Is there a better manager to learn the art of defending right now than Diego Simeone?
The Argentine was a holding midfielder, a nasty one at that, but his Atletico Madrid teams are defensively outstanding. The way they set up and the organisation of the backline is truly something. It’s got them to two Champions League finals in three years with far worse offensive players than their competitors.
SEE MORE:
As well as Michael Keane, Liverpool now want another England defender…
So when we heard we’ve been linked to Atletico’s Jose Gimenez, our ears pricked…
The Uruguayan burst onto the scene and formed a formidable partnership with world-class Diego Godin for club and country a few years back, but this term he’s had to spend time on the bench behind Stefan Savic, who’s taken his chance following an injury to Gimenez.
The 22-year-old is said to be frustrated by his limited role and the Mirror reckon that along with Manchester United, we’re considering a £39m deal – which would trigger Gimenez’s buy-out clause.
We’ve seen plenty of Gimenez, and while he defends brutishly, he can be a little rash. We’d prefer Virgil van Dijk, who’s Premier League proven, better aerially, and has composure on the ball.