30 Dec 2015 11:29:18
The media are starting the DDG to Real Madrid rumours again.

This is a path we have been down before, RvN and Ronaldo were prised from us in part via a media campagin directed by those at Real Madrid. We can curse them and bemoan them all we want but it won't change a thing. DDG is Spanish and Madrid is his home town. It has a feeling of inevitablity about it.

So with him most likey moving on I want to disscuss what we should be thinking when looking for a potential replacement.

There are loads of very talented young goalkeepers plying their trade around Europe. Players such as Karius, Leno, Horn, Oblak, Ter Stegen, Perin, Scuffet Donnarumma or Koval. All have massive potential and could one day become one of the worlds best goalkeepers.

Now normally I am an advocate of buying potential and giving young players a chance.
I have loved watching a young spindley Spainard come in and over come the usual bumps in the road of a young player to become one of the best keepers in the world.

But the team a young DDG came into was very different to the one we have now. He had players of the stature of Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra all in their pomp. It was a world class defence behind which he learned his trade, this gave him the protection to learn without the pressure of having to make several game saving saves each game.

Unfortunately our defence isn't a patch on what it was 4 or 5 years ago, alwe lack the quality and the consistency that comes with having a settled defence.

That is not the right enviroment to bring a all be it talented but young player in to develop.

We can't afford to have a young player developing and adapting to a new league, a new country, a new team and new culture while being expected to make at least a couple of world class saves every game.

Not to say also having to live up to replacing DDG, one of the worlds best keepers.

That my friends is a recipe for disaster.

We need to bring in either a player well adjusted to this league or one with enough experience to make a near seemless transition.

For me there are three stand out candidates. Two from the EPL and one from the Bundesliga.

Yann Sommer is one of the best keepers in the world, he ticks all the boxes and avoids the problem of being at a big club already and shouldn't cost the earth.

Hugo Lloris is a very obvious target from within the Prem. But we face two issues bringing him in. The first is the very real possibility of Spurs finishing above us this season. The second is that he will probably cost every penny we get for DDG. Maybe more with Levy involved.

The final option is actually a young player, but one already acustomed to the Premier league. Jack Butland. He would be a risk, but he is a future England first choice goalkeeper. Moving for him would not only give us a great first choice keeper for many years but would stop him going to a rival. I could see Liverpool or maybe even Arsenal making a swoop for him. That is something I think we would come to regret if we allowed it to happen.

1.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:11:30
Butland.

We need to go back to buying the best English players and build from a domestic core.

2.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:00:34
Butland or Lloris for me. I like players from within the League who are proven and know it. It has worked well for Bayern after all.

3.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:21:06
Yann summer would be a fine buy.

4.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:22:04
Yes fresh we should do a Bayern and buy from in the league. Plenty of talent and we have the money.

5.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:24:25
None of those players moved because of media speculation. They moved because they wanted to play for Madrid. They have agents who are than capable of letting them know of Madrid's interest. It's quite obvious that De Gea wanted to move this summer, but Madrid deliberately fudged it up. And when he signed a new contract it was always with a view to moving to Madrid.

Personally I think that we need to invest in the entire defence, not just a keeper. Quite simply we won't get a keeper as good as De Gea, and that will show our weak defence up even more. We need a minimum of a new top class CB (two IMO) and proper cover at rb. If we invest in our defence like we have needed to do for years, then we can afford to sign a player like Butland who could easily spend his career with us.

6.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:28:41
butland or ter stegen.

7.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:31:39
I wouldn't be surprised if the same deal isn't resurrected, with a bit more money. Navas makes sense in that regard. Although I don't know how peeved he was about being messed around in the summer.

8.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:56:41
Kasper Schmeichel has to be in with a shout, I think he's a very good goalkeeper plus already knows the league.

9.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 13:36:44
United should play hard ball, demand a agreement for ie Gareth Bale, James etc. United just could make De Gea see his contract out instead if Madrid don't comply, stick of Madrid bullying tactics to get a player, United should hold them to ransom.

{Ed002's Note - It is not bullying tactics and businesses simply don't work that way Shane.}

10.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 12:27:52
I totally agree Mort. I don't want a Dutch team, I want a team that understands what this club means in the context it is in and I want English players to have a bigger role.

Our recruitment should be Butland if De Gea leaves, Stones as a priority, Barkley as the successor to Rooney, I'd love to us move for the Ox to be honest as well. If we want a new striker, Kane (but I think Martial should be the undisputed number 9 for years to come) .

11.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 14:24:59
Danny, of course they didn't move because the deal was first mooted in the press. But a constant flow of reports puts pressure on the club through the fans who are made to feel uneasy. Its a tactic we see Madrid use time and again. I personally feel there should be a blanket ban on anyone associated with a club to discuss players not contracted to their club in any way that can be construde as confirming that the club is interested in that player. So no chairmen or coaching staff stating that X player "would be a great fit at our club"

Its massively disrespectful to not only the other club, but to your own players as well. As well as the fans who financially support these clubs.

Guys, I too would like to see a strong British core to our squad and would be happy seeing the likes of Butland and Stones join our club. I've also be massively impressed with Eric Dier in a DM role for Spurs. Wouldn't mind seeing him at our club either or his partner in crime Dele Alli.
Barkley I think isn't ready to step up to a top club.

12.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 14:27:31
From what I can see, Madrid have been spending big to bolster their squad and get players that can improve them both on field and other side of the football business. This is the exact direction I think we are heading now. But then, we are seen to be stupid enough to pay over the odd for players that can obviously improve our squad.

IMO, we need to spend big in order to bring in best players and to secure those we already have in our ranks. DDG may necessarily not need to leave for another team if we have in place one of the best squads that compete on all fronts.

{Ed002's Note - There is no comparison - there is a reason Madrid are doing what they are.}

13.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 17:54:25
I'd happily take any of the 3 mentioned in the OP when De Gea leaves. My personal preference would be Lloris if I had a choice.

14.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 18:15:17
I expect a few comebacks from my reply but as a spurs fan I personally don't think you would stand a chance of getting lloris, he has constantly stated how happy he is at tottenham, I also believe he could have, given the chance departed in the summer but declined any such talk of a move! I don't even think I would need to bring into play the price it would cost you lot!

15.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 18:15:17
I expect a few comebacks from my reply but as a spurs fan I personally don't think you would stand a chance of getting lloris, he has constantly stated how happy he is at tottenham, I also believe he could have, given the chance departed in the summer but declined any such talk of a move! I don't even think I would need to bring into play the price it would cost you lot!

16.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 19:19:08
If De Gea goes the French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola who is on loan at Villerreal from PSG would be a good option as would Yann Sommer and Jack Butland?

17.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 20:32:08
If we want ready replacement with minimal risk we should go after Lloris. If we can get top 4 and spurs don't then it would make it slightly easier.
If he cost the same or a bit more so what. that's the price of doing business with the devil (levy! )

{Ed004's Note - Best case scenario - Madrid get a ban and we keep De Gea for another season. Hopefully build a good side and he wants to stay otherwise he leaves (most likely). Worst Case - they somehow don't get a ban and we somehow don't scout a few keepers this season. There are a few decent ones to monitor Leno, Lloris, Obliak etc}

18.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 21:07:51
Aside from Mané Shappy, who else do you think we need? Stones? A new central midfielder?

19.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 20:56:06
ed04
do we want a player that doesn't want to be at the club.

{Ed004's Note - Well if he doesn't want to be here he hasn't made it obvious in his performances. As long as he continues to play like he has been I won't mind that he eventually wants to return home}

20.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 21:53:00
We need two CB, full back cover, a striker and a wide player for the right hand side.

Midfield should be okay for a season or two. We have just signed Schneiderlin, Herrera, Blind and Schweinsteiger.

21.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 22:07:49
Shappy. With due respect, I wrote two days ago and said Butland will be my gk choice should ddg leave.
He's an Excellent goalkeeper. And he'll be my choice.

22.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 22:17:55
ed
he might be happy thinking he will get away in the summer.
it will be interesting if madrid get a ban.

{Ed004's Note - I don't think another year on 200k a week should make him to depressed. Ideally I want us to get the best team possible and I can't think of a better replacement for him}

23.) 30 Dec 2015
30 Dec 2015 22:36:00
ed
i think he will get paid more at united than madrid .
he maybe just wanted a big contract.

{Ed004's Note - I know rooney got abuse for using city to get a bigger contract and has been scrutinised however I think if this is the case no one will complain about De Gea doing it purely because of how good he is. However, I think it is highly unlikely to be the case here}

24.) 31 Dec 2015
31 Dec 2015 00:05:27
ed
i agree, as long as he plays well it won't be an issue.