Of course, you don't want to judge a player solely on stats. The eye test is important too. But let's not pretend that their stats are meaningless. I know a lot of people, especially of a certain age, like to sh*t on stats and people who use them and pretend they can tell everything about a player from just watching a few games or highlight videos, but they can paint a picture of the strengths and weaknesses of a player over a long period of time.

He looks a good player, but the French CBs we already have have given me player PTSD, like buying from the Bundesliga.

7 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Of course, you don't want to judge a player solely on stats. The eye test is important too. But let's not pretend that their stats are meaningless. I know a lot of people, especially of a certain age, like to sh*t on stats and people who use them and pretend they can tell everything about a player from just watching a few games or highlight videos, but they can paint a picture of the strengths and weaknesses of a player over a long period of time.

Oh yeah stats have become a major influence on football transfers. Liverpool are a team I recall moving to a more stats based strategy years back and having great success. There is a skill to it though, some are better than others and it feels like we have TikTok influencer level quality in our board room. Especially when it comes to scouting centre backs. Not having a go at you mind, its always fun and interesting to compare as fans.

Hopefully Alonso is chipping in with his opinions keeping them in check. They've probably already offered him a 17 year old Venezuelan centre back as an alternative.

Brother-in-Law is a Palace fan (nice bloke apart from that lol) and has been really impressed with Lacroix.

Not against the signing but worth noting that he was riding the bench for Chalobah until we recalled him.

Could be another case of a big fish in a small pond that would struggle when asked to play more progressive football. Same reason i'd be very cautious of Murillo.

Notice Gabriel and Saliba both look pretty average this world cup when they don't have 6 CB's on the pitch with them.

13 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Not against the signing but worth noting that he was riding the bench for Chalobah until we recalled him.

Could be another case of a big fish in a small pond that would struggle when asked to play more progressive football. Same reason i'd be very cautious of Murillo.

Notice Gabriel and Saliba both look pretty average this world cup when they don't have 6 CB's on the pitch with them.

It was the 2024/2025 season.

Just under £50m according to Lequipe.

54 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Not against the signing but worth noting that he was riding the bench for Chalobah until we recalled him.

No, he wasn't.

He started 35/38 games lmao.

Edited Friday at 11:432 days by Sconnie Blue

8 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

No, he wasn't.

He played 35 games lmao.

Just being outshone by Chalobah in that team then.

4 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Just being outshone by Chalobah in that team then.

If we're going to be playing a back 3 I think he's a good signing for the central spot.

I know Colwill could also play there, but Lacroix is 6'3 and rapid, well suited to sweeping up long balls and then feeding it to the wide CBs (which I assume will be Colwill and James) who we know both have the ability to play line breaking passes forwards.

Obviously we’re all in agreement that Fofana, Disasi & Badiashille should all be shipped out to make way.

Lacroix does look a proper player and at the level we’re at as a club right now is what we should be targeting.

My question though is what does this mean for Sarr (The best Ligue 1 CB not at PSG) & Anselmino (He who BVB were ‘tapping up’)?

3 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

Obviously we’re all in agreement that Fofana, Disasi & Badiashille should all be shipped out to make way.

Lacroix does look a proper player and at the level we’re at as a club right now is what we should be targeting.

My question though is what does this mean for Sarr (The best Ligue 1 CB not at PSG) & Anselmino (He who BVB were ‘tapping up’)?

The sensible option would be to keep the deal sweet by loaning Sarr to Palace for a season with no options, but when would this lot ever do the sensible thing

So are we signing players based on charts? I guess the eye test is dead, maybe AI could help us find talent.

I think he would be a decent signing. Has been very impressive at Palace and has some experience.

40 minutes ago, Scott said:

So are we signing players based on charts? I guess the eye test is dead, maybe AI could help us find talent.

The eyes, chico. They never lie.

21 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

The eyes, chico. They never lie.

7 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

If we’re talking about who’s the better defender, its really no contest.

Stats and eye test.

Always wary of players playing in a back formation, gets worse when it’s a midtable. I think he will be fine as long as we stick with a back 3 formation. Worry is what happens if Alonso decides to switch to a back 4.

Lacroix is exactly what we need. No nonsense defender and a ball winner.

Excellent in the air in both boxes.

Ramon is an interesting one. His stats are very good and he’s very highly rated. I think he’s a far better option than Jacquet (sp?) who Liverpool signed ahead of us in January.

I’d like to see us sign Alvaro Carreras from Madrid as our starting left back too. Tall, athletic and also has excellent stats.

2 hours ago, The Boehly Babes said:

Obviously we’re all in agreement that Fofana, Disasi & Badiashille should all be shipped out to make way.

Lacroix does look a proper player and at the level we’re at as a club right now is what we should be targeting.

My question though is what does this mean for Sarr (The best Ligue 1 CB not at PSG) & Anselmino (He who BVB were ‘tapping up’)?

Not only those 2; is he going to play as our CCB or as the RCB? If he is the latter, what happens to James, Acheampong, and our £200k/w CB. We have no European football, and I don’t see him rotating CBs like our prior managers.

29 minutes ago, markpitts said:

Not only those 2; is he going to play as our CCB or as the RCB? If he is the latter, what happens to James, Acheampong, and our £200k/w CB. We have no European football, and I don’t see him rotating CBs like our prior managers.

Fofana can sit on the bench where he belongs until he comes to his senses and hands in a transfer request.

24 minutes ago, markpitts said:

Not only those 2; is he going to play as our CCB or as the RCB? If he is the latter, what happens to James, Acheampong, and our £200k/w CB. We have no European football, and I don’t see him rotating CBs like our prior managers.

Colwill and Lacroix I reckon will be playing almost every league game (LCB and CCB). James (RCB) with his fitness I am not sure, but that is where Acheampong gets a lot of game time. Hato's versatility at LB and LCB shouldn't be a problem either. Can see another CB coming in if Tosin leaves.

I wouldn't rule out Fofana getting the Sterling treatment.

6 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Colwill and Lacroix I reckon will be playing almost every league game (LCB and CCB). James (RCB) with his fitness I am not sure, but that is where Acheampong gets a lot of game time. Hato's versatility at LB and LCB shouldn't be a problem either. Can see another CB coming in if Tosin leaves.

I wouldn't rule out Fofana getting the Sterling treatment.

Fofana will take a loan i think. Hes only 25 - younger than Sterling was, he can go to Italy and have a decent career.

do we need to buy another CB???!!

Edited Friday at 15:502 days by TheCeleryKing

Hang on, I need a Centre Backs re-cap:

Tosin
Badiashile
Levi Colwill
Mamadou Sarr
Jorrel Hato
Josh Acheampong
Wesley Fofana
Trev Chalobah
Max Lacroix

Disasi
Aaron Anselmino

Well, We gotta move some blokes on.

1 hour ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Hang on, I need a Centre Backs re-cap:

Tosin
Badiashile
Levi Colwill
Mamadou Sarr
Jorrel Hato
Josh Acheampong
Wesley Fofana
Trev Chalobah
Max Lacroix

Disasi
Aaron Anselmino

Well, We gotta move some blokes on.

That's our first XI sorted then. If Arsenal can win the league with set pieces so can we!