These reports of Hujisen informing us he wants to join aren’t news, the kid was openly talking about the club almost every day the past month. Because of his height, I think he’s looking a little bit slower than he really is? Hopefully at least! The last slower centre back that did well for us was probably Ricardo Carvalho in his first season. Hope Wirtz doesn’t join Bayern as well! That would suck, he’d do really well with us.
He looks slower because of his height. His top speed is fine, but he does not have the quick acceleration of a top CB. I do not think this is an issue. It is not like all the CBs have been speed demons. I also think he still filling into that lanky frame.
Right now there are 3 squad numbers available... 12,24,25 Add 17, 18 since Vallejo and Lucas will not be back or even make it to the Club World Cup. TAA, Asencio (Needa a 1st team number) need numbers, and they still could register the new CB and LB with a spot to spare. All to say that I do not really expect departures until after the Club World Cup.
I haven't seen a lot of Huijssen, but I was concerned about people mentioning the lack of pace and had nightmares of watching Walter Samuel, lol. I mean, these defenders typically don't work here. So, I went on YouTube and just watched a couple of videos of the player and I'm not too sure I agree with him being slow. I think he shows a high defensive IQ and knows where to position himself when defending, but also showed decent pace tbh. Sure, it's not Varane, Rudiger, Pepe or Ramos, I agree. But it seemed enough, definitely when coupled with his defensive IQ and strength. Also, it may not be that much of a problem if Xabi were to choose for a 3-man defense. Anyway, YouTube videos don't tell the whole story, so I'll see if I can find how Bournemouth fans saw it over the course of the season. In any case, glad the club is looking to sort out that back-line.
Whats going on with Modric? If we're serious about Wirtz or that Argentine kid, I don't see how he stays.
The combine with each other like they were born to play together in the national team. The national team played at the Allianz Arena and the reports are/were that all the Bayern big heads figured this is the potential future of Bayern right there. Bayern getting multiple Leverkusen players at once is nostalgic. Used to happen more in the past.
Is that kind of nostalgia a good thing for the Bundesliga in your opinion? Leverkusen supporters get pissed about that kind of move or is considered inevitable over there? Just curious.
Sounds silly but Leverkusen has no fans. Of course they have people going to the stadium but it's simply not a relevant team with exceptional tradition. It's Bayer's team. Like VfL Wolfsburg with Volkswagen and Leipzig with Red Bull. Apparently the Wirtz transfer goes over Leverkusen's CEO directly through the Bayer corporate level. Germany is a Bayern country now. It used to be a complete joke to be a Bayern fan outside of Munich in the past but it's kind of become a thing now where you have Bayern fans everywhere. That's a reason why I would like multiple traditional clubs back up in the top tier, Hamburg, Schalke, etc. Just to get the relevant clubs back in the game.
Thanks for the insight. My trip to Germany earlier this year has me much more interested in its football tradition and hierarchy in terms of actual legacy and such. I’d rather see Wirtz play elsewhere but I guess Bayern is better than freakin City.
I've grown fond of the German team after attending a lot of games and events around the euro and the nations league, and I'll be honest and transparent, Bayern have treated me and my family incredible for years now despite not being club members so I can't really hate them anymore.
Bayern did it to Dortmund for years and one of the reasons why it weakened the league so much. The same is happening to Bayer now so rinse and repeat really
Looks like Wirtz will be another transfer saga for Bayern after Olise and Doue. Wirtz camp met with City officials in Manchester yesterday. x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1922408081343787146?t=Wxq0SY_VWuBZVK5etHc86Q&s=19
I don't know why any major player would go to City given the penalties looming on top of their heads and Pep probably not staying there for too long.
It's going to be a long month with all these Huijsen tweets, especially with the emphasis that his release clause can only be activated starting from June.