Stefan Johansen

I said our aim is to follow the Porto method. We aren't there yet.

We can't afford to be selling out POTY, who wouldn't get much money for anyway and leave an unhappy very influential player on the books, whose value is steadily dwindling.

 

I want Stefan to sign a new contract actually but my logic is that if we have to sell a player then I reckon we could take the hit in his position rather than elsewhere. The same logic extends to signing Gudetti or Hooper i.e. we need a player who can score goals in Europe and to compete with Griff. What part of this in unclear to you?

 

VVD's monetary value is of no consequence to us while we do not have his replacements at our club. His true value to us is what he provides on the park and what we would miss if he was to leave. I have stated many times and I am glad that the club are making similar noises that he should be sold after our European fate is decided.

As for Stefan I want to again make myself clear, I want him to stay. My point is that if the likes of Hamburg make a bid that we find acceptable then we could deal with his loss on the park easier than that of VVD.

If it was up to me I wouldnt sell any players this season if we could and to tie down other players to longer contracts.

 

Van Dijk's replacement is at the club. Just not as good as him, the exact same as Stefan Johansen.

 

I disagree I think we lack cover in CB and I am certain that we will sign another CB this window. Maybe you are referring to Charlie but I do not see him as Virgils replacement. Boyata should be playing at RCB and the LCB will be a new signing. I would be prepared to bet on this as well.

 

Virgil will go this window, it's an absolute certainty. The noises he's making are an unhealthy distraction for the squad. Also with 2 years left on his contract and more chance of McCoist being unveiled as the next Barcelona manager than him signing an extension, his value will only diminish from this point on.

The big guy is fantastic, but I'd rather sell him for £10-12mil, re-invest & keep a guy that actually wants to be here. Than sell Johansen for £6-8mil and have a guy with one eye on the exit door and potentially not giving his all for the club.

 

Former Player of the Year Charlie Mulgrew.
A player who was superb in the CL and got us into the last 16 Efe Ambrose
New signing from Man City, Boyata.
All the attributes to be a superb CB for us Mikael Lustig

There's 4.

Johansen we have an aging Commons and then the other players who aren't as good as him. Armstrong and Henderson, and I'd argue if Henderson is suited to his position.

 

You seem to just ignore the fact that half the players you are saying we should keep,pay more money,extend contracts...just simple...DONT WANT TO BE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The part where you suggested selling a guy who doesn't want to leave, and for whom we have no replacement (before you say Armstrong, we'd still be a playmaker down from the 2 or so we currently have. Who steps in to replace Armstrong as the deputy?) - as opposed to selling a guy who's made it abundantly clear he wants to leave, and for whose replacement we've had well over 6 months to scout.

It's much more prudent to sell Van Dijk. His is the next departure for which we've been prepared. Why upset the applecart by losing Johansen and having to spend some of his transfer fee (which is likely to be smaller than Van Dijk's) on another playnaker, while Van Dijk might much rather leave?

Hope that clears that up for you.

 

Just common sense, really.

 

I see my words are being twisted once again. I do not want to sell a player who wants to stay here. I have said several times I would keep him and even extend his contract. My point is that if we had to sell one player then I think we could live with losing him easier than other players. There is no question that if he go's we will be weaker. Once again I do not want to sell him but if we have to sell a player this season then he would be the logical choice based on the cover already at the club. If Virgil go's, which seems likely then under no circumstances should we even consider selling him.

 

"but if we have to sell a player this season then he would be the logical choice"

:smiley-laughing002:

 

He's going nowhere..

 

He is not going anywhere this season. Can see him staying here at least another 2-3 years. VVD is almost certainly gonna leave, and even Collins says he is staying at least till the qualifiers. The fact that he mentioned the qualifiers suggest to me they probably already spoken to Virgil and they've had an agreement that they will wait till the last day of the transfer window and if he still want to go then and there is a serious bid then we will take it.

 

I dont rate the guy anywhere near as highly as some and think he has massive areas to improve . Looked miles behind Stuart Armstrong against Inter and gives the ball away far too often domestically . Work rate is second to none though , and he can find a really clever killer pass . Will be keeping an eye on his progress this season .

 

Noticed he's got longer hair again with the wee head band in, thought he looked better like that :frilly:

 

Goal, assist, and won the penalty. Fantastic stuff. Best attacking player we have at a distance just now.

 

Going by the stats, he had a cracker...but I thought he was pretty poor tonight. Particularly in the first half.

A lot of sloppy passes and touches.

 

Continuing on from last season, this guy is our x-factor.

Superb stuff!

 

Agreed.