Messi983
Senior Member
Every player has some flaws in his game, even Messi (penalties 
).
It's undestandable a young player at 21 is not a finished product yet, especially not at a difficult position like CB where every mistake can be crucial. Fans tend to forgive quicker if Messi or Suarez misses a sitter then when Pique or Mascherano made a mistake that lead to opponent chance/goal.
Even Puyol at 21 was not the same player as Puyol at 28 with all his experience. Whichever young CB we'll get he'll make mistakes and have bad games here and there. But he has to be mentally strong to get over them quick. That's one of the things we should consider when buying CB. Personally I don't have favourites but I watched a lot more of Athletic than Everton games so that's maybe why I'd be more comfortable with us signing Laporte than Stones (and because he's already adapted to La Liga and knows language). I just hope we make the right decision so we'd have a good partner for Pique for 4-5 years and also one CB spot covered for the next 8-10 years.
About LB: what do you think about Javi Manquillo? He's been a RB before, but this season he plays at LB for Marseille. I only watched him in derby against PSG and think he was solid. There were rumours when we sell Villa to Atletico that we get first option on Manquillo. Simeone doesnt' seem to like him too much (this could change of course because both Filipe Luis and Juanfran are already 30 and they don't have any real good backup for them) and if they are ready to sell, should we take him for a reasonable price? He's only 22 and can be a cover for Alba and then in a year or two when Alves leave he can also play RB.
Talking about Atleti players... I know we don't need him right now but if we could somehow get Oliver Torres I'm all for that. Some of his moves are really Xavi-esque.
). It's undestandable a young player at 21 is not a finished product yet, especially not at a difficult position like CB where every mistake can be crucial. Fans tend to forgive quicker if Messi or Suarez misses a sitter then when Pique or Mascherano made a mistake that lead to opponent chance/goal.
Even Puyol at 21 was not the same player as Puyol at 28 with all his experience. Whichever young CB we'll get he'll make mistakes and have bad games here and there. But he has to be mentally strong to get over them quick. That's one of the things we should consider when buying CB. Personally I don't have favourites but I watched a lot more of Athletic than Everton games so that's maybe why I'd be more comfortable with us signing Laporte than Stones (and because he's already adapted to La Liga and knows language). I just hope we make the right decision so we'd have a good partner for Pique for 4-5 years and also one CB spot covered for the next 8-10 years.
About LB: what do you think about Javi Manquillo? He's been a RB before, but this season he plays at LB for Marseille. I only watched him in derby against PSG and think he was solid. There were rumours when we sell Villa to Atletico that we get first option on Manquillo. Simeone doesnt' seem to like him too much (this could change of course because both Filipe Luis and Juanfran are already 30 and they don't have any real good backup for them) and if they are ready to sell, should we take him for a reasonable price? He's only 22 and can be a cover for Alba and then in a year or two when Alves leave he can also play RB.
Talking about Atleti players... I know we don't need him right now but if we could somehow get Oliver Torres I'm all for that. Some of his moves are really Xavi-esque.
