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Jeremy Edwards's avatar

This signing tells us that Saliba is going to be out for some time. Timber is brittle, and Ben White, whilst I love him going forward is vulnerable defensively. Both Konsa and Mosquera can play either RB or RCB.

When we need pace in defensive Mosquera will play, with I suspect Konsa at RCB. It means there is little drop off in levels. Much needed investment as the reality of Saliba’s back has crystallised.

Michael Budgen's avatar

last year our DF mins were

Gabs 2,750

Saliba 2,616

Timber 2,451

Hincapie 1,792

Califiro 1,712 (these 2 basically job shared LB)

Moz 990

white 704

Konsa 3036

i think the Chiefs looked at that, and similar to The Bruno G signing to help Rice out, just thought it's not sustainable, physically or emotionally...

This now gives us 8 very good defenders

3 RB, 5 CB, 3 LB

John O’Toole's avatar

I think I'm a bit more sanguine about this in that I don't see this being £50m gone. Would see it as just as plausible that in 2 seasons we move Konsa on for a decent £20m or so. Or, who knows? Maybe he truly excels and Arsenal can cash in massively on Saliba, Gabriel, or Mosquera without dropping the floor. I see this as a sensible deal, even at that price, though, of course, I wish they would keep something in the tank for a new attacker.

Mat's avatar
15hEdited

You should inflation proof your comparatives: I’ve got five in the last 20 years moving for greater or equivalent fees at 28 or older: Bonucci, Gallas, Toure, Varane, Luis. I get 24 if I go down to 27 and back to ‘93. Also: Koulibaly was 31, don’t reckon that’s a good comparison.

Adam Rae Voge's avatar

Inflation is too messy, I prefer to stick to recent history as comps. Koulibaly was 31 indeed, the comp was for all CBs over 28 so excluding him wouldn't accomplish anything.

Mat's avatar

Come on. Scott’s on Twitter saying he’s the most expensive of all time and - messy or not - that’s just nonsense.

Adam Rae Voge's avatar

Definitionally, that is not nonsense. We will have to agree to disagree.

Mat's avatar

And if I restrict to EPL - where I’m happiest with the application of my inflation data, it being merely the application of total revenues - I’ve got 15 players more expensive since ‘91.

Adam Rae Voge's avatar

Great! I do happen to believe that there would be many guys his age going for closer to £50m in recent years were this that commonplace a valuation, though.

Mat's avatar

I’ve only got 22 CB transfers of note at this age or greater over the past five years, so you’re restricting your sample size somewhat. Konsa comes in just below Varane at the top when equalised.

Adam Rae Voge's avatar

Think that speaks to the value prop of buying a 28yo as much as anything though.

Mat's avatar

So: the comparisons I like at around the same price point & age are Toure to City ‘09 (56m), Gallas to us ‘06 (57m), Varane to Utd ‘21 (52m), Luiz to Chelsea ‘16 (49m). Highest ever I have is Cannavaro to Inter ‘02 (95m). By my reckoning Rio went to Man Utd at 23 for the equivalent of £215m. I think any discussion of highest ever fees should at least have a hat tip to where the edges of the range are.

Mat's avatar

At the quoted wages, I think he’ll shake out considerably cheaper in all than many other cb transfers at the same price point.

Adam Rae Voge's avatar

tbh as the day has gone on I think I went too conservative on the wages

michael.wallace1776's avatar

Depth is needed. If the bosses think this is the best choice, so be it. Not knowing enough I think there must be someone younger and cheaper, but what do I know? Does make Heaven’s departure unfortunate.

For anyone interested in the nfl’s foremost proponent of “win now” look up George Allen and win now. AI tools give a good summary.

Growing up in that period I thought the approach guarantees wins, but limits the ability to get the talent that wins championships.

Adam Rae Voge's avatar

broadly I have to agree with the argument that going all-in on certain windows does also tend to come with a swifter window close if you're not very, very careful