2024/2025 Defenders Rumours Thread

[CraigM]

Happy to see more rotation between them this season but would like to see a lot more from Carlos Augusto in an attacking sense. He arrived from Monza with good goal and assist numbers but contributed little in this way last season. It's not as if he was always there or thereabouts either, as the season progressed he seemed to become increasingly pragmatic and was rarely bold in attacking spaces in the way Di Marco does. He would progress the ball to the edge of the final third and play safe balls inside most of the time as if he was nervous about losing possession and being caught too far upfield.

In the interests of fairness, his defensive capabilities impressed me way more than I was expecting. It's good to have a mix of styles in players competing for the same positions, but we do need the wing backs to be able to attack well and contribute goals as we get so few from midfield (though hopefully Zielinski might help now).

 

[IM21]

Biasin says we are not in for Kiwior and that we aint in a hurry to find rhe player.

 

[DARi0]

Of course not, Marotta is playing the waiting game again.

We're waiting for Arsenal to complete the Calafiori deal so they have a surplus. Player will be unhappy, so right before the end of the mercato they will budge and hand over the player on loan + option to buy.

 

[vex]

Of course not, Marotta is playing the waiting game again.

We're waiting for Arsenal to complete the Calafiori deal so they have a surplus. Player will be unhappy, so right before the end of the mercato they will budge and hand over the player on loan + option to buy.

Possible, but I think it's even more probable we are just waiting on some new names and openings that will be available only as mercato is approaching the end. Likely the name we weren't even linked with so far.

 

[CafeCordoba]

We played the whole last season with the defenders and wingbacks we have now minus Buchanan who basically didn't take part in our Scudetto race. We went the whole season with the current setup, Augusto being backup for both Bastoni and Dimarco.

So yeah, there's no hurry. Optimal would have the guy in right now, but if there's no deal available, there's no deal available.

Comparison to last summer when Lukaku happened and we had somewhat of a panic with the striker acquisition which didn't end up too well (but then it allowed Pavard to happen). Goalie situation wasn't optimal either last summer.

Now it's just basically one backup defender we're talking about. Calma.

 

[Lui]

I'd like a beast of a CB. I don't think acerbi and de vrij can repeat last season's performances, and I don't want to find out. If we had to spend huge (lol) on one position, it should be this one.

 

[IL Fenomeno]

üää

I'd like a beast of a CB. I don't think acerbi and de vrij can repeat last season's performances, and I don't want to find out. If we had to spend huge (lol) on one position, it should be this one.

Why can't De Vrij repeat his season? he had a decent euro and is not the oldest one yet

 

[IL Fenomeno]

We played the whole last season with the defenders and wingbacks we have now minus Buchanan who basically didn't take part in our Scudetto race. We went the whole season with the current setup, Augusto being backup for both Bastoni and Dimarco.

So yeah, there's no hurry. Optimal would have the guy in right now, but if there's no deal available, there's no deal available.

Comparison to last summer when Lukaku happened and we had somewhat of a panic with the striker acquisition which didn't end up too well (but then it allowed Pavard to happen). Goalie situation wasn't optimal either last summer.

Now it's just basically one backup defender we're talking about. Calma.

If we want to compete in all competitions including club wc we need more depth

 

[Gal]

If we want to compete in all competitions including club wc we need more depth

You mean more quality dept not quantity, because you can still only have 25 players in the main squad, plus a list under 22 and if you don’t want to exclude from international competitions we are at 31 players in total.

Last term we had 24 players plus Asllani and that Includes Cuadrado and Sensi, so on paper we were only one short and currently we are at 23 plus Asllani without two injury plagued players… So unless we can get someone take on Arnautovic and Correa doesn’t exactly leave much room and we are in an improved position because our bench is definitely improved (Zielinski, Martinez and we can hope Taremi is also a step up over Sanchez)

Not that Oaktree will ever allow a big squad to begin with… it’s also financially unwise to have a bunch of players for what if situations that sits on extremely thin mandates and unlikely is good enough when actually called on.

The squad we have now have to suffice, we don’t have funds to actually strengthen it in any meaningful way, without sacrificing a starting 11 player.

Right now we have two remaining spots available and we are unlikely to get more players in than that. And if Oaktree get their way it will be development prospects not players that are likely to be able to step in an be a difference maker.

 

[IM21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1816436076979904639

 

[CraigM]

Wan-Bissaka has been mentioned enough times for enough time for there to be something in the rumours. I just cannot see any value in this particular suggested deal as Dumfries is not only a lot better, he's also a lot more suitable for Inter's needs. The Englishman on a free in a year as a vice to Dumfries, a more defensive alternative to the first-choice as Carlos Augusto is to Di Marco, then that begins to make a little sense until you consider the wage he would expect.

 

[kurt0411]

I've never understood the Wan-Bissaka one. He absolutely does not fit in a 3-5-2 in any way. The guy can't take players on, cross or dribble so can't play as a Wing Back and while he is phenomenal in 1v1 defending and tackling he he has some of the most horrific positioning I have ever seen on a defender. The guy always leaves attackers completely open so I don't see how he could be trusted as a wide centre back if that is the intention

 

[ElDuccio]

I'd like a beast of a CB. I don't think acerbi and de vrij can repeat last season's performances, and I don't want to find out. If we had to spend huge (lol) on one position, it should be this one.

this is what im saying the whole time. Im really worried. Defence could be weak this season, we can't expect much from Acerbi, he is older and had a surgery now.

 

[Capo]

I really dont have an issue with Oaktree setting conditions to focus on younger players.

It should serve us well over the long term. But I cant help to think, we should have done whatever we could to get Bremer's deal done and dusted. Acerbi has been great but 35 year old coming from injury wont be playing 70 + games this season.

 

[Darth_Ausilio]

Do not fear. Acerbi is a young man in the prime of his life. His best years are still ahead of him.

 

[IL Fenomeno]

I really dont have an issue with Oaktree setting conditions to focus on younger players.

It should serve us well over the long term. But I cant help to think, we should have done whatever we could to get Bremer's deal done and dusted. Acerbi has been great but 35 year old coming from injury wont be playing 70 + games this season.

dont worry. De Vrij decided to activate his prime mode again

 

[Corrode]

Acerbi and De Vrij need more drug to strengthen their body actually.

 

[Lui]

I'm less concerned with acerbi than de vrij, even considering the age difference.

 

[Gal]

I really dont have an issue with Oaktree setting conditions to focus on younger players.

It should serve us well over the long term. But I cant help to think, we should have done whatever we could to get Bremer's deal done and dusted. Acerbi has been great but 35 year old coming from injury wont be playing 70 + games this season.

Personally I’m not particularly worried when it comes to defenders. They aren’t expensive and are generally not rare breeds they are still heavily reliant on ability to read the game, positioning themselves correctly more than their ball handling capabilities and while latter has become more important in modern football, you generally end up playing defence because you skill aren’t cut for further upfield combined with decent defensive skills that at large happens up in your head. It’s much harder much more expensive getting a good enough player further up field.

 

[IM21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1816558122863153214