Do we need a £50m CB next season?

This topic contains 11 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by bort bort 6 years, 11 months ago.

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  • #1473425
    Stuilse
    Stuilse
    Participant
    • :

    Thoughts on this…..bearing in mind we’ve lost Ivan, will be losing JT but will be regaining Christiansen and possible that US youngster currently on loan at our feeder club VA. Is Cahill, Luiz, Zouma, Azi, Christiansen and Miazga enough? Of more pressing concern is our lack of depth at FB/Wing back in my opinion. Nathan Ake can also cover very ably as a CB when called upon.

    #1473442
    phwepsi
    phwepsi
    Spectator
    • :

    We need a world class centre back and a new wing back. Not sure which side is more essential though. To think we can go into next season with what we have + christian is incredibly naive. We are constantly linked to centrebacks and conte has said before its a area he would like to strengthen. So yes i would expect both

    #1473445

    nine nine nine
    Moderator
    • :

    Christensen currently being linked with an exchange deal for Van Dijk.

    We have to bring players in that will improve the team/squad and that’s quite difficult.

    I guess the only person who can really answer the question is Conte and given our continued interest in signing a top centre back it looks like that’s an area that Conte wants to strengthen especially with the added pressure of having to cope with CL football too.

    A number of pundits and you know who have said that Chelsea wouldn’t be in the position we are in the PL had it not been for no European games, Carragher said similar last night significantly strengthening our squad would make us capable of fighting on all fronts imo and Conte wants to win the CL “for sure” 🙂

    #1473580

    CFC1905
    Participant
    • :

    From what I read yesterday (and posted) there appears to be doubts surrounding Zouma and Christensen was mentioned in dispatches as being the sweetener in the deal for Van Dijk

    I think these last few games has highlighted a potential weakness at the back as we have been conceding far too many goals for a team that wants to compete at the highest level and although I have previously championed both Zouma and Christensen, if Conte is not sure then YES, I think we need to buy a solid experienced CB to compliment what we already have

    Much as I like Van Dijk my only question is regarding his playing time in Europe or even at international level and feel that this would also represent a step up in level for him as well. That being said he always appears very accomplished for Soton so feel we could do a lot worse (and of course he knows the EPL well which for me is always a bonus)

    As for the wing backs I believe that Alonso is good enough but we do need cover (Ake…?) so for me it is Moses that needs to be upgraded. At one stage I thought that perhaps Dave could do that role but must admit far from sure now so would expect to see Dave remain at the back and we should be looking to buy a replacement but retain Moses as the cover and he will still get a lot of games anyway. KTBFFH

    #1473602
    notnice
    notnice
    Participant
    • :

    personally I cannot cannot choose who will be the best prospect from all those mentioned and I suspect Conte himself is not sure either at this point in time, the little I seen recently of Zouma and Aka I would say Aka has definitely looked better while I have not seen Christensen play at all (dont have access to German football). As for van Dijk good player obviously but certainly not a great player. I would think we need a center back with good height so we can start winning those nervy crosses in the air, I understand a very tall center half would negate certain other capabilities but it could solve certain problem areas as well.

    #1473612
    notnice
    notnice
    Participant
    • :

    Conte is still chasing Kalidou Koulibaly who at 6 foot 5 inches tall would do the trick and he has good pace as well.Can you believe the price for a centre half these days

    #1473838

    CFC1905
    Participant
    • :

    Notnice – have to admit that I have seen little of Christensen or even the guy from the US currently on loan (cannot remember his name). I still have lingering doubts regarding the fitness of Zouma as he has not looked the same but then again prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt after such a bad injury and a long time out without games

    Totally agree that Ake looks an accomplished player and the fact that he can play CB and WB I think makes him a very useful squad member who could easily make it in a permanent role

    At the end of the day Conte has to decide what and who he wants taking into account the ages of Cahill and Luiz. IMO, we have conceded too many goals this season and the opposition will be better in the CL so there must be a concern there considering how well as a team we initially adapted to his changes and going on that long unbeaten run

    It will be interesting to see who we go for and who we can get assuming that the other top teams (well City and ManU at least look as though they will be spending big). The advantage of CL football may be a factor in our favour…? KTBFFH

    #1473928
    bort
    bort
    Participant
    • :

    If we are talking about Virgil Van Djik being the £50m CB then he has signed for 3 different clubs in the past week.

    The press doing themselves no favours with the all the “fake news” talk in recent times.

    #1474050

    CFC1905
    Participant
    • :

    Stories coming out in the press that Chelsea are expected to put Zouma out on loan for a season to prove his fitness which of course then opens the door for a replacement to be bought in

    All the papers have teams lined up to take players and all of them are “sold” to at least 3 different clubs depending on which paper you read. It is silly season for the press but equally they know (assume) that Chelsea, City, ManU will all buy big and that Arsenal and Liverpool may also be in the same bracket as well plus potentially Spurs (not sure about them cos of the costs for the new ground)

    So plenty of movement expected with many more top European players to join the EPL. Exactly the type of scenario any hack would enjoy and revel in ..? KTBFFH

    #1474202
    Stuilse
    Stuilse
    Participant
    • :

    Such a pity that Zouma suffered his nasty injury. A fully fit on format KZ has all the attributes we need for our 3rd CB….pace, strength, size and youth on his side. A fit KZ is our 50m CB. Should he be sent out on loan then that chap from Napoli seems a good fit. I don’t agree that Luiz and Cahill are aging or getting on. Look at how great JT, Tony Adams, Rio, Desailly and Carvalho were in their early 30’s.

    #1474273
    phwepsi
    phwepsi
    Spectator
    • :

    Koulibaly or van dyke for me. Both would fit in the system perfectly. Koulibaly is better at defending while van dyke is good but great going forward/corners

    #1474358
    bort
    bort
    Participant
    • :

    I like Zouma very much but the praise he gets from posters on here doesn’t sit right with me.

    I thought Zouma was very poor last season and contributed to our poor defence at the time.

    Zouma no doubt has the characteristics to become a solid CB but for me his ball playing skills and positional sense are not at the calibre for top teams like Chelsea. So I wouldn’t surprised if he is to leave this summer on loan to get some game time.

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