These days with what injuries, restings and suspensions, the notion of "first choice, second choice and then the rest" when it comes to central defenders is something of a misrepresentation of what you need IMHO. You really need three FIRST CHOICE centre backs, we have two and if he can reconcile his differences with Jürgen, Sakho given he's as good as our other two is plenty good enough to be the third IMHO.
It's worth remembering that the Sakho/Lovren partnership had to mostly function with Alberto Moreno at left back. Alberto would probably have made the aforementioned Franco Baresi look bad given the opportunity, and deserves a statue building for his contribution after last season Europa League final, obviously outside the Sevilla ground.
My feeling is that Matip as a Jürgen signing has been elevated to exalted status beyond his actual contribution. we STILL concede goals when he plays, and he isn't IMHO appreciably if at all better than our previous two centre backs. Sakho has it in him to be top class I'm convinced of it, and bringing him back and using whatever money is available to strengthen elsewhere makes sense to me.
Logged