18 May 2015 13:48:11
Gunna try and avoid De Gea talk as it seems to be a massive talking point, and rightly so.
I'd like to talk about Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Possible Defensive replacements.
Smalling: LvG gave him the captains arm band yesterday and i thought it was a sign of what's to come. Smalling will be kept in summer and used next season, even if we buy 2 defenders. Smalling has all the qualities to become a great center back and is possibly England's best at the moment (Terry retired, i'm talking about the International team). He is 6'4" and strong, and what's best about him is he has the pace to keep up with most strikers. I read a article the other day asking James Wilson who is the fastest United player and he replied Smalling. I can really see him blossoming into our new captain after Rooney and if he stays fit then we are possibly looking at an perfect replacement for Rio.
Phil Jones: Personally since both Smalling and Jones came to the club, i always believed Jones would turn out the better player. But time recently have made me completely change my mind and i'm even considering whether it would be a good idea to sell him. He charges about and can't seem to stay on his feet. He's 5'11" which isn't tall enough to be a dominant CB so he has to have some technical ability to his game if he wants to succeed, a lot like Puyol used to. I really can't see Jones developing technically so i don't see him becoming any good. Although on a side note. That header he did at Giroud's feet yesterday, although comical, was a brave and inspired piece of defending. Yes i know he created the problem himself but the throw your head at someone who you think is going to shoot's foot is heroic. If Terry had done it, everyone would be begging him to come out of retirement and all over his testicles.
Possible replacements:
Hummels - Slow, as so many people are quick to point out, but quality. With Smalling covering Hummels can flourish in the PL.
Otamendi - Don't know a lot about him to be honest but from what i've heard he is quick and tactical but not very good in the air. Smalling could cover aerially i suppose.
Varane - Speed demon, great tackler, but not the finished article and i feel we need a finished world class CB to compete for the title next year.
Garay - Bit of a tank on all fronts from what I've seen. Only problem being LvG like a defender who can Bomb forward with confidence and i don't think Garay has the capabilities for this, but probably the cheapest option out of them all.
Van Dijk - Fast, young, strong but only proven in the Scottish League. He does look like the best defender in Scotland, but is that saying much? I can't remeber if any CB's have transferred from Scotland to here and i don't know how they did but i have a feeling he would struggle adapting.
All in all i would opt for Hummels, obviously because he is a world cup winner and the best out of all the options. Second choice being Garay and 3rd chocie Van Dijk.
Love ya'll :O)
18 May 2015 14:28:14
I like Van Dijk. But, although I think he has potential to grow in stature, I'm not sure if he'll be hard enough for the EPL, and I could see him flopping.
18 May 2015 14:32:35
Smalling and Hummels cold be a good partnership. As far as Jones, did anyone notice his tackle on Giroud on the sideline? He uses his right foot, and it is a bad habit that will cost us penalties if not corrected. Great point about his diving header. Sums it up really for who he is, brave but too error prone.
18 May 2015 15:30:44
I feel you're emphasizing too much on speed Harry, although it may be a bonus it is pretty low down on the list of attributes needed to be a great CB.
Out of that list I'd like Hummels the most followed by Garay then Otamendi. I'm no expert but it seems like an ideal move for all parties. Hummels and Smalling would be a good partnership, if we get in a proper RB and Shaw stays fit and plays week in week out we will have a very strong back four.
18 May 2015 15:58:32
Part of me would like Otamendi and Garay. When Rojo then started at Lb you would then besides Zabaleta have 3 of the 1st choice Argentina back four. Also Garay as well as being good on the ball is lethal in the air from set pieces and chips in with a few goals a year from corners etc. We should have got him in when we got the chance previously.
18 May 2015 18:09:57
Otamendi is outstanding in the air haha, wherever you read that, it was nonsense.
18 May 2015 19:35:41
Danny , its difficult to get a laugh around here these days. Only just logged on , but I saw the innuendo straight away. Shame nobody else did!!
18 May 2015 21:02:53
I guess people just haven't see a lot of Dijk
18 May 2015 22:28:43
The question is Danny, does Ronnie know of any young belgians that like a solid Dijk positioned behind them?