and whilst Dier looks like he could keep getting better, Veltman's development has stagnated this season. He's 25 now and hasn't looked like improving for a while, but maybe Poch could help him reach his potential, he also would no doubt hugely benefit from playing and training alongside Jan and Toby.

I wouldn't say no to him though, he'd certainly be a very good option for the third CB if Dier were to leave or move back to midfield.

 

[heelspurs]

Alderweireld couldn't get a start at CB until he joined Southampton.

Jan and Toby couldn't get a start at CB (for Belgium I presume) because they had 4 established CBs in front of them: Kompany, Vermaelen, guy from Zenit who still gets a game (Lombaerts?) and another that retired (can't remember names atm). Plus, Wilmots was shit and presumably still is. Couple these factors with a lack of quality at FB (have you seen Lukaku's brother play?), and Aldertonghen's relative youth and athleticism and you get them at FB.

With this abundance of CB talent and the dearth of FBs that could defend you would have to wonder why some reasonably intelligent person didn't think "perhaps we should play 3 atb"? But many peculiarities can be explained with 'Wilmots'!

 

[wirE]

Transfer of Klaasen to Everton has been agreed

 

[talkshowhost86]

All aboard the Ross Barkley transfer merry-go-round then.

 

[HildoSpur]

Transfer of Klaasen to Everton has been agreed

Everton building a very nice team.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Everton building a very nice team.

Two decent signings in Pickford and Klaasen, but remember they are about to lose their two most influential players of recent years.

They're going to have a fair wedge to spend though.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Jan and Toby couldn't get a start at CB (for Belgium I presume) because they had 4 established CBs in front of them: Kompany, Vermaelen, guy from Zenit who still gets a game (Lombaerts?) and another that retired (can't remember names atm). Plus, Wilmots was shit and presumably still is. Couple these factors with a lack of quality at FB (have you seen Lukaku's brother play?), and Aldertonghen's relative youth and athleticism and you get them at FB.

With this abundance of CB talent and the dearth of FBs that could defend you would have to wonder why some reasonably intelligent person didn't think "perhaps we should play 3 atb"? But many peculiarities can be explained with 'Wilmots'!

You forgot Van Buyten, who was a regular starter at CB, until he retired after the 2014 World Cup.

 

[heelspurs]

You forgot Van Buyten, who was a regular starter at CB, until he retired after the 2014 World Cup.

Jan and Toby couldn't get a start at CB (for Belgium I presume) because they had 4 established CBs in front of them: Kompany, Vermaelen, guy from Zenit who still gets a game (Lombaerts?) and another that retired (can't remember names atm). Plus, Wilmots was shit and presumably still is. Couple these factors with a lack of quality at FB (have you seen Lukaku's brother play?), and Aldertonghen's relative youth and athleticism and you get them at FB.