Fair point that experience doesnt always mean the ability to lead, but you dont get many CBs that can lead and organise a back 4 that aren't experienced. Even VVD had played european football and won leagues before joining us. This 20 year old german lad wont be a leader, and Salisu isnt either
I know it is easy to get misty eyed over VVD because he turned into a phenomenal player. But he was a “leader” and “won leagues” in what was effectively a one team pub league at the time. And played in Europe because his team basically qualified by default And then you consider who the real leader in our defence was at the time. Because it sure as hell wasn’t Virgil van dijk. Jose Fonte is that man - signed from Crystal Palace at around 25 having never played in a top league or in Europe or internationally. I’m not even sure van dijk was a proper leader when he left us either. Didn’t he usually play with the more experienced matip? Up until this season (where he still has).
Maybe in time when they have matured a bit but not immediately. You wouldn't expect a 22 and 20 year old to come through the Academy and lead the team.
Saints_Alive, Schrodinger's Cat, saint horatio and 1 other person like this. Probably the best qualified to comment on leadership in the Navy.
Apparently Kalvin Phillips is going to City for 42m which is about 20m lower than I expected. Maybe it is favourable terms such as more up front ? Leeds are bringing in a city young midfielder for 5m in a separate deal - but not the Lavia who we have been linked with
Phillips only has two years remaining on his deal, which likely diminishes their leverage a bit. He also wasn't as good after returning from injury, but you'd have to imagine that's a temporary downturn. That's a sensible signing for City: Rodri and Phillips are a really formidable do-everything double pivot.
Is Gundogan supposed to be on the way out? I’m more thinking of whether the guy we apparently want will see too much of a queue now and want to move on Although Phillips is the Fernandinho replacement I assume
Not sure re: Gundogan, but he has demonstrated that he's even better played further up the pitch, so he could likely cohabit with Rodri/Phillips. How they'd also shunt in five attacking mids alongside them is another question.
Am I right to wonder why City want Phillips? I know he'd cost a hell of a lot more, but Rice is the obvious choice, surely?
One was available for 42m from a club that really need to sell having the highest net spend in world football over the last 3 years. The other is being quoted for silly money. If rice was available in the 70-80m bracket then they probably would have looked at that. But he isn’t. They aren’t paying a nine figure sum for a defensive midfielder
leadership is definitely more a personality trait An inexperienced leader might take you marching towards your death, but at least they take everyone enthusiastically with them.
List of players I have seen where it is rumoured that they can leave if appropriate offers come in: - Stephens - Valery - Bednarek - Redmond - Walcott - Djenepo If we shifted all of those it will be a miracle and would be some great work. Would allow for this substantial rebuild that has been rumoured. I would expect at least one of those to still be in the squad at the start of the season though
