Phil Gould backs Clint Gutherson to stay Eels fullback despite Blaize Talagi threat

League legends Phil Gould and Paul Gallen have expressed doubt of Blaize Talagi's future move to fullback as Jason Ryles begins to put his fingerprints on the Eels squad.

Talagi is currently in contract negotiations with reports he could take over as Eels fullback in the future, moving Clint Gutherson to the centres.

19-year-old Talagi has been one of the bright sparks for Parramatta in a disappointing season, however he could be lost to the club if they're unable to secure a deal for him.

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Gould believes if he does stay at the club, it won't be an easy ride for him if he was to play fullback.

"You look at tries that are scored from close range, generally they're targeting the fullback that's on the line and that's where Blaize Talagi is going to have some issues," he said on Nine's 100% Footy.

"He's going to have some issues organising the defence, until he learns his craft over a period of time."

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For Gutherson, the Eels captain's next position could play a role in his future contract too with the 29-year-old able to listen to offers from November 1.

Gould believes he should be staying at fullback as opposed to Talagi taking over.

"I don't think he's (Talagi) a fullback, I've seen him play fullback, I just don't think he is," he said.

"He's exciting with the ball in hand, he can score tries, he can back up, he's got a neat step and if he gets the ball with a bit of room to move he can make people miss but there's a lot more to playing fullback in the modern game than just being a smart ball runner.

"I think he'd be a very effective outside a couple of really creative halves playing in the centres, I think that's mostly where he's played his football.

"You could play him at five-eighth I guess at a pinch but they've got a pretty good half and five-eighth there at the moment. I wouldn't be playing him fullback, I certainly wouldn't be moving Gutherson from fullback in that side at the moment."

Gallen added he'd be a "bit dirty" if he was Gutherson and Talagi moved into fullback.

The Sharks legend went on to express his doubt as to whether the teen sensation is up to the modern demands of the position.

"Fullback's a big job in the NRL these days, it's probably one of your most important positions on the field, it's part of your spine," he said.

"I know you don't make a lot of tackles but your first defensive line, you've got to get your defence right, everyone looks at the fullback straight away, he points and tells you what part of the field to go to, I don't know if he's any good at that.

"It's a big job in the NRL these days, for a young guy to come in and expect he'll just do it, I don't know. I don't know how good he's going to be at it."