His reading of the game obviously needs some work but thats down to lack of experience but as you say mate his recovery pace and those slide tackles is incredible. Poch, Alderweireld and Vertonghen will soon sort his positioning out. If we do sign him then at least playing that high line defence on the big Wembley pitch wont be so daunting.
All the reports from fans in Holland are that he's an awesome player. If there's anyone to help a youngster like him to develop, it's Poch. Could be a fantastic signing.
I may not be Cove but I do know Ajax. In the words of Joe Rogan: The guy is legit. Based on his season for Ajax, Sanchez has all the attributes to be one of the top CBs on the planet. We already have two of them and what more could Davinson ask for than two former Ajax products to help him settle and guide him into becoming that world class CB? Positional awareness needs working on (as does most 21 year old CBs) but his ruthlessness, timing in the challenge and speed is phenomenal for his age. If I were to compare him to a current top CB, it'd be Varane of Real Madrid (who's still young himself!), in that he's a bit different to the stereotypical centre back of being a big lump and a brute, he's a pure athlete and uses that athletic ability to better his opponents both in speed and strength. For me, this is a signing like Modric. Pretty much completely out of the blue and a player you probably would've expected to have been snapped up by a European powerhouse already. Massive statement from Levy/ Poch if it does indeed go through. I'd be thrilled with it.
Jeez, our relationship with Ajax is just turning into a more courteous version of the Poool/Soton entanglement.
So as it stands, if various social media reports are true, we're currently in negotiations to buy or have bid for: 1. Davinson Sanchez 2. Pape Cheikh Diop 3. Anthony Martial Does anyone have an ITK who can confirm this with DOF Danny Rose?
I'm reading on social media that Diop is potentially being looked at as an alternative to Barkley, rather than an addition. Trying to get Everton to lower their price? Or have we genuinely started to think about another option? The Martial reports this evening are interesting. Just the sort of player we need IMO, but I can't see United doing any business with us. At the very least unless Rose goes the other way. Besides, Mourinho is too proud to let a player like Martial join us and have Poch show him up on how to actually coach players.
"Reports suggest that newly-appointed and newly repentant DOF Danny Rose was given his wish to move 'up North' by Mr Levy, and was sent to Manchester to open negotiations for a player who doesn't need to be googled."
I've only seen him play once and that was in the EL final last season. Considering his age, the enormity of the event and indeed of the opposition (and indeed that ****er Ander Herrera producing some superb choreography from Swan Lake every 2 minutes), I was very, very impressed. I'd love to find the post in your rival watch thread where I said he reminded me of a young Ledley, and if he turns into a peak Ledley with 2 knees instead of one, I have to say that this is a signing I am incredibly excited about. I just hope Chelsea and City don't move in to scupper the deal as both are reportedly in the market for a CB. Would blow my top if that happens.
To be fair, when he's good, he looks very, very good, but Martial has been fairly anonymous for the last two seasons. And what position does he/should he play?
The Mirror are suggesting that Davidson Sanchez has gone on strike to ensure his move to Spurs goes through. I've always wanted to go to The South Pole. In light of the recent spate of footballers withdrawing their labours to get what they want, I told Mrs B that I was downing tools until the tickets were booked and paid for. She explained to me that you have to be providing a valuable service to someone such that cessation of the service causes the recipient pain, loss or damage. It seems that I won't be going to the South Pole and we're stuck with Moussa Sissoko and GKN forever . As we've bid for him and he's a forward, any lingering doubts concerning whether he's going to make it can be put to bed.........,.. it doesn't matter where he's played, he's **** and that's that. Sorry!
De Telegraaf claim Ajax want to keep Sanchez for one more season because they believe he will develop and be worth more next summer, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also interested.
We've supposedly had a bid of over £35m rejected. Ajax hold all the aces though as another season like the one he's apparently just had and his value will be double that next summer. They're better off digging their heels in. I'm excited by the possibility of signing him but still a bit confused as to why we'd set a new club record to sign a player for a position we're already pretty well stocked in. Especially confused when I consider how PL-proven and HG players such as Michael Keane went for far less earlier in the summer. I hope this doesn't evolve into Levy's annual 'well I tried' charade.
.....and there it is. The trick to successful trading is knowing when to get out and when to buy. If we bring this lad in, we can sell Toby next year to Citeh for double what he costs us. For everyone but Citeh, basic business principles still apply, even in the lunatic world of football.
