Casemiro was a pointless import anyway - so yes.
Varane has far more use then either lindelof or dalot, so as long as they stay he needs to stay. Granted upgrades are always great, but get the upgrades in the right order.
Sancho - external issues aside - could still settle in. The club have recently kept far worse for far longer.
Sancho leaving won't be a loss on the side currently as he's been exiled. He hasn't been a success and it could be him leaving would be best for both parties.
Both ex-Real Madrid players would be a bigger loss. While the form of one has declined and the injury issues of the other has come to the fore (something we should have known before he signed), we will need them replaced sooner than later. I'd cash in on all 3 of the right offers came in. This season already looks a write off and we might as well take this one to rebuild and rejuvenate with a younger, more committed side.
I'd still get rid of Maguire and McTominay if a good offer came in but that would have to wait till the summer.
On Maguire / Varane, surely the availability of Lisandro is the key factor. Varane is a better defender and quicker player. Maguire is a better passer and more comfortable stepping up out of midfield. When we have both Martinez and Shaw on the pitch, we they provide quite a lot of options in terms of ball progression, and Varane's defensive qualities are a net positive with regard to his weakness in distribution. When both Lisandro and Shaw were out, initially ETH tried using Varane with Lindelof or Evans and using them as the progressive option, but evidently when Maguire (initially the bottom pick out of all the CBs) got his chance, the manager was evidently happier with the results. I wouldn't be amazed to see Varane getting back into the team if and when we have both Shaw and Martinez playing regularly again though.
So when it comes to January, I don't think the club would be against replacing Maguire, rather than Varane: the biggest reason it's unlikely to happen is that he seems determined to stay. Either way, we're clearly after a long-term replacement for the RCB, and ideally want one who doesn't require such significant trade-offs. Varane's pace + at least Maguire's level on the ball + aerial ability they both have.
Casemiro, Varane and Sancho
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posted on 8/12/23
Casemiro was a pointless import anyway - so yes.
Varane has far more use then either lindelof or dalot, so as long as they stay he needs to stay. Granted upgrades are always great, but get the upgrades in the right order.
Sancho - external issues aside - could still settle in. The club have recently kept far worse for far longer.
posted on 8/12/23
Sancho leaving won't be a loss on the side currently as he's been exiled. He hasn't been a success and it could be him leaving would be best for both parties.
Both ex-Real Madrid players would be a bigger loss. While the form of one has declined and the injury issues of the other has come to the fore (something we should have known before he signed), we will need them replaced sooner than later. I'd cash in on all 3 of the right offers came in. This season already looks a write off and we might as well take this one to rebuild and rejuvenate with a younger, more committed side.
I'd still get rid of Maguire and McTominay if a good offer came in but that would have to wait till the summer.
posted on 8/12/23
On Maguire / Varane, surely the availability of Lisandro is the key factor. Varane is a better defender and quicker player. Maguire is a better passer and more comfortable stepping up out of midfield. When we have both Martinez and Shaw on the pitch, we they provide quite a lot of options in terms of ball progression, and Varane's defensive qualities are a net positive with regard to his weakness in distribution. When both Lisandro and Shaw were out, initially ETH tried using Varane with Lindelof or Evans and using them as the progressive option, but evidently when Maguire (initially the bottom pick out of all the CBs) got his chance, the manager was evidently happier with the results. I wouldn't be amazed to see Varane getting back into the team if and when we have both Shaw and Martinez playing regularly again though.
So when it comes to January, I don't think the club would be against replacing Maguire, rather than Varane: the biggest reason it's unlikely to happen is that he seems determined to stay. Either way, we're clearly after a long-term replacement for the RCB, and ideally want one who doesn't require such significant trade-offs. Varane's pace + at least Maguire's level on the ball + aerial ability they both have.
Page 2 of 2