I think people are just annoyed because he hasn't been identified by the Press as a target before therefore it's assumed we're scrabbling about to sign anyone.

 

FWIW he looks a decent option to me for 17m. Alonso can play left centre-back in a 352, is pacey and has PL experience.  I don't see how the Press's favorite Ricardo Rodriguez is a clearly better option.

 

If this allows Azpi to move to the right and Ivanovic to sit the season out, then what’s the problem? 

There is this young 20 year old with a weird hairstyle. Called something like "AKE".

Maybe we can simply call him back rather than buying any sh*t player from 17million

 

 

I think people are just annoyed because he hasn't been identified by the Press as a target before therefore it's assumed we're scrabbling about to sign anyone.

 

FWIW he looks a decent option to me for 17m. Alonso can play left centre-back in a 352, is pacey and has PL experience.  I don't see how the Press's favorite Ricardo Rodriguez is a clearly better option.

 

If this allows Azpi to move to the right and Ivanovic to sit the season out, then what’s the problem? 

 

 

No qualms if we sign Alonso personally, ex Real Madrid yoof and with experience may yet still develop into a top LB.

Adequate signing. Better than I thought we'd end up with at left back if I'm honest.

Won't set the world on fire but will do a job and will mean we can have players in correct positions back there for the first time in what seems like ages.

Not a world class signing but our team will be stronger and tighter with him there. Don't want to be disrespectful to Ivanovic but let's be honest his time is up and he causes the team so many issues, hopefully this will make us much more solid.

Also he's hardly a Sunderlnd reject - he was on loan and from what I recall was pretty good there too.

My problem is that he will be deemed not good enough and we will keep trotting out Ivan and Azpi. He will just be there as backup.

Why are we not after Gaya the Valencia full back? He's a very decent player IMO.

Probably not for sale but I suppose neither was Mustafi

Why are we not after Gaya the Valencia full back? He's a very decent player IMO.

Probably not for sale but I suppose neither was Mustafi

 

Based on what I've seen of him I think Gaya look's good offensively but always seemed to lack physicality for me. Very similar type of player to Jordi Alba/Alberto Moreno. Alonso seems to be well balanced, as Socrates said if he can play LCB he has some physicality about him while being 'not great but good enough' going forward. Gaya would most likely cost more than Alonso?

Edited August 26, 20169 yr by the special one

Still find it a bit unconcerting that we've put a an average LB on loan in Germany only to consider replacing him with another one...especially when we have Ake in the team...was his loan agreed before Conte arrived?

We loaned out Ake and Baba for Marcos c**ting Alonso?

Still find it a bit unconcerting that we've put a an average LB on loan in Germany only to consider replacing him with another one...especially when we have Ake in the team...was his loan agreed before Conte arrived?

 

Ake is still 21 and learning his trade for me, same with Baba. Alonso can't be too far away from being a 'finished product' (at 25 may still have his best years ahead of him).

Edited August 26, 20169 yr by the special one

Well I would of that learning his trade at Chelsea would be as good a place as anywhere else...especially if the bonus is that Ivanovich can spend more time warming a bench...

My problem is that he will be deemed not good enough and we will keep trotting out Ivan and Azpi. He will just be there as backup.

A tad speculative, who will deem him not good enough without getting a chance to prove otherwise?

A tad speculative, who will deem him not good enough without getting a chance to prove otherwise?

I have enough experience from our past.

Edited August 26, 20169 yr by JoseBlues

I have enough experience from our past.

Then it's best to look past the past and see the future.

Well I would of thought that learning his trade at Chelsea would be as good a place as anywhere else...especially if the bonus is that Ivanovich can spend more time warming a bench...

Then it's best to look past the past and see the future.

We are repeating past mistakes

We are repeating past mistakes

 

Azpi was a mistake? Just saying.

Azpi was a mistake? Just saying.

Azpi was not a last ditch effort but a well thought out Plan A. Apples and oranges.

Edited August 26, 20169 yr by JoseBlues

I watched him many times at Bolton. He is very good when attacking just like Baba but not very good defensively though still better than Baba defensively. I think we should be trying to sign a player than can compete in the Champions league for us next season instead of short term option.

Anyway he is a slight upgrade on Baba so let's just support the manager.

If conte wants him then fair enough. So long as this is not a club signing that just sits in the bench while the back for stay as they are.

At 25 should be able to be resold if it does not work out as well.

The trouble is though is this Conte's signing or another ME last minute panic buy...!!

Tbh, I don't give a monkey's as long as it means Iva no longer at RB.

He looks clumsy on the ball in those clips. Half the time it' him stumbling into players (and those are his highlights).

The trouble is though is this Conte's signing or another ME last minute panic buy...!!

It looks like a Conte buy if it were to go through. How many players outside Italy have the club been linked with? Seems Conte's knowledge of players might be limited to his home nation.

We can only hope that Conte's defensive knowledge will improve him...though Baba wasn't give much of an opportunity for it...

Azpi was not a last ditch effort but a well thought out Plan A. Apples and oranges.

And you know this how?