GooneriC wrote:

When's the last time we had a double madness ?

Summer of 1995. Bergkamp and Platt.

est wrote:

He looks like a defender that's switched on, reads the game and doesn't jump into tackles. Would make a world of difference for us.

This is what I like most about him. Also what stood out when watching video of Saliba. He looks smart, patient and accurate with his tackles. Only going to ground if he needs to, and knowing he'll outmuscle and run down nearly all attackers if they try and run him anyway. I see a bit of prime King Kolo in him.

On the other hand, as promising as Konate looks at 6'4" and with good speed and athleticism, I didn't like how much he dived in in the matches I saw at the end of last season and Youtube clips. That was the one reservation I had with him.

If this is true and we do make an offer then you’d think Koscielny & Mustafi are both leaving.

Icing on the cake

JazzG wrote:

If this is true and we do make an offer then you’d think Koscielny & Mustafi are both leaving.

Sokratis, Upamecano, Holding, Chambers, Mavropanos with Monreal as backup in a 3. 

Seems good enough for a season. Monreal will leave next season and Saliba will come in. And we will also know how good our 3 existing young CB is before shipping one out. Perfect

If we do get him I'd fimly believe in the theory we are now only going for top players who can improve the squad

I think Mavropanos is very likely to go back to Greece for the season on loan.

Zech Medley too.

Ricky1985 wrote:

est wrote:

He looks like a defender that's switched on, reads the game and doesn't jump into tackles. Would make a world of difference for us.

This is what I like most about him. Also what stood out when watching video of Saliba. He looks smart, patient and accurate with his tackles. Only going to ground if he needs to, and knowing he'll outmuscle and run down nearly all attackers if they try and run him anyway. I see a bit of prime King Kolo in him.

On the other hand, as promising as Konate looks at 6'4" and with good speed and athleticism, I didn't like how much he dived in in the matches I saw at the end of last season and Youtube clips. That was the one reservation I had with him.

I do think you need a little bit of aggression in a defence though, and if we're seriously interested in Upamecano we're probably planning for him to team up with Saliba in a season or two. You don't need two measured centrebacks. You want them to be able to turn the heat up when needed. It might not be great if they're too similar.

That's just going by the distinction you just made, though. I haven't seen much of Upamecano so I haven't got any strong opinions one way or the other, but the name is an instant shirt seller.

Bild claim we've had a 55m bid rejected

Do this and you don't have to touch central defense for the forseeable. Rugani seems more likely

Klaus, not sure what you mean by aggression but he is proactive. Will cut out the passing lanes and get to the ball before his man, without being reckless. Real maturity.

Expensive but worth it. Will get the money back longterm given the way market is going.

This seems like a farfetched fantasy but so did the Pepe signing. Never say never with Raul behind the transfer wheel I guess.

Ricky1985 wrote:

I think Mavropanos is very likely to go back to Greece for the season on loan.

Ray wrote:

Zech Medley too.

Klaus wrote:

 I haven't seen much of Upamecano so I haven't got any strong opinions one way or the other, but the name is an instant shirt seller.

My feeling too. Love the name. 

Such a fucking cool name. Now I'll be disappointed if it doesn't happen.

Day-ot...
Me say Day-ay-ay-ot...

It's seriously badass.

Claudius wrote:

Klaus, not sure what you mean by aggression but he is proactive. Will cut out the passing lanes and get to the ball before his man, without being reckless. Real maturity.

I mean that you need a defender who relishes a good tackle every now and then. Kos is the only one we've had in a decade who had that spark to him, and it made him invaluable. Kos could do a bit of everything, but there was fire in him.

Like I said, I'm not judging Upamecano who I've barely seen, but diving into tackles is only a problem if you don't end up winning them.

Qwiss! wrote:

If we get Upamecano and Tierney before the window closes it'll change everything I currently know about the club.

Truer words have never been spoken

Maybe, but I think VAR is just as likely to clear up duels where the forward will do everything in his power to make it look like a foul when he's losing a challenge. My gut feeling is that a volatile player like Diego Costa is a bit fucked, for instance.

i'll have you guys know that i started a fm mobile 2019 game for the first time in years about 2 months ago and signed pepe, tierney, upa and a couple others. it was foreshadowing and heralding the change

(i hope we get him, seems to play like kolo toure on speed...)