After hearing about Vidic's latest injury I don't think he will ever be the same player he once was, it's a shame because for the last 3/4 years he has been immense. Sadly he's now looking at almost a year out and that would be hard to come back for anyone, but at his age especially, it's unlikely he will get back to his previous level as you'd expect him to be dropping off now anyway.
I think that means we need a new CB as much as we need a new CM. We do at least have Jones and Smalling who are promising but they have a way to go yet and you don't really win things without a solid top level defender, nevermind when you have a young GK and non-existent midfield.
I really don't know who we should look to sign to try and fill that void. The obv. answer is Hummels, but as good as he is, I don't know if he's a Vidic replacement. Is he somebody who can really attack the ball and make those last ditch tackles etc? Maybe he is, I haven't seen enough to be sure but he seems to be more a covering defender, a bit like Rio.
