The Skipper

Sure the "home grown" added on tax is slightly excessive but the main reason for this one is that Southampton are comfortable as a club financially whilst Sevilla aren't so they cannot refuse big money offers.

To me, in no way has Luiz been a bad transfer, simply because he hasn't depreciated in value. If we do sell him we'll still fetch £30m for him which is fine. Also, Luiz has had a bad/average season this year, so naturally people will completely forget the strong finish he had the season before where he was one of our better players, with most of his good games coming at CB. It wasn't like he wasn't improving. Luiz has had quite a few quality performances at CB exclusively for us which some seem to have completely forgotten - suitably to their agenda against Luiz - but before this season started he was definitely our best CB and he was really set to establish himself as a top CB but he obviously regressed this season due to numerous reasons. It's not fair to fully assess his CB performances IMO this season because he was never really given an extended run in. I think he only had a bout 10 games at CB which isn't enough at all. It's simple - if he was as bad as some are trying to make out on here, he would in no way be attracting top clubs like Bayern, PSG & Barcelona (these guys aren't stupid), and he would in no way still be Brazil's (who have more than competent central defenders about) starting CB.

LOL

Top post, but some just have an agenda against Luiz and will always deride him in any way they can.

Fair enough, it's pretty underwhelming though. They should've got Drogba or Eto'o involved.

They'll obviously announce more in due time.

I'm pretty sure he's only played up front a handful of times? He's a CAM first and foremost so would actually be challenging the likes of Oscar & Willian.

Did Mourinho tell you that himself or?

The other parts are irrelevant because no one is disputing that at all, you just don't understand the premise of the whole thing that's being discussed to begin with.

So because you're not a "remote fan" (whatever that means) your opinion is more valid than others right? A lot of people at the Bridge would find your love for Torres and hate for Mourinho more than delusion too, so come off it.

There you go. That was the whole point of Kieran's post. It's what I got from it anyway. Glad you finally understand.

Victor Moses?

Yeah, that's exactly how I would want him to be like next to Matic.

You can't tell me one game is a proper chance - which is exactly why Kieran brought up the JT error - because with that same logic you can say that JT should've also been dropped; which we all know is just wrong. Mourinho didn't give Luiz an extended run at CB after we became more conservative not because he made a mistake against in the one "chance" he got. He stopped playing him there simply because JT + Cahill were immaculate for the whole season.

Again, re-read what I said, I'm not saying that Luiz should've played more at CB. I don't know what you're trying to argue here.

What are you on about? I'm not talking about whether it was fair to give Luiz a run in or not (I stated numerous times during the season that JT + Cahill were deservedly our number 1 partnership and that Luiz shouldn't get a look in because they are both playing very well), I merely stated that Kieran was right in saying that Luiz only had one game at CB after we became more conservative as a team and that using one mistake in one game to justify why Luiz wasn't being picked instead of just simply stating that JT & Cahill were the better partnership (which is a far better reason) is as illogical as saying that JT should've been dropped because he scored an OG against Palace that also cost us the game and points in the run in.

What a player this guy is. Would be my dream signing for the pivot. Would complement Matic so well.

Liverpool "Occult" FC.

My problem with Ivanovic is is that he's very ineffective in the final third of play. His crossing ability has massively declined - he fails to get them past the first man on numerous occasions. It isn't just his crossing ability either; he's clearly uncomfortable on the overlap and has no attacking flair whatsoever. Apart from that he's a very solid player. I think that is most people's qualms with Ivanovic. Doesn't mean they're saying he's a bad RB, just that he's below average going forward - especially in games where we will have the most of the ball - moves on the right break down on Ivanovic a lot of times, so obviously people will get frustrated with that. Plus, he's better at CB.

He's clearly talking about David Luiz getting an extended run in after we defensively solidified as a team, offered our CBs more protection and took on a more conservative look... i.e. after the Cardiff and Newcastle game.

Martins Indi can play LB, but over his career he's played mostly at CB, and most importantly he does so for the NT most of the time. I think he'll probably start next to Vlaar. Blind has only played 45 mins or so in midfield for Holland I think, and although his evolution as a player has taken him to the DM position, sort of like Lahm, I'm not sure LVG will play him as the DM yet because he's mostly played at LB for the national team so far, but that was before Strootman's injury. I wouldn't be surprised if that will switch things up though - it's between him and Nigel De Jong for that DM (who plays like Busquets and acts like that 3rd CB) spot next to Clasie. Not really sure what LVG is thinking on that regard but we'll see more of his thinking in the next upcoming friendlies. Anyway, as we we're both basically saying - he won't get dropped, because he's the only true attacking LB in the team.

Not entirely true - Martins Indi is more of a CB (but can play LB) and the other LB in the team is Daley Blind (who also operates in midfield). He'll make it though because he is the only pure attacking LB in the team.

Wow. What's a deluded guy like him doing in the NT set up? Shocking.

What would be fantastic is if both Baker and RLC blossom over the years and become starters in that pivot. That would be a dream come true.