- Dec 22, 2005
- 2,553
- 2,569
I'm not dismissing it, I'm weighing it up and saying I don't think overall, when the strengths and weaknesses of both players are assessed that we are worse off with Trippier most days.
I think it's easier to train a clever player to compensate for physical deficiencies that it is to train a stupid one to compensate for mental deficiencies.
Lahm isn't as quick or strong as Walker, I know who I'd rather have.
Yes, but Lahm is a much better footballer than Trippier, so that isn't really relevant.
FWIW I don't disagree with you totally, I just think dismissing Walker's qualities because they are physical is silly, pace and strength are just as legitimate qualities in a defender as any other.
Your point above about training players to cover their weaknesses is fair, but ignores the fact that in this respect Walker has come on an astonishing rate in the past few years, for a long time he was nothing but pace and power, but has improved so much that we're now worried about losing him to an elite club for crazy money rather than wondering if we should fuck him off to a lower-level side.
What it comes down to IMO is this. We have three right backs at the moment: Walker, Trippier and KWP. One is a top class PL player, one is a good PL player who could reach that level if given the chance, and one is a talented youngster who could reach that level if given the chance. My issue isn't with KWP coming through - I agree with you that he's one of the most talented players I've seen at youth level, and I have higher hopes than any of the other kids in our setup - but getting rid of Walker to accommodate him is a huge issue, because then you're stuck with two maybes in that position, both of whom could match/better Walker but neither of whom are currently as good, or guaranteed to be as good. Getting rid of Trippier would be a more understandable choice, although I wouldn't be keen on binning him - then we have an elite level full back and a very talented youngster.
Personally I think the most logical choice - obviously assuming we're able to keep Walker - would be to have Walker and Trippier in the squad, and get KWP a Premier League loan. The problem there, of course, is that PL teams might not be willing to give a chance to a kid who has no competitive club football on his CV whatsoever.
If Walker does go, I think we have to sign a proper replacement if possible. I don't personally think Trippier is quite as good, nor do I think he will become as good, and I think it's too early for KWP as well. Having said that, if we need to make a big chunk of money to sort out wages for the rest of our top players. then getting £50m for Walker while having a backup as good as Trippier and a youngster as good as KWP might be the most painless route.
Whatever happens, it's a good problem to have when you're arguing about how best to accommodate three fantastic full backs at various stages of their career.