07 Jun 2025 21:55:42
We are rightfully focusing on goalscoring power at the minute but we cannot allow this window to pass without buying a central midfielder, one who can dictate and break up play. I have heard Ederson mentioned but there seems to be an awful lot of interest in him by many big clubs. My choice would be Baleba.
07 Jun 2025 22:18:48
Totally agree we need such a player. If he can stay fit I could see Martinez doing this for us. It's a position we have not filled since Carrick.
07 Jun 2025 23:09:51
No chance Salford. He's not got the engine or ability to play in midfield. Played a few games for ajax there and couldn't do it.
Plus his tackling in midfield would be a complete liability.
08 Jun 2025 00:18:18
Jodler, you do realise Baleba would cost £100m! He is excellent but would be to expensive.
08 Jun 2025 00:44:14
Good stepping into it or being as part of a 3. No, we need an engine in there. i'd love it to be mainoo, might still be.
08 Jun 2025 05:47:30
Mainoo seems to be better further forward at the moment. Maybe when he is more mature he will develop I to that type of player?
08 Jun 2025 05:52:26
Martinez should not even be a CB in the EPL let alone play him in midfield, not mobile enough positioning poor plus tackling too rash, now even can’t stay fit, be a disaster in midfield, best thing for Martinez is someone makes a bid and he sold.
{Ed077's Note - "can't stay fit" Nothing else matters that much after that
08 Jun 2025 09:51:43
77,
Probably for the best as the rest of it is nonsense.
08 Jun 2025 10:06:33
Shame Wharton seems to have left the discussion on midfield targets.
08 Jun 2025 11:13:47
Seriously you think he’s tacking is not rash nor his positioning poor GDS. LOL
Next your be saying he not targeted as weak link by other teams when he fit and he is a towering defender too! If that’s your benchmark of a good CB for or not, no wonder we are languishing near the bottom, if we are measuring centre backs against the quality of Martinez! Mind boggles, would City have him, would Chelsea, Would Arsenal, would Scousers… not a chance, not even sure Everton or Newcastle would have him either, so what on earth makes you think he is a great CB…I would love to know.
08 Jun 2025 11:55:14
Not sure about your reasons for frequenting this site German. You clearly could save yourself a lot of stress and tend to your garden instead.
08 Jun 2025 13:18:48
Good shout spenno. Such an aggressive pessimist.
08 Jun 2025 14:35:15
I remember the clamour on here for Licha to be back fit due to his ability to break up play and progress the ball.
Distinctly remember the applause when he bossed Traóre as well.
Now he's targeted and a terrible CB?!
Fitness is his issue for me, not his abolity.
08 Jun 2025 15:34:21
German,
I don’t remember saying I thought he was a great CB, you’re just arguing with yourself at this point.
My benchmark of a good defender makes zero different to where the team is in the league and if you think it does that’s pretty worrying, I’m just a guy posting on a forum like you are, I’m not Jason Wilcox. Such an angry pessimist, let me guess you’ve been telling us for years how bad Martinez was, before you even had an account?
Arsenal wanted him before we got him so I would suggest they probably would have him yes.
08 Jun 2025 17:13:36
He struggled a bit under amorim but was getting a bit better, in terms of his positioning. In a 2 I think German is right he was being targeted he is a bit less exposed in a 3 in some ways but a does get more exposed when out wide. A good lwb will help.
My response was to him playing in midfield. I do think that him and heaven are God lcb options. Yoro and maz are decent rcb options. I'd be concerned at the lack of pace in deligt and maguire for the central role. That's the defence position that does not another option imo.
08 Jun 2025 18:55:04
Why is it pessimistic to be a realist! Anyone who thinks he is good enough CB for any team wanting top 6 is looking through the tints again
Arsenal may have looked but in a crowded room could not see him! Hence did not bother
Ni I never ever thought he was good enough and no he can’t play in midfield barely gets being a CB in epl and yes we do need a proper CB with pace and commanding to cover Yoro and Heaven when needed.
08 Jun 2025 19:57:38
It’s strange how ‘realists’ are always negative that’s all.
09 Jun 2025 07:10:15
Ken I agree on the pace at CB but I'm okay with that back line for the season. Our more urgent requirements are up top.
Then dependent on sales, we probably will also see a new CM and GK. To also get a CB in would be tremendous business. But I firmly believe that if we are more of a clinical team in front of goal next year i.e 30 goals more, then there will be less pressure on the defence and team as a whole.
09 Jun 2025 07:22:19
Maybe because they don’t look through Red Tints at everything and prefer facts than pie in the sky….
09 Jun 2025 08:03:11
Facts German? Or bolloxology?
09 Jun 2025 17:30:26
Clearly fact, on this occasion, because no one outside of United rates him as a CB pundits, ex players, press, ex managers, not sure if any of the Ed’s on here rate him as a CB at top end of EPL or would even want him as there CB in there teams, be interesting to hear there views on him as CB, other than the injuries.