20 Jun 2022 09:53:17
Rumours that were interested in Lisandro Martinez

In my opinion, exactly the signing we need: CB or Def Mid, woukd dovetail nicely with FDJ

Woukd also then give United more space to wait until next Summer when I believe they’ll go for a cheaper Declan Rice.

Woukd be brilliant signing, exactly what we need this season.


1.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 10:14:37
A player able to play at CB and DM would certainly be useful, like City had with Fernandinho and Liverpool with Fabinho. I thought Kamara would have been a decent shout.


2.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 10:24:48
If people were concerned about how a 5'10 Timber would handle the EPL then how do people feel about Martinez who stands at 5'9 and is 2kg lighter than Timber?


3.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 10:30:08
Ed002 if you have time, is it true that Man Utd are interested in Lisandro Martinez as an alternative to Timber?

{Ed002's Note - Lisandro Martinez (CB) An approach by Manchester United may be on the cards but the clear two preferred targets are others. For Arsenal, if Saliba gets his wish to leave he would be one of several options the club has identified. Ajax do not want to sell.}


4.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 11:04:57
Shappy kante is 5ft 6

Height means nothing, if he's good enough go and get him.


5.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 11:16:31
Hey Ed,

So one is Pau Torres, who is the other CB United are looking at? And has the club had any discussion with Villareal for Torres?

Thanks!

{Ed002's Note - Pau Torres (CB) Villareal are struggling financially and will sell this summer at the right price. Manchester City had him as an option and it is unclear if they now need a major CB addition this summer. Manchester United had him as first choice, purchased Varane instead but are now chasing again with departures imminent. Barcelona has a sustained interest but price will likely be an issue and they may look to horse trade some players - but priorities will be elsewhere. Napoli saw Torres as a Kalidou Koulibaly replacement but they are an unlikely destination now. Bayern Munich have him as a potential target if other plans fail. Real Madrid wanted Torres to replace Ramos but do not want to get in to an auction. Was offered to Chelsea last summer by a third party knowing Kounde was unlikely - but he would be down the list for them. Spurs have had sustained interest sin Mr Mourinho was coach - and have spoken with the club as they have Lo Selso to trade.}


6.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 11:36:17
As you like stats so much Shappy here are a few easily obtainable ones - Mascherano - 5ft8. Cannavaro - 5ft9. Think the art is more in the timing and technique of the jump, although I'm sure you'll remind us that the latter didn't play in the Prem. Not sure how much Mascherano played CB for Liverpool, more DM, but he certainly was used there and also at Barca.


7.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 11:47:55
Thanks Ed!

Who would be the other target for United? Is it still Timber?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}


8.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 11:59:45
Bolger, Kante doesn't play at CB.

Spenno, like you say Cannavaro never played in the EPL. Mascherano pretty much exclusively played in midfield for Liverpool.

I'm not saying you need to be over 6ft to be a top class CB, I'm just saying I can't think of a single CB who played at an elite level in the EPL.

The EPL is the most physically demanding league in Europe, probably the world.

Martinez is not only short at 5'9, but pretty lightweight at 77kg. If Lindelof at 6'2 and 80kg is often physically bullied in the EPL, then you'd have to be concerned that a player like Lisandro Martinez would equally struggle given he is smaller and lighter.


9.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:10:53
Blind was 5.9 and played CB with Smalling and kept 18 clean sheets and had the joint best defence.


10.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:12:52
But that's not the point you made, you are making the point of him being small that might cause him an issue and kante does more than a cb in terms of duels and battling.

Plenty of small players have been successful

Regardless of position, aguero was 5 ft 8 and how often did he get bullied by bigger cbs

Linderrubbish could be 6ft 8 and he would still get bullied off the ball and in the air.

If he's good enough he's tall enough imo.


11.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:22:40
Bolger, Kante wins an average of 0.6 of his aerial duels. For a CDM that isn't the end of the world, at CB, especially in the EPL, you'd expect to have to challenge for aerial duels a minimum of 3-4 times a match at least, probably more like 6-8 times.

You can't have a CB in the EPL that will lose an aerial duel more often than not. Its a serious weakness in a league like the EPL.


12.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:33:21
Paul Parker you may have been a bit young shappy.


13.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:34:17
That's what doc said to snow White bolger.


14.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:39:30
Appreciate the info Ed002.

I wish the club could look at Goncalo Inacio of Sporting. I think he will be world class.

{Ed002's Note - Goncalo Inacio (CB) Newcastle have utilised a very high-end scout - an ex-PL player to look at the Sporting player. Sporting will not sell unless there is a huge offer. Wolves are keen. Manchester United may offer a wildcard option but have other priorities.}


15.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:49:10
Great info ed not often we hear you say immanent anything you can share on those departures?


16.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 12:55:31
Paul Parker, Ken? My era lol. Thought he was a fullback.


17.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 14:08:17
Glad that we are at least considering him. Thanks for your time Ed002.


18.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 17:35:47
Nathan Collins lads, he is the one.


19.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 17:53:31
I do remember Parker, although I was young when he left, probably around 9 or 10.

From my memory though he mostly played at RB with Bruce and Pallister being first choice at CB.

I'm not saying either Timber or Martinez could be a success in the EPL. Just that they would have to go against the general trend to do so.

In fairness the EPL doe have fewer Duncan Fergusons than it used to have. Yet no league in Europe has more headed clearances on average. Which still suggests that defenders in England need to be stronger in the air than in other leagues.

Of the two Timber does look the more physically robust, with Martinez being the better reader of the game (something unsurprising given that he is four years older and far more experienced) .

I wouldn't be unhappy with either signing if that is what EtH wants. However, to remain consistent with my opinions, I said Pau Torres struggles in the air (which he does) and he is 6'3 and 80kg. As always I'd be happy to be proven wrong if any of them sign.

Yet from what I have seen I don't see any of them as better in the air or in physical ground duels than Lindelof. They obviously have other aspects of their game where they appear to be better than Lindelof, yet none of them appear to improve on his key weaknesses.


20.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 17:53:42
Ferguson tried to be clever once and played Parker against Romario at CB at Old Trafford. He get annihilated. Romario was superb though. I was at the game and his movement was phenomenal. Same evening Lee Sharpe scored a beauty with a back heel.


21.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 17:57:44
He spent most of his time at united at full back spenno but played for us at cb on occasion he played there for qpr and England on occasion.


22.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 16:40:27
Ed who are the departures imminent at United?

{Ed002's Note - Jones, Tuanzebe and Bailly perhaps.}


23.) 20 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 19:55:14
Strange fact, a Paul has played for United in midfield every season since 1982, except 2.
Ince, McGrath, Scholes, Pogba, we should sign another to keep up the tradition.


24.) 21 Jun 2022
20 Jun 2022 23:00:04
Presumably why we are signing Torres then, assuming Catalan version of Paul counts.