Joël Matip

[SB]

Don’t jinx him Bob. An uninjured season is the dream. Keep it alive

[rodo]

most underrated centre back in the prem what a player he is

[Scratch]

He's immense. Comical in his mannerisms but a fantastic defender. Compliments Virg to perfection.

Wonder if he will start midweek, or will be rotate him out to keep him fresh?

[Pablo]

I'd be tempted to rest them both and start Konate and Gomez. Bit risky but two great backups!

Anyway only the one goal conceeded so far, fantastic start from them both!

[Charly]

I think its perhaps easy to forget how good he is because of his injury record.

I think VvD and Matip is the best partnership in defence that I have seen play. Gomez is a good backup. Not sure where Konate fits in at the moment.

Shoulda had more faith in Phillips as 4th choice

Matip looks very awkward on the ball, for some reason... but its all a deception. He has a great touch, and good vision too.

[Fredo]

He's fantastic. When people are lauding Varane for example, we have Matip for one, who's IMO a better player.

[Fosterbloke]

He's fantastic. When people are lauding Varane for example, we have Matip for one, who's IMO a better player.

Today is officially upside down day.

[frank the tank]

It's brilliant to have Virgil back.....and I would be confident that anyone who plays next to him would be ok. Same with the left back who plays next to Virgil.......so Tsimikas will play better with VVD alongside him too. As does Andy.

But Matip back is a huge bonus too. Hopefully he stays fit. Definitely our 2nd best defender. We were actually ok last season after VVD got injured......but when Matip went as well it's when it went to ****e

[Shaggy]

He's definitely the most slept-on defender in the league - or even the most overlooked player full stop. If you mention him to fans of other clubs they're almost always non-plussed, not taken seriously at all.

[Fosterbloke]

I wonder if he's been on a durability program like Keita has this summer?

[Buzzo]

Yeah he is brilliant and vastly under rated. A real leader in the team.

It was him stepping out that brought about the first goal. As we have such capable deputies for the first time ever we should be able to limit him to one game per week which is also great.

[Lee]

Yeah he is brilliant and vastly under rated. A real leader in the team.

It was him stepping out that brought about the first goal. As we have such capable deputies for the first time ever we should be able to limit him to one game per week which is also great.

His forward runs when he breaks free are a brilliant dynamic to have when we want to mix things up.

Second best CB in the league by far and one of the best Bosman signings of all time.

[Buzzo]

His forward runs when he breaks free are a brilliant dynamic to have when we want to mix things up.

Second best CB in the league by far and one of the best Bosman signings of all time.

And he binned playing for his country as soon as he joined us. Would be good to manage his time this season and get him playing once a week all season for us.

[BigChief]

His forward runs when he breaks free are a brilliant dynamic to have when we want to mix things up.

Second best CB in the league by far and one of the best Bosman signings of all time.

100%. I've been having ongoing discussions with my Arsenal and spurs footy mates. Same unknowledgeable comments like he's got a mistake in him, he's slow, he's not good on the ball. I told them to pay attention because he is a slight level below VvD but a level above everyone else in the league.

Isn't there a stat that we haven't lost a single game when he's played? Is that still true?

[Fivex]

Might have been the CL, not sure..

EPL record

Appearances - 99
Wins - 65
Losses - 8

Goals - 5
Assists - 2
Clean Sheets - 35