N'Koulou is one of the better centre backs out there currently without a club. It's a Leventhal thumbs up from me.
I would have thought a DM was more of a pressing concern following Etebo's injury. I hope this doesn't mean Sierralta is likely missing for a long time.
I’d like to think it’s a result of Ranieri being here for 24hrs before sitting with Gino and asking him what the hell he was thinking going into the season with CB’s of this quality…. …but I know it’s just far more likely it’s a reactionary move because Sierralta is out long-term.
Well Lazaar was hopeless and Sanchez (despite one good half against Reading) didn't really do much. Both quickly moved on in the Summer too. Hopefully N'Koulou is much better, but still seems like a very short term, risky, solution to a long term problem.
Only other thing I can think of is if Ranieri wants to play 3 at the back. Though it's not his most typically used formation.
He sits right in Gino’s wheelhouse for an inexplicably long contract though, being 31 years old. In the first instance, this should be nothing other than to the end of the season - with maybe a years option. He’d be 33 at the end of that which is more than enough.
He'd bring it up to 4 centre backs currently fit, so I don't think we should be thinking of 3 at the back! Maybe when Sierralta is back (whenever that is!) and WTE is actually with us and not at AFCON, we could consider it, but I don't think it's likely now for various reasons
Training with us already apparently…. What’s the betting he’s decent enough to get recalled to the Cameroon squad and he goes to AFCON as well?!
Blimey that was quick. No thread of his own, no youtube video, nothing cheese related. This forum isn't what it used to be
I think he's pretty decent. Certainly not a downgrade from what I can see. Leicester were looking at him in the summer window by all accounts. A much needed boost to our flagging backline.
The Johnsons ? Wasn't one of them the Johnson who went on to play for Yeovil & Bristol C under his dad and is now a manager in League 1 ? Or am I talking rubbish ?
18 games for Torino last year. Only 31 so not exactly ancient either. Looks the best option available to us at present. Claudio will have seen him and must feel he's up to it.
Free agents are free agents for a reason. If we don’t expect too too much, we won’t be disappointed. He looks the best, or one of the best, of the centre backs on the list. If we get a few good matches out of him it’s a job well done in the circumstances.
