Tosin Adarabioyo

[ATLguy]

We need fast defenders guys. Ange's system is totally different to what we've been playing the last few years.

This should not even have to be explained! For all of Lenglet's quality on the ball, the fear is he will get straight cooked in the new system...same for Dier, Davies, etc.

 

[luRRka]

From his point of view you're only gonna sign if Ange tells you you're gonna be first choice. He's 24 and has played a couple of seasons at PL level why does he need to go and be a backup for a side coming off a disappointing season? If it was one of the CL clubs it might be a different story but a good season in France might get him a big move next summer. Look at Tomori for example I know he's not had a move but his stock is high and you cant say the Milan move was a bad one.

He's nearly 26

 

[van_Pommel]

He's nearly 26

My bad

 

[kd2000]

So Romero aside which of our current CB's are better? I just think people are overlooking his abilities because hes potentially a free transfer where his experience shows his true qualities.

I wonder if Tapsoba or VDV were available on the cheap whether some fans would be so keen.

I actually don't think he is any better, or worse than our current crop.
What he doesn't have is pace or aggression. These are two things we will probably need with the way Ange seems to have us playing.
Not a bad rotation option of we had someone faster and stronger as first choice.

 

[McFlash]

This really does feel like Levy thinks he can see something that nobody else does, while once again being attracted to a cheap deal...which will only cost us again.

He's 26, Fulham are willing to let him go, so what is the actual appeal to us?
Apart from the fact he's cheap and homegrown.

It just feels like another Spence, Rodon, etc type deal.
Wasting a few mill in the hope that they'll come good, when we should be spending on proven talent which will save money in the long run.

 

[kitchen]

I actually don't think he is any better, or worse than our current crop.
What he doesn't have is pace or aggression. These are two things we will probably need with the way Ange seems to have us playing.
Not a bad rotation option of we had someone faster and stronger as first choice.

He definitely has pace. He's not romero aggressive (who is?) but he's decent at winning duels. Has higher duel winning percentages than all of our centre backs including romero.

He's good at covering whilst romero is a more front foot defender.

 

[chas vs dave]

Is pace the most important aspect. I mean, city play a high line, and Dias, stones, Akanji and laporte are hardly speed merchants. Surely you just use your full backs on the cover?

 

[van_Pommel]

Is pace the most important aspect. I mean, city play a high line, and Dias, stones, Akanji and laporte are hardly speed merchants. Surely you just use your full backs on the cover?

Dias and Akanji are quick. Stones moves up into midfield in the most recent version of City's system. I expect the reason Pep is happy to lose Laporte this summer is because he doesn't have the same pace as those two. Also why he seems unhappy to see Walker leave.

To your other point, the full backs will be pushing up and inside to get involved in the build up so wont be in a position to cover. CBs are the last line and need pace to keep up with forwards on the counter.

 

[Oscar22]

Why the dread and animosity towards Lenglet returning?! Barring Romero he's better than every CB at the club right. now.
And his experience at being a regular for Barca and Sevilla means he's well suited to the system Ange wants to play anyway.

Given how bad our defence looked last season he was actually one of our better defenders. I can't believe some fans are turning our nose up at a top level who may be freely available. While ruing the fact we might miss out on a player who played regularly for a relegated side last year.

Given the possibility that we may lose three key leaders from the squad in HL, PH, and HK I hope Lenglet comes back.

I think, and I apologise for maybe speaking for everyone here… but I think people aren’t feeling excited by the prospect because yes, Lenglet may well be better than all our current options barring Romero, but that isn’t a particularly high bar.

Second, whilst I appreciate your opinion, for me and seemingly many others Lenglet just simply isn’t a top level CB like you say. In fact, I’d say he’s a long way from being a top level CB.

 

[St José Dominguez]

If we don’t bring in a top class centre back to partner Romero I hope fans are ready to show some serious patience. Ange simply won’t have the tools he needs to execute what he wants.
Without an adequate defence it’s going to be almost impossible to judge this coming season in terms of whether Ange is right or not to the extent I’m personally not too arsed where we are in the league as he deserves at least having a foundation to work with.

There’s still time left in the window but it’s disappointing the clear key area we needed to improve is the one we’ve still not sorted with two weeks until the season starts.

 

[Cochraam]

Is pace the most important aspect. I mean, city play a high line, and Dias, stones, Akanji and laporte are hardly speed merchants. Surely you just use your full backs on the cover?

I think speed is overrated and reading the game is much more important. The last time we successfully played a high line it was with Vertonghen and Alderweireld, not exactly pace merchants. But while I don't think elite speed is necessary, I do think avoiding players who have the pace and agility of sloths is also important. The Fazios of the world need not apply. It's just that sometimes posts come across as implying that each kmh of max pace makes a player objectively better; IMO it's more that there needs to be a base level of decent athleticism, but nothing more.

 

[Dwallace]

I think, and I apologise for maybe speaking for everyone here… but I think people aren’t feeling excited by the prospect because yes, Lenglet may well be better than all our current options barring Romero, but that isn’t a particularly high bar.

Second, whilst I appreciate your opinion, for me and seemingly many others Lenglet just simply isn’t a top level CB like you say. In fact, I’d say he’s a long way from being a top level CB.

The 19 caps for France and 105 apps for a good Barcelona side don't seem to agree with that point but I understand what your saying. The interesting thing is with the names we have been linked with VDV I'm not that impressed and I include Tapsoba in that too.

 

[WiganSpur]

If we don’t bring in a top class centre back to partner Romero I hope fans are ready to show some serious patience. Ange simply won’t have the tools he needs to execute what he wants.
Without an adequate defence it’s going to be almost impossible to judge this coming season in terms of whether Ange is right or not to the extent I’m personally not too arsed where we are in the league as he deserves at least having a foundation to work with.

There’s still time left in the window but it’s disappointing the clear key area we needed to improve is the one we’ve still not sorted with two weeks until the season starts.

We need to be patient, all about keeping the powder dry to get our CB targets next summer

 

[Ben1]

The 85 caps for France and 105 apps for a good Barcelona side don't seem to agree with that point but I understand what your saying. The interesting thing is with the names we have been linked with VDV I'm not that impressed and I include Tapsoba in that too.

There is no world in which he has 85 France caps

 

[Dwallace]

There is no world in which he has 85 France caps

Apologies must have got that wrong although most facts on Wiki are incorrect anyway. Thanks for the correction lucky most people follow wrong information anyway.

 

[jurgen]

Didn’t Lenglet get absolutely roasted in Barca’s high line which is why they wanted rid of him? How is Ange’s high line in a faster league going to go any differently?

 

[sage]

Genuinely infuriating seeing our rivals properly strengthening, spending where they need to while we play games chasing cheap deals. I really thought missing out on Europe would be Levy’s wake up call but it’s business as usual yet again. Prick.

 

[Dwallace]

Didn’t Lenglet get absolutely roasted in Barca’s high line which is why they wanted rid of him? How is Ange’s high line in a faster league going to go any differently?

Because like Stones, Laporte and Dias who are not lighting quick there positional sense and awareness saves them having to use their pace very often. Also City press hard from the front so the attacking win the ball back anyway.

 

[jurgen]

But they’re all much better than Lenglet?

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Positioning is important too though. That goal we conceded yesterday both Davies and Romero’s positioning was woeful. I actually think Romero’s positioning could be improved a lot. I’d much rather than that than a hundred metre runner at centre back covering for defensive cock up after defensive cock up.

Not saying a Lenglet is the answer either. That Bassey guy who has just gone to Fulham is meant to be fairly decent, even Brighton were keen and is left sided but we didn’t fancy him. I can’t believe across the whole of world football we can’t find a centre back. Either we aren’t looking hard enough or don’t want to sign one badly enough (not looking at the manager here obviously).

Bassey has been absolutely terrible for Ajax, their fans couldn’t wait to get rid of him,