A defender who can be a short term full back and centre back alternative is needed with Takehiro Tomiyasu going to the Asia Cup.

We have a long-term replacement option in Jurrien Timber in the defence but aas we all know he's still out injured and will be for the forseeable future. 

We could hope Timber comes back early or lean into Reuell Walters or find a defender who has the following profile: 

Ideally he has to play right and left back to cover Tomiyasu and right centre-back to cover William Saliba.

Covering Saliba is more important as Timber can cover the outsides long term.

He has to be quick as we saw what happened to how we had to play tactically when Rob Holding replaced Saliba.

It affects any desire to play a high line and greatly affects the mindset and feeling of security that the midfield needs to play with freedom to go forward without fear of what they are leaving behind. 

He will need to be comfortable on the ball or he won’t get through the front door. 

He ideally needs to come from a team that plays out from the back as he is arriving in mid-season and doesn’t need to be taught a new style.

He needs to jive with Gabriel who is a front footed defender, so ideally somebody who is quick, strong and can cover behind.

He also needs to ideally be able to play centrally in the middle of a back three. Our attacking formation is 3-2-5.

Saliba plays in the middle of the back three and is somewhat of the quarterback.

His replacement would have to be capable of not only reading the game defensively and being able to communicate to those on either side of him, but also have elite passing potential.

My suggestion is Ousmane Diomande at Sporting Lisbon.

You might remember him as he was very impressive when they knocked us out at the Emirates last season.