You can't compare Jones & Smalling alongside Chester. Phil Jones had a full season in the Premier League for Blackburn and played for the England U21s numerous times before Fergie signed him. It's also worth noting Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs made bids - it was always clear he had a future at the highest level. It's a similar story with Smalling, except that was more of a gamble. He played a few games in the Premier League for Fulham, which was clearly enough to persuade SAF to shell out £12m on him. James Chester, in January 2011, had played 8 games in League 2 and 18 in League 1. He only ever played once for United, and that was as a sub in a League Cup tie. How can this be enough for Fergie to say "Yes, this kid is ready for a place in Manchester United's first team"? There's a bit of a gulf in class between United's reserves, Leagues 1 & 2and the bloody Premiership (which Smalling and Jones were proven in before United showed an interest.) By the way, Smalling and Jones were signed for a combined fee of £30m, Chester cost £300K. I hope this clears things up
How does that clear it up. Chester was with Man U for years and assessed by them constantly and was deemed not good enough. If he had of been Fergie wouldnt have shelled that money out for a players of the same age. SO again Alex Ferguson deems Chester not good enough yet you know better. Chester is good but the praise is way over the top. He isnt even versatile is he?? The only player we have who should be in the Premiership at this moment in time is Rosenior and why no one bought him i do not know.
I d dispute your MotM statement. He played well along with Hobbs, Rosenior, Dawson and others, but Waghorn and Basso were the only candidates for the title on yesterdays performance. Personally I think Basso just edged it.
Bassos standard keeper duties were perfect all game yesterday and looked as safe as Mannone had looked at any point last season. He made two class saves, one of which was exceptional and was in all the way till his intervention. Definately no. 1, if he keeps that form.
MotM should be scrapped, it's a team game. I'm sure there is tremendous competition at Man U and Chester may have been well thought of but they can only integrate a certain number of the very best young players into their first team squad. He may be a late developer and if that's the case then hooray for us. One thing's for sure, we paid £300k for him and even if he's not £10m he is worth more now than the initial fee. Chester is captain material in the making IMO, not quite yet but it will happen. He's also my favourite current City player.
The comparison to Koscielny wasn't ability wise, it was the style of defender I was aiming at. No one here is saying Chester is a top half PL centre back (which both Smalling and Jones already are) Chester is only 22 as well, he wont hit his peak for a while... Defenders get better with experience so 7 years time, who knows? I still don't think he is really suited to the English game though, he isn't great in the air which will be exploited at a higher level. Spain or Italy would be a better fit for him unless the English game changes in the next few years.
Good post, good summing up of Chester. Just seemed too many were going over the top about him. In the same way Theo is so desperately trying to make Mckenna the greatest thing ever.
Come on I was joking. Where have I said that? All through this thread i have made it clear Chester is a good player, but people seem to want to go over the top and if you dont agree you dont watch football properly. Lets face it when it looked like Ayala was coming you all thought Chester was going to be dropped. If your mate Kilgallon did ever come, its likely Chester would be dropped too. He is a good player (again) but as James says his lack of aerial power would find him out if we went up and still may do in this league.
Is it just me or was Hobbs the rock at the back ??? won every header and put some great covering blocks in for his defensive teammates, yes chester tracked back and made some interceptions at times but that was his job, Hobbs at times went beyond his duties and covered others slackness. great defensive performance all round but Hobbs MOM easily
I've said something similar on another thread . He had a superb game yesterday , including an assist for the goal . He was my MOM as well . Where's Tigersteve today then with his Hobbs is ****e nonsense ?
For the record, if Kilgallon did sign for us, then Chester/Kilgallon would be my first choice pairing, I think Chester is in a different class to Hobbs. That's not a slagging of Hobbs, I just think he's a bit one dimensional and Chester is a better all round player.
So the bloke who started this thread made Chester MOTM without actually watching it. People who were there believe Hobbs was MOTM. See what i mean about people making too much of Chester, its like the Emperor's new clothes. So in answer to the question, Chester is worth £300 grand and Hobbs is £850 grand as thats what we paid for them.
Chester is still learning and is unlikely to be sold in my opinion. Very impressed with his efforts so far but I believe there is more to come
Who made chester mom without being at the game? hahahahahaha serious? thats not laughing at chester who i thought was great but come on thats ****ing dementia
