Can't say I know anything about the stats, just use my eyes and he's head and shoulders above most IMO
not goals per se, but attacking contribution, yes, of course. I love CBs who have the courage and skill to press forward at the right moments during a match. Agger is best at that as well.
I don't get some people here saying they rate Agger if it weren't that he gets injured a lot. You either rate him or not - injuries have been an unfortunate part of his career but one which we should very much hope will be behind him at 29 yro - a great age for a CB btw.
I think you have to look at the whole package. Skrtel walked a very fine line with refs at times this season- but managed to get away with it. Skrtel has been the only defender to really show a non-stop presence in our defensive areas. I do think goal scoring is a big bonus- it's not the main thing to look for in a CB- but when a CB is good in the box to whip in a few goals from corners- I think that is a big plus. Take Skrtel's goals away- he still seemed to be our best defender this season... yes he had a few own goals- from trying everything he could to protect the goal- but he was always there to try and defend. Sakho and Agger were both on and off in quality- and I think the fact that both pick up injuries is something to watch. Toure started good but migrated towards the crap side of quality over the season.
I'll be sad to see Agger go, if indeed he does go. For me, the best partnership we have is Skerts and Agger....we know that, set up correctly, they are a tight unit form past years. Our expansive playing style has changed everything though and we need defenders comfortable receiving the ball to feet.....and Agger is our best CB at this. His injuries do concern me, we need a bit of continuity in our CB pairing and injuries to Agger (and Sakho) disrupted that. Toure should be thanked and shown the door. On Sakho, this was his first year in the EPL, am sure he'll step up next season. Ilori, needs to get some pre-season game time, is meant to be class, I'd like to see it!
Skrtel is just a ok defender IMO, doesn't show any leadership skills which is crazy given that Rodgers has basically trusted him through out, if you know your going to play every game you usually voice you voice more, which he doesn't do at all tbh. For me Sakho will be incredible, thought he was great before his injury and then didn't risk himself with a World Cup on the way. Always liked Agger but he's at an age where he will either mature and turn better or get worse with age and become slower, less mobile. For me I would have Sakho-Skrtel next season and bed in Illori, who I rate also. Wisdom-Sakho-Skrtel-Flanagan
It will be a sad day but it will be a day that's been a long time coming too. Love Agger to bit but his injury record is poor at best. Much rather have someone that is available at least 85% of the time
I don't get this f*cking resigned defeatist pessimistic farewelly time-to-say-thank-you-and-goodbye attitude. What the f**k is wrong with you and some others treating a skillful 29 yo CB as if he's Seabiscuit after the fall?
I've said the same thing for about five years! I'd rather have someone that can play thirty plus games a season than a quality player thats available for a dozen!
Well, maybe we should hope that his injury history doesn't follow him next season rather than doom the fella.
He's had injury problems in all eight seasons he's been with us, what makes you think next season will be different?
In his 9 seasons with us he's played 175 league games out of a possible 323 (not 100% accurate as he arrived in Jan window so I've guessed half the season of 19 games he should have been available for). That's 54% of league matches. Not sure about cup games and Europe though
