Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid)

He would be first choice for me. Ahead of Skrtel, Toure, Sahko, Lovren etc etc. I would love us to buy him and play him in central defense for the next 2-3 years. He really is an exceptional player.

Easy tiger if half what you say is true he would be a regular at Madrid. Mind you even I could probably get in ahead of Lovren!

He's 31 so not one for the future, not great going forward but definitely experienced enough to take Can's place assuming we stick with the 3 at the back, letting him play in his preferred position.
Only downside would be him hindering the progression of Manquillo.

Not sure he will be offered the wages he will want.

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We desperately need the experience at the back. The current defensive coaches don't seem to have a clue. Perhaps he could improve the back line just doing what comes naturally to him.

Only down fall to this deal is that he will be 32 by the time he does sign - if he does sign. Always rated him and was confused when he left, especially for peanuts.

Memories play tricks, don't they? Arbeloa is a solid player but he was never as good as some seem to make him out to be.

As a central defender, when we tried him there - and we did try him there - he wasn't very successful at all, so I fail to see how anyone might want this.

As a fullback, he was never that great either; indeed, in that fateful 2008-09 season, I remember quite a few games (such as our 4-4 against Arsenal) in which Arbeloa was heavily criticized, many seeing him as a weak spot in a back four that consisted of superior players such as Carragher, Agger and Fabio Aurelio.

Few tears were shed when he left. But maybe this is the difference between a player coming from small Deportivo and the same guy coming from Real Madrid. All of a sudden we change our memories to suit the tale we want to be told.

This won't happen nor should it.

Is he free? We definitely love a steal.

Memories play tricks, don't they? Arbeloa is a solid player but he was never as good as some seem to make him out to be.

As a central defender, when we tried him there - and we did try him there - he wasn't very successful at all, so I fail to see how anyone might want this.

As a fullback, he was never that great either; indeed, in that fateful 2008-09 season, I remember quite a few games (such as our 4-4 against Arsenal) in which Arbeloa was heavily criticized, many seeing him as a weak spot in a back four that consisted of superior players such as Carragher, Agger and Fabio Aurelio.

Few tears were shed when he left. But maybe this is the difference between a player coming from small Deportivo and the same guy coming from Real Madrid. All of a sudden we change our memories to suit the tale we want to be told.

Disagree completely mate.

Nothing to do with him being at Real for me.

Thought he was great here and didn't want him to leave.

Rafa made Arbeloa what he is today, Rafa organised our defence in such a way that it suited mediocre players. Arbeloa is above average, but BR in charge of defensive tactics he would probably look sh*te.

Memories play tricks, don't they? Arbeloa is a solid player but he was never as good as some seem to make him out to be.

As a central defender, when we tried him there - and we did try him there - he wasn't very successful at all, so I fail to see how anyone might want this.

As a fullback, he was never that great either; indeed, in that fateful 2008-09 season, I remember quite a few games (such as our 4-4 against Arsenal) in which Arbeloa was heavily criticized, many seeing him as a weak spot in a back four that consisted of superior players such as Carragher, Agger and Fabio Aurelio.

Few tears were shed when he left. But maybe this is the difference between a player coming from small Deportivo and the same guy coming from Real Madrid. All of a sudden we change our memories to suit the tale we want to be told.

Absolutely true and we do seem to be getting carried away.

However, I watched him at Real a few times last year and he still looked solid, organised and dependable. He is by no means the answer to our prayers, but his experience could be a huge asset.

If we played him as part of 3 man defence, it may work. I would happily get him back because our defence looks shambles at the moment.

Absolutely true and we do seem to be getting carried away.

However, I watched him at Real a few times last year and he still looked solid, organised and dependable. He is by no means the answer to our prayers, but his experience could be a huge asset.

If we played him as part of 3 man defence, it may work. I would happily get him back because our defence looks shambles at the moment.

Out defence looks a lot better since adopting the 3 man defence and it allows us to utilise Can in the team who I believe offers more than Arbeloa would in that position. We also have Manquillo available plus Flanagan, Johnson and Toure to return. So I think we have enough cover in this area until the Summer.

Out defence looks a lot better since adopting the 3 man defence and it allows us to utilise Can in the team who I believe offers more than Arbeloa would in that position. We also have Manquillo available plus Flanagan, Johnson and Toure to return. So I think we have enough cover in this area until the Summer.

I completely agree about the 3 man defence comment, and that Can has made a huge difference. I'd add though that Can is a bit wasted at the back. He offers far more as a DM. The only reason why he's starting there is because of lack of options and a sign of how sh1t everyone else has been.

GJ is sh1te and Toure is inconsistent. Don't think Flanno will really get into the swing of things this season after so long out and Manquillo still developing, though I quite like the lad. I just think Arbeloa's discipline and consistency is something that would help right now.

Having said that, I wouldn't exactly throw my toys out of the pram if he didn't arrive. A GK and a striker are of far more pressing urgency.

I look at Can playing and it feels like he could be doing something like Xabi Alonso is doing at Bayern.

All the pros and cons on how good a player, Arbeloa really is, he surely would be a big plus the way the defence is playing at present.

Arby was absolute class for us, was gutted when he left personally.

Not sure why people want us to sign him to play centre half though.

Arby in a back four as a right back, no problem. Arby in a back three as a right sided centre back, not so sure on this one?

Loved Arby and we should never have let him go. The most important thing is that Arbeloa can actually defend, Johnson cannot.

To all those dissing Arby? This is the Arby that has averaged 25 games a Season for the last 5 Seasons at one of the biggest and most most demanding Clubs in the world.

He can't be that bad?

I'd have him back in a heartbeat but we are stacked with good defenders that just aren't being drilled properly. Our poor defending this Season has been down to organisation, not bad defenders.

Memories play tricks, don't they? Arbeloa is a solid player but he was never as good as some seem to make him out to be.

As a central defender, when we tried him there - and we did try him there - he wasn't very successful at all, so I fail to see how anyone might want this.

As a fullback, he was never that great either; indeed, in that fateful 2008-09 season, I remember quite a few games (such as our 4-4 against Arsenal) in which Arbeloa was heavily criticized, many seeing him as a weak spot in a back four that consisted of superior players such as Carragher, Agger and Fabio Aurelio.

Few tears were shed when he left. But maybe this is the difference between a player coming from small Deportivo and the same guy coming from Real Madrid. All of a sudden we change our memories to suit the tale we want to be told.

Don't take away people's reasons to complain

I agree. Arby would not be high on my list right now.