04 Jun 2016 18:38:37
We seem to have signed some Eric Bailly from Villareal.
My god, if that is true I'm happy for 2 things:
First, nobody knows exactly what players we are after, this guy just came out the blue, which is brilliant, as we've had man city/ psg pay over the odds for the players we are monitoring.
Second, we are looking to finish signings early, which is perfect as last minute deals can reduce a player's impact without a pre-season.
And lastly, boy are we paying so much money for the lad. I hope he's a Martial and justifies the money.
All could be just paper talk, as I read City were scouting him, and the agent maybe trying to drive the price up. The price does seem ridiculous.
04 Jun 2016 19:17:43
Lot of good players out there not just the big names us fans know.
04 Jun 2016 19:12:52
Just read villareal have confirmed it.
{Ed004's Note - Any reviews people? By the looks of it he plays on either side of the defence. I think Mourinho will go after 2 centre backs this summer btw}
04 Jun 2016 19:22:05
Apparently the stand out defender in la liga, 22, Ivory Coast international, strong, powerful and likes a tackle. I agree I think he will sign 2, hole he goes back to Spain for Varane now.
04 Jun 2016 19:23:56
hey, jred, where did you read the villareal confirmation, couldn't find it anywhere.
I'm not sure, if we have actually signed him, that he is going to be the only one.
I bet we are getting another centre back, one with more experience.
Does not bode well for the likes of Blind, Jones and Rojo, if we sign another centre half, huge possibility that all 3 of them may leave.
04 Jun 2016 19:27:47
Yes, jred, I found it, some twitter posts saying villareal confirmed it on the radio.
Quoted price is 31m euros, hope the scouts saw something in him that we bid so much.
Personally would have liked to see Manolas. But the scouts know better and generally italian league players do struggle with the physciality of the league. Can't think on many who have done well.
Balotelli first season at city comes to mind.
04 Jun 2016 19:23:47
Ed004 I agree I think it will be manolas.
{Ed004's Note - I am hoping its Varane tbh but wouldn't mind Manolas}
04 Jun 2016 19:36:17
Rudiger and Nainggolan to Chelsea?
us after manolas
and pjanic tracked by us and juventus and barcelona.
Surely they won't sell all.
04 Jun 2016 19:55:44
Bailly plays on the right side of cb. Absolute quality. Swa him lots last season. Before lovren returned to form, was hoping he would partner sakho. #jealousred. Haha.
{Ed004's Note - thanks for the review}
04 Jun 2016 20:31:38
Big strong CB, strong in the tackle, good at bringing the ball out of defence. Can be rash and jump into tackles unnecessarily. Half the price of Stones.
04 Jun 2016 20:32:22
Bailly is an absolute beast. I've rated him very highly since I first heard of him 20 minutes ago.
04 Jun 2016 20:39:00
Mulam
Half the price of stones? 32 mill for a player who has played 30 first team games.
Havent seen much of him to be honest but its not a cheap deal.
{Ed004's Note - Looks like it is 19 million pounds up front with further add ons}
04 Jun 2016 20:40:14
Lol Betty. We were all excited about Rojo being the pacy ball playing CB we needed. Hope this guy works out better.
Still hope we have Varane lined up.
04 Jun 2016 20:41:59
I think Mourinho will bring in 2 CBs. Even. If he ratea Smalling just for the competition.
This guy looks good from what I have read of Villerael and this sort of purchase is maybe the benefit of Mourinho having the time to track players/ watch a lot of football whilst off.
I prefer verane, rate manalos but have a feeling he is obsessed with stones and thinks he could harness his ball playing skills and turn him into world class player.
2 CBs and proper HM. With hopefully keeping DDG will see us very hard to beat. Then for the attacking additions.
04 Jun 2016 21:01:20
Betty
That was brilliant analysis of the player :) If true it does make you wonder if anyone really knows who we are after.
04 Jun 2016 21:07:08
Jred 32M? What add ons does that include? . / didn't say it was cheap, merely that if Everton insist on 50M for Stones he's very overpriced.
04 Jun 2016 21:39:31
Only problem is he is African and we will lose him at an important part of the season.
04 Jun 2016 22:41:34
31.3 mill is what i read but truth is it could be anything
Mulam
Lets wait and see how much stones actually goes for .
Dont get me wrong he is a top player so it will be a lot but it won't be 50 mil on a 21 year old cb imo .
Even if that is what the papers say everton want .
Just drinking a nice red, no idea how much it cost but its bloody good.
04 Jun 2016 22:46:44
Rojo? Speak for yourself, Mulam :)