Philosopher

Balls! This would be pointless doesn't improve us one bit.

Are there any concrete links yet? As all I see is Birmingham live in the sewers rubbish. I'm still very sceptical on both if a deal is being done and how useful he would be to us. I think he'd be lucky to get a game.

And a left back. I still remember how people were upset at 'missing out' on Maupay, and how much better than Wesley he would have been! This season that debate might finally be settled, however Maupay is clearly very average at this level.

How is 10 to 20 million the rest of our transfer budget. No way is target one of the best left backs. He has had one good season being played quite defensively, and one bad season playing quite offensively. He is decent but limited. Certainly not one of the best. If you really think that you're in dream land.

Like said 3 times already speed and energy. A left back better suited to overlapping on a regular basis, to put it bluntly. A large part of the reason Targett had a good season is the more measured attacking intent. He basically was played like a traditional fullback that defends first and rarely gets beyond the winger to the byline. Young at 35 won't be able to do this. And he isn't going to be as good as Targett let alone better. So how is that competition? They're not good enough to be competition for Targett, they're in decline, and will want higher wages as they are on a free. They probably also want hefty signing on fees. It's not logical.

If those 3 teams are really interested, he must be talented as those teams are very good at identifying raw talents. Doesn't mean he'll make.it, but maybe worth speculating on.

When did I say replace him. It's about getting competition for places in every position and increasing the quality of the first team and squad, whether that's from player improving or better players coming. Increased competition mean having to work harder to keep your place and thus pushing players to improve. If the competition is too tough then a better player will emerge. I'm sorry if you don't understand this concept, I'm also sorry if you misconstrue what I'm saying and i apologise if you feel I'm am targeting you even if you aren't the only person to endorse a move for Bertrand or Young. Long live Dean Smith!

Let also be clear on something, guys like Cavani, Ronaldo, Ibrahomovic, and Fernandinho as well as being world class and consummate professionals are exceptions to the rule. Over 90% of top division footballers aren't good enough once they hit 33 / 34.

And all three are players whose games have never relied on pace. They are all players that no longer offer the same workrate. There is a certain type of player that can play until their mid to late 30s. Players whom have excellent technique, and intelligence, that can play their position in a way that doesn't require running 10kms per game, or long sprints. Ronaldo keeps his bursts of speed to 10 to 20 yards in and around the 18 yard box. He plays as hybrid target man / trequartista / fox in the box. Fullback is a position that requires high fitness levels and at least reasonable speed (which Targett struggles with). We don't need right back cover. Left back cover is little to no use. Cover at left back when Targett played every prem game, and both Hause and Mings can play there. Competition and a Viable alternative with pace and energy is what is needed.

My post wasn't directed at Smith or the club. I don’t believe any of the players I mentioned are genuinely being looked at. Over 30s are simply not part of our strategy, unless the cost and quality are high, like Heaton. The Heaton deal backfired, and actually became an example of the dangers of signing aging players. At 31 plus player 2 games a week will lead to injury and there is alway a heightened risk of injury. Bertrand for example has a history of knee and hamstring injuries.

As a master builder I can tell you that if a builder does a stop gap job, half the time it won't last for as long as you want it to, if by chance it does then it will probably be neglected till it becomes a major.problem again and need more work to correct t than in the first place. Stop gaps cost you more in the longer term.

Where have they shown this? I'm sure they're looking at talented young left backs. Targett certainly won't (nor should be) thrown to the wayside for a new LB. Targett will still go into preseason as the first choice regardless of who we sign, and it will be up to the new signing to show he deserves to start ahead of Targett. It's about competition, and keeping players on their toes, while looking to progress the club. Stop gaps don't serve any real purpose unless you have a young player in that position you are EXTREMELY confident about, or a quality player that is out injured for 4 months of the season or more. Otherwise they're simply acts of desperation, because of a lack of a better option. Villa have a f ton of options right now.

Everyone keeps banging on about our Owners and the ambitions of the club then want us to sign Bertrand, Ashley Young and Ross Turnbull! I think we are too used to thinking small time! Villa are building for the future. How is signing past it players, and players that clearly lack the physical qualities to succeed in the Premier league. The other thing that annoys me is the 'we have Targett so we only need cover.' Now i like Targett, but he is limited, and his limitations restrict our tactics. He has good technique, solid in the tackle, decent in air (for a fullback), and found real consistency. Lots to admire for sure. But no top team would sign him because he is too slow and doesn't have the natural fitness to tear up and down the touchline relentlessly for a full 90. Used as traditional fullback he has shown quality. Used as a modern fullback he has shown to be a liability. A good season doesn't make a top player. He needs competition, and Villa need a speedy, energetic alternative.

You're not comparing Ashley Young to one of the the top 5 players EVER?!?!

Sorry but Ibra was a world class player. A guy who is well known for his professionalism. Ashley Young was a good winger who was converted into a solid left back. Sorry but no thanks, leave him to the to the bottom feeders.

Ashley Young is 35, no way we should sign him. A premier league team looking to get into Europe should never be looking at a 35 year old.

I see this a little differently. The first group play in front of defenses in tight spaces, the second group run between and behind the lines. The second group create just as many assist and opening as the other group. Rashford had prem goals and 11 prem assists last season. Sterling 10 and 8. Ferran Torres is also more of a group 2 type. Sterling is also good in tight spaces, with is low centre of gravity.

Jack runs games there aren't stats for that. Best dribbler in the world after Messi. I am biased, but Jack is really special. Goals and Assists aren't the whole picture.

Foden is up there. Sterling numbers historically are excellent. Mount is more than just a creator. Maddison had 11 goals and 10 assists last season. Not in the squad. Also it is well accepted that the Premier league as a whole is the most competitive league in the world so the number from the Spanish league don't quite carry the same weight. Also Rashford got 21 goals and 15 assists last season. 11 goals and 11 assist just in the league. Sterling in a bad season for home scored 14 and assisted 12. 10 and 8 in the league only. It's too easy to sell our own players short. Familiarity breeds contempt.

OK so maybe Mbappe is a head of Jack. But otherwise who is better than Jack. Torres, Olmo, Foden, Insigne, Dembele, Gnabry, Havertz, Pogba, Silva all quality but I'd have Jack before all of them.

Lots of good left backs around, nobody is saying not to sign a left eback. What we are saying is not a good solution. A temporary stop gap at best. Targett has had a good season, but is limited. I believe we need a good viable pacy alternative. We need someone more dynamic for me.

No way. We have loads of creative talent. Jack, Foden, Sancho, Mount, Rashford, and Sterling. That's serous quality. England don't lose out in comparison. England on paper, only the central defenders lose out to Spain, but our strikers are better! I'd take Jack ahead.of any creative talent at this tournament.

We had Heaton competing with Martinez. You only buy back ups when you have a genuine world class performer in your first team in that position. As getting in a player good enough to compete / displace is virtually impossible. I personally don't rate Bertrand that highly. Solid left back at his best, but not top class. Now he is 31 and losing his pace hell no!

He's not a bad option. Just very expensive and probably not worth that much. Also no resale value as he is 28 -29. In a season whether he thrives or not he will be worth less. In two seasons he will be worth half of what he is now and on the verge of declining.

No room for squad fillers, just a waste.