17 Aug 2015 11:23:55
Rumours that we are in "advanced talks" with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulib, anyone have anything on this? Also any chance we could sign him as well as Van DIjk?


1.) 17 Aug 2015
17 Aug 2015 11:42:07
How good is this guy? Read he can operate in midfield like our spud mate toby,who if he liked our midfield so much should have stayed!(see web quotes). Better option than VVD?


2.) 17 Aug 2015
17 Aug 2015 13:36:46
much better player than VVD. He outshone Albiol at Napoli and was an overall beast last season. He has the experience in playing in a physical, fast paced league. VVD plays in Scotland where Celtic defenders are barely even required to defend hence why VVD is so attacking. Would prefer Koulibaly purely as he has played at a good club level already whereas VVD could be a gamble considering the level of the Scottish leagues.


3.) 17 Aug 2015
17 Aug 2015 17:14:43
9 yellows and a Red in 27 games. Sounds a no nonsense tough defender!


4.) 17 Aug 2015
17 Aug 2015 17:39:04
Just saying the Serie A is definitely not a fast paced league.


5.) 17 Aug 2015
17 Aug 2015 18:25:59
bailey, correct but compared to the scottish league it is.


6.) 17 Aug 2015
17 Aug 2015 18:46:31
Both leagues aren't fast, Scottish football is a lot tougher physically but there's no competition, Serie A has a lot more competition and many better players, world class players in fact, therefore I believe Koulibaly would have been tested more than VVD. Both great players though.


7.) 17 Aug 2015
17 Aug 2015 19:00:22
Let's be honest, serie a is a much higher standard than the Scottish prem too


8.) 18 Aug 2015
18 Aug 2015 11:07:45
The rumour has been given credence by appearing in the Daily Star today. I'm hoping we get both, we'll then have a well balanced squad. Hopefully the Everton result does give the squad a wake-up call as a couple of players have suggested it will. We can then kick on.


9.) 18 Aug 2015
18 Aug 2015 11:13:17
Getting both koulibaly and VVD is too much to ask for. We would have 6(including gardos) CB's, it would go against the clubs ethos of bringing in youngsters as Turnbull and Stephens both look very promising. No need to spend money on a defender when we can wait to see how well Stephens and Turnbull do.


10.) 18 Aug 2015
18 Aug 2015 11:30:34
Haven't both the youngsters gone back out on loan for the season and with caulker in on loan and fonte getting on a bit getting in 2 24yr olds to settle into the prem game and a partnership isn't such a bad thing . Can't see yosh being anymore than cover at best and gardos has struggled to break into the first team.


11.) 18 Aug 2015
18 Aug 2015 14:29:17
Agree with Romsaint,
neither of Turnbull or Stephens are ready for EPL yet. and as for Gardos and Yoshida I don't think they're 'good enough' if we want to progress. Getting both CD's would be ideal (as KK can also provide cover in midfield), but in reality I think we'll sign one CD.

Hopefully any new player we bring in will be an improvement on what we have.


12.) 18 Aug 2015
18 Aug 2015 15:40:26
Personally don't think Yoshida or Gardos are anywhere near Premier League standard. Yoshida is a lot better than Gardos though, ideally I'd like VVD and Koulibaly and sell both Yoshida and Gardos to allow room for youth players when they do return from the loan spells next season.


13.) 18 Aug 2015
18 Aug 2015 18:10:59
Didn't Yoshida just get a new contract? Reckon VVD would 'bed in' quicker than the Napoli chap.