2022/2023 Defenders Rumours Thread

[DARi0]

PAVARD EXPLAINS WHY HE REJECTED INTER OFFER IN JANUARY

Inter looked to sign Benjamin Pavard in the January transfer window but the Bayern Munich defender turned down their offer, wanting to ‘definitely stay’ at the club.

The Nerazzurri began looking for a new defender in the winter transfer window after Milan Skriniar confirmed his intentions to leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Bayern Munich publicly confirmed the arrival of an ‘attractive’ offer for Pavard in January but did not specify the sender, although multiple outlets reported that it came from Inter. A move to Lombardy ultimately failed to materialise.

Speaking to German outlet Sport1, Pavard first discussed his goals and plans for the future.

“I have never said that I want to leave. I know very well that I’m at a big club, there’s a great atmosphere and a great organisation here.
“I feel very comfortable here, I like the club and the fans, and I hope we will still achieve great things this season.”

He was then asked why he didn’t join Inter in the recent transfer window.
“I’m not one to give up in the middle of the journey. My goal was definitely to stay with Bayern.
“I’m determined to give everything for the club and the team, and I want to win as many titles as possible with Bayern.”

Inter are now looking around for a new centre back to replace Skriniar in the summer transfer window. Financial limitations may force them to pursue lower-cost options or young talents, rather than making a statement signing.

Pavard has a contract until 2024 and seems to want to extend.

Time to be creative on the market.

 

[CafeCordoba]

It was a bit strange rumor from the beginning. So he really didn't and doesn't want to leave as was reported.

 

[sdvroot]

I like him a lot. He's a modern CB who's quick and good on the ball. Young as well. Reminds me of Konate and Upamencano. Bring him in.

I wouldn't say it's fast, Tiago Djalo lokks much better.

 

[Helenio Herrera]

It was reported that Pavard wants to leave because he wants to play CB and was played mostly as a RB at Bayern.

With the arrival of Cancelo, they moved him to CB so no doubt he'd be happy now.

I don't see Bayern purchasing Cancelo though, so it might still happen come summer. I can see him extending his contract if Bayern continue with Stanisic + a signing at RB.

 

[Irequis]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1631739043909173251

AFAIK his knee is already severed. If that is the case, we should stay away from him because his positive spell so far is temporary while his knee condition is permanent.

 

[NimAraya]

Yep, stay away from this guy! He can shine at a club like Lecce.

 

[brehme1989]

Was never great to begin with.

 

[Helenio Herrera]

Umtiti was one of the world's best defenders between 2016 and 2018.

Wouldn't sign him for anything more than the minimum wage though.

 

[brehme1989]

Umtiti was one of the world's best most overrated defenders between 2016 and 2018.

fixed

 

[ADRossi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1631739043909173251

AFAIK his knee is already severed. If that is the case, we should stay away from him because his positive spell so far is temporary while his knee condition is permanent.

I'm sure his transfer value will rise when he puts Lautaro in his pocket tomorrow.

 

[Fitzy]

I'm sure his transfer value will rise when he puts Lautaro in his pocket tomorrow.

Fee will only rise for us.

 

[Helenio Herrera]

fixed

Meh. You tend to criminally underrate esteemed players

He was great until after the 2018 WC. He was easily the best defender at that WC as well

 

[brehme1989]

Meh. You tend to criminally underrate esteemed players

He was great until after the 2018 WC. He was easily the best defender at that WC as well

Sounds like you tend to buy in the hype and overrate players.
Flipped.

 

[Helenio Herrera]

Sounds like you tend to buy in the hype and overrate players.
Flipped.

Nope, you are a bit of a hater (e.g. hating on the PL) so it clouds your judgement

I'd say the only center backs clearly ahead of him in that period were Ramos, Godin and Chiellini. He was ahead of guys like Bonucci, Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Vertonghen, Hummels imho

Even if you didn't rate him, you'd have to put him in your top ten

 

[brehme1989]

Nope, you are a bit of a hater (e.g. hating on the PL) so it clouds your judgement

I'd say the only center backs clearly ahead of him in that period were Ramos, Godin and Chiellini. He was ahead of guys like Bonucci, Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Vertonghen, Hummels imho

Even if you didn't rate him, you'd have to put him in your top ten

I'm a hater because you disagree with my point that he was overrated? What exactly am I hating here?


You mentioned Bonucci there, another overrated player. Definition of average defensively but has some solid characteristics in the attacking phase (passing, long balls) and is excellent at heading, so people think that he's somehow a top defender.


Umtiti was part of a very hyped, yet average Lyon team that did nothing in Europe and had just 1 decent year in France where they finished 2nd, while the next time they finished 2nd they had 10+ defeats and finished 30 points behind PSG and the one time they played at a group stage they suffered 3 home losses and finished 4th in an average CL group.

Umtiti, Lacazette, Tolisso, Gonalons, Cornet etc... They were never anything special. Lacazette had his moments, but he was another overrated player and was never what Arsenal had hoped they signed.

Their only excellent player from those teams was Fekir who ended up being rather unimpressive at Betis.

At Barcelona, Umtiti wasn't really the standout. Him next to Pique was pretty much a bad situation but they were lucky that Barcelona still had Mascherano for some part and guys like Rakitic and even a scrub like Paulinho who was at least running a lot, to ease them from any attacking threats.

He was not voted as one of the best defenders of Euro 2016. In fact, Pepe and another overrated player in Jerome Boateng were the main two center backs in the tournament selection.
He was not voted in either XI of the 2018 World Cup. One had Yerry Mina and Granqvist, the other had Godin, whilst both had Varane and Thiago Silva.

So he was definitely not viewed as the best defender. One of? Maybe due to his presence at France and Barcelona he had strong name value, but still, the fact that Pique was considered the best center back on the team for the first time in his career when he played next to Samuel Umtiti should speak volumes about what level of center back he was at his prime. Pique is even worse than Bonucci at actual defending.


Was he a good defender? Sure, he was decent.
Was he one of the best defenders? Hell to the no. Never top 10, sorry.

 

[Helenio Herrera]

I'm a hater because you disagree with my point that he was overrated? What exactly am I hating here?


You mentioned Bonucci there, another overrated player. Definition of average defensively but has some solid characteristics in the attacking phase (passing, long balls) and is excellent at heading, so people think that he's somehow a top defender.


Umtiti was part of a very hyped, yet average Lyon team that did nothing in Europe and had just 1 decent year in France where they finished 2nd, while the next time they finished 2nd they had 10+ defeats and finished 30 points behind PSG and the one time they played at a group stage they suffered 3 home losses and finished 4th in an average CL group.

Umtiti, Lacazette, Tolisso, Gonalons, Cornet etc... They were never anything special. Lacazette had his moments, but he was another overrated player and was never what Arsenal had hoped they signed.

Their only excellent player from those teams was Fekir who ended up being rather unimpressive at Betis.

At Barcelona, Umtiti wasn't really the standout. Him next to Pique was pretty much a bad situation but they were lucky that Barcelona still had Mascherano for some part and guys like Rakitic and even a scrub like Paulinho who was at least running a lot, to ease them from any attacking threats.

He was not voted as one of the best defenders of Euro 2016. In fact, Pepe and another overrated player in Jerome Boateng were the main two center backs in the tournament selection.
He was not voted in either XI of the 2018 World Cup. One had Yerry Mina and Granqvist, the other had Godin, whilst both had Varane and Thiago Silva.

So he was definitely not viewed as the best defender. One of? Maybe due to his presence at France and Barcelona he had strong name value, but still, the fact that Pique was considered the best center back on the team for the first time in his career when he played next to Samuel Umtiti should speak volumes about what level of center back he was at his prime. Pique is even worse than Bonucci at actual defending.


Was he a good defender? Sure, he was decent.
Was he one of the best defenders? Hell to the no. Never top 10, sorry.

Come on now you don't even hide the fact that you hate the PL yourself. Anyway.

Bonucci during that period was so effective on the ball that his defensive shortcomings were offset. In general he was rated highly, he even made the Ballon d'Or rankings if I'm not mistaken.

I don't rate players based on their team achievements so him making fuck all at Lyon means jack shit to me. It's a team sport and there's only so much a single center back can do. I'll agree that Lyon players are generally overrated, though. Even the midfield of Ndombele and Aouar were supposed to go on to become worldbeaters, but here they are years later, good but not great players.

I think you're being unfair to Fekir. He was sensational but sadly had injury problems. He's also really good at Betis despite his physical qualities diminishing after the injury. He was in fact really good this season until he was recently injured again.

Umtiti was the standout in that Barcelona team. Their midfield was soft so their defenders had to constantly bail them out in games. They played with an extremely high line as well which makes the defenders' jobs even harder. He whipped a defense of jokers like Pique and Semedo into shape. He was quick, strong, excellent at tackling, and wonderful on the ball. Kind of like Araujo is right now. Mascherano was basically washed at that point. Umtiti was the undisputed key defender of that Barcelona side, only comparable to Ter Stegen in terms of direct impact.

He wasn't even a starter during Euro 2016 until the later stages of the tournament so I don't understand how you expect him to be picked among the best defenders.

Wikipedia says the WC 2018 team of the tournament was based on fan votes so I don't get why that would be relevant.

However, he was on the FIFA World XI second team in 2018 along with Thiago Silva, behind only Ramos and Varane. Before that, he was on the FIFA World XI fifth team in 2017, which would make him a top ten center back. Then again, these accolades are also given based on team popularity and media hype, but it's no mistake that he made those teams. He was apparently also on the ESM Team of the Year for the 2017-18 season, according to Wiki.

It's near impossible to name 10 center backs who were ahead of him for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. Once you try to make a list, you'll see.

 

[brehme1989]

Problem here is that you're trying to get a list 5 years later as if it matters. I could tell you that player X was better but it won't matter at all if you cannot find some list that agrees with that sentiment.
Because I can tell you that Skriniar, Van Dijk and Koulibaly for example were better. And they probably were. But you weren't exposed to them. It's not like they learned football after they turned 28.

Fucking Manolas was a highly rated defender and I never rated him as such. Just fast with some jumping ability. Umtii was slightly better than him.

There were like 4-5 world class defenders. All others were rated based on 1-2 characteristics that people appreciated. Whether that was ball control or speed is irrelevant.
It's like with strikers. There's a shortage of quality strikers so you go to the next level with Morata and Lukaku going for crazy amounts because those teams cannot get the actual world class strikers. That doesn't make neither Morata nor Lukaku world class.

 

[sdvroot]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1631739043909173251

AFAIK his knee is already severed. If that is the case, we should stay away from him because his positive spell so far is temporary while his knee condition is permanent.

Samuel Umtiti - Injury history

This is the injury history of Samuel Umtiti from LOSC Lille. On this page injuries as well as suspensions.

www.transfermarkt.com

last was Fractured Toe

 

[Helenio Herrera]

Problem here is that you're trying to get a list 5 years later as if it matters. I could tell you that player X was better but it won't matter at all if you cannot find some list that agrees with that sentiment.
Because I can tell you that Skriniar, Van Dijk and Koulibaly for example were better. And they probably were. But you weren't exposed to them. It's not like they learned football after they turned 28.

Fucking Manolas was a highly rated defender and I never rated him as such. Just fast with some jumping ability. Umtii was slightly better than him.

There were like 4-5 world class defenders. All others were rated based on 1-2 characteristics that people appreciated. Whether that was ball control or speed is irrelevant.
It's like with strikers. There's a shortage of quality strikers so you go to the next level with Morata and Lukaku going for crazy amounts because those teams cannot get the actual world class strikers. That doesn't make neither Morata nor Lukaku world class.

Look man, I said he was one of the world's best defenders between 2016 and 2018. So of course making a list of top ten defenders during that period matters.

My claim never was "all highly rated defenders are top defenders". So it's useless to bring Manolas up, as I never claimed he was a good defender. Manolas never reached a level comparable to Umtiti. That comparison would've been laughed off back then.

Umtiti was first and foremost a great athlete. He was very fast, agile and strong. He is left footed which is always a plus for center backs, and was excellent when bringing the ball out of defense. Lastly, his defensive positioning and skill of tackling made him the complete package. He was near perfect and enabled Barcelona to play with such a high line.

I already brought Koulibaly up. I think he was also in the top ten during that period. Skriniar was good but not at top 10 level yet and wasn't as complete a package as Umtiti. Van Dijk was great but missed a lot of time at Southampton due to injuries.

In any case, even if you wanted to include all of them, in addition to guys like Ramos, Godin, Thiago Silva, Chiellini etc., Umtiti would still have to make top ten.

 

[DARi0]

I wouldn't say it's fast, Tiago Djalo lokks much better.

Not sure if you guys know but Tiago Djaló suffered a very bad injury that practically ended his season.
Cruciate Ligament Rupture with unknown return date. Italian press already speculates that this might cost him the transfer as Inter are forced to prioritize other targets.
I just hope Inter are not going to sign another Correa like when Thuram got injured.

Giorgio Scalvini is the main target and I can understand why.
He is showing serious composure and already scored 2 goals while being only 19 years old. His current market value is €20Mand the asking price is €40-45M.

The latest rumour from GdS is that Inter could offer midfielder Giovanni Fabbian and striker Martin Satriano to Atalanta as part of a deal for defender Giorgio Scalvini.