Matthijs de Ligt

[Streetspur77]

If only we had a teenage CB who’s known for being good on the ball and has been at the club for a year???

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

If the amount is quite a few million upwards of what we paid for Sanchez last season and he is 3 years older and was very highly rated then if this much is not enough for a CB who is 18 years old it begs the question as to what is if our bid was reputed to be in the region of £48m is not acceptable, he must be truly outstanding for that sort of money and upwards and we can't trade blows with City for long if they enter into a bidding war and keep upping the ante, unless he won't sign for them / agree personal terms.

How the fuck did you fit all that into a single sentence?

 

[Spursfan1414]

It proves that no one does it so why do you expect we would?

Tough question as I think Sanchez still is prone to some mistakes which I hoped he would get over in 5 years playing time. I still don't love the thought of a teenager at CB in a game against, City, Liverpool, ManU and top champions league games. CB above all positions requires experience. So yeah when players have more time playing in a spot (age) it makes me feel better about them.

I'm not saying I don't want de Ligt I'm just saying I don't believe we would go straight into a back 3 every game just cause of his cost.

Because the reason that no-one plays teenage CBs isn't necessarily that it's a bad idea because they're young, it might be (and is in my opinion) that most teenage CBs simply aren't good enough. But if you do get a teenage CB talent who is good enough then his age shouldn't be a barrier.

I just think that you can't just move from a player being young to them not being ready to start. If you want to make an argument like Davinson/De Ligt isn't ready to play because they don't have the required concentration because they're too young then I can understand that. But I don't think you can give their age as a reason to be concerned in and of itself, there's no reason why their couldn't be the occasional special player who's ready by the age of 18 or 19, and by most accounts De Ligt looks like he could be that special.

It isn't just his cost that makes me think he'll start most games if he comes, it's the fact that he's so highly sought after. There are a lot of big teams in for him and I don't expect him to choose to be rotation for us over being rotation at one of the European big boys, whereas he might choose regularly starting for us over less playing time at a bigger club.

 

[Eden]

Although I rate de Ligt and I’d be happy if we signed him, I’d rather we spent that money on a class midfielder (CM)

 

[spursfan77]

I’m sure he’s a good player but being great in the Dutch league and their national team isn’t always the best mark of a player. VJ says hi.

 

[JayB]

Although I rate De Ligt and I’d be happy if we signed him, I’d rather we spent that money on a class midfielder (CM)

Completely agree and I won't freak out if talks really do break down. He may well be a brilliant talent but CB is not a major area of need within the squad even if Toby does go (which now seems to be more in question than it has been in months). With Vertonghen, Sanchez, and Dier we have three top CBs already and I'm very confident that once Foyth puts on a bit of muscle he will prove to be quite the talent in his own right.

That's not to say that we shouldn't look to replace Toby full stop but I really don't feel that the need is sufficient to call for a ~60m investment. That kind of fee could well represent something like half to a third of our total transfer spend. Considering that we need to bring in at least one first-choice quality CM (honestly I personally think we need a second CM signing as well if/when Dembele and Sissoko go), Martial or someone similar, and ideally someone to adequately deputize for Eriksen I just feel there are bigger needs within the squad.

 

[Spurrific]

I’m sure he’s a good player but being great in the Dutch league and their national team isn’t always the best mark of a player. VJ says hi.

We literally have 3 top quality centre backs playing for us that came from Ajax.

 

[Sweech]

We literally have 3 top quality centre backs playing for us that came from Ajax.

Plus one of the best AMs in the world.

Thanks Ajax.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

We literally have 3 top quality centre backs playing for us that came from Ajax.

The word 'literally' is not needed here

 

[dtxspurs]

Because the reason that no-one plays teenage CBs isn't necessarily that it's a bad idea because they're young, it might be (and is in my opinion) that most teenage CBs simply aren't good enough. But if you do get a teenage CB talent who is good enough then his age shouldn't be a barrier.

I just think that you can't just move from a player being young to them not being ready to start. If you want to make an argument like Davinson/De Ligt isn't ready to play because they don't have the required concentration because they're too young then I can understand that. But I don't think you can give their age as a reason to be concerned in and of itself, there's no reason why their couldn't be the occasional special player who's ready by the age of 18 or 19, and by most accounts De Ligt looks like he could be that special.

It isn't just his cost that makes me think he'll start most games if he comes, it's the fact that he's so highly sought after. There are a lot of big teams in for him and I don't expect him to choose to be rotation for us over being rotation at one of the European big boys, whereas he might choose regularly starting for us over less playing time at a bigger club.

I'm saying cause that would be too much inexperience and I don't think we should force someone into a lineup because of a transfer fee.

 

[allatsea]

I’m sure he’s a good player but being great in the Dutch league and their national team isn’t always the best mark of a player. VJ says hi.

Vertonghen, Toby and Sanchez say hi as well

 

[spursfan77]

We literally have 3 top quality centre backs playing for us that came from Ajax.

But they weren’t 18. Like I say I’m sure he’s a good player but for over £50 million we can’t make a mistake.

Vertonghen was a no brainer as was Toby. Sanchez was a risk as big as signing this guy.

 

[dtxspurs]

But they weren’t 18. Like I say I’m sure he’s a good player but for over £50 million we can’t make a mistake.

Vertonghen was a no brainer as was Toby. Sanchez was a risk as big as signing this guy.

Vertonghen and Toby were both bought for around 12 mil, not sure what you mean by no brainer.

 

[sunnydelight786]

Pretty simple. If it’s a bidding war between us and the elite clubs in Europe + City we all know the outcome. Instead of wasting time on a wild goose chase best to try secure our other top targets whoever they are....

 

[Spartan Spurs]

de Ligt is a bit of a special case.
He's a teenager with maturity beyond his years.
Both physically & intellectually.
Some question his experience but he's captained his Ajax team & played for the Dutch NT against the world's best players.

What I like about him is his versatility.
Defensively, he reads the play very well, challenges hard, wins the ball & transitions the play fast. Poch loves that.

de Ligt can play in midfield if needed as a DM.
He actually started as a midfielder hence why he's adept at carrying the ball forward much like Foyth (though Foyth is a lite version of de Ligt).

IMHO, I see de ligt as an upgrade on Dier. Someone who can be seamlessly moved around when necessary without having to make a sub whenever we need a change of shape / tactics. He has a much larger radius of play than Dier. This is not a knock against Dier. Just that this guy covers a lot of "important" ground with his instincts.

 

[Sarsipius]

Pretty simple. If it’s a bidding war between us and the elite clubs in Europe + City we all know the outcome. Instead of wasting time on a wild goose chase best to try secure our other top targets whoever they are....

I'm not sure that's completely true anymore. We're offering serious money even for youth players now (Sanchez) and no one wants to pay completely over the odds (besides City and PSG perhaps). We're also a genuinely attractive proposition with our top 3 finishes over the last years and new stadium to move into (plus training facilities etc).

PL is seen as one of the best leagues and although being a big club we're more likely to give youth a chance than many other big teams in Europe.

I think we have a good chance to land any of our potential targets.

 

[Cee_Bee]

Not about the player wanting! The club holds the aces.

I guess having the relationship with them will help maybe?

 

[wishkah]

If only we had a teenage CB who’s known for being good on the ball and has been at the club for a year???

Fazio was at the club for a year AND starts for his international team. Good post old bean

Edit 're teenage. He like em young.

 

[Supersi32]

If only we had a teenage CB who’s known for being good on the ball and has been at the club for a year???

And one that Poch has heaped praise on, stating he thinks will be one of the best in the league.

 

[Khilari]

Alasdair Gold reporting we are no longer in the running for de Ligt.