14 Mar 2019 19:13:15
Lots of talk about various CBs. Surely if Toby is available at a very sensible fee then it’s a no brainier. Quality CB, knows the league, good price, keeps funds free for other positions. What’s not to like?

1.) 14 Mar 2019
14 Mar 2019 20:25:52
I like him ajh. Is it a season or 2 too late? Has he peaked and stated to wane?
I do think we need an experienced head back there with real leadership qualities. He has a lot of the attributes we need no doubt about it and he would improve us but for how long?

2.) 14 Mar 2019
14 Mar 2019 22:12:16
Good player, but as ken says maybe a season too late. He has had a lot of injuries over the last couple of seasons. Will he stay fit long enough to make a difference?

3.) 14 Mar 2019
14 Mar 2019 22:31:32
Wages will obviously be the issues as well as length of contract. He probably feels for how well he's played he's been significantly underpaid compared to his contemporaries.

Hasnt had a contract extension at spurs so probably on a relatively low wages. So he will probably want to play catch up and get an inflated long term contract with a top european club.

Have to be careful we don't get stuck with a defensive alexis sanchez situation.

4.) 14 Mar 2019
14 Mar 2019 22:33:15
He had a few injuries last season, but has played regularly this year despite not signing a new contract. He’s just turned 30, and should be able to play at the top level for another 4 or 5 years. If he’s available and wants to come here, there should be no hesitation in bringing him in.

5.) 14 Mar 2019
14 Mar 2019 23:01:38
Phil Jones is probably paid more than Toby. We might get a few more games out of Toby. and the physios might be left lonely either. Win win!

6.) 15 Mar 2019
14 Mar 2019 23:35:19
Massive fan but I agree think he may be on decline. A year or two ago he was the best cb in the league. Now he’s behind Van Dijk, Laporte and lindelof for me. Would be a steal at £26m though. However, as we have seen from the Van Dijk signing, a world class signing can take you from battling for top 4 to challenging for the League and champions league. He’s transformed liverpool. Spend that money on koulibaly and we will become contenders on all fronts. He’s a beast. However, it does seem Dias is our first choice. Either way a cb should be the first signing we make.

7.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 00:52:46
He would be a terrific signing and we need someone experienced at the back.

8.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 05:17:08
Alderweirald would be a bargain at 25 million. Would be a solid signing at the back.
He reads the game fantastically and is pretty good playing out from the back.
We can get a solid 4 years out of him and is premier league proven.
Unfortunately Ed said that we are not interested in him.

9.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 07:12:19
Why do people believe he will still be good enough to be first choice at 34/ 35?

How many CB's can you name who were still world class in their mid thirties?

Most CB start suffering from injuries in their early thirties due to the physical nature of their job. Back and knee injuries though impact from landing after jumping for headers. Muscle injuries due to the explosive nature of reacting to quick attacks i. e. one second your standing the next your sprinting at full speed. That sort of physical exertion is high impact on your body.

I would steer clear of him. He has been a great player but he will very soon start to decline if he hasn't already. He could very well be a Sanchez signing. One that looks like a no brainer, where we weaken a rival while improving us with a seemingly world class player at a bargain price. Only to end up feeling like we got our fingers burnt.

10.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 09:44:36
Realistically- jones, rojo bailly could raise 70% of the cost of a shiny new cb, koulibaly, skriniar and jiminez eg, but would pay for others muted to be of interest. Factor in getting 300k+ a week off the wage bill and its a financial and footballing win, win situation. The funds allegedly available could go on rb valencia off, mid mata away? and a forward- sanchez/ lukaku? Difficult to shift sanchez but altogether releasing funds for wages as well as some return would please our DICTATOR of football EW and provide a number of positions with the quality needed.
The above is all imo quite easily attainable as jones would have suitors epl and championship promotion sides, rojo muted for Turkey and bailly definitely in la liga or epl (Arsenal ) . Mata spain, valencia a wages only move to see out his career and if luk is not the answer sure plenty of sides would take him on.

11.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 09:53:19
Let’s take a look at some of the top teams in Europe

Barca - Pique, 32 and still key
Real - Ramos soon to be 33 and still key
Athletico - Godin, 33 and still key
PSG - Silva, 34 and still key
Juve - main centre back pairing are 34 and 31

A good cb, can easily play at the top level into their 30s.

{Ed002's Note - All of these clubs are looking at buying CBs.}

12.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 10:04:12
Shappy there are many elite world class centre backs in their 30's
Chellini, Bonucci, Thiago Silva, Diego Godin, Pique and Ramos (debatable) to name a few.

Players like Rio, Puyol, Terry were all very good in their 30's.
If we can get 3 good years from Toby, it will be worth it. Tuanzebe can be integrated slowly during that time.

Considering the inflated prices around, he will be a bargain. And we can invest huge sums elsewhere in the squad.

13.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 10:11:31
I get that Ed, but these players are still able to play at a high level, and in most cases these clubs want to keep their experienced defenders to help new arrivals develop and acclimatise. The issue at United at the moment is that the ‘senior’ defender is Smalling, who is poor in terms of positional awareness, composure and organisational skills. This doesn’t help the younger defenders like Lindelof and Bailly to develop and improve. I think a key difference between United and the best sides in Europe is that we don’t have a top class experienced cb in the squad. This is one of the issues where Jose was completely right.

{Ed002's Note - If they are old enough they are good enough taken to the extreme then?}

14.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 10:13:37
Real's announced yesterday their signing Militao. I imagine de Ligt will beat Barcelona within 12 months.

Personally i'd sign two centrebacks. Diaz and Toby/ Koulibaly. Promote Tuanzebe. Sell Bailly, rojo and one of Jones or Smalling.

15.) 15 Mar 2019
15 Mar 2019 12:34:17
I think we will buy a young promising CB.

16.) 16 Mar 2019
16 Mar 2019 05:11:14
I think that unless we can get de ligt or skriniar then he’s a good bet. He knows the league, we know he can perform in the league and at 25/ 26 million would mean we can spend elsewhere (as and where ole/ a. n. other manager feels) . Spending 50-100 mil on a centre back that doesn’t know the league is always a risk, whether Koulibaly or the others I mentioned. If Koulibaly doesn’t adapt straight away (being older) he might never, de ligt or skriniar (being younger) could be more adaptable. If they’re not available then Toby for a third of the price might be the sensible option.