Excellent news. He's steadily improved since we signed him from Sheffield United and this should be a great sign to those that have gone out on loan to learn their trade. Get your head down, work hard, establish yourself as a first team regular and gain the most that you can from the experience. Then come back and grab your chance with both hands. I think that Walker's probably been used a little too often this season and he won't get a break this summer, one way or the other, but I hope he'll push on next season and continue his progress. I'd like to see Naughton brought back and used as cover for him, too. He's done well at Norwich, from what I've seen of them and they've missed him when he's been absent, except for the game at WHL. Should get our Young Player of the Year award with ease.
Good news, as his value has surely shot up this season...Young player of the year, full international, and knocking in a few goals too.
Only signed a contract extension near the start of the season I think! At least he's keen! Great news though, hopefully see some more extensions for some others (Kaboul, Luka, Benny, Ledley, Rafa)
I'd like this to be King's last season, in all honesty, SoS. It'd be a shame to see him go, but he's just not up to playing a decent number of games any more and I don't think it's good for him in the long run. It's impossible to try and take a measured approach with our defence with him in the squad, as you're not sure if he'll play until the day of a game and it damages our stability.
Bar his last 4/5 games (in which he'd supposedly been carrying another injury) King has been excellent this season, especially the first half of it, him and Kaboul were immense. He's still better than Dawson, Gallas, Nelsen and Bassong. Getting rid of him will be a major mistake. Get rid of Nelsen and Gallas. Caulker will be back, Dawson will hopefully be fit, Uvini may have signed and Vertonghen's name has been touted. Having Kaboul, King, Dawson, Caulker and then potentially Vertonghen and Uvini will be the right amount.
Agree 100%. As much as I love Ledders it is time now for him to hang up those boots. we have got to have a more consistant partnership at the back next season, Dawson will be back and I expect us to keep Caulker with us for next season also, I would imagine that Bassong will go along with 2 of Nelson/Gallas/King. we would then have a CB 1st choice pairing of Kaboul and Dawson with Caulker and Gallas/Nelson as cover with poss another young CB to come in as well.
your right SOS, he has been good overall. but recently, the signs are showing that it's almost the end of the road for Ledley. We should keep him on at the club, as he's a major asset. But at some point, you have to call it a day and move on. Ledley's been struggling for years and we now need to find his replacement.
Given it's likely that Uvini (or any other centre back prospect we sign in the summer) will likely only get a run out in the Carling Cup, it's more likely he'll be loaned to Swansea/Southampton/Wigan anyway, so we'd have a decent spread of centre backs available - Kaboul alongside King/Vertonghen as first choice, with Dawson and Caulker coming in as needs must.
Yeah, agreed. Don't get me wrong I know Ledley's not at the top of his game now but he's still (in my opinion) our 2nd best and that's with a dodgy knee! I still think he has one and maybe at a push two years left. Not necessarily as a starter, but someone who can come in and do a job.
The problem with that though is that his fitness issues make it hard to predict when he'll be available.
If he stays, he is on the bench for me. Kaboul and Dawson will be a good combination with Caulker as first reserve/rotation (assuming we don't buy anyone better)
He hasn't missed too many this season in fairness, I don't know the exact number but I'd have a guess and say he's played about 22/23 league games, not too bad really. I'm sure by him being a back up to say Kaboul and Vertonghen/ Dawson/ Caulker - whichever the 1st choice pairing will be, the chances of him being able to fill in would be pretty high as his knee will be rested, just a case of keeping fit.
we could see Nelsen, Gallas and King all call it a day at the end of the season, in 1 way or another. Kaboul, Daws and Caulker will def not be enough! I can seriously see all of the first 3 mentioned, calling it.
Could possibly offer King a player/coach contract with added wages for the games he plays while still having the security of a coach contract and it may help King plan for his future after the game.
That'd be excellent. The guy deserves some assurances from us, he's put in some amazing performances for us over the years and arguably you could say the likes of Dawson and Kaboul wouldn't be half the players they are today without his influence. If he can pass some knowledge on to the likes of Caulker while also getting game time, could prove beneficial for him, Caulks and the club in general.
I hope Caulker plays more than a backup role. I think with more games he could turn into a right gem. We might have to be a bit patient with him but he's got all the attributes to be a top defender i think. I wouldn't be unhappy with Kaboul/Dawson/Caulker as our first choices on a rotational view (yeah right!). We probably need another one who is regularly available though. My fear is that if we bring in someone like Vertogingian (whatever) that having 3 senior, established CBs will limit Caulker's game time.
That would be idea - he has a lot to offer the club, so if we kept him to help nurture some of the younger players (which I'm sure he would do) would be the least he deserves.
