The College Dropout

If we want to sign 3-4 top quality players I assume we’ll need to sell at least 1 high value player next June. Could be Gordon, could be Isak himself - I’m obviously just speculating. We do need to lessen our Joelinton dependence this season anyway.

Sign for 4 top players and give us a title push. He’ll stay and become a Shearer like legend. Flog £80m Joelinton to Saudi and sign new sponsors in June. Sorted.

I remember vividly because I couldn’t believe what you were saying I actually thought you were pretending to have watched him or like.. racism was blinding you to his very obvious skill set. You were describing a very basic West African winger type. At worst Kudus is a Mercurial talent. You were saying he has a genuine lack of footballing ability/talent beyond athleticism, couldn’t believe it. Sulemana is closer to the description you were giving. I prefer Kudus because of the higher ceiling. In the right environment Kudus could be a world class player. Surprisingly good in the air, beats a man, shoot off both feet, a threat from range, work in tight spaces, find a pass etc. under Howe Kudus could go to the moon or at very least hit career highs. He has that bit of magic. I think that’s reflected in the fact West Ham would probably want a larger fee than Elanga despite having a poorer season last go out.

Ashworth has never been a scout though. So it’s likely a Nickson recommendation and Ashworth prioritised getting the deal done - it wasn’t pennies either. I disagree slightly. Mitchell has been a head of recruitment before iirc several times. His experience has been much more focussed on recruitment and player identification. Ashworth also does recruitment but his focus prior to Newcastle has been broader. And from the interviews it sounded like Mitchell was coming into deal woth transfers without much input from Eddie which caused all the issues. A proper head of recruitment. The previous model and the one we are returning too is more collaborative with the manager. Wales or Mitchell even spoke about Howe as the ‘coach’. That has always been his title I think but he was basically the manager previously.

He was as productive as Elanga was this season, the season prior mind. Compared to Elanga - his ability in tight spaces suggests he’s a better fit for a top club profile wise. I always remember Ferguson talking about wanting Collymore and Cole. He went for Cole because Cole was better in tight spaces which is more valuable against a deep defence. Collymore was rangey and was more dependent on running into space in behind. Thats what we need.

Every transfer is a gamble but I agree it’s more of a risk with those factors. @McCormick iirc you’ve never rated Kudus. I think it was you that said he was pants prior to joining West Ham. Poor technique or headless chicken or something like that. Kudus already proved you wrong. I knew you were wrong then as I’d watched him closely for Ghana and I knew - at a minimum - he had bags of talent. Genuine dribbling ability, strike a ball clean off either foot with power., silky touch and move etc. If it wasn’t you I’m sorry. But someone was very strong and wrong about Kudus 2 years ago.

I agree with the bolded. Arsenal are historically the 3rd biggest club in England. By a distance from the top 2. England has 2 European aristocratic teams. I would count about 8–10 across Europe with 6-8 able to be competitive due to the size of their leagues (so excluding Benfica and Ajax). I count: Real Barca Juve Bayern Man U Liverpool could argue both Milan clubs too For 25 years - Liverpool operated at a level below these. For 25 years they operated below the level of Arsenal. They were less successful on the pitch, smaller revenues, couldn’t attract the same calibre of player. As late as the mid 10’s Alexis Sanchez was choosing Arsenal over Liverpool. Players were doing that in 00’s and most of the 90’s. FSG have returned Liverpool to being an elite European club. They knew that was possible when they bought them and it could be done sustainably.

He had a stinker that day. Fought someone for the penalty then missed. That was the end of him as a useful player. Bit weak mentally I guess.

Madrid looked weird. I’m used to seeing 2 players on the LW just trying to make something happen. It might take some time for the players to get used to this type of structure.

Pre-FSG - they were a long way away from the revenues of Arsenal and Man U. Didn't maximise their global reach. FSG have realised Liverpool's potential as a properly elite club. There was 20-30% of unrealised potential for 30-odd years.

Counts for most players. Counts less than money though. Which is the bigger issue.

No they weren't man. You need to let that one go. Man U are a sleeping giant. Liverpool were a sleeping giant. PSG ascension is only possible with the crazy investment they have received - that's not a sleeping giant. You were wrong on that point man.

Obscure is Mahrez from Le Havre for less than a million. Obscure is not a £15m signing from Juventus, having played in Serie A for Roma too. Capped at every youth level for Netherlands. That is not obscure. Huijsen was seen as a coup from the start due to his reputation. Obscure means little known. Minteh was far more obscure and even then, I don't think that's the right word. Within the game at least, Minteh had a big reputation which is why the fee was decent and he went on-loan to a fairly big club.

Liverpool's 3 best players were linked with sales last season and 1 obviously left. Konate and Saliba are on the Madrid rumour list too

Kudus is two footed, has bags of pace, end product and decent work rate. And is more tactically flexible. If we are after both of them - it's because they share a lot of similar traits. Kudus was inconsistent last year. But his first season was better than Elanga's last season.,

It is my eternal hope that we invest heavily next season and mount somewhat of a title challenge and Isak again

Kudus is the more talented technician. Nothing wild about it. Kudus was disappointing last season. But in his first season got 8 goals and 9 assists. Same total G/A as "high output" Elanga. Kudus also probably doesn't start in his best position often (RW) cos of Bowen. While I think his positional flexibility might be a hindrance to him. He can play CM, AM, RW, ST, LW etc. which is useful

You are right. Watched the Anelka doc and he said a reason he could do so well at rsenal and Chelsea was partly London. He was able to crack on.

I want to be like you mate - that might sound sarcastic but it isn’t. But yeh I think it’s harder for young people in deprived areas outside of a few major cities. And yeh. I do like him. Hope it gets done.

We ain’t top 5 footballing priority. They will buy Darwin Nunez for their 4th Saudi club for £80m, £20m on Digne with zero hesitation. Each of those 4 Saudi clubs are a bigger priority than us. The World Cup is more important. There is 5. If they have to do things not in the best interest of NUFC but is of interest to any of those things - they will do it. You can’t convince me that PIF can’t use more of their power and influence if they wanted too. Im not suggesting it’s not enough. What they are doing is great. But they could do more if it was a bigger priority. Multi club ownership under Newcastle is right there. What’s stopping them? Nothing. They just don’t want to do it.

I didn’t. The College Dropout is the name of the 2003 debut seminal album by the now disgraced artist - Kanye West. And that is my point. You went to the one top university (could be wrong) in the north east, I had my pick of 3. You got your own funding (well done mate), I rode someone else’s train - and again - had my pick of opportunities. And this is coming from a rough neighbourhood and a literal blue collar family. It’s definitely possible in other areas. You are living proof. But it is easier in London because there are more opportunities and money floating around. If I was from a deprived part of Bradford, I don’t think I would have had the same life outcomes. There’s no bus to take em to central London for £1 to get a start in a career.

Yes I am from one of those areas. Lots of gangs in my neighbourhood. Lad in my school one year above murdered at 14. Another couple of lads spent 15 years in prison for a separate murder ahead 15-17. Numerous incidents and stories of the usual drugs, violence l, cycles of destruction and a lot of wasted potential. By the same token lots of my peers have become extremely successful too. Our proximity to one of the most affluent cities in the world is a massive privilege that can’t be undervalued. Business, property, media, sports, entertainment - none would be possible without living in and being from London. I did a £25k MSc from LSE and worked at a VC funded startup in London at the same time. None of that would have been possible if I was from Bradford.

Newcastle does sound like an intense place to play football. You are a massive local celebrity. In London you can be fairly anonymous.

I’ve a BA and MSc from some pretty good institutions tbf Now if I spent less time on NO I’d definitely be ahead of where I am!

Consultancy essentially