So, with it being made official with regard to Maguire Slabheading off to Man Utd, the race is on for us to secure his replacement.
Or is it? The rumour mills are doing their rounds, so who might we turn to to bolster our central defence?
Dunk:
One of the first names mentioned and a big, dominant defender to replace another big, dominant defender. Latest reports suggest that Rodgers isn't keen, and that he's perhaps seen as too old-fashioned and not good enough on the ball.
Tarkowski:
Another of the early names mentioned, although this one seems to have stuck. A rumoured price tag of £35m-£40m sounds manageable if overpriced. Although given what we've just sold Maguire for there can't be too many complaints. Looks generally decent all round without quite being at Maguire's standard. Could be a decent replacement but may not represent good value in the longer term depending on the club's relative success and ambition. Not sure whether he can improve from what he is, but to me he represents the safe option in terms of bolstering our defence for our current situation.
Ake:
Highly thought of by many, although his lack of height would concern me in a team that can already struggle from set pieces. Thought to be on our shortlist, but a recent valuation of £75m will surely consign this one to the long grass.
Ajer & others:
Obvious link back to Celtic, but seems risky trying to do business with Celtic at this point. A player not experienced in the Premier League and therefore a gamble. There are others we are linked with from abroad that represent the same issue, although they would likely come cheaper than other options. Not sure whether that is worth it given we can take a gamble on players already at the club.
None:
We have Jonny Evans, Wes Morgan, and two up-and-coming centre halves in Soyuncu and Benkovic. However, another way of looking at this is that we have an injury-prone Jonny Evans, a slowing Wes Morgan, a suspect, inexperienced Caglar Soyuncu and an equally inexperienced Filip Benkovic who tends to smash every other match. There are also rumours that Amartey is on his way out, while Fuchs has never looked comfortable at centre half whenever I've seen him there. It would be a gamble to stick, and depends on several factors, but it might work.
Maguire replacement
posted on 7/8/19
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by MIAMI_FOX (U2650)
posted 4 hours, 47 minutes ago
comment by Jobyfox (U4183)
posted 1 hour, 22 minutes ago
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
Mersey - interesting perspective but I still don't see where the confidence comes from when he hasn't graced a Premier League match.
Also a slightly unfortunate comparison as, although Tunch was certainly a classy defender, he was injury prone.
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I don’t understand what you’re not getting. Benkovic is going to become arguably the world’s best centre back.
How do I know this? Mersey said so
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Man Utd will buy him next season for 130m
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Oh I understand now. Sorry Mersey, although in my defence it is obvious what you really meant was that Benkovic is the new VVD.
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That’s ok guys, I understand you can’t all have the skill of knowing how good Benkovic is without seeing him play.
In all seriousness, despite my joking I don’t actually know how good he is. I just hope he is. He got great reviews at Celtic which is a positive, and I think my main hope is that he’s better than Soyuncu.
Let’s hope I’m right. Step aside VVD, Paulo Maldini, Lothar Matthaus, Bobby Moore. There’s a new defender in town....
posted on 7/8/19
I hope Mersey you’re not going to do your usual with Soyuncu - judge early on that he’s not good enough and then just wait for slip ups to reinforce your belief
The lad is a kid, he’s hardly played for us and needs game time. Making mistakes is part of developing. Far too early to start putting the knives in. Leave that for Amartey.....
posted on 7/8/19
I’ve personally ordered an Uber for Amartey that’s waiting to take him to Coventry City as soon as I get clearance from Rudkin
posted on 7/8/19
I imagine our initial £20m bid for Tarkowski is an open way of asking the player ‘do you want to leave?’ If he makes any noise to the club or his agent about wanting a transfer, I’d expect us to go back in with something in the region of £30 plus add ons.
posted on 7/8/19
The word from Sky is that Leicester don’t see value in Tarkowski for £40m. I think the opening bid is as KTF says, a way to tease out the possibility of a £30m deal. But if you’re Burnley, after seeing what Leicester got for Maguire, why would you sell Tarkowski for less than you think he’s worth?
Personally I think we will stick with what we have
posted on 7/8/19
comment by The Artist formerly known as Black Starr (U12353)
posted 54 minutes ago
I hope Mersey you’re not going to do your usual with Soyuncu - judge early on that he’s not good enough and then just wait for slip ups to reinforce your belief
The lad is a kid, he’s hardly played for us and needs game time. Making mistakes is part of developing. Far too early to start putting the knives in. Leave that for Amartey.....
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Happy to give Soyuncu time BS, I guess what I mean is if we’re relying on him as our number 1 centreback this season alongside Evans I’m concerned.
posted on 7/8/19
I think Mersey's being somewhat flippant, but I do share his concerns. I've come to the conclusion recently that I have this sort of prejudice against players who don't look athletic enough: Soyuncu with his lack of height, Mendy, Knockaert; it was my concern about Dragovic too. It's taken a while for me to be convinced about Ryan Fraser about Bournemouth too.
I hope Soyuncu does well, of course I do; and I'll be as fair as I can in the ratings if he plays - which it looks like he will. I just... have concerns.
posted on 7/8/19
I'm sure with Brendan all the players will start the Season with a clean slate, so if he picks Soyuncu then I'm happy to see how he progresses.
posted on 7/8/19
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 8 hours, 3 minutes ago
“I've come to the conclusion recently that I have this sort of prejudice against players who don't look athletic enough: Soyuncu with his lack of height, Mendy, Knockaert; it was my concern about Dragovic too. It's taken a while for me to be convinced about Ryan Fraser about Bournemouth too.”
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I know what you mean. Soyuncu looks like he sleeps rough. Also Ricardo and Mendy are too small, Vardy is too skinny, Albrighton’s got a big nose and Tielemans has a rather large forehead.
Drop em all I say!
posted on 8/8/19
Yes but Tielemans forehead is countered by his smiley face. Keep him in the team.
But drop Maddison. Bad acne. Ruins the goal celebration photos.