It'd certainly be tempting to accept that kind of bid, and on paper we do have a lot of centre halves at the club. However, where I would respectfully diagree with you is that what we actually have is a plethora of injury-prone, old centre backs, three of whom (not including Tompkins) are out of contract at the end of this season.

I mention this for two reasons:

1. We probably need four or five senior CBs on the books just to be able to field two in any one game, as they are all so prone to injury. Though we have plenty of cover when they are all fit, they never are, so reducing the overall number is risky.

2. We might be six months away from Tompkins being the only senior centre back at the club if terms aren't agreed with Cahill, Dann, and/or Sakho. Even if we have enough CBs for this season, losing Tompkins might be risky in the longer term.

Personally I'd take good money for JT only if we have a suitable replacement secured. Otherwise it's no dice.

Edited by TheBigToePunt (18 Dec 2020 1.21pm)

Is their problem that they score too many then?

The centre of defence is clearly an area where we need to strengthen, but we can hardly sell anyone until we are buying replacements.

Cahill is old, Dann is too slow, Sakho is too unreliable and both he and Tomkins are injury prone to say the least.

Something must happen in the Summer.

To my mind, it’s the second last area I’d strengthen after goalkeepers. But there you go, game of opinions as they say.

Vive le Roy!

Agreed. First port of call is to renew contracts, I’d suggest we should let Sakho go though. Tompkins is a good player. I think we’d need at least £10m to consider selling, it’s a seller’s market in January. Otherwise keep him on.

Vive le Roy!

We need to strengthen all over but this thread was about a central defender.