1.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 16:08:25
Nice change of pace from the "we are doomed" posts that have littered the site over the past couple of weeks.

Some interesting reading, however, stats in isolation don't really tell us that much. They don't say the level of opposition, or the style of play, the individual or team tactics. They also don't tell us anything about the players mentality, which has been a key issue.

Koulibaly seems like he is everyones favourite, he would certainly be an improvement but then a 50 odd year old Steve Bruce would be an improvement on what we have.

I have two concerns about Koulibaly. First that his passing isn't as good as the statistics make out. For example he has a similar pass success rate to Smalling. Making a high number of 3-5 yard passes sideways does not make you good on the ball. Often like Smalling when he tries a more creative or ambitious pass he gives the ball away. Secondly, he has only been playing at an elite level for two seasons. Before that he was mediocre. For a player who will soon turn 28 that is a little concerning. Would he be able to adapt to a new league and maintain his current form? I'm not sure, and for a rumoured 100m+ you need to be damn well certain. We can't afford to spend big on another flop.


2.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 15:58:46
Thanks, Ed.


3.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 16:33:37
Totally agree Shappy. Also, Napoli are asking ridiculous money for him. I don't rate him when compared to de Ligt.
Also Diaz at Benfica is a better option. Even Ben Godfrey at Norwich is a good option. There's also Harry McGuire. All these are better options than Koulibaly.
My dream purchases will be de Ligt and Alderweild. And that'll sort out our defence, with the addition of a good RB.


4.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 16:52:25
remindes me of mangala at city look w that turned out he was supposed to be the next best thing to sliced bread.


5.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 16:58:44
Thanks for the responses.
Sure, this wasn’t meant to represent the full story but more provide something different. The biggest surprise for me was Ake. Especially when you consider the other factors you mention Shappy, here is a player performing well within a team that defensively hasn’t been the best, particularly away from home. Ake looks like a very underrated prospect to me.


6.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 17:06:57
Think it’s unfair to compare him to Mangala dazw. I watch a lot of Serie A and he has been the top cb over the past two seasons, and that’s with the likes of romagnoli, chiellini and skriniar being in the league.

I disagree to an extent shappy. Sure he is not as comfortable as De Ligt or Laporte on the ball but still He’s a very capable passer. Much better than he’s given credit for. You have to be decent if he’s played for sarri who likes to build from the back. I think what we lack is a bruising, big cb who commands the area and the back line. He fits the bill for me and his lack of quality on the ball can be made up by lindelof’s ability next to him.


7.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 17:35:18
park ment it more that the prem and italian league are different should of explained better he looks a good player but so did mangala especialy for the silly money being quoted.


8.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 19:09:54
Koulibaly gets caught out of position by centre forwards far too often for my liking. Bobby Moore wasn't the fastest over 10 yards but mentally he was very quick which meant he rarely got beaten. We do need a big defender like for example Jaap Stam who was just a great defender and could not be out sprinted or out muscled but Koulibaly does not seem to me to be the man we need. Yes he is definitely than most of the centre backs we have but I want us to have the best possible and not panic buy yet again.

It's unfortunate that we have made a rod for our own backs by paying too much in the past for lots of players but we now need to spend wisely.


9.) 20 May 2019
20 May 2019 23:43:53
I would not even consider Koulibaly for the amount of money they are demanding, we don't need another saga related to money and wages in the dressing room.
I would rather spend the less on players like Milenkovic, Romagnoli or even Issa Diop.


10.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 17:55:16
It’s crazy the way some of you are talking re Koulibaly. He’s an absolute monster, he’s quicker than most, stronger than most, taller than most and bloody well better than most.

You all mention “Ah i’d take Milenkovic over him” when damn well you never would have heard of Milenkovic, never mind even considered him, if it hadn’t been for Ed002 mentioning him as a possibility.

It’s laughable.


11.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 22:55:25
Mpez, I don't think anyone is saying Koulibaly isn't a good player, he is. And he is certainly better than what we have. But if rumours are to be believed we had an offer of 95m rejected, and they won't sell for anything less than 120m.
For a soon to be 28 year old defender who has only being performing at the top level for 2 years is too much for most people. I think that's fair comment.