24 Aug 2016 07:58:08
Manolis from Roma? Might be a decent shout - linked with him a few seasons back. Roma are out of champs league so possible temptation there?
24 Aug 2016 08:34:31
But if Roma are out of the CL then so is he if he played for them in their defeat isn't he?
24 Aug 2016 09:05:38
I think, G62 (don't quote me on this mate! ) that if your club is knocked out in qualifiers, you can play for another team in the main competition.
I could be wrong, but that's what I'm thinking.
To be honest, I'd love Manolas at Arsenal, even if he were cup tied!
Roma are probably the only team I really follow as much as Arsenal (it's a family thing) even though I don't really 'support' them per say.
We should of bought Kostas when he left Olympiakos for like £12m but we were stingy and Roma reaped the rewards, he's a quick, strong aggressive defender, there's a bit of Koscielny about him I'd say.
24 Aug 2016 09:20:36
Don't tend to follow Italian football massively so guessing you rate him D. He seemed to have a bit about him a few years back and I'm sure he hasn't lost it. Still got a good few years in him so would probably be a good acquisition and would imagine the weekly wage wouldn't be too much.
On a side note, why Arsenal haven't increased Kos' money is beyond me - the guy got us out of so many holes in the last couple of seasons. I know he's classed as 'old' but JT for Chelsea is still going strong! He must be 87 odd now?
24 Aug 2016 11:58:19
I do personally yeah Joker!
He's had a decent two seasons at Roma, doesn't score many (like 2 in the league I think) but he's solid at the back, makes few mistakes, I think he gave away a couple pen's last season but one was very, very contentious (I forget against whom! ) he's vocal at the back and isn't afraid to shout at his own players, he even had an arguement with Miralem Pjanic in a game last season, because Pjanic miscontrolled a pass!
Apparently they were still arguing about it after the match.
He's only 25, a Greek international, champions league experience, a leader and no nonsense, I'd love him at Arsenal.
He had a good season for Roma last season, he's the man who leads the defence for the team, played most of his season alongside Antonio Rudiger or Leandro Castan who's now at Torino on loan, Digne went to Barcelona instead of making his loan at Roma permanent and Maicon moved away, so the Roma backline is pretty much new look apart from Manolas and Rudiger.
They have signed 3 Cb's this season, admittedly all 3 of which are on loan, but they now have 5senior players who play CB ( Manolas, Ruidger, Fazio, Juan Jesus and Vermaelen) Italian teams often have a really big squad, they're allowed more subs on the bench in domestic games than we are, 12 to our 7 but can still only call 3.
So, if they were to lose Kostas, which I'm sure they won't be open to, but a price was agreed, unlike many teams, Roma wouldn't need to scramble a replacement as desperately.
De Rossi can also play as a centre half and has done on occasion.
If anything, Roma's stocked up across their back line, so I personally think (just wanna point out I have NO evidence to back this up, I'm just applying my twisted logic) they'd be more open to selling a defender at this stage in the window, than say Valencia would, that said, I doubt they'd entertain anything less than £30m for Manolas, but in the current market, I'd argue he's probably worth that.
There you go Steve, I'm refreshed, revamped and the war and peace chapters are back!
24 Aug 2016 19:18:28
Good post D keep it up.