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Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 3:45 am
by phips
out of everyone we've been rumored to be signing Laporte (and Gundogan) seems to be the one that isn't going away--despite his recent major injury. figured he could use his own thread.

not seen him play really but reading stuff online it sounds like there's some hype about him. I believe he was close to going to United last summer for big money too.

Manchester City want to sign Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte this summer, according to Sky sources. The French defender looks a good fit for Pep Guardiola's Etihad Stadium revolution, writes Nick Wright.

Pep Guardiola counts Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa as one of his biggest influences so perhaps it is not surprising that he shares his idol's admiration for Aymeric Laporte. The French centre-back was schooled by Bielsa as a teenager at Athletic Bilbao, and Guardiola is eager to continue his education at Manchester City next season.

Major changes are required, and while Everton's John Stones is among the names to have been talked up, Laporte appears to be the priority for Guardiola. City's sporting director Txiki Bergiristain has already flown to Bilbao to discuss the deal with Athletic, and reports in Spain suggest City are ready and willing to pay his £39m buy-out clause.

It is a huge sum for a 21-year-old still recovering from a broken leg suffered playing for France's U21s in March, but he is due to return in August and the feeling in Spain is that he is worth the investment. Laporte has developed a burgeoning reputation over the course of four seasons in Athletic's first team and has already amassed over 100 La Liga appearances despite his tender age.

Basque journalist Endika Río has followed his progress from the start. "He is a central defender with the profile that Pep Guardiola likes," he tells Sky Sports. "He's strong, tall and powerful but what characterises him most is playing out from the back. He makes the central midfielders' jobs easier. He has good distribution and he has quality with the ball at his feet."

That technical ability is invaluable to Guardiola, whose attacking philosophy requires modern, ball-playing centre-backs who can build quickly and fluently from the back. The role was fulfilled by Gerard Pique at Barcelona and David Alaba at Bayern Munich, and Laporte, it seems, will be the man for the job at Manchester City.

A money-spinning transfer to the Etihad would cap a rapid rise for Laporte, who was only 18 when Bielsa promoted him to Athletic Bilbao's first team in November 2012. "It was quite a difficult year for Athletic," recalls Río. "Javi Martinez had left and they were having trouble renewing Fernando Amorebieta's contract, so Bielsa promoted Laporte even though he had hardly played for the reserves."

Laporte was thrust into the heart of a struggling side, but the 6ft 2ins teenager swiftly established himself as a regular starter in central defence. "Bielsa saw characteristics in him that fit with his style of football," says Río. "He soon filled the gap left by Amorebieta. He was a boom."

Bielsa loved Laporte - "I don't remember a single fault I could tell you about," he said in 2015 - and he made 17 appearances before the 60-year-old was replaced by Ernesto Valverde in the summer of 2013. Bielsa's gruelling training methods had taken a heavy toll as Athletic finished 12th in 2012/13 but the squad were reinvigorated by Valverde. Laporte, in particular, went from strength to strength.

"Laporte's second year in the first team was Valverde's first in charge," says Río. "The team finished fourth in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League. Laporte was part of the spine of the team and became the líder of the defence. He was still 19 but no one disputed it despite his age. Bit by bit, he has improved a lot in very little time."

Laporte has come out on top in duels with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo since breaking into the Athletic team. He helped them reach the final of last year's Copa del Rey and played every minute of their historic 5-1 aggregate win over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in August.

Laporte is an accomplished one-on-one defender who doesn't shy away from physical challenges, but he prefers to rely on his fine reading of the game and intelligent positioning rather than gung-ho tackling. He has an excellent range of passing and averages more per game than any other Athletic player with the exception of central midfielder Beñat, while he is also a goal threat, having scored five times this season alone before he was injured in March.

As for weaknesses, there is little to cause alarm. "In some games you can still see his youth and inexperience," says Río. "There have been some errors and he has been sent off for inexperienced fouls, but with time he has got better. You can see that he learns very fast for a player so young, and it's not surprising that some of the biggest clubs in Europe want him."

Like Bielsa before him, Valverde is a huge admirer. "He's young and he has to improve some things but he's already the real deal," he said in October. "He is a player who is mature, despite his youth. On the pitch you see that because he takes responsibility for his position. Experience is always important, but if you already have that experience when you are 22, then imagine…"

Laporte's rare combination of technical ability, physical prowess and youthful experience has thrust him to the forefront of Manchester City's plans. Their defensive problems have been costly this season, but as they prepare to usher in a new era at the Etihad Stadium, Bielsa's pupil looks ready to make his next step up with Guardiola.


anyone watch many Bilbao matches? or France U-21 stuff?

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 7:18 am
by Fidel Castro
Broke his leg doing an Otamendi clutchy face dive. He can fuck off.

https://youtu.be/qbhYsCtV_7g

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 7:29 am
by Moonchesteri
Haven't seen him play so no idea but when the main quality of a defender seems to his ability to pass I cringe.
I can't help but feel we'll spend £50mil and get worse defender than daft Martin.

Plus I'd rather spend the money on a top class winger/striker

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 7:49 am
by john@staustell
Best not to get involved in any rumours this time of year.

Although - 'Sky Sources' usually means every fucker in the world knows it already.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 8:00 am
by Hazy2
What Pep say's goes ! His team his players sit back and let him get on with it.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 10:17 am
by branny
Pep likes ball playing centre backs? Bye Otter.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 10:59 am
by Hazy2
branny wrote:Pep likes ball playing centre backs? Bye Otter.


True, but Puyol was not exactly Franco Baresi mate. What he hates more is players thinking they are better than they are. Every player will have a role, serve the ball to the play maker and do your job. I don't think we have one back 4 player he would buy in a thousand years if they were on the market.
Not a pass among'st them and average at best at the basics, for a top defender you must have ability pace, and see danger well before it is a problem we lack all of that. No pass is a no no for A future of City, Pep will coach or ditch, on Otter he is not what I saw at Valencia and for that matter neither is Mango when he was at Porto. PEP MIGHT WORK ON THEM , HE HAS DONE IT WITH BOATANG.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 11:40 am
by PrezIke
I think we will end up signing him. A broken bone is not the same as muscle or ligaments. He's young and recovery tends to go smoother. He can also play left back.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 11:58 am
by branny
Hazy2 wrote:
branny wrote:Pep likes ball playing centre backs? Bye Otter.


True, but Puyol was not exactly Franco Baresi mate. What he hates more is players thinking they are better than they are. Every player will have a role, serve the ball to the play maker and do your job. I don't think we have one back 4 player he would buy in a thousand years if they were on the market.
Not a pass among'st them and average at best at the basics, for a top defender you must have ability pace, and see danger well before it is a problem we lack all of that. No pass is a no no for A future of City, Pep will coach or ditch, on Otter he is not what I saw at Valencia and for that matter neither is Mango when he was at Porto. PEP MIGHT WORK ON THEM , HE HAS DONE IT WITH BOATANG.


I think Otter has tried to be a ball playing cb on numerous occasions this season, making his way to halfway before passing straight to the opposition. Is that him thinking he's better than he is? I don't know. Unless Pep can work miracles I think Otter will be a squad player at best.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 3:49 pm
by nottsblue
Must confess I've never seen him play, but at 21, for me, it's too young to be the cornerstone of a PL defence. Assuming we keep Mangala that would be a largely inexperienced back two, especially how we will probably have a new full back or two.

Godin from Atletico Madrid would be more to my way of thinking. Tough, uncompromising, leader who can also play FB if required. As I have posted before I like my defenders to first and foremost be able to defend and this fella is like an old school CB which sadly seems out of vogue

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:10 pm
by Hazy2
nottsblue wrote:Must confess I've never seen him play, but at 21, for me, it's too young to be the cornerstone of a PL defence. Assuming we keep Mangala that would be a largely inexperienced back two, especially how we will probably have a new full back or two.

Godin from Atletico Madrid would be more to my way of thinking. Tough, uncompromising, leader who can also play FB if required. As I have posted before I like my defenders to first and foremost be able to defend and this fella is like an old school CB which sadly seems out of vogue


Add Godin And dare I suggest Suarez and you have character fight and and a fuck you attitude, Are they on our radar...... More likely Sanchez from the Arse.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:20 pm
by Sister of fu
nottsblue wrote:Must confess I've never seen him play, but at 21, for me, it's too young to be the cornerstone of a PL defence. Assuming we keep Mangala that would be a largely inexperienced back two, especially how we will probably have a new full back or two.

Godin from Atletico Madrid would be more to my way of thinking. Tough, uncompromising, leader who can also play FB if required. As I have posted before I like my defenders to first and foremost be able to defend and this fella is like an old school CB which sadly seems out of vogue


I would love us to sign a "DEFENDER" I really would. Old school, hard as fuck, leader, defender...

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:25 pm
by blues2win
Would love Bonucci. Arguably the best centre back in Europe. However, I doubt Juve would sell although Conte apparently wants him.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:28 pm
by nottsblue
Hazy2 wrote:
nottsblue wrote:Must confess I've never seen him play, but at 21, for me, it's too young to be the cornerstone of a PL defence. Assuming we keep Mangala that would be a largely inexperienced back two, especially how we will probably have a new full back or two.

Godin from Atletico Madrid would be more to my way of thinking. Tough, uncompromising, leader who can also play FB if required. As I have posted before I like my defenders to first and foremost be able to defend and this fella is like an old school CB which sadly seems out of vogue


Add Godin And dare I suggest Suarez and you have character fight and and a fuck you attitude, Are they on our radar...... More likely Sanchez from the Arse.

I would love Suarez myself. I know a lot wouldn't but he brings so much energy and commitment and drive and never say die attitude. Attributes sadly lacking in our squad the last few weeks

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:54 pm
by PrezIke
nottsblue wrote:Must confess I've never seen him play, but at 21, for me, it's too young to be the cornerstone of a PL defence. Assuming we keep Mangalathat would be a largely inexperienced back two, especially how we will probably have a new full back or two.

Godin from Atletico Madrid would be more to my way of thinking. Tough, uncompromising, leader who can also play FB if required. As I have posted before I like my defenders to first and foremost be able to defend and this fella is like an old school CB which sadly seems out of vogue


That's a mighty big assumption there mate.

He is so wildly inconsistent that I am struggling to see him staying. I know Vinnie won't even be fit to start the season, but if we bring back Denayer, and sign Laporte that would leave Vinnie as the 4th defender until fit enough. More than 4 central defenders seems a bit much, and we could still sign Stones.

Also, I understand you may prefer your defenders one way, but Pep is going to be our manager and has his own ideas of how he wants the team to play, requiring certain skills from those positions. I gather you realise you are clearly setting yourself up in opposition to our incoming manager's likely approach. This isn't just about being "out of vogue" it's about fitting the right players into a system. Pep's system, not just what everyone thinks is "hip."

Laporte is ingelligent, strong, tall and a good tackler, as far as I understand (I haven't really seen him much either), with over 100 La Liga apperances at 21 years old. As we have seen with Mangala, in particular, and rather ironically since we brought him in as an upgrade to Lescott, for the very same reasons they can cause the team problems. They are physically imposing, but not so great with the ball, and make poor decisions, although Mangala I'd argue is better than Lescott was with the ball. They both have put our midfield into trouble with poor or short passing that slows play and allows the defence to set itself up.

You could see how this was a problem against Real Madrid, across the team, showing the importance of quality passing to generate chances, which pass % (something I recall being raised to defend Lescott) or possession % does not necessarily explain. Guardiola wants to play out from the back, use possession quickly and not just keep hold the ball for 65% of the game like United with no genuine hope of breaking down clever/park the bus defending. He needs the right players that can do this since he is the manager. Otherwise, we might as well have brought in Mourinho, Big Sam, Pullis, or Simeone, who play the type of football that such defenders are more suited for. You could argue Ranieri, but Leicester are a uniquely constructed team that benefited from under the radar, low-ego type players on lower wages with something to prove and nothing to lose. Hard to replicate that when you are a big club.

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:59 pm
by Hazy2
A keeper who knows his options before the other team are set, is going to make the keeper situation the focus of media fans alike. Joe is a top keeper, sweeper keeper who passes the ball like a MF player ?

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 6:14 pm
by nottsblue
PrezIke wrote:
nottsblue wrote:Must confess I've never seen him play, but at 21, for me, it's too young to be the cornerstone of a PL defence. Assuming we keep Mangala that would be a largely inexperienced back two, especially how we will probably have a new full back or two.

Godin from Atletico Madrid would be more to my way of thinking. Tough, uncompromising, leader who can also play FB if required. As I have posted before I like my defenders to first and foremost be able to defend and this fella is like an old school CB which sadly seems out of vogue


That's a mighty big assumption there mate.

He is so wildly inconsistent that I am struggling to see him staying. I know Vinnie won't even be fit to start the season, but if we bring back Denayer, and sign Laporte that would leave Vinnie as the 4th defender until fit enough. More than 4 central defenders seems a bit much, and we could still sign Stones.

Also, I understand you may prefer your defenders one way, but Pep is going to be our manager and has his own ideas of how he wants the team to play, requiring certain skills from those positions. I gather you realise you are clearly setting yourself up in opposition to our incoming manager's likely approach.

Laporte is ingelligent, strong, tall and a good tackler, as far as I understand (I haven't really seen him much either), with over 100 La Liga apperances at 21 years old. As we have seen with Mangala, in particular, and rather ironically since we brought him in as an upgrade to Lescott, for the very same reasons they can cause the team problems. They are not so great with the ball, and make poor decisions, although Mangala I'd argue is better than Lescott was with the ball. They both have put our midfield into trouble with poor or short passing that slows play and allows the defence to set itself up.

You could see how this was a problem against Real Madrid, across the team, showing the importance of quality passing to generate chances, which pass % (something I recall being raised to defend Lescott) or possession % does not necessarily explain. Guardiola wants to play out from the back, use possession quickly and not just keep hold the ball for 65% of the game like United with no genuine hope of breaking down clever/park the bus defending. He needs the right players that can do this since he is the manager. Otherwise, we might as well have brought in Mourinho, Big Sam, Pullis, or Simeone, who play the type of football that such defenders are more suited for. You could argue Ranieri, but Leicester are a uniquely team that benefited from under the radar, low-ego type players on lower wages with something to prove and nothing to lose. Hard to replicate that when you are a big club.

It is a big assumption. It's based loosely on the fact Kompany is unlikely to start the season, if he is even retained at all and I can't see us starting a PL season with two new CBs in partnership. Mangala has looked more assured than Otter for me hence my assumption he may get given the starting berth.

I know Pep prefers his defenders to defend in a different style than I would. He is a million times more qualified than me and as he picks the team and style of play we are likely to see the "ball playing CB" rather than a "traditional hard tackler". That's life I guess.

The fact he has played 100 games in la Liga already is largely irrelevant. Both MDM and Otter were in the la Liga team of the year prior to signing for us. It's a different league with a different ethos. Better rated defenders than him have not been a huge success in the physical, hard, long PL season. A defender being able to pass is a myth for me. As mentioned before I expect a midfielder to come and get the ball. A defender who passes to another City player regardless of the skill or length of pass is better than one who does 'Hollywood' passes out of defence that lead to chances for the other side.

I know I am probably in the minority in this day and age but it is just my opinion

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 10:28 pm
by Blue Since 76
Top two targets, broken leg and dislocated knee cap. Should pass our medical no problems

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 3:45 am
by DoomMerchant
Hazy2 wrote:A keeper who knows his options before the other team are set, is going to make the keeper situation the focus of media fans alike. Joe is a top keeper, sweeper keeper who passes the ball like a MF player ?


There are like two of those legit keepers in the world.

We've got 6 roles to fill before we get to fixing Joe Hart.

2 defenders and one should be Denayer.
2 midfielders one attacking and one holding/DM
A striker.
A winger.

Then we can talk about a fucking keeper upgrade.

I'd be fine with the French broke dick fucker.

I don't think Mangala is done yet. He has more promise than Otters imho.

Fuck off Fernando. Yaya. Kolarov. At the very least. Push a fullback or two up from the academy.

Delph is fine as is Fernandinho.

Bony gets fucked off. Nacho and Kun and a new striker plus one academy lad are good for striker options.

Fucking goalie is our last position to even think about.

And fuck Stones. He's shit. He can fuck off. I don't want him.

Cheers

Re: Aymeric Laporte

PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 6:06 am
by sheblue
DoomMerchant wrote:
Hazy2 wrote:A keeper who knows his options before the other team are set, is going to make the keeper situation the focus of media fans alike. Joe is a top keeper, sweeper keeper who passes the ball like a MF player ?


There are like two of those legit keepers in the world.

We've got 6 roles to fill before we get to fixing Joe Hart.

2 defenders and one should be Denayer.
2 midfielders one attacking and one holding/DM
A striker.
A winger.

Then we can talk about a fucking keeper upgrade.

I'd be fine with the French broke dick fucker.

I don't think Mangala is done yet. He has more promise than Otters imho.

Fuck off Fernando. Yaya. Kolarov. At the very least. Push a fullback or two up from the academy.

Delph is fine as is Fernandinho.

Bony gets fucked off. Nacho and Kun and a new striker plus one academy lad are good for striker options.

Fucking goalie is our last position to even think about.

And fuck Stones. He's shit. He can fuck off. I don't want him.

Cheers


Your spot on there son.

There's a lot of rot to be cut out before Joe gets the bullet. A lot.