It's all about vision, strikers/midfielders command immense fees yet proper defenders are harder to find and do just as important a job. Great paying for the flash guy and fans wishes, not so great paying for the guy that makes the difference in a not so sensational way. Most supporters are guilty of this (I have been often), we all want the big names but defenders don't seem to carry the same kudos as them what score the goals.
Because great defenders don't always make great defences. It's partly about set up and partnerships. Some of greatest defenders have been cheap. Gallas, Hyypia, Vidic, Toure were all signed for barely anything but forged good partnerships and were solid rather than spectacular. Now granted they were signed a long time ago but most were for couple million and even in today's money only equates to what, £10m? VVD was only £10m from Celtic, azpilicueta was £7m, Kompany £8m? Look at some of fees paid for Mustafi, Lovren, Sakho, Mangela, Otamendi over last few years. From 18m to £30m and none have been much good. Forwards are more expensive because it's harder to score goals that's the main reason. Goals win games, you could have best defence in world but unless team score you're getting relegated. I dont totally disagree with your point, I'm a defender myself so naturally on their side when it comes to arguing (think defending has been made harder in last 10-15 years because you aren't allowed to tackle anymore) but there's a reason forwards tend to earn the big bucks and get votes for POTY etc and it's because they tend to have the biggest influence on the team. A £50m striker will generally have much more influence on team than £50mmdefender. Because forward can have a moment of magic and win you a game from nothing but a defender could be superb all game, but still needs 3/4 others around him to do the same to keep a clean sheet. Defending is a team game much more than scoring.
You are in lala land. Last few years the fees for defenders have been astronomical. Luiz for 50m and then at the ripe age of 29 we buy him back for 30m. Eric Bailley 30m Shaw 27m Alonso 23m Rahman 17.3m Stones 50m Otamendi 32m Mangala 40m Mustafi 35m Lovren 20m and half of these were nobodies, foreign and before the latest windfalls and doesn't include marcelino and Thiago Silva which PSG paid a pretty penny for, Even ****ing James Tomkins whos late 20s and is a **** defender went for 10m. VVD has shown he's one of the standouts, has both size and speed and it also pretty handy in both boxes as well as playing it out. And he's premier league proven and at a good age. Thats why he's going for an arm and a leg if anyone wants him
Don't give a stuff how much players are..if the manager wants them and we can pay for them...go get them.. If manager is wrong enough times he gets the sack. That's the deal they sign up to. He'll get the sack just as quick buying a dozen 15m gambles that surprise surprise all turn out mediocre...
I don't care about what we've paid for a player. What I do care about is our team. If surrendering £50m on Van Dickface means we've got nothing left it's not a sensible move. We need a LB, DM and a creative ball playing CM more than a CB! Is all about the team for me, not individuals and certainly not start individuals! If we were to sign Van Dickface then I'm pretty sure it won't be for our entire budget. Was merely making a point
Wasn't aimed at you mate...just me saying I want my manager trying to get the players he thinks are vital to his team. We will all have views on what player is worth what but in the end it's his job to assemble and put out the team. And he'll live or die by it. I would like to think if he only has 50m it won't go on one player at this time but then...that's been the reasoning to keep buying bulk average. Honestly...I think I might wait 4 years if I knew that in each window he was going to buy the exact player he wants in each position we are weak in rather than another 3 years of gambles and we're having the same discussion about us just having "squad players" etc.. Doubt many others would have that patience though lol...and I'd still be grumpy on match threads.
I agree in that we should be patient, I'm sick of buying **** that end up moving on. We should have enough to buy 3 quality players this window though.
£50m is a lot but do we think our scouts can find quality players at affordable prices? .. I'm not a fan of signing players from lower level teams unless they're supremely talented. VVD certainly fits the bill but as IBWT points out, a defence is only as strong as its weakest link. Until we bring in a LB, a reliable RCB and upgrade RB, we will still have issues.
Your point is fine but A) they players you mention cant be compared to vvd expect exactly as you did. To the fee southampton paid. B) the players you mentioned never played prem til bought. They all represented a risk of some sort. C) vvd has the rich prem club fee attached so if anyone wants him he is 50mil. That price has nothi g to do with anything but who is selling. D) every expensive cb you listed were bought in from foreign.. bar lovren and you left stines off list. So while the point is well made about value.. however you cant buy a left leg in the prem for 20mil now. Just watch...despite michael keane having only one year left on contract he might go for anything north of 25mil.. maybe even 30. So if you are telling me vvd is not at least a bit better say 40mil than that lad......ok then.. just say you dont rate vvd like some of us do then.
Liverpool will step up their pursuit of left-back Ryan Sessegnon at the end of the season, writes @JamesPearceEcho
Would the players be that patient? The board? I agree with you that we should be signing more first teamers but I don't agree with breaking transfer records at this stage. We need too many players for us to be doing that. Records are broken when teams only need one or two players, not five or six End of the day, this is all pie in the sky. Klopp isn't the type of manager to make a signing like that. Our owners aren't like that. And there are more appealing clubs after Van Dickface too.
One of the problems I can see is that if we buy lets say a CB, LB and CM to replace Lovren, Milner and Hendo will those players be happy with a place on the bench? If yes then we will have a much stronger squad if no then we need to replace them as well which is where it gets difficult. We will have more games so we should be able to keep everyone happy.
Who cares? It's a squad game, not everyone is going to be happy. Players that have been first teamers and get relegated to squad players aren't going to be happy but nor should we be buying squad fillers. We should always buy players to improve the first team (plus some youngsters)
