There is no evidence that Lever will ever develop in to a top line key defender. He has been found wanting in the role this year when played there, and unlike Rance, who everyone seems to think he’ll become, he doesn’t have sufficient closing speed to allow his man space to maintin his intercept game playing as a key defender either. He is fools gold. Scharenberg on the other hand is growing rapidly in the same role Lever currently plays. That’s not opinion, the numbers fully support it.
Which is why it’s idiocy to be suggesting trading him now. His value is currently as low as it’s going to get unless he does his knee again (touch wood). Why on earth anyone would think it’s a good idea to trade a former pick 6 that the club has stuck by through injuries, who is just getting a good run at it and beginning to show why he was taken where he was in his draft year, for a guy who plays the same role he does to a slightly better standard is beyond me. Lever is literally a slightly taller version of Scharenberg, and you’re suggesting we give away Berg and pick 6 for him. It makes me want to vomit.