It seems as if we have been usurped by Arsenal in our attempts to sign Mikael Silvestre.
I'm sorry to disagree with Danny at the fantastic Bitter and Blue, but I can't help thinking this is a shame.
He writes today that Silvestre "does not upgrade the position [left back] in any way" and that why we are on a pursuit of additions in that area "is a complete mystery" to him. I'm afraid I don't agree. Neither Ball nor Garrido are top ten quality full backs. Ball is pedestrian, and has a reputation for competence which comes more from his 'no-frills' demeanour than his actual abilities. Garrido is a talented footballer and a good prospect, but is not yet quick or strong enough for the position.
In Mikael Silvestre we have an option with years of Premier League experience at a top club, four Premier League and one European Cup medals, and forty caps for France. There is a sour taste involved with taking United's reserves but I'm sure he'd be a big improvement on the current left backs.
It is true that we have more pressing areas than left back. We need a striker, centre midfielder and right winger more. But I don't see that the Silvestre deal would preclude the others. At only £750,000 we would surely have enough money for the other positions.
But if he's going to Arsenal none of this really matters.
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well well well, like we didnt see it coming. i reckon it is a blow, because he is miles better than ball and garrido, and we need experienced players like him at the back. i'm still pissed off that this problem (and its a big problem) wasn't addressed pre-season. nick shorey wouldve been ideal (great signing for villa), taiwo might be another babayaro (injury prone), but he's fast enough to keep up with the pace of the premiership, and he's certainly better than michael ball. so what happens now? do we look abroad? do we look in the championship? whatever hughes decides he needs to do it NOW. we cant rely on kids and we certainly shouldnt be making risky selections like sticking ben haim or corluka there. also, i read somewhere that ball was leaving! what the hell is going on???? paper bullshit aside, the problem remains - WE NEED A DECENT LEFT BACK NOW.
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