Dejan Lovren the latest to jump the sinking Southampton ship to join Liverpool

[RJ1882]

The Lovren love in is funny. I remember in his Lyon days some of our fans slated him while I thought he was their best player against us. He was awesome in one game in particular.
Taking away his goals, which are a bonus, has he been a good defender for Saints?,Vermalen scores goals for Arsenal and got hyped up, but he's always been a pretty shut defender.

 

[Dinpomp]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but I'll just add this for shits and giggles.

Dejan's younger brother, Davor Lovren, is a youth team player for Dinamo Zagreb (and Croatian NT's). Highly rated 15-year-old (outside forward/winger in their 4-3-3). Played a few games for Dinamo's U19's late in the season. Not saying signing one would get you two (like it would have with Halilovic), but it obviously wouldn't hurt. Obviously thinking more down the line. Just saying.

 

[Snarfalicious]

The Lovren love in is funny. I remember in his Lyon days some of our fans slated him while I thought he was their best player against us. He was awesome in one game in particular.
Taking away his goals, which are a bonus, has he been a good defender for Saints?,Vermalen scores goals for Arsenal and got hyped up, but he's always been a pretty shut defender.

The slating of Lovren was for good reason. He was awful for Lyon the season prior to his first with Southampton. 3 Reds, horrible defense errors (which were a direct result of a lack of concentration as opposed to a lack of physical ability) and he was so inconsistent.

It's just like Samuel Umtiti. People maintain he is a decent player (from a Spurs perspective) because he was decent against us. But, if you watch Umtiti, he's got a real tendency to be a mindless defender and sometimes his positional awareness is on level of Danny Rose.

 

[HoltbiusMac]

Probably Lovren's worst two games of the season came against us but he was excellent last season. Not sure about him being Vertonghen's partner - possibly too similar - but I'd have no qualms with signing him.

 

[Japhet]

Given his age I think Lovren is developing into a classy player. He has lapses in concentration, who doesn't, but I think a season in the EPL has seen a big improvement. I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if we went after him.

 

[Dinpomp]

Lovren was not (nearly!) as bad at Lyon as some would make you believe. I don't give a fuck what L'Equipe or Domenech say about that. The season before his last he was their defender of the season. He came there as a 19-year-old and was shifted from RB, to either CB position to LB. It wasn't easy, but he found his way. Then became their best defender. Had some rash cards his last season (some were laughable and would NEVER have been called in England) and he was the token scape goat.

I know it's a biased opinion, but I truly believe what I write. I followed the situation closely (from Dinamo-to-Lyon-Southampton-to....). He was basically blamed whenever Lyon would conceive a goal (his fault or not). And he even referenced this through his twitter this season. You could see it bothered him (said something like, "who are you going to blame now?"). Some laughed at the price Southampton paid for him. Now it looks a bargain. I think that tells you what kind of a player was there from the beginning. Some just didn't see it. Some just didn't/don't get it. Not the first, nor the last, player to be wrongly written off.

 

[Sweech]

I never realized he was as young as Chiriches.

 

[JAYSTAR]

I refer to my post on December 31st of last year:

"I'm interested in Dejan Lovren at Southampton - right footed, 6ft 2 and a goal threat as well as playing in a high line for Southampton and managing one of the lowest 'against' tallies in the league. Signed for Southampton from Lyon on a four year deal this summer, (around 8.5 million) but just the kind of mobile CB we need. Only 24.

I reckon he could partner Verts really well as he's good in the air as well."

Really hope we get him, amazing how things can change with Pochy coming in.

 

[Mr Pink]

Someone on saints web just posted that we will finalise a deal for Lovren in the next few days!

Check out the thread on saints web...

Which thread is it?

 

[Barry Mead]

The slating of Lovren was for good reason. He was awful for Lyon the season prior to his first with Southampton. 3 Reds, horrible defense errors (which were a direct result of a lack of concentration as opposed to a lack of physical ability) and he was so inconsistent.

It's just like Samuel Umtiti. People maintain he is a decent player (from a Spurs perspective) because he was decent against us. But, if you watch Umtiti, he's got a real tendency to be a mindless defender and sometimes his positional awareness is on level of Danny Rose.

No I disagree, since he has been playing CB he reads the game far better, he is very disciplined, stays on his feet well and anticipates well. I think he was inclined to be lets say a little reckless at times at LB, but since he started to play CB he has really become a far more disciplined player. I have been surprised quite how much he's adapted his whole game. To be fair I haven't seen him play at LB since he has been playing CB so can't put hand on heart and say the CB experience has improved his LB defensive game, but I can't believe it wouldn't

I'd be more than happy if we signed Umtiti, I'm sure he'd make a few mistakes as he adapted but as they say you don't make omelettes without breaking a few eggs. Given a bit of time to adapt I think he'd prove an excellent acquisition as indeed Lovren.
Yeah along with a all the Lyon defence he had some dodgy moments that season and there wasn't the same consistency at the back, but whilst all made mistakes I always thought that Lovren was the one that showed more quality too

 

[Scot-Spur]

Which thread is it?

The Lovren thread on saints web

 

[Blake Griffin]

from saintsweb:

Believe me or don't, I have no reason to lie and am feeling pretty torn up about everything Saints-wise at the moment.

Have it on decent authority that Dejan will be off to Spurs, to be finalised in the next couple of days

 

[Sum Monsterism]

I know it's a biased opinion, but I truly believe what I write. I followed the situation closely (from Dinamo-to-Lyon-Southampton-to....). He was basically blamed whenever Lyon would conceive a goal (his fault or not).

 

[Scot-Spur]

from saintsweb:

Thanks, was trying to do that but on mobile it's quite hard going!

 

[parklane yid]

Will be happy if we can get a couple of signings done early, need to strengthen up defence

 

[Mr Pink]

The Lovren thread on saints web

Good find mate. Don't think its one of their resident ITK's though, but still hoping there's some truth to it!

 

[Franchise60]

lovren would be a terrific signing

 

[LukeBB]

Lovren vs Spurs CBs:

Overall he looks very solid, certainly doesn't appear to be a downgrade, one thing that worries me though is his "Aerial Duels Won %" but I think he more than makes up for that with his exceptional number of interceptions, which are essential for a high-line system and it shows he has a good reading of the game.

(Stats via Squawka)

 

[LukeBB]

Average per game stats which support a move for Lovren as well:

 

[Indisguise]

Average per game stats which support a move for Lovren as well:

Fuck me, we should try and sign that Dawson fella based on those stats - not half bad! But wait!