I don't think Lindelof will be the clear first choice for the first six months. I wouldn't concerned much, as they have enough experience (for their age), already very good players and still have rooms to grow so would bode well for the next few seasons.
Victor Lindelöf | Officially signs
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I don't think Lindelof will be the clear first choice for the first six months. I wouldn't concerned much, as they have enough experience (for their age), already very good players and still have rooms to grow so would bode well for the next few seasons.
I mean hey, it doesn't hurt to be positive. But lets be grounded in reality not hype him up to be something he might not be. I've only seen him a few times, my personal opinion is he isn't that great a defender just yet, I look forward to being shown otherwise and him living up to the fee and the hype by being the best CB in the league. At 22 years old he has time on his side.
You picked out 2 matches over an entire season (30 games for Van Dijk) I talked about the 8 matches in the champions league that he played in. Its not comparable in the slightest.
Ok
2-0 loss to united
2-1 loss to arsenal
2-0 loss to Chelsea
2-1 loss to Hull city
3-0 loss to palace
4-1 loss to Spurs
2-1 loss to WBA
In the first 19 games
He was involved in 7 losses out of 19 games saints played in the first half of the season. Is that comparable?
I highly truth Mourinho in term of his CB selections. Every time I doubt him, I look at the like of Terry, Gallas, Ramos, Varane, Zouma, and especially Pepe/Carvalho who came from the same league as Lindelof.
Oh yes how dare someone get positive about a new signing, let's show a video about how his team conceded goals in CL to discredit him.
I do think it is important to highlight some of his mistakes/faults, but i am excited. Even if it takes time in the beginning, quite hopeful he will adapt quickly and show what he is capable of under Mourinho.
Who thought bailly would have been the general opinion as our best cb? Because when we signed him i remember people discussing him as our potential rb position. Just seems absolutely bonkers in my eyes how people are quick to write off a signing without seeing them play for us first.
This will be a long-term project, like maybe another 3-4 years before they are on their peak as CB. I'm actually surprise Mou seems to bother with these young players.
Probably Woody told him that he could have more money to spend if the players he sign are young/potential, for the long term.
Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
I haven't watched any games of Lindelof or never noticed him when watched Benfica games last year(Except vs France) and don't have any opinion but if we are using team defense for arguments then
Van Dijk's record in Europe (since he was 22, same as Lindelof's age)
2013-14:
CL Group stages - Conceded 16 goals including 6-1 vs Barca, 3-0 vs Milan (at Celtic park).
2014-15:
CL qualification - 4 goals conceded against Legia Warszawa,
Europa league - 11 goals conceded in the group stage, (3-1 vs RB Salzburg at Celtic Park, 4-3 vs Dinamo)
Then condeded 4 goals vs Inter over 2 leagues (3-3 at Celtic Park and 1-0 loss)
So Van Dijk's record is even worse in CL and Europa league.
Saying all this, I have no idea why Van Dijk's name is brought up in this thread.
Guys what's Lindelof like? I've never really seen him play to be honest and there some discussions on Twitter i read where a bunch of folks said he wasn't physical enough. So i did the right thing and went on YouTube. Seems like a composed defender and one who isn't afraid to throw in some hard tackles. Definitely didn't lack the physical aspect IMO.
Was to prove that even if the defence of a team isn't good, the defender can be quite good.
Maybe he intends on staying long term.
Trust Mourinho to have decent advisors in Portugal
And why does he have to be judged based on fee? If today they are asking the double of the price for Van Dijk and Stones was 15/20 million more expensive why does he have to be the best in the league?
I watched him a lot these last 2 years so I think I am able to make a better judgement on him, of course he will need to adapt, but calling average someone just because a team suffers goals in the Champions League is at least naive.
By the way, I don't think you understand more about this than Mourinho, he is the one who will work with him, so better wait and see.
They're not exactly "youngsters". They're established first-team players at second-tier clubs and internationals.
I think Lindelof will be starting the season as first choice with Bailly. I can't now see Mourinho picking Smalling or Jones ahead of him. Lindelof will get plently of chances on the left side of the defence if he plays with Bailly until Rojo comes back where they will both compete for the same spot.
I would trust Jose's judgement on a CB any day of the week, especially one that is coming from the Portugese league..
Not officially signed yet but I can't see personal terms etc being a problem, welcome Victor!
Its not just the fee but all this talk about how great he is.
And I didnt call him average, I answered the question of how good he was in the champions league last season. He was average.
A much better comparison yes.
I think he will be, he has been brought in early enough to integrate. And Bailly was put in from the start wasn't he? I don't think Mourinho trusts Jones or Smalling enough to play them ahead of Lindelof. Maybe if Mourinho feels he needs time to adjust he wil play Blind. But I think Lindelof will be in ASAP.
Seems like the usual caf to me!
I think he'll need time to adapt. It's a big step up from the Portuguese league and he's still quite young. Bailly was a different beast and his attributes are actually perfect for the PL.
It would have been so much better for us had Rojo been fit.. Would have given Mourinho to give enough bedding time for Victor to settle in.. I think we'll retain one among smalling and Jones, mostly Jones.. So he ll use him while Victor gets ready!!
I am very interested, but also highly skeptical over this signing. Will of course let it pan out and hope for the best, he will need time like everyone else. I am Scandinavian myself and always remain worried when Scandis are signed by big clubs, especially if the country has never produced a top level-defender in the past. To put it simple, if he is going to be good enough for Man Utd, he needs to become one of the best defenders Sweden has ever had in its history. Sweden had Patrik Andersson at Barcelona and Bayern München, he was probably their best defender ever (at least in modern times), and top class for one or two seasons. I love Olof Mellberg for example, but if he "just" makes his level it is not going to be good enough for Man Utd I'm afraid. And of course, nationality doesn't always have to matter that much (Mkhitaryan), but in the grand scheme of things it often is. Sweden's best every players, Zlatan and Henke Larsson, both had one parent from another country, the same goes for John Carew who is probably the top player Norway has ever produced. Lindelof has luckily gone through the ranks of European football, that's important for sure.
I'm not sure why people are concerned about who is going to be our starting centreback pairing. Surely it'll be the same as the last few years - whichever two are fit, with Blind filling in when we get down to only one fit.
From what I've seen of Lindelof, he's got good pace and reads the game fairly well for such a young CB. I expect him to to straight into the team. I wouldn't be surprised if we went with 3 at the back as well.
He may need to bulk up a bit.
Very interesting perspective! I'm also skeptical about Lindelof. I'm hoping for the best, but question whether there are better CB signings for United. If he turns into a top-level CB in the next 1-2 years, I will raise my hand and admit that I was wrong, but I don't see it happening.
I agree with you, per example Jan Hagen clearly overreacted about him, of course he has strong points and weaknesses, but you can trust Mourinho regarding central defenders, if there is 1 area on the pitch he understands is that.
By the way, if you want to check Lindelof quality, you should check the quarter finals between Bayern and Benfica in 2016, and check the defensive line where they handled well Bayern, he has quality, dunno if he will be number 1 or not, but imo he has more potential than Bailly, even if Bailly phisicality is more suited to England, wait and see.
Excited by this signing, as much as I think it shows Mourinho is thinking beyond the short term. By the end of next season I can see Bailly and this guy being our first choice pairing, depending on how Rojo comes back.
It surely has been posted before but this is really a great summary of his play. Take a special look at his incredible long passes and they way he can drive the ball up the pitch from a defensive position. Stil has some improvement to do regarding his heading accuracy.
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Very optimistic about this signing. Trust Mourinho & co to grow him into a better defender. Never see him play, only a bits on individual highlight on YT. He does look like a real deal. Of course there's a certains area he needs to improve. He's just 22. Great prospect though with a reasonable experiences in Europe & International football. Add that to the fact that Scandinavians usually doing just fine at our club.
Can't wait until the pre-season start!
Can't wait until the pre-season start!
That's the weirdest reason I have seen yet of not wanting to sign a player.
Country of birth.
defenders aren't always the easiest to judge as even the greatest of defenders can't hold together a poor unit.
The Lindelof link has been here since January which leads me to believe he's been heavily scouted for a long time, quite possibly someone Mourinho fancied before getting the united gig even. If the manager and coaching staff are convinced his attributes would suit the style of defending we intend to employ then I'm all over it. As a fan the only concern i have at the moment is can he stay fit? please god let us sign a defender who can stay fit!
The Lindelof link has been here since January which leads me to believe he's been heavily scouted for a long time, quite possibly someone Mourinho fancied before getting the united gig even. If the manager and coaching staff are convinced his attributes would suit the style of defending we intend to employ then I'm all over it. As a fan the only concern i have at the moment is can he stay fit? please god let us sign a defender who can stay fit!
Wow, a great insight in why you think someone won't be good. I was expecting to read something about his lack of pace, heading ability, his reading of the game etc etc but all it was about, was his nationality and his cultural background! It was an interesting read nonetheless.