Professor Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Toby Alderweireld has become the Michael Svennson of this era, with the added bonus of being able to play at FB as well. Integral to the team and would be an immense loss if we can't keep him for next season. But was there not an announcement that no decision could be made until the end of the season and that Atletico have the right to buy out Saints' option if they choose? If that is true, this may yet come down to more money, but if he can be transferred to a full contract it's hard to imagine that the club would hesitate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Hope and pray this happens, the bloke is top, top class. Whilst he could well attract a "bigger" club, he seems to be very much enjoying his football with us, enjoys working with Koeman and possibly wants to be settled for a couple of years of regular football, rather than having a repeat of Atletico Madrid. Would be fantastic news if this gets confirmed. Agree with that. Would be a brilliant signing. Just hard to believe a player so bloody good would sign rather than heading to a glory club. One thing is for sure. His performances really stand out with us, whilst playing at the top end of the league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Agree with that. Would be a brilliant signing. Just hard to believe a player so bloody good would sign rather than heading to a glory club. One thing is for sure. His performances really stand out with us, whilst playing at the top end of the league We're an opportunity for him to be seen as a 'top, top class' player and attract the attentions of mega clubs. That's the truth really, we'd still be seen as a stepping stone...but it's win win really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Agree with that. Would be a brilliant signing. Just hard to believe a player so bloody good would sign rather than heading to a glory club. One thing is for sure. His performances really stand out with us, whilst playing at the top end of the league Seems like he likes it here and as he said when he joined he wants to play. Maybe he's had his fingers burnt a little by getting a move to a big club and not featuring as much as he'd like to at Athletico. Whatever, it'd be brilliant to get him here permentantly, especially for the fee that's ben muted, he's got to be worth £15-£20m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 We're an opportunity for him to be seen as a 'top, top class' player and attract the attentions of mega clubs. That's the truth really, we'd still be seen as a stepping stone...but it's win win really. maybe he quite likes it here, and likes his team bros, and recognises that playing behind Wanyama & Schneiderlin is about the best situation for a CB in all of world football! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackanorySFC Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Agree with Turkish above that his value must be in excess of £15m. The fact he can play (very, very well) at both RB and a holding CM (his performance at Arsenal away was incredible) make him valuable enough not even accounting for his outstanding performances at CB. Seriously, his positioning, calmness on the ball, dominance in the air and strength in the tackle are way beyond what I expected. The main thing I've learned from Lovren/ Toby comparisons is the folly of seeing a CB make (important at times) last minute blocks, sliding tackles and other clearences that look great at the time and get the crowd pumped up leading to Lovren becoming so coveted, and assume that is what makes a defender great. Toby is the absolute opposite of that, going to games and watching his movement off the ball, reading the game so well that he stops the danger before it becomes a real problem. Not great for those that like a highlights reel of big tackles etc but if you love the game and love defenders in the mould (not as good as of course, but a similar style) of Benkenbauer, Beresi, Maldini, Moore et al, he's a joy to watch. Something I've learned this season anyway. Until the deal is done I won't believe it, fingers crossed we can do a good sales job on him and get Atletico to sell him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 been watching for over 54 years and starting to think that Toby is best defender we have ever had He's bloody good no doubt about it. Snap him up!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Seems like he likes it here and as he said when he joined he wants to play. Maybe he's had his fingers burnt a little by getting a move to a big club and not featuring as much as he'd like to at Athletico. Whatever, it'd be brilliant to get him here permentantly, especially for the fee that's ben muted, he's got to be worth £15-£20m. I think that's our main hope I suppose being a big fish in a little pond (more like a luxury medium sized pond) might appeal to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulrich van Gobbel Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Please, please, please let this be true.. He is absolutely top class. If we manage to sign Toby and Bertrand it will be a major coup and statement of intent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 (edited) Please, please, please let this be true.. He is absolutely top class. If we manage to sign Toby and Bertrand it will be a major coup and statement of intent. Doesn't seem to entirely correspond with Koeman's latest comments on the subject though. He says he wants Toby to stay and it's up to Toby to make his mind up from here to the end of the season. Athletico also have a say apparently, at a price, 2 million €s to change the agreement. Here ya go, chance to brush up on your Flemish or give the auto translator another whirl.http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20150101_01454422 Edited 2 January, 2015 by Window Cleaner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Seems like he likes it here and as he said when he joined he wants to play. Maybe he's had his fingers burnt a little by getting a move to a big club and not featuring as much as he'd like to at Athletico. Whatever, it'd be brilliant to get him here permentantly, especially for the fee that's ben muted, he's got to be worth £15-£20m. All this. I am claiming credit for helping him decide, after I chatted to him in the bar, post the Chelsea match Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansums Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 All this. I am claiming credit for helping him decide, after I chatted to him in the bar, post the Chelsea match Not good enough mate. If you'd given him a BJ he would have signed by now. Poor effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 We're an opportunity for him to be seen as a 'top, top class' player and attract the attentions of mega clubs. That's the truth really, we'd still be seen as a stepping stone...but it's win win really. probably true, even if we sign him and he stays another 2 years.....what a player how old is he? a couple more years at saints then he could move to a genuine european top side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Rabbit Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 All this. I am claiming credit for helping him decide, after I chatted to him in the bar, post the Chelsea match do elaborate..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 probably true, even if we sign him and he stays another 2 years.....what a player how old is he? a couple more years at saints then he could move to a genuine european top side 25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 25. works well...sign for saints move to man city/chelsea/barcelona at 28........ perfect world and all that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nta786 Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 works well...sign for saints move to man city/chelsea/barcelona at 28........ perfect world and all that dell sized mentality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkou Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Best defender we have had since Ken Monkou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambosa75 Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Best defender we have had since Ken Monkou. Hi Ken, how's Graeme? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Best defender we have had since Ken Monkou. Dean Richards still has the mantle for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazlo78 Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Dean Richards still has the mantle for me. Best defender since Jan-Paul Saeijs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazlo78 Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Agree with Turkish above that his value must be in excess of £15m. The fact he can play (very, very well) at both RB and a holding CM (his performance at Arsenal away was incredible) make him valuable enough not even accounting for his outstanding performances at CB. Seriously, his positioning, calmness on the ball, dominance in the air and strength in the tackle are way beyond what I expected. The main thing I've learned from Lovren/ Toby comparisons is the folly of seeing a CB make (important at times) last minute blocks, sliding tackles and other clearences that look great at the time and get the crowd pumped up leading to Lovren becoming so coveted, and assume that is what makes a defender great. Toby is the absolute opposite of that, going to games and watching his movement off the ball, reading the game so well that he stops the danger before it becomes a real problem. Not great for those that like a highlights reel of big tackles etc but if you love the game and love defenders in the mould (not as good as of course, but a similar style) of Benkenbauer, Beresi, Maldini, Moore et al, he's a joy to watch. Something I've learned this season anyway. Until the deal is done I won't believe it, fingers crossed we can do a good sales job on him and get Atletico to sell him. Interesting observations as the off the ball movement is rather difficult to assess when watching on tv/stream as I do - you simply have to be in the stadium to fully grasp what the team as a whole is doing. So I hope you are right in your thoughts about Toby that he is helping shore up defense through intelligent movement rather than heroics when near the ball (Lovren)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Interesting observations as the off the ball movement is rather difficult to assess when watching on tv/stream as I do - you simply have to be in the stadium to fully grasp what the team as a whole is doing. So I hope you are right in your thoughts about Toby that he is helping shore up defense through intelligent movement rather than heroics when near the ball (Lovren)... He's entirely right. The reason I often come away from a game without remembering much of his defensive work shows how few mistakes or last ditch tackles he has to make. This is due to his almost faultless positioning and reading of the game. Throughballs are intercepted with ease, players are pushed into areas they don't want to be in and simple passes are made with a minumum of fuss and rarely go astray. Therefore he has no need to make as many last ditch tackles or blocks as other defenders because it rarely gets to that point. His eye catching moments come with his sublime range of passing, or his calmness in covering others when a player does break the defensive line. Signing him permanently would be nothing short of an incredible piece of business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 (edited) He's entirely right. The reason I often come away from a game without remembering much of his defensive work shows how few mistakes or last ditch tackles he has to make. This is due to his almost faultless positioning and reading of the game. Throughballs are intercepted with ease, players are pushed into areas they don't want to be in and simple passes are made with a minumum of fuss and rarely go astray. Therefore he has no need to make as many last ditch tackles or blocks as other defenders because it rarely gets to that point. His eye catching moments come with his sublime range of passing, or his calmness in covering others when a player does break the defensive line. Signing him permanently would be nothing short of an incredible piece of business. Don't you think he could have been better positioned for the Carzola and Sanchez chances yesterday (decent recovery in the end for the Sanchez chance, though he still managed to get a decent shot off)? In both cases, thought Toby lost track of his blindside which is easy to do when you're used to playing in the middle and the fullback is mopping up. Edited 2 January, 2015 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Best centre back we have had since Lovren IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyboy Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Those are valid points about his reading of the game. His first few appearances seemed to be very quiet, he barely featured - then you realise that it can't be a coincidence. A bit like much better clubs than us who play badly on the day thus allowing us to scrape together 36 lucky points. Toby is just lucky, that'll be why most strikers have an off day against him. Fortunately we have a good squad of lucky players at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Don't you think he could have been better positioned for the Carzola and Sanchez chances yesterday (decent recovery in the end for the Sanchez chance, though he still managed to get a decent shot off)? In both cases, thought he lost track of his blindside which is easy to do when you're used to playing in the middle and the fullback is mopping up. Fair point. I should have included the fact I was making a point about his performances as a centre back in my post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 All this. I am claiming credit for helping him decide, after I chatted to him in the bar, post the Chelsea match Sorry mate, meeting players in real life doesn't count. You can only claim credit if you posted about it on here or tweeted him and we also need you to provide evidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Sorry mate, meeting players in real life doesn't count. You can only claim credit if you posted about it on here or tweeted him and we also need you to provide evidence. Lets hope Buck Saint didnt thump him in the mouth after mistaking him for a chelsea player. How stupid would that be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Lets hope Buck Saint didnt thump him in the mouth after mistaking him for a chelsea player. How stupid would that be. :lol::lol::lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igsey Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 How much can we get for him from Liverpool? £30million surely, if Lovren is worth £20million. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallBoy Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Quality and class are the two words I associate with Toby. I hope this is true but the source does not inspire me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Koeman said again in the presser that we want him to stay but he doesnt known if an offer has been made yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefizzy14 Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Toby is just total class. Hopefully Ronald can get him to sign permantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Lets hope Buck Saint didnt thump him in the mouth after mistaking him for a chelsea player. How stupid would that be. context pls. nonplussed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Belgian Journalist @svenclaes: Despite all rumours, contract extension Alderweireld and Southampton is'nt going to happen this month. No 4-year contract offered. #SaintsFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Belgian Journalist @svenclaes: Despite all rumours, contract extension Alderweireld and Southampton is'nt going to happen this month. No 4-year contract offered. #SaintsFC Just seen this one.. @axelscifo Alderweierld set to sign 4 year deal at Southampton, just club negotiations to be confirmed #Athletico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Just seen this one.. @axelscifo Alderweierld set to sign 4 year deal at Southampton, just club negotiations to be confirmed #Athletico #Atletico pal. Sounds like Toby will wait until the summer before decidong what he wants to do. Can't really blame him for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 I tried to sign him in the summer. He said he wanted to play for a bigger club and demanded wages of about 150,000 a week. Football Manager says we don't stand a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 When we signed him and Koeman was asked about the option to buy, he said it wasn't that straight forward and the deal was very complex. Would be absolutely delighted if we signed him but cant see it happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabrone Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 I really hope we can land him, right up there in my time of watching with Mark Wright, Killer, Deano and Dejan (for the first half of last season) as one of the best CBs we've had if not even the best. No frills player, just reads the game brilliantly and cuts out the danger before it usually happens. If we can land him and get top then the chances of landing Bertrand and Morgan increase no end. Fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughieslastminutegoal Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Do you want much football pal? Paulo Maldini was an excellent player. Tony might have excellent games and he's very good but he's not an excellent player. Maldini was, where does he compare against Paulo Maldini? He has excellent games, but is not an excellent player? What % of his games have to be excellent to make him an excellent player? Presumably you've seen all of both Maldini's and Toby's games to be able to defend your definition so far as these two players are concerned, or are you just p*ssing in the wind as normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrian lord Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Sign him, Bertrand and keep Schneiderlin and Wanyama, and maybe add another top striker, and then there is the Academy... Saints might be on the way to being a "pocket super-club": small but very effective and able to mix it with the mega-clubs. It is a new model of business in the game emerging here I reckon. We are way ahead of our time. Rather like the pocket battleships of yore: http://www.brighthubengineering.com/marine-history/104148-pocket-battleships-the-unique-raiders-of-the-german-navy-in-wwii/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckenham Saint Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 He has excellent games, but is not an excellent player? What % of his games have to be excellent to make him an excellent player? Presumably you've seen all of both Maldini's and Toby's games to be able to defend your definition so far as these two players are concerned, or are you just p*ssing in the wind as normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Top class defender with pace as well... somehow think Atletico will buy out the option and either keep him or sell at a much higher fee. Agree that its our organisation at the back that dictates that we concede very few goals. Toby also did a lot of damage to Arsenal with his dangerous forays away from the back players. He offers versatility and awesome attacking skills as well. It is going to be difficult negotiating to meet his weekly value, let alone satisfying Atletico, but he is top international class and worth it. There is no point in us having Euro ambitions without players of his calibre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 He has excellent games, but is not an excellent player? What % of his games have to be excellent to make him an excellent player? Presumably you've seen all of both Maldini's and Toby's games to be able to defend your definition so far as these two players are concerned, or are you just p*ssing in the wind as normal? The problem with barging in a thread leaping to conclusions is you often bark up the wrong tree. I'm going by noodles yardstick he set earlier today on the Pelle thread pal. Read that and come back to me before you p*ss in the wind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 I tried to sign him in the summer. He said he wanted to play for a bigger club and demanded wages of about 150,000 a week. Football Manager says we don't stand a chance. Tbf most of its written by MLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 Tbf most of its written by MLG Surely he already has us in a 60,000 stadium then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Without a Halo Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 How much can we get for him from Liverpool? £30million surely, if Lovren is worth £20million. Toby has the intelligence lacked by Lovren! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintTex Posted 2 January, 2015 Share Posted 2 January, 2015 having been burnt by the press before, I will not even get remotely excited until there is a signature on the dotted line. that being said, if it did happen, it would be HUGE. The only way the club gets to the next level is if Champions League quality players stay with the club. Then there is a snowball affect. If Alderweireld commits, then the chance of Scheiderlin committing becomes much greater. It send a major signal to Champions League quality players around the world that this club is not a stepping stone to another destination club, but that it is A Destination club. I know the board is keen on conservativism and pragmaticism and that they believe slow and steady baby-steps wins the race, but they really need to move heaven and earth to retain Alderweireld. At the same time, they should not abandon the ideals and goals that got us to where we are today, ie: the Southampton Way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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