Alex Song

Song isn't a DM He's always in the opposition's box

I'm not going to profess to be an expert on him, but I don't think he's been signed primarily as a defender.
We already have Vermaelen, Koscielny and Mertesacker battling it out for places, with Djourou as back-up.
Signing a top quality 4th choice defender is going to do little to improve the defensive problems that have been evident even with a first choice back 4.

One of the problems with regards to defending is that our midfield offer little protection to our back 4, with both Song and Arteta asked to push forward and support the attack.

My hope is that Vertonghen's signing is likely to signal a switch to a more pragmatic system with a midfield anchor/defend hybrid.

If you remember the second half of the game against Tottenham, Song dropped back in front of the defence and we looked a lot more assured because of it.

If Vertonghen signs, he and Song can battle it out for this role, with the former able to drop in and cover for Vermaelen if required.

We've been a bit overreliant on Song this season, so if Vertonghen were to sign, then it would relieve pressure on the Cameroonian, as well as providing additional cover for our defence.

I agree with most of what you said about Vertonghen Stu except about him being fourth choice, no doubt hes better than Mertesacker and possibly better than Vermaelen on the national team selection. Djourou should be nowhere near a top team even at fourth choice so if he comes and isn't used as a defensive midfielder I think he will be battling with Vermaelen to partner Koscielny. Either way its a positive move, lack of competition for places is one of the reasons we've been so complacent over recent years.

Am I missing something here? Everyone's talking like we've already signed him, have we?

Apparently there's some reliable people reporting that its a done deal on twitter, that's all I know.

Song has to stay.

More the merrier was the old saying, given our injury problems we're bound to have, bulking up can only be a good thing, if not - nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition; gets the best out of the players.

"I agree with most of what you said about Vertonghen Stu except about him being fourth choice, no doubt hes better than Mertesacker and possibly better than Vermaelen on the national team selection. Djourou should be nowhere near a top team even at fourth choice so if he comes and isn't used as a defensive midfielder I think he will be battling with Vermaelen to partner Koscielny."

Fair enough. I haven't seen a huge amount of him. But the point is that we already have a lot of experience at centre back. Unless one of our players is leaving, the (potential) signing wouldn't make sense.

^Sorry, meant to add unless he were to play as a midfield or one of our players is leaving.

I wouldn't be surprised if Song was one of our two big names to leave this summer.

If it is true Vertonghen is coming for just £7million then I wouldn't be surprised to see Song go. He will get at least twice that amount, probably from someone like Juventus.

I doubt we will sign M'Vila and Vertonghen tbh.