Douglas

[Dharmabum]

He looked promising a few seasons back but since then been exposed; he lacks pace and can be cumbersome at times. Unless a minor "miracle" has occurred with him I see this as a total non-story.
Tottenham lining up a move for Brazilian born defender
Last summer he was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League with Newcastle United chasing him, and now there is every reason to believe that move could become a reality as Champions League football chasing Tottenham Hotspur come calling for FC Twente center back Douglas.
With William Gallas certain to leave Spurs when his contract expires at the end of the season, and injury crocked Younes Kaboul also not in Manager Andre Villas-Boas’ good graces, Tottenham could be a center back short as they get set for a season that looks certain to have more than 50 games come their way.
Villas-Boas is believed to be keen on 22 year old Porto man Eliaquim Mangala, but Chairman Daniel Levy is unlikely to sanction the 17 million pounds that will be required to prise the man away from the Portuguese giants. Brazilian born Douglas is likely to be a considerably cheaper option, and Spurs have had the 25 year old scouted extensively this season.
A summer bid looks a near certainty, but Twente showed tremendous resolve to hang onto the player last year, and are unlikely to give him up without a fight this season.

 

[nailsy]

Hasn't AVB already said that we've got too many centre backs as it is and that we'll be looking to let one go?

 

[bceej]

If we're talking Brazilian centre backs I'd rather go for Dede, although he's supposedly agreed to join AC Milan.

Swear Douglas is leaving on a free this summer anyway...

 

[panoma]

Next season we will have Kaboul and Verts as our main CB pairing, so if their is one position we dont need to strengthen its at CB!
Hell our backup CB's like Daws and Caulker would be regular starters for most sides.

 

[tototoner]

overrated, like most of the IoM

 

[GetSpurredOn]

Hasn't AVB already said that we've got too many centre backs as it is and that we'll be looking to let one go?

Next season we will have Kaboul and Verts as our main CB pairing, so if their is one position we dont need to strengthen its at CB!
Hell our backup CB's like Daws and Caulker would be regular starters for most sides.

Agreed. I believe AVB has stated four senior centre halves is enough. However, I wouldn't mind seeing us looking at a young option as backup. Fifth choice who doesn't expect regular game time bit could step in if required due to injuries/suspensions etc. especially with an expected 50+ game club season on top of any internationals.
Look at this season, Daws was on the brink of being forced out the door, but turned down a move, then when Kaboul went down injured, we were glad he stayed.
I actually think Livermore could/should be worked on as a utility. He has all the athleticism, but lacks a little bit of finesse for a top class centre mid, but as a utility CD/DM he may just prove more useful. He has filled in at the back before, and at 6ft2 has the necessary size to cope with the physical side. Doing that could negate the need for an extra defender.

Kaboul & Vertonghen. Dawson & Caulker. Livermore as backup. (If theres to be no outlay, it's either him or Khumolo). Huddlestone had been suggested in the past as being able to fill in, but lacks the mobility, (and surprisingly the aerial ability for someone of his size) to effectively defend.

 

[Syn_13]

Agreed. I believe AVB has stated four senior centre halves is enough. However, I wouldn't mind seeing us looking at a young option as backup. Fifth choice who doesn't expect regular game time bit could step in if required due to injuries/suspensions etc. especially with an expected 50+ game club season on top of any internationals.
Look at this season, Daws was on the brink of being forced out the door, but turned down a move, then when Kaboul went down injured, we were glad he stayed.
I actually think Livermore could/should be worked on as a utility. He has all the athleticism, but lacks a little bit of finesse for a top class centre mid, but as a utility CD/DM he may just prove more useful. He has filled in at the back before, and at 6ft2 has the necessary size to cope with the physical side. Doing that could negate the need for an extra defender.

Kaboul & Vertonghen. Dawson & Caulker. Livermore as backup. (If theres to be no outlay, it's either him or Khumolo). Huddlestone had been suggested in the past as being able to fill in, but lacks the mobility, (and surprisingly the aerial ability for someone of his size) to effectively defend.

That's already filled by Caulker though. Seriously, 4 centre backs is enough. Centre back pairing is arguably the one area of the team you must have constant throughout the season. A good partnership goes to no end and I really would have loved a Kaboul/Vertonghen match up. As you said we only have 5 right now because Kaboul's been out all year, had we not AVB would've probably ended up selling Dawson to QPR. As long as they're fit I'm happy with Kaboul and Vertonghen being the main 2 (providing they can work a partnership out) with Dawson being rotated in for cover/injuries/small cup games and Caulker as the young backup option.

I think Livermore's reading of the game and weakness at marking perhaps stops him from being a centre back. Huddlestone was poor in that position. You'd argue a defensive mid could cover as a centre back but so rarely is that the case. They require different skill sets. I've played defensive mid at a decent level for years and I'm a shit centre back, better as a full back if needs be.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

Fair point, but I had read somewhere Vertonghen started life as a CM, and Carrick has often dropped into CD for United.
I agree four front line centre halves (with Caulker stepping up from being a promising youngster into Gallas's place) is plenty, I'm just bothered by Kabouls injury problems. That's why I thought am alternative option, maybe a utility who could get minutes on the pitch elsewhere, or a youngster who would not expect so much gametime, could be the answer to making sure we have sufficient depth to cover any absences.
Veljkovic in the academy/development side has had some pretty good reviews this year.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Tottenham lining up a move for Brazilian born defender
.
and injury crocked Younes Kaboul also not in Manager Andre Villas-Boas’ good graces, Tottenham could be a center back short as they get set for a season that looks certain to have more than 50 games come their way.
.

Where the fuck have they plucked that piece of bullshit from? Why the hell would Kaboul not be in AVB's good graces? Fucking sham of an article!!

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Next season we will have Kaboul and Verts as our main CB pairing, so if their is one position we dont need to strengthen its at CB!
Hell our backup CB's like Daws and Caulker would be regular starters for most sides.

Yes Kaboul and Verts will be 1st choice subject to injuries.

Dawson is a decent back up and has done well this season with the exception of the Everton game. Caulker on the other hand has been hit and miss ... good in the air but has been mince meat when faced with a skillful player.

With Gallas leaving (fingers crossed), going into a new season with only 4 recognised centre backs is a bit risky, especially with our injury record. I therefore wouldn't be surprised if we bring in another centre back .... preferably Alderweireld, a player we've been previously linked with.

 

[deselina]

Virgil van Dijk is currently the best Dutch defender out, but because he plays for lowly Groningen he hasn't received the same amount of appreciation as de Vrij, Nuytinck (Anderlecht & Dutch U21 captain) etc. have.

Douglas dip in form is because he's just sitting his time out for Twente. He was already out of contract, but Twente had used their option to extend it with another year and he wasn't too happy about it. Van Gaal will call him up as soon as he found another club and plays regularly. He has that little bit of extra agression that most Dutch defenders lack.

 

[mill]

Was gonna post that we don't have enough money to reinforce our weakness' so would be pointless, but reading he's running out of contract it fits our MO down to theground

 

[OPModric]

Virgil van Dijk is currently the best Dutch defender out, but because he plays for lowly Groningen he hasn't received the same amount of appreciation as de Vrij, Nuytinck (Anderlecht & Dutch U21 captain) etc. have.

Douglas dip in form is because he's just sitting his time out for Twente. He was already out of contract, but Twente had used their option to extend it with another year and he wasn't too happy about it. Van Gaal will call him up as soon as he found another club and plays regularly. He has that little bit of extra agression that most Dutch defenders lack.

What about Bruno Martins Indi? We have been linked in media.

 

[deselina]

What about Bruno Martins Indi? We have been linked in media.

I rate Douglas over BMI. They are comparable though with the only differences being height and age. Don't expect a Vertonghen type of defender, they are pretty bad on the ball and have more of a no-nonsense approach.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

I rate Douglas over BMI. They are comparable though with the only differences being height and age. Don't expect a Vertonghen type of defender, they are pretty bad on the ball and have more of a no-nonsense approach.

I know it's only YouTube, but this clip (after a few minutes) shows Douglas to be pretty good on the ball, and has him bringing it out of defence in very much the same way as Vertonghen does. And I know I'll get lambasted for this BUT if you can be bothered to watch the whole clip, I can see 'similarities' to the great number 26 who had to retire at the end of last season, ie he never seems to 'go to ground' unless absolutely necessary, simply stands & tackles, then strolls out with the ball.

He certainly doesn't look bad on the ball??

 

[GetSpurredOn]

So, Douglas and Diakite both linked, both coming out of contract... Free transfer replacement for Gallas maybe??

 

[deselina]

He certainly doesn't look bad on the ball??

But he is.. it's one of the main reasons why he isn't in the Oranje squad now.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

But he is.. it's one of the main reasons why he isn't in the Oranje squad now.

Yet surely one of the reasons why he was called up in the first place?

 

[deselina]

Yet surely one of the reasons why he was called up in the first place?

He only made the squad once. Douglas is 'our' version of Pepe, he's very ruthless.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

He only made the squad once. Douglas is 'our' version of Pepe, he's very ruthless.

Thanks for the response mate. I personally doubt we'll be after a CB anyway. AVB has publicly stated that he only wants 4 CB's, Dawson has earned his respect now, Kaboul must figure in his plans otherwise AVB would have told Levy to accept the crazy offer for the INJURED Kaboul when money-bags Anzhi makmskhsibddbfjrheala made a bid for him a couple of months ago. So Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen & Kaboul will, in my opinion, be enough for AVB next season.