Mats Hummels

[Mustafa II]

A lot of people are still living in the past, at time where as soon as a player hits 30, he begins to decline.

Sports science has come a LONG way. Players often are at their best in their early 30s these days, rather than playing out their final days.

There are countless examples of 35+ world class players, particularly defenders, in the last 20 years.

Hummels will still be a world class player, should he sign for us. Even though he wouldn't play every game, it would still be a massive signing on the pitch.

But like these veteran signings, the importance is just as much within the dressing room. Hummels is a captain and a winner, even Dunky can learn a lot from him.

We should be delighted if this happens.

 

[Withdean11]

Hummels, O'Riley & Ferdi and we would be looking at our best ever squad IMO.

 

[Frutos]

A lot of people are still living in the past, at time where as soon as a player hits 30, he begins to decline.

Sports science has come a LONG way. Players often are at their best in their early 30s these days, rather than playing out their final days.

There are countless examples of 35+ world class players, particularly defenders, in the last 20 years.

Hummels will still be a world class player, should he sign for us. Even though he wouldn't play every game, it would still be a massive signing on the pitch.

But like these veteran signings, the importance is just as much within the dressing room. Hummels is a captain and a winner, even Dunky can learn a lot from him.

We should be delighted if this happens.

100% agree.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Hummels, O'Riley & Ferdi and we would be looking at our best ever squad IMO.

Greedy

 

[tjg]

It's hard to not want Hummels to come but it would presumably compromise Van Hecke's place in the side which wouldn't be a good thing.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

It's hard to not want Hummels to come but it would presumably compromise Van Hecke's place in the side which wouldn't be a good thing.

I do wonder how current players feel when new guys who clearly have better pedigree come in.

Does Van Hecke predominantly think ‘what an opportunity for me to learn from a recent great’, or does he think ‘crap, there goes a fair old chunk of my playing minutes’. Probably a bit of both with him.

Webster, however, I’d guess would be more likely to give a ‘FFS’ response.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

It's hard to not want Hummels to come but it would presumably compromise Van Hecke's place in the side which wouldn't be a good thing.

And we've already blocked him for a year by bringing in Colwill. Again, who is a good player but, was only ever a loan player and for a club who are looking to show a pathway to gaining experience I think wasn't a good move. If we bring in another player in front of him, what's his motivation to stay with us?

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Does Van Hecke predominantly think ‘what an opportunity for me to learn from a recent great’, or does he think ‘crap, there goes a fair old chunk of my playing minutes’. Probably a bit of both with him.

He's thinking of playing time. 100% The learning stuff is just what they say to put a positive spin on for club interviews.

 

[Change at Barnham]

Hummels, O'Riley & Ferdi and we would be looking at our best ever squad IMO.

Now you're being silly even contemplating it.

 

[jackalbion]

Some ridiculous comments on here

Crazy isn't it, one of the world's most experienced and decorated Central Defenders, and people don't want him because he once said something not agreeable about his club. Baffling.

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

It's hard to not want Hummels to come but it would presumably compromise Van Hecke's place in the side which wouldn't be a good thing.

A Premier League season lasts 3420 minutes.

Last season JPVH played 2369 minutes (69%)

Dunk played 2868 (84%)

That leaves 47% of the season for Hummels.

Last season he played exactly half the minutes possible in the Bundesliga.

There should be very few worries about anyone missing out.

 

[dwayne]

Crazy isn't it, one of the world's most experienced and decorated Central Defenders, and people don't want him because he once said something not agreeable about his club. Baffling.

Problem is that surely any other club in the EPL would take him apart from maybe city or arse. Would take a minor miracle for him to come to lil old Brighton.

 

[jackalbion]

Problem is that surely any other club in the EPL would take him apart from maybe city or arse. Would take a minor miracle for him to come to lil old Brighton.

I quite agree, but some people actively don't want him.

 

[Shins]

Crazy isn't it, one of the world's most experienced and decorated Central Defenders, and people don't want him because he once said something not agreeable about his club. Baffling.

For me its more about the concern for the players we already have. We need to keep improving and we do that by signing better players. Van Hecke will be a better player having learned from one of the worlds best, same for Dunk, same for the whole squad.

 

[Han Solo]

So people still think this is happening, then?

No, I think it could happen.

 

[dazzer6666]

I quite agree, but some people actively don't want him.

They’re called fools

 

[GT49er]

It's hard to not want Hummels to come but it would presumably compromise Van Hecke's place in the side which wouldn't be a good thing.

Van Hecke's place? - or Dunk's?

 

[dazzer6666]

Van Hecke's place? - or Dunk's?

It doesn’t matter………no way they’ll both play every game, we need another quality CB in the squad. Hummels is an upgrade on anything we currently have in that position.

 

[chaileyjem]

And we've already blocked him for a year by bringing in Colwill. Again, who is a good player but, was only ever a loan player and for a club who are looking to show a pathway to gaining experience I think wasn't a good move. If we bring in another player in front of him, what's his motivation to stay with us?

Up is down and down is up to suggest Albion of all clubs blocks the pathway of players to get minutes. It only takes 1-2 injuries for the cry to go up - our squad depth is too thin etc

It’s a long season, the coach needs options.
It’s a careful balance sure and I guess we’ll settle with 4-5 centre backs - perhaps Igor is off. But Van Hecke (and Dunk) will be fine.

 

[Napper]

Van Hecke's place? - or Dunk's?

Doesnt work like that does it. Players get injured. Suspensions , Tactics.

In the prem you need 2 top quality players for every position.

CB behind Dunk and JPVH , the quality massively drops off

This bloke would compliment what we have