There are some interesting stories doing the rounds today that suggest we’re on the verge of making a key signing, in central defence, before tomorrow’s Champions League signing deadline. Two names appear to be at the forefront of our thinking; Shane Duffy and Kolo Toure.
Either would be an excellent acquisition.
Both would be tremendous.
Of the two, I would favour Toure at the moment because of his vast experience. I appreciate that it would be a stop-gap signing whereas Duffy would be a signing for the longer term. This is why I believe the plan might be to acquire them both; Toure would provide that level of stability we need at the back going into the Champions League whilst Duffy would clearly be part of Brendan’s larger team building project.
Curiously enough, the manager has talked about two players he believes the club is close to getting through the door. Could he mean both these guys? It makes sense if you consider that Charlie Mulgrew might leave and that Efe Ambrose should. That would leave us just three current central defenders, one of whom – Boyata – has serious questions hovering over him and another – Simunovic – clearly has to prove that he’s fit.
The signing of Toure would enable to us to send Boyata on loan, to give him first team football as he develops as a player even as it improves the defence overall.
Duffy would be an able deputy and sometime partner for Sviatchenko, who already looks as if he belongs at the heart of the team no matter who the player alongside him is.
The deadline for the first series of games isn’t the one that worries most people, of course. We have a trip to Gibraltar, so it’s not exactly a killer tie. The next round could pit us against a far tougher match, and the need for us to be ready for that is acute.
One new signing before this one will do nicely.
Two would be tremendous.