We should see the usual suspects in
the backline for Chelsea, with Thibaut Courtois and John Terry ready to come in for Petr Cech and Kurt Zouma respectively.
The truth is that they thought his style would suit Serie A perfectly and he could become a staple of the Milan
backline for years to come, especially as there would be no language problem settling in.
A member of the «Famous Four»
backline for Arsenal in the 1990's which included Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould retired in 2000 after a single season at Sunderland due to arthritis of the toe.
The Dutchman has impressed in the Italian capital since moving in 2014, overcoming a serious injury to become a pivotal figure in
the backline for Simone Inzaghi's side.
Long linked as a top defensive target for United and other big clubs, Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao is a superb prospect and one who could shore up the Old Trafford
backline for many years to come.
The German international has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford as United are also desperately tracking improvements to
their backline for next season.
Keep it tight at the back and try to put a ball behind
their backline for Theo to run into.
Recommended by a TV cameraman after failing a trial at Newcastle but ended up shoring up Liverpool's
backline for a decade, picking up domestic and European glory as he went.
In fact, the Portuguese tactician went as far as to confirm
his backline for the game with the same four that faced Watford lining up for the visitors, with Marcos Rojo available for selection but he'll now have to be content with a place on the bench.
Not exact matches
Against Sunderland, the Gunners need to make their passing and attacks count, and get this game done and dusted by Half - Time; failing which, the aforementioned duo of Johnson and Wickham will start growing in stature and pose serious problems
for the Arsenal
backline that can be rattled when their opponents start running at them.
United have plenty of attacking threats to be concerned about, but ultimately the physicality that the Belgian international will bring to lead the line could be problematic
for the Arsenal
backline, and many of their supporters believe that he shouldn't be playing any part in the encounter.
Meanwhile, Azpilicueta, Alderweireld, Luiz and Danny Rose make up Neville's
backline while he's gone
for Thibaut Courtois between the posts but Carragher has opted
for David De Gea.
Defensively, they were also found wanting, particularly
for Bordeaux's second goal and while both men contributed tackles and interceptions, they played their part in a shaky
backline.
Arsenal, being the home side, have their own share of ammunition; Welbeck is expected to make his debut, which is a mouthwatering prospect
for Arsenal, as he will be key to posing problems
for the Manchester City
backline.
In front of him, Antonio Valencia, Southampton stalwart Virgil van Dijk, Angelo Ogbonna and Liverpool man James Milner form the
backline with the latter getting the nod after another solid performance as he continues to be a reliable presence
for Jurgen Klopp.
Ramsey qualified
for euro, Our
backline got rested..
Spurs have used a three - man
backline to great effect at times this season, but due to injuries, they were forced into a situation where Ben Davies was in
for Danny Rose at left - back while Jan Vertonghen also remains sidelined with Eric Dier filling in through the middle.
The 23 - year - old's defending and delivery with his wonderful left foot were two aspects of his game that impressed the most, and it looks as though Jurgen Klopp has grabbed a real gem even though he continues to be criticised
for his lack of work elsewhere on the
backline.
That is an ambitious recruitment drive from Guardiola, but if he is able to sign all four targets, it will add real quality and depth to his
backline and prepare them
for an assault on various fronts next season including the Premier League and Champions League.
With little in the way of quality and depth in the
backline beyond Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, a new defender was needed
for Ernesto Valverde, and he's now got one.
backline of bellerin / mert / koz / gibbs ok
for villa.
Matic's arrival will be huge
for Mourinho and United, as the 28 - year - old Serbian international will act as defensive cover in midfield to not only protect the
backline, but also to allow Paul Pogba the freedom to fully express himself so Man Utd get the best out of their record signing.
With Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre - Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette scrapping
for places, and with not enough defensive midfield quality or solidity in the
backline as reflected in their poor Premier League defensive record, there's a case that Arsenal should be looking elsewhere.
Although there have been some disappointing breaches of the
backline, they seem to compliment each other well while Mustafi's youthfulness and better mobility could make it difficult
for Mertesacker to displace him.
Losig the ball in attack and do nothing to stop countee attacks is a recipe
for disaster irrespective of who is playing dm or
backline.
So part of me is thinking we should raid Napoli hard, get their manager along with Koulibaly and Hysaj (RB)
for the def and Jorginho
for the def mid, he has them working well
for Napoli and if AFC could get that solid
backline with Auba and Co upfront....
Not only was the centre - back a key figure
for Louis van Gaal during his time as Netherlands head coach — impressing, notably, during the 2014 World Cup — he would also bring experience, resiliency and a physical presence to the Red Devils»
backline.
The youngster enjoyed something of a breakout campaign last season, featuring 12 times as Louis van Gaal sought the right balance
for his
backline.
Whether we play 442 or a 3/5
backline we will have Zhaka and Jack fighting
for that place with Ramsey so realistically who would we rather see in the team?
We will determine who will be better.Watch As Roma take him away once they realize his goodness.He will be gone
for good.At least he will play behind a very good
backline that is hardly changed and have so many good defenders.He will be different trust me.I can just see it.
However this doesn't necessary calls
for signing in that department when considering ospina starts the season and we have a fit and steady
backline now shield by coqulan.
The problem is when you have an average defensive midfielder then your
backline can never be at rest.Coquelin should have started this match.Some people think he's average but I feel he's been played out of position and being tasked with doing too much like a box to box player.How can someone who bases his game on tackling and interception lose that ability all of a sudden and you tell me nothing's wrong but bdcause he's average.Are we fans going to ignore what is plain to us?Let's just pretend things are alright.Then after we win the cracks will be papered only
for them to be exposed another day.
Should Man City get a deal
for Evans over the line, the Northern Ireland international should add some defensive solidity to their
backline, as boss Guardiola look to win the seventh title of his impressive career.
The 28 - year - old has established himself as a crucial figure
for Tottenham since joining the club in 2015, making 109 appearances in all competitions and bringing real organisation and solidity to the
backline alongside the likes of Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez.
Another defender who hasn't been helped by the ongoing injury crisis, the Argentine international has played more than any other defender
for United this year, and suffered badly from being forced to play with a different
backline every week.
Williams would move
for around # 10million and is arguably not even the team's best defender, with Chico Flores playing a somewhat more understated role in the Swans»
backline.
What was most impressive about Coquelin is how he constantly glanced at the positioning of his
backline, then plugged shut the most crucial pass routes
for City attackers.
Spurs would surely rather sell Chiriches abroad than to a Premier League rival, not to mention their fiercely hated north London neighbours, so Arsene Wenger may have to look elsewhere
for a new addition to improve his side's struggling
backline.
Flamini isnt the best player we have but he is the only midfielder disciplined enough (
for the most part) to stay back in front of our
backline which allows the likes of ozil, cazorla and ramsey to commit numbers to the attack without worrying about leaving the back exposed.
Llorente and Firmino undoubtedly each get the plaudits
for two great goals apiece, while it was a second half to forget
for the Liverpool
backline as they buckled again to leave their record at 27 goals conceded in 22 games which gives them the worst defensive record in the Premier League at the time of writing.
With a lack of quality depth behind Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique in defence, he'd arguably be a great addition
for the
backline moving forward, giving Barca a long - term option in that department.
For Chambers to make a permanent spot for himself in the Arsenal rearguard, he would have to dethrone Mertesacker or Koscielny (when the Frenchman returns from injury) from the Arsenal backline, with pristine performances that force Arsene Wenger into preferring form players over players who have proven experien
For Chambers to make a permanent spot
for himself in the Arsenal rearguard, he would have to dethrone Mertesacker or Koscielny (when the Frenchman returns from injury) from the Arsenal backline, with pristine performances that force Arsene Wenger into preferring form players over players who have proven experien
for himself in the Arsenal rearguard, he would have to dethrone Mertesacker or Koscielny (when the Frenchman returns from injury) from the Arsenal
backline, with pristine performances that force Arsene Wenger into preferring form players over players who have proven experience.
Lampard singled out David Luiz
for praise as he believes that the Brazilian international has matured significantly this year, while Cesar Azpilicueta joins him in the
backline.
«He is a dynamic, exciting young player that we believe can compete
for minutes on our
backline as we head into a packed season across multiple competitions.»
The French coach has preferred to partner Marquinhos» fellow Brazilians David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the heart of the
backline, leaving the youngster to fight
for scraps or to deputise
for either Serge Aurier or Gregory van der Wiel at right - back.
Having signed Eric Bailly from Villarreal earlier this summer, Luke Shaw will also hope to stake his claim
for a regular place in the starting line - up after recovering from injury to join the likes of Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia in Mourinho's preferred
backline.
A fit Ramsey could've been helpful to Lacazette, but I would have brought Giroud on
for Ramsey to get amid the
backline much earlier than 75 min.
However, they reacted in the best way possible on the pitch, with some wonderful team - play carving the Watford
backline open
for Sadio Mane to get on the scoresheet.
Combined with the fact that left - footed Umtiti would add great balance to the
backline too which could be key, it would be another major step in strengthening the squad
for Guardiola as he continues to chase major honours this season.
Firstly, Villa are certain to defend with two banks of four and maintain that shape when they don't have the ball, meaning that it will be extremely difficult
for the Arsenal attack to penetrate through their
backline.