Jan Vertonghen and Douglas

It seems Pardew is very, very interested in these blokes. He's off again on another scouting mission, and went to see FC Twente vs Ajax.

I decided to try and watch both of these players a few times on firstrowsports recently.

Vertonghen is the better all round player of the two. He jumps very high, wins balls in the air, he's strong, he's good on the ball, he's a poacher around the box, you'd literally think he'd had the same training as a top level striker. His positioning is awesome. He's good at tackling, very precise. He's like a direct mix of Colo and Saylor.

Douglas - So, so strong. Realistically, he makes Tiote look like a choir boy. He's also very scary when running with the ball, and for a monster of a man, he's got decent ball control and is a decent ball player. He makes beasty runs, he's reminds me lot like Yaya Toure at times. He's not easy to knock on his arse, but that's what players have to do to stop him. He also has a powerful shot on him, and looks like scoring a lot. In our style of play, if he runs with our players on a break, he could be lethal. He's not THAT quick, but he does run at a pace where a man of his frame looks ****ing scary as ****. He's also a very vocal player, and as well as his strength and aerial presence, he could be that vice captain presence that we could really use at the back. He's very good at bollocking players into shape and having a voice.

Vertonghen as I said, is the better all round player, but not by much. I don't think the price difference and the hype tells the full story.

I know we all like Saylor, but if sign either of these two, I find it difficult to see how Saylor would compete for his first team place.

 

I'd have Taylor as my first choice still I have to say. But the lad has to prove he can stay fit first. There is little doubting his ability as a centre back in this league but the cold reality is he struggles to keep fit.

 

Well obviously Saylor is still first choice till the new lads prove themselves, but as I said, these two guy are IMO different class to him.

He's ****ing huge ****ing huge. 6ft 4, amazing strength, runs on the ball well, great standing tackler.

 

Vertonghen will go to Arsenal I reckon. They've scouted him a lot.

Douglas is probably more realistic given our league position. We're in the driving seat with that one as other clubs after him around Europe haven't done as well in their respective leagues. Would be a brilliant signing.

 

Vertonghen will go to Arsenal I reckon. They've scouted him a lot.

Douglas is probably more realistic given our league position. We're in the driving seat with that one as other clubs after him around Europe haven't done as well in their respective leagues. Would be a brilliant signing.

 

Each to their own Tash. I've seen plenty of both of these and I'm not sure I'd rate either above Taylor on ability. Vertonghen is certainly a more elegant player, but I'd argue that Taylor makes up that ground with his never say die "I'll block it with my face if I have to" attitude towards defending. Its been a massive miss for us. Vertonghen is a big lad and good footballer but he doesn't have the same tenacity in his defending as Taylor. I think in our league you need a bit more of the ugly stuff. I like Douglas but say he is the weakest option of the three on what I've seen. To be fair the other two have been exposed to higher levels of football.

All said and done I think we'll get Douglas. I'm almost certain Vertonghen is Arsenal bound.

One thing is for sure, they'lll both have to go some to match Saylors acting and humour.

 

Mapou Yanga Mbiwa is much better than Douglas and on par with Vertonghen and would cost the same as Douglas.

 

What about Alderwiereld?

 

Not heard anything further than he is always mentioned whenever Vertonghen is mentioned. Fits the "sneak under the radar" type we seem to like. Good player and he'd be more amiable to a slow introduction.

 

Good call, he has a good reading of the game and is intense. A better option to Douglas because Douglas has little composure and mistimes a few tackles... in a slower league.

 

The two of them play together for Ajax.

From what I've heard/seen/signed on FM, he's not as huge as Douglas or as refined as Vertonghen, but is just a very good defender. Probably cheaper than both.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Ul_4D9tWM

A compilation of Alderwiereld.

 

Aye sorry that wasn't clear. I was just alluding to that he could be the silent target as they always concentrate on Pards watching Jan V when I reckon he fits the bill better.

 

Vertonghen would be definitely be a good buy for 10m. A great long term investment, but I'd still be really happy with Douglas.

Immense strength, good in the air, quite mobile for a big lad, decent on the ball, great stand tackler.

 

I suspect other clubs will bid higher and offer higher wages. We buy players out of the blue rather than the ones were linked with.