Klavan has done fine imo. He was bought to be 3rd/4th choice and has done a decent job. Karius simply can't play for us again. Shame but true.
I think Karius is fine for backup. Don't need two expensive brand name keepers. Karius is good enough to fill in for games against Dag&Red in the League Cup.
Klavan is a bit unfair. He was never bought to be 1st XI, just a backup option to fill in when needed, cup games, coming on for the last 10mins etc. We were very short of CB's and Matip is known to suffer injuries. Klavan at the price has been what you'd expect, unfortunately he's been needed more than expected.
So you expected Karius to be a mega star after arriving for the record breaking fee of £4.6m...? If we'd had issues at CB and Klavan had had to play, people wouldn't so gentle with him.
I never mentioned Karius. And no and still don't that's why I don't think he should be our GK. Klavan is limited and we knew that before coming, he wasn't a youngster that could improve, he's a journey-man who came to do a job. He's done what's expected, nothing more and sometimes less, but has lived up to the cheap price tag. And like Karius I don't think he should be in the 1st XI, and isn't (unlike Karius)
Klavan Imo was a bad signing. He's a liability on the field, not someone you would want on for more than a handful of minutes. Honestly, I think blooding youth would generally be a better idea. Yes he was cheap and no, he was never intended as a long term signing; but to me that doesn't change the fact that he just isn't good enough.
Nice one I'm all payed up. Have copy of receipt but can't seem to attach on the phone. Any ideas anyone? Happy to send to you So the terms for next season then? £10 donation per cup/title (wishful thinking) is £10 donation by the lowest place team Thoughts? Anyone else up for this?
Interesting Fabinho has scored something like 15 out of 15 pens for Monaco. Wouldn't surprise me if he went straight in to take ours as only have Milner that is currently any good.
Klavan is decent. He's obv not a first choice but he's experienced, was cheap and seems happy to be back up for us. Also being left footed offers that bit more variety in CB. MY only problem is he needs to be about 6 inches taller because although decent in the air, he's bit of a short ass defender so gets beaten by any taller striker. Like Sky said, there aren't many 4th choice CB's out there who are better than him? City - Kompany, Laporte, Otamendi, Stones United - Baily, Smalling, Jones, Rojo Chelsea - Rudiger, Luiz, Cristensen, Cahill Arsenal - Mustafi, Kos, Holding, Chambers Stones has potential even though hasn't shown in, but wouldn't put him behind any of the other 3 4th choice CB's in that list (No idea on united 4th, but Smalling/Jones/Rojo all as bad as each other really).
So going back to the final against Madrid. Say we got a do-over and Salah is healthy again. Team sheets come out and Klavan is in the first XI instead of VVD... You wouldn't automatically say "oh crap. Game over" ? Any player who gets that reaction is not worth having.
No? That’s a ridiculous argument. What you’re suggesting is we should only have 11 players because there’s no point having players on the bench who aren’t as good as the first 11 obviously you wouldn’t put Klavan ahead of VVD because he’s a better player and when fit he’ll obv be ahead of Klavan. But if VVD and Lovren were out injured, I’d rather have Klavan as an option than sticking an 18 year old from youth team in there it shoving a CM or full back in there.
He has the best record in Europe. Never missed one for Monaco I read.. he does those cheeky little chips too occasionally. Cleary a confident guy.