Hopefully this is just a player that has flown under the radar and turns out to be a great find rather than a player that has never been good enough for the very top.

36 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Hopefully this is just a player that has flown under the radar and turns out to be a great find rather than a player that has never been good enough for the very top.

Hoping for another Dave, but watching his highlights versus Barca and Madrid his defending looks ropey.

In today’s market 16M is the equivalent of a free and is about as risk free as you can make a signing.

Absolutely no expectations for the lad so he can only surpass them.

I had never heard of him until the links to us surfaced. Looking at his career history, it seems he's worked his way up from the lower leagues over many seasons, starting with his tiny hometown club, rather than being fast-tracked through one of the "big" teams' academies. He has also apparently only been out injured for 10 days and missed one game in his entire career (according to transfermarkt... I'm guessing they have not tracked him that closely due to his low profile and may be under-reporting that), and that was 4 years ago due to COVID.

We could do with a dedicated LB, so for the modest fees being mentioned, this seems like an uncharacteristically sensible, low risk move from us.

Seems like a much more offensive than defensive full back. I guess Hato would be the option if we need to be more defensive on that side?

Bit of a head scratcher move this one. Clearly an Alonso decision imo and therefore I'll support it as I really hope he turns the club around.. I just hope we dont get caught out like scolari's sides and only able to play one style of football.

Welcome whoever you are.

This signing and the Palestra signing points to a back 3 imo. Pep and Palestra at wing back. Hato/Colwill/Lacroix in the middle and Rogers and Palmer in behind the striker. Caicedo's midfield partner is up for grabs though.

1 hour ago, All Barco no bite said:

This signing and the Palestra signing points to a back 3 imo. Pep and Palestra at wing back. Hato/Colwill/Lacroix in the middle and Rogers and Palmer in behind the striker. Caicedo's midfield partner is up for grabs though.

Has to be, because I don't see Chavarria and Palestra as strong enough defensively for a back 4.

I'm hoping Alonso is flexible and switches between a back 4 and back 3 formation throughout the season. Against weaker sides, we should be confident to switch to a back 4 and put more attackers on the pitch.

We haven't played a back 3 yet in preseason, just a variation with one fullback bombing forward and the other tucking in.

I agree with you lot until our defenders can get some confidence, especially if it's Enzo or Barco in the pivot with Caicedo.

The price lowers expectations. On face value we’ve sold a World Cup winning LB, (which I agreed with) but replaced with arguably a lower qualified player.

If this goes through wish him well and hopefully a player that has gone under the radar and can be an effective system player for us.

3 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

The price lowers expectations. On face value we’ve sold a World Cup winning LB, (which I agreed with) but replaced with arguably a lower qualified player.

If this goes through wish him well and hopefully a player that has gone under the radar and can be an effective system player for us.

Won’t matter if we improve balance wise.