18 Aug 2016 22:36:50
Koulibaly would be a great signing though. I'd rather break the bank for him than lukaku.
I know it's frustrating and I kinda feel the same in terms of moving to the next target but I really think koulibaly is top top drawer and may give us a streamlined route back to serious title challengers . I can't see many other players that would turn us from top four maybes into title challengers right now. No world class players are really available these day let's be honest.
Obviously I'd like us to get him at a good price but we're not Arsenal so let's remember that we never really think about the transfer fee after the actual a signing. If the guy fixes our defence, he is worth whatever it takes as we have all the other attributes to win everything if we could just get back to that mean defence we use to have.
I don't expect everyone to agree but I think we all agree that we need a world class centre back to replace JT as he has been beyond world class for so many years and his demise ( though he is still quality) leaves us exposed. There ain't too many defenders of real quality about these days so koulibaly seems to be the best available.
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19 Aug 2016 00:01:14
In all honesty I've never seen him play. He looks sensational on you tube but so does Jon obi Mikel. I've heard it's been his first consistent season but it been a brilliant one. If he's as good as what people make out we should just pay the money. But spending big amounts hasn't always served Chelsea well and he will be going to the AFCON too. Unless we can just get by this one season and then pair Christensen with Zouma.
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19 Aug 2016 08:07:28
Koulibaly looks like he was made for Premier League. He looks strong, powerful, everything we need. I genuinely think if we get him, we will win the league!
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18 Aug 2016 20:00:12
If it's true that ADL has rejected £60m for Koulibaly, then move targets and offer that for Marquinhos.
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18 Aug 2016 17:14:23
A lot of reports out there that Napoli have rejected our latest offer for Koulibaly.
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18 Aug 2016 18:32:12
That's it for me time to move on, this is even more annoying than the Stones case because we aware almost certain Napoli would do this, I mean they always do.
On to the next one, I say.
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18 Aug 2016 19:23:12
I agree ELI, if that is the case then I hope the club can move quickly for another option. We have some quality youth at CB, Djilobodji made the club some money and Hector could develop, but we don't need a final day of the transfer window like that again; we could do with a class signing there.
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18 Aug 2016 20:08:38
This is just a repeat of last summers saga with John stones. This year city go straight in and pay and get. Time to forget Koulibaly and move onto the next target, otherwise we will be left without another centre half.
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18 Aug 2016 20:23:42
The clubs priority should be left footed left back, since we've sent Ake,Baba on loan and Kennedy is getting closer to be loaned as well. Dave is not natural left back and he rarely goes forward. On the other hand when he plays as right back he has been caught out of position much more often than Ivanovic. But anyway left back position has been the main issue when it comes to our defense since Mourinho has written off Ashley Cole. Both Luis and Baba were unable to perform adequately. So, left back is a must.
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18 Aug 2016 22:02:53
I think all fullbacks going on loan and our pursuit of cb could mean a back 3.
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18 Aug 2016 22:32:23
I hope Napoli get relegated lol.
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18 Aug 2016 16:28:38
More Ricardo Rodriguez rumours today. I'm hoping they're true. Some people on here don't seem to rate him but I think he's up there as on of the best all round left backs in the world. For £22m (reported fee) that would be a steal in modern day transfer fees!
Still hoping we sign Koulibaly. The thought of having Zouma, Koulibaly and Christensen as a back 3 next season is pretty amazing!
What do people think to the Cuadrado rumours regarding a loan? I'd personally just sell him while he's still worthy of a reasonably high transfer fee.
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18 Aug 2016 17:03:02
Big fan or Rodriguez aswell. Doesn't get enough credit on here. I would be over the moon with him.
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18 Aug 2016 17:04:53
I don't think he would sign a left back, then change tactics to a back 3, I think it's 1 or the other, sign a left back and play as a back 4, or don't and maybe go 3 at the back.
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18 Aug 2016 17:09:51
Heard the loan has an obligation to buy at £21m, not sure if that is true or not.
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18 Aug 2016 17:17:09
I also rate Rodriguez highly and have suggested him before to a mixed reception with someone recently using what I assume was a video game to criticise him. He is young, plays in a reasonable league and International level with pace, a superb left foot and is attacking and can 'defend' which for the money looks a steal. With Azi back to the right with his pace I see that full back issue nicely resolved.
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18 Aug 2016 18:50:23
If you have watched a fair amount of Rodriguez you would know he is absolutely terrible at defending. Quite the opposite of what you say C1915, I suspect the people who rate him are the ones who sign him every time they play FIFA/ FM. I've seen a fair bit of Wolfsburg the last 3 seasons and also watched him play for Switzerland in the Euros. He's not good at all. Though he does have a wonderful left foot for set pieces/ crossing etc.
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18 Aug 2016 19:11:34
Good going forward he's a poor defender though and I've watched him several times. Reminds me a lot of Baines in that he's well known for being a fantastic set piece taker.
If it was up to me i'd try Napoli for Faouzi Ghoulam now he's the most complete left back available in my eyes.
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18 Aug 2016 19:13:06
I have to agree with Saim. I think Rodriguez is actually way better on games than in real life. He's considered a bit of a "Football Manager legend" and I used to rate him based on the game. Watched him a fair bit and I really felt my expectations were let down by his defensive nous and also he seemed fairly slow for a supposed top modern full back.
Still think I'd rather have him at left back and Azpilicueta at right than start Ivanovic, but there are surely better players.
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18 Aug 2016 20:07:22
In all honesty I wish we could've kept Filipe Luis at the club. Jose never really gave him a good run in the team and so I'm not surprised he wanted to return to Spain. There aren't many better full backs about at the moment so I was sad to see him leave. Surely a full back will be arriving though with Baba and Ake out on loan. Our only options are Ivanovic, Azpi and Aina which just isn't good enough, especially when you consider our lack of depth at CB. I'm sure the club are working day and night on defensive recruitments however and I trust they'll do the right thing.
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18 Aug 2016 20:46:00
Saim: but others loved the idea. Always interesting how we all see the same players differently. Having worked in Germany I saw a lot of football and last year was adamant we should not buy Rahman for the reasons he is unlikely to be a success with us. Likewise Rodriguez I always felt would be an excellent long term buy. I am not saying he is the finished article but in my eyes that potential is there to be developed under good management and a Terry leadership. I now know what this FIFA item and cannot understand why anyone would compare reality with a video game.
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18 Aug 2016 20:54:39
Sorry mate I wasn't calling you out on anything I was just saying that people were more likely to judge a positive opinion on him based on computer games rather than a negative opinion. I might've been a bit harsh on him but I don't believe he's what we need at left back. I know the game is changing but personally I still like defensive solidity first and foremost when it comes to defenders to Rodriguez isn't a good option for me. That being said, I'm not sure who I'd want to come in. I've heard that Hector is pretty decent defensively but can't say I've seen much of him other than for the national team.
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