23 Jun 2017 07:47:35
Morning Eds
First post for a while.
Would like to start be saying, as usual this window you guys and Macca have been the most reliable source of what's going on re potential transfer targets out there.
I agree with Ed 1 that a new left back shouldn't be a 'make do' option.
Ed 1 who do you think would be the best left back for us from those 'available'?
Is Mendy a realistic left back target and is he as good as everyone seems to think (I've not seen him play much? )
Finally, is there any chance at all of us re-building bridges with Fulham to be able to go for Sessegnon?
Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - from what I have seen of Mendy he looks perfectly suited to our play. He is a realistic option in terms of they would sell and he would like to join, but unrealistic as the cost, including wages, is just too high.
Personally I am not sure who is the best left back, but probably the easiest to attain would be Ghoulam.
Forget Sessegnon, unless he decides to run down his contract and leave Fulham on a free.}
23 Jun 2017 08:02:52
Have you seen Ghoulam play Ed001? Never seen him play and not liked what I saw from Youtube.
{Ed001's Note - not much mate. That is the issue, I have not seen many left backs of any kind of quality that we can get. If it was just go and get any left back, then Tierney stands out amongst those I have seen.}
23 Jun 2017 09:38:47
Mendy or Tierney. Either would be class and if they continue to progress, could be the best in their position going by what I've seen (handful of TV league games, UCL games, International games and listening to pundits and explayers views) .
These guys could be a LB for 8-10 yrs solid. Bar injuries obviously. The only two I've seen which have all the qualities on a modern full back but can actually defend as well.
Yes £50m say. That's £5m a season if they, as I say, profess and last 10yrs. Even if after 5 they wanted to go at this rate it's easily money back.
Otherwise in today's market £10-£15m is meh, average at best or invest in untapped potential which might not come to anything. It only takes 3-4 of those over that 10yr period to made not buying one of Mendy/ Teirney even more of a missed opportunity.
23 Jun 2017 16:00:02
Ed01, I have seen Ghoulam play since his debut at St Etienne and quite a few games at Napoli and with the Algerian team. He may not be the best defensively as many other LB's (bar maybe Betrand) are at the moment. However at 26, he has come in leaps and bounds since Rafa (who has no time for lazy defenders) signed him. Now with Mauricio Sardi (spelling) as manager at Napoli, they now play a more expansive style of football that is awesome just like Klopp does and Ghoulam has benefited a lot from that. He has better quality offensively and a terrific left foot, way better than Robertson but not better than Mendy. I would take a punt on him if Mendy can't be signed.