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1 minute ago, The Bonk said:

Which is what baffles me with Chelsea. They have a massive data/strategy team (worked with the marketing and fan engagement side previously) but are throwing around money at every player under the sun. Weird.

The thing with the richer top clubs is that they operate with so much ego. They'd genuinely rather spend a ton more money on a player that has already made a splash, than bring through players themselves that are less heralded, or that they have developed through their academy.

I remember reading an interview with Emenalo about his time at Chelsea when they had identified the likes of De Bruyne, Lukaku and Salah when they were younger and were developing them in house and trying to find a pathway through to the first team, but the club were not committed enough to making that happen and the managers they had back then weren't receptive either.

3 minutes ago, Thomson Mouse said:

That Mitoma is a machine, he’d fit right into our style of play

Well the guy that was involved in identifying him, saw fit to go out and spend £40 million on Anthony Gordon.

Makes you wonder if he saw something in Gordon that so many of the geniuses on here don't see. 

But you know ... he's an ugly, rat that skipped training and isn't good enough for us! 

Just now, The Bonk said:

Would love to see their player acquisition strategy, probably have some ridiculous data modelling to unearth these gems. 

Yeah, they've hit some sweet spot with their data model that is successfully identifying players that are very well suited to performing in the Premier League.

3 minutes ago, Sempiternal said:

Ha true, I really love Mitoma though he’s special. He does everything right, an incredible talent 

Yeah, he's class. That perfect ball he whipped into March with the outside of his boot a few moments earlier was exceptional. Seems to have it all.

They paid less than £3 million for him man ... honestly, there are so many players out there if you know what you're doing, like Brighton clearly do. Absolutely ridiculous. 

Man, I will cherish this season forever, has been absolutely brilliant watching some of these so called 'top clubs' get dealt with over and over again 

1 minute ago, Sempiternal said:

To us hopefully 

We have the guy that's going to get us a bunch of these guys when they are less than £10 million, like he did at Brighton, so no need! 

Get in!!!!! 

That skill by Mitoma ... he'll be the next one to go for £70million or more 

Mitoma!!!! Get in, have that you dirty barstewards!!!!

That man went in with studs, from behind, and scraped down the back of his Achilles for good measure ... VAR review, and yellow card

They've said yellow card?!!!!! My God man! What a joke.

He's badly injured this kid man. His foot was planted unfortunately for him. Damn.

1 minute ago, Eveready said:

I agree it's good we're spending money but the club will be running on a certain budget, limited by investment or FFP, and overspending has to have an impact on future spend.

Overspending man

How could you possibly know if they are overspending, when you're not privy to their overall plans for the squad?

This is a player both Ancelotti and Benitez thought highly of, and that Tuchel was willing to pay up to £60 million for a few months ago that is being shat on from a great height continuously

And deemed to not be good enough for a team that has featured Jacob Murphy regularly this season. This is really extraordinary stuff 

4 minutes ago, Unbelievable said:

Downed tools at the first sight of a better pay check by the looks of it

Ah, man ... this is just sad, honestly. But carry on ...

4 minutes ago, Unbelievable said:

Can’t get behind this love at all, apologies. We’re grossly overpaying, he’s not good enough for where we want to be and perhaps most importantly, he’s not the type of character I want to see represent us on and off the pitch. 

'he's not good enough for where we want to be' ... what on earth does that even mean man, seriously. How good should a 21 year old prospect need to be for this imaginary place we 'want' to be?

Also, can you please let us know exactly what you know about that man's character that isn't based on a flash point in a competitive match?

This is truly Unbelievable man

7 minutes ago, duo said:

I will say one thing - he is going to push Howe's abilities as a coach 

I think Howe should resign over the signing to be honest. Shouldn't have to be burdened with such a task.

6 minutes ago, St1pe said:

… may have slightly exaggerated that 

All good man. I enjoyed it, it made me burst out laughing how you phrased that  

44 minutes ago, St1pe said:

Saying the same as everyone but Everton have got the better deal here. He’s got to improve a lot to justify that fee and it’s a big one for a club in FFP turmoil.
 

No one else was gonna pay that. 

 

Despite thinking he’s shite I’ll give him a fair shot from now on as I’m sure everyone else will. 
 

If he’s the only incoming it’s a missed opportunity for us to ensure European football though - it’d be very underwhelming when so many others are strengthening. 

FFP turmoil?!

What is going on here man

49 minutes ago, Dokko said:

Had our eyes out with this one. £25m upfront was the correct value. £40m is sickening. He's got one hell of a price tag to live up to.

Man, the backtracking is going to be so bad with this guy man, that's actually going to be really sickening.

50 minutes ago, mikejaxer said:

Hard to understand the crack about FFP and not wanting to budge until it hits our evaluation then we just go and pay 40m for Gordon.

Um ... it's really quite simple to understand.

The people at the club like the player and agreed on the valuation of £40 million.

51 minutes ago, Big River said:

can't wait to quote some of these posts when he's class for us

I'm looking forward to the culprits playing victim and whining about you pulling up old posts when you do 

1 hour ago, The College Dropout said:

There is evidence that Gordon is our #1 priority.

 

Whether that is true or not, we don't know. But the evidence suggests Gordon is our main man for this January.. ahead of other business.

 

We could have a Isak or Bruno type breaking news

I just think we have players we like, across lots of different positions and across different levels of team importance i.e. first team, squad player, young prospect etc.

I think once a deal becomes feasible for any of them we make a move. That's how I see things working anyway.

4 minutes ago, Colos Short and Curlies said:

 

Because that's the direction they think is best for the team.

 

I'm not saying they are wrong, and I'm not saying Gordon will be a bad signing. What I am saying is that I personally would prefer to have a different type of player rather than someone who in style is quite similar to what we have.

 

I just like variety, Ginola and Gillespie were great as they had completely different strengths and styles whereas now we can replace Miggy with Murphy and style wise it doesn't give the full back anything new to worry about (unless they crumble under a wave). All about opinions

You missed the point I was making.

I'm saying there is no evidence whatsoever that they are prioritising Gordon over anyone else, and that they may well have been after the other type of player as well. Ultimately they are going to do the deals that match the valuations they are happy with, and so the other types might just not be readily available for what they deem feasible right now.

5 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

Agree with most, however I do feel Gordon once up to speed and fitness will play instead of ASM. I just don’t think Howe really trusts him and he will go in the summer.

I think Howe appreciates the x factor ASM brings to the team, and the fact he can galvanize the whole stadium with some of his play. I think he's willing to continue working with him to sharpen certain aspects of his game. More importantly it's very evident ASM is open to improving as well, as you can already see he is playing with his head up more.

Howe mitigates for his weaker defensive ability by pairing him with Joelinton on that left side, and that looked to be working very well. You just have to go back and watch the home game against Man City earlier in the season to see the possibilities when ASM was at full flight down that side with Joelinton covering for him defensively.

The only issue right now is getting ASM fit enough to not keep breaking down all the time. If that proves to continue to be a problem, then he might eventually have to move on.