12 Jul 2022 14:59:10
Hi Ed,

Sorry but has anything changed with Koulibaly?

Papers have gone strong in this today, but I thought he was staying in Italy?

{Ed002's Note - Kalidou Koulibaly (CB) Bayern Munich put in an offer for KK that was much less (about half) than Napoli's valuation of €50M last summer. The interest of Liverpool, Everton, Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City and Manchester United has likely gone due to his age and whilst there is no doubt about how good he is, even €40M or more for a 30 year old would not seem like good business. Juventus will offer an option if De Light leaves but the player is not keen to move to Turin. Perhaps at half that price he would be a good solution and financial issues may see Napoli reduce their asking price and to ask for offers from elsewhere. Barcelona wanted to add him on a loan with an obligation to buy deal but they were split between board members whether they should add him in addition to AC with two or three CBs leaving or not - I would not rule out an offer. Milan has a declared interest but have much preferred options. It has been suggested that Newcastle may be interested. Hard to see him moving but his agent has been trying to find a club to make an offer and has approached clubs in England, Germany and Italy but no detailed discussions have been held although Chelsea still need two starting CBs - but he would not be a preferred option. Napoli want him to stay.}

1.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 15:46:25
Thanks ed. Fantastic.

2.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 16:46:52
Guess the club are striking out on their preferred options then. Seems like Chelsea are now firmly moving for Koulibaly.

Agree with Ed though, while a good player it's a lot of money for a CB over 30 that will be new to England.

3.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 17:27:21
Jackson, is he a good player?

If yes, let the club worry about his age or any resale value.

4.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 18:24:10
Not saying everyone is of the quality of Thiago Silva, who at 37 has been immense for us for all of the concerns of could he keep up with the pace in England etc.

Koulibaly at 31 should still be at his absolute peak for a CB. And he also brings that much needed height and physicality that we've been crying out for. Koulibaly would be a brilliant signing imo.

5.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 18:41:45
Some will bring Money into the argument Bobby.

He is above a certain age and will probably have very little sell on value but I will let the club decide in the same same way I will the club decide about a player like Ronaldo and I don’t want the club to sign him.

6.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 19:23:28
TomB, that is very true.

But for us the fans we just have to have faith in the club that they see they're spending wisely. And if Koulibaly can perform on the pitch for 2-3 seasons, I'm sure us fans will be more than happy and the price tag will become irrelevant.

7.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 20:34:54
He is a very good player, an upgrade on Rudiger as well. Totally agree Tom and Bobby, let's trust the club to make the key decisions. All developing well.

8.) 12 Jul 2022
12 Jul 2022 20:42:56
I agree Bobby. We need a top notch defender and KK is one.
Also Thiago can't play every game that's why I think we still need two CBs.

9.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 00:20:12
We really need to stop this idea athletes are almost done at the age of 30. Modern medicine is really incredible and in most sports athletes hit there peak at 32. Koulibaly can easily play till 34 or 35 at the very top level, and be a serviceable CB till 37. Get Koulibaly done.

{Ed0666's Note - what other aerobically challenging sports do athletes reach their peak at 32? Snooker? Darts? Golf? Bowls? Koulibaly can play till he’s 34 but it’s debatable wether he’ll be a Silva or a Baresi. In my opinion the idea of giving a 31 year old 10 million GPB a year for 5 years is insane and before anyone pipes up and accuses me of Bias I was against giving it to Salah also. Im not saying he’s not a good player he can be extremely effective in his day but for me it doesent make business sense but then again this new owner seems to have a load of cash and wants to spend it.

10.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 06:26:37
I would like to think that being successful business men and women than so called “business sense” would be in plentiful supply.

We have seen that some owners just get a whiff of the passion in football and go bonkers with the cash.

Of course under Roman we had in my opinion the sometimes restrictive rule of a 30 ish one or two year contract extension.

We are just concluding the Sterling deal and I wonder what any potential sell on there would be when his contract expires?

It may be my imagination but it looks to me as if more players are willing to run down there contracts. If this is the case it could be that more and more clubs will continue with the other trend of selling players with one or two years left on the contract.

11.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 07:56:39
I’ll wait until the announcement becore judging re: length of contract. There are different rumours regarding this…one makes more sense than the other to me (3+1 as opposed to 5). As a player he certainly has qualities we currently miss…hopefully (if he signs) he’ll adjust relatively quickly.

12.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 08:22:36
Good advice Steve.

13.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 10:33:46
KK will be a phenomenal transfer and will be the best CB in the PL.

14.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 11:51:52
Steve speaks sense.

15.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 12:31:05
K2 is an athlete. If you look at his injuries/ games missed, it works out to 3.7 games a season. He is fit. He turned 31 in June. He will be good for 5 years.

16.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 08:15:36
Basketball, was my marker ed devil, most players nowadays seem to hit there peak at 32. Tennis also. It seems.

{Ed0666's Note - I’ll give you nadal, Djocovic & Lebron James et al but these are exceptions rather than the rule mate.

17.) 13 Jul 2022
13 Jul 2022 22:35:03
Nope, Kevin durant, Stephen curry, harden, lillard, Chris Paul, Paul George, beal for basketball. All above 32. Lots more tennis players too.