The Skipper

The following season if I can remember correctly, yes.

Fair enough - but tasks/roles are different from formations set. You can still deploy a more defensive 4-2-3-1, it really just depends on the role you give your players. I'd still argue that that formation against Atletico was a 4-3-3.

Yeah perhaps, but Pochettino was also the one that was very reluctant to sell Shaw.

Atletico game isn't really a good example considering we played more of the 4-3-3 you're describing (like we do in most of the bigger games anyway).

Change to what? Problem is, not a lot of teams genuinely play a rigid 4-4-2 anymore.

Pochettino officially confirmed as new Spurs boss, maybe we'll hear about where Shaw's going soon.

Watched a lot of Chalobah over the years, his true position IMO is as a DM. Certainly good enough to be our back up DM, also ahead of those you've mentioned in his development.

The 4-2-3-1 isn't as rigid as you're trying to make it sound. Someone like Oscar can easily drop off to alter the shape into a true 4-3-3.

How can he "break" the contract if he's already signed it...

I think he's ready and want him to stay, but this is a pretty irrelevant argument considering half of these goals were scored in the Belgian league.

Of course I respect your opinion but it's not like the two are mutually exclusive (you can be consistent and have character) but that wasn't the debate at all here; that's a whole new discussion. Anyway, I've made my points & you've made yours - we can just leave it there.

Lol. Bushman's had an absolute mare.

Or why not both? I.e. Matic gets injured and Chalobah replaced him for a few games. Chalobah - Pogba is still a very good pivot.

I'm not talking about the transfer or his abilities or whether he was a good defender or not - I was merely trying to explain that he does have character on the pitch, and that saying he was well liked simply because of what he does on Twitter or Instagram and not because of what he did on the pitch is wrong; which I tried to highlight in those points.

and It's only Daily Star but if that price is true then yes, he would definitely be a good risk to take.

I'll give you a few examples as to why that's a myth: His first goal for us, and his performance in general in our win against United in 2011, where he grabbed the equaliser with a great strike, kept Rooney in his pocket and inspired the comeback - instant cult hero.JT coming out and saying he could see Luiz potentially being the future captain of the club.CL Final where he was nowhere near 100% and still played 120 mins, battled through pain and scored a vital penalty after Mata missed his.His performance at Old Trafford last season where he kept RVP, the best striker in the league at the time, in his pocket and of course had that infamous moment with Rafael.His performance against PSG in the CL semis this season.Yet some will still believe he was only well liked by the fans because of his shenanigans on Twitter.

...or we could just let Chalobah become our back up DM.

Myth. Luiz has shown character enough times on the field during his time here, but people will choose to forget that of course because he goofs around on twitter and instagram.

If we're signing a new CB then Kalas and Zouma are definitely being sent out on loan.

You're probably right in saying that RR has the edge in the air; he's definitely has won more than double but he has also lost more than double. If we take it on the average, which I think is a fairer reflection, they both win 55% of their aerial duels. RR is perhaps better in the air but my whole response was in regards to your original point i.e. thinking Shaw is a liability or weak in the air which he isn't as those stats reflect. Taking into account his physical build and height as well... Shaw isn't an Ivanovic (barely any fullbacks are) in the air but he is definitely solid enough. Solid enough to not call him "weak in the air" anyway. I also have no problem in you using WS as a reference to back up your points because if used correctly it definitely enhances an argument - just didn't agree with you on saying Shaw is weak in the air.

Why does that make you happy? Would rather give someone like Chalobah a chance ahead of signing Tiago. Even if on a free, it would be a pretty bad signing IMO.

I wouldn't say Shaw is "weak" aerially or that RR is superior in the air. Shaw is 6 ft 1 after all and is just a pure athlete... Shaw wins 55% of his aerial duels, so does RR, so I don't think you should be worried about that.

And we have more than enough in the coffers to afford that. Let's say we get Shaw for around £25m, we still have £15m~£25m left from Luiz's transfer alone. Add in the money we saved from January, plus wages saved from not renewing a few contracts, plus the impending sales from the likes of Ba, Mikel, Bertrand, Romeu etc; and not to forget the rest of our actual summer budget (minus the Costa transfer)... It's more than affordable.

£25m is a very decent price. I was very against Falcao, partly due to his supposed transfer fee (£50m+) but for £25m it wouldn't be a bad signing. Still risky though.

Doesn't really make sense to me either, especially if we sign a left back so Azpi can go back to his natural position. We have JT, Cahill, Ivanovic, Zouma, Kalas, Omeruo and Christensen. Signing a CB this season would make no sense whatsoever. Maybe after next season when JT finally leaves... That's the only way a CB signing would make sense. Right now in defence we have (if we sign a new LB): RB: Azpi, Ivan, Kalas, Omeruo LB: New LB, Azpi, Bertrand/PVA CB: JT, Cahill, Ivanovic, Zouma, Kalas, Omeruo & Christensen at a push. Signing a CB makes 0 sense.