Player Watch Player Watch: Micky van de Ven

[mil1lion]

Barca need a left centre back not a right one. They already have Kounde and Araujo but they lack quality on the left. Araujo is probably their best defender but they haven't found the right pairing. Christensen is decent but I glad VdV just signed because otherwise they might have been looking at him. His stock is seriously growing but we have keep Romero and VdV tied down long term. I mean Vertonghen and Alderweireld could have played for any other top club too but we kept them through their peak years. No reason not to do the same with those 2.

 

[Tony-Bish]

Just have to accept he's out till at least new year and not stress. We all knew the risks of Dier as back up and here we are.

It’s a project, we’re not gonna fix all the holes in one window.. all we can do is trust and enjoy the process

 

[mil1lion]

To be fair centre back was a glaring hole that needed to be filled though. There really was no excuse to not sign a 2nd centre back. I think when you're in need to fill a position it has to be done in the summer. You certainly don't then sell Sanchez after the window closes to leave us short in that position. Everyone could see something like this injury would happen before January.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

It’s a project, we’re not gonna fix all the holes in one window.. all we can do is trust and enjoy the process

This hole has been dug so deep …

 

[Tony-Bish]

To be fair centre back was a glaring hole that needed to be filled though. There really was no excuse to not sign a 2nd centre back. I think when you're in need to fill a position it has to be done in the summer. You certainly don't then sell Sanchez after the window closes to leave us short in that position. Everyone could see something like this injury would happen before January.

Ange okayed it, saying that we needed to have change and that it was good for the player. Like maybe Sanchez wanted to go, and Ange didn’t want to keep someone who didn’t want to be here

 

[McFlash]

Ange okayed it, saying that we needed to have change and that it was good for the player. Like maybe Sanchez wanted to go, and Ange didn’t want to keep someone who didn’t want to be here

I think in an ideal world, we'd have either signed a replacement or kept hold of Dav but we just need(ed) to clear the decks and couldn't pass up the opportunity to move him on.
It was far from an ideal situation but considering the rebuild that we're in such need of, it was an understandable decision.
We've got to start thinking long term and this was an example of us doing just that, so I'm not going to complain about the short term pitfalls really...as long as we stick to the plan.

 

[mil1lion]

Ange okayed it, saying that we needed to have change and that it was good for the player. Like maybe Sanchez wanted to go, and Ange didn’t want to keep someone who didn’t want to be here

He also said we needed 2 centre backs to be signed

 

[Locotoro]

I think we're almost certain to go in for a CB in January. And as a result Dier will probably move on seeing his potential game time completely disappear.
The sale of Sanchez was a gamble that in hindsight we got wrong.
My concern is whether the CB we get in will be good enough to play when needed but not kick up a fuss because he's unlikely to be ahead of Romero and VDV

 

[McFlash]

He also said we needed 2 centre backs to be signed

This is true but let's not forget that he let Dav go after our window had closed, so he already knew we weren't getting two in but still let Sanchez leave.
I think he was ok with the gamble but that Chelsea game fucked us in a way that nobody would have predicted (and Romero also has to shoulder some of the blame for that.).

I'll admit though, I'm a little surprised that he hasn't tried one of the youngsters yet and has gone for Dier instead.
I know that Dier is the experienced pro but he's just so unsuited to the system and is going to leave anyway, we spent most of the window trying to find him a new home so it seems odd to now be relying on him.
It's a tightrope walk in blooding youth but for me, it's a better risk to take than play someone that has no future at the club.

It feels a bit the same with the Gio and Donley situation in a way. If you're not going to play Lo Celso, then why not try Jamie, rather than trying players who really aren't suited to that position?

Hopefully, Ange will make some changes for the next couple of games.

 

[tony0379]

 

[cjbyid]

Just to the add to the above POK saying he MIGHT be back for Burnley in the cup.

 

[yido_number1]

Just to the add to the above POK saying he MIGHT be back for Burnley in the cup.

Hope we don't rush him. Need to get him fully recovered

 

[Disco]

Would be excellent if possible.

4 more winable games to get through

 

[Johnny J]

Next up: individual work with a ball on water.

 

[philll]

I'll be over the moon if we have him back for United.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Great news but please for the love of god take your time and don’t rush this and come back and have it fall off the bone like a Franklin bbq rib and then you are never ever seen of ever again and then you’re in turkey.

 

[kd2000]

Just to the add to the above POK saying he MIGHT be back for Burnley in the cup.

I would be more cautious and think he will be back 4 or 5 weeks for now. Burnley might be too soon as it is exactly 3 weeks from now. He still wont be doing work with the group for another week or two (my guess) and I assume he hasn't done much in the way of short sharp bursts and twisting and turning

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

*a golf ⛳️ ball*

 

[ZiggySpurs]

Spotted in this video at (what I think is) the training centre

 

[Booney]

Disappointing not to see him perform an explosive sprint to collect his gift.