New LB

[El Jefecito]

I saw Chiellini(sp?) in the U21 game at wembley, and was quite impressed. Wasn't sure if he could make the step up though.

But I've watched him in the last couple of games and was super impressed with him against Inter and the way he had zlatan in his pocket for the whole game. Seems a bit of a dirty *******, which is something I like in a defender. They're playing him as a CH at the moment and he's doing well, I think that will be his final position, because like Finnan I don't think he has quite the attacking flair of an Arbeloa / Aurelio.

Would you take him? Do you think we'd be OK with some one who is only so so as an attacking force? Or do you think we need a true WB to replace Riise (Who BTW I have no doubt needs to go)?

[Harv]

we need someone who can use the ball well, and can break forward, like Aurelio/Arbeloa.

Our little Argie Insua looks like he could be a quality player, but he's a bit young to be thrown in the deep end just yet.

To be honest there arn't that many fullbacks out there who are solid defensively and in attack.

[El Jefecito]

we need someone who can use the ball well, and can break forward, like Aurelio/Arbeloa.

Our little Argie Insua looks like he could be a quality player, but he's a bit young to be thrown in the deep end just yet.

To be honest there arn't that many fullbacks out there who are solid defensively and in attack.

I've watched Insua a lot, and he's good, he's solid rather than a flair player though. I'd definitely call him a Left Back rather than a wing back. He's the type of player that would be ideal when Rafa wants the width to come from the wingers rather than the full backs.

He's definitely going to make the first team though.

[dww]

I saw Chiellini(sp?) in the U21 game at wembley, and was quite impressed. Wasn't sure if he could make the step up though.

But I've watched him in the last couple of games and was super impressed with him against Inter and the way he had zlatan in his pocket for the whole game. Seems a bit of a dirty *******, which is something I like in a defender. They're playing him as a CH at the moment and he's doing well, I think that will be his final position, because like Finnan I don't think he has quite the attacking flair of an Arbeloa / Aurelio.

Would you take him? Do you think we'd be OK with some one who is only so so as an attacking force? Or do you think we need a true WB to replace Riise (Who BTW I have no doubt needs to go)?

I saw him a couple of times earlier in the season at LB and he looked very shaky defensively and against relatively unsung opposition. I also saw him at wembley and I thought he looked outstanding going forward but the game was so open and both defenses so poorly organised that I'm not sure you could tell anything about him defensively. I have to say that I have a few misgivings about how he would cope with the greater pace of the PL (he seems strong enough to handle the physicality) as well as whether he is as good as people say.

If he is a good CB he could be the ideal addition to our squad as a plyer who could give us competition at CB and do a Finnan role at RB would be perfect. I think we need fullbacks who can play two types of game (either by having one flexible player or two options) and one is exactly what Finnan is: defensively sound, reasonable on the ball and capable of putting dangerous balls in from deep areas. I think this is what Heinze was supposed to give us and if he fulfills what other people believe he can do Chiellini could do (despite my reservations about him).

[El Jefecito]

I saw him a couple of times earlier in the season at LB and he looked very shaky defensively and against relatively unsung opposition. I also saw him at wembley and I thought he looked outstanding going forward but the game was so open and both defenses so poorly organised that I'm not sure you could tell anything about him defensively. I have to say that I have a few misgivings about how he would cope with the greater pace of the PL (he seems strong enough to handle the physicality) as well as whether he is as good as people say.

If he is a good CB he could be the ideal addition to our squad as a plyer who could give us competition at CB and do a Finnan role at RB would be perfect. I think we need fullbacks who can play two types of game (either by having one flexible player or two options) and one is exactly what Finnan is: defensively sound, reasonable on the ball and capable of putting dangerous balls in from deep areas. I think this is what Heinze was supposed to give us and if he fulfills what other people believe he can do Chiellini could do (despite my reservations about him).

That was my original reservation too, but this season he's looked better in the games I saw, like you if he hasn't sorted out that part of his game, I'd be reluctant. The issue I saw with him was his positioning and playing at CH is definitely the best way to learn positioning.

Do you see a viable alternative?

[dww]

That was my original reservation too, but this season he's looked better in the games I saw, like you if he hasn't sorted out that part of his game, I'd be reluctant. The issue I saw with him was his positioning and playing at CH is definitely the best way to learn positioning.

Do you see a viable alternative?

I haven't seen anyone stand out in either fullback position recently (with the exceptions of Lahm and Alves who aren't really viable targets). The youth level clips I have seen of Insua look promising for him to be our Clichy in a few years but I honestly can't think of a single player I wouldn't have reservations about us bringing at fullback.

I would ultimately be very happy if Rafa knew of a left footed Arbeloa who could be relied upon to be solid in different positions and had sound basic technique and passing.

[AFII]

Chiellini is a better CB than LB, he is also as you say a dirty player.

He should have been sent off against Inter when he tried to take Zlatans head off with an elbow, for example.

[El Jefecito]

Chiellini is a better CB than LB, he is also as you say a dirty player.

He should have been sent off against Inter when he tried to take Zlatans head off with an elbow, for example.

I loved that That was part of how he TOTALLY negated Zlatan. Didn't Zlatan punch him after the game?

[AFII]

I loved that That was part of how he TOTALLY negated Zlatan. Didn't Zlatan punch him after the game?

Yes he did.

They had a fight in training before Zlatan left for Inter, that is why they don't like each other.

[El Jefecito]

Yes he did.

They had a fight in training before Zlatan left for Inter, that is why they don't like each other.

Love it, dirty *******s, help win games! Can you tell that Souness is may fav player ever

[AFII]

Love it, dirty *******s, help win games! Can you tell that Souness is may fav player ever

I could guess that, King Kenny is my fav player, not even Aguero comes close.

[El Jefecito]

I could guess that, King Kenny is my fav player, not even Aguero comes close.

Yeah, I love kenny too, but I love ultra-violence more

[paulcooper4]

Am I the only one on here that think Finnan is **** hot at getting forward?

[anfieldanfield]

The sooner Riise ****s off the better.

[El Jefecito]

Am I the only one on here that think Finnan is **** hot at getting forward?

NO, he's just limited when he gets forward. Surely, you saw that given what the waiter did yesterday.