KaKa

2 minutes ago, reefatoon said:

Bet Reims are pleased that his agent is a greedy cunt. They now miss out on a pay day. Reims want to sell, we want to buy, looks like the kid wanted to come. All in the bin because of some greedy agent. Well done to him.

Reims must be fuming. It would have been a big pay day for them, which I imagine doesn't happen that often.

All it takes is for him to drop off a bit next season or get injured and the interest will disappear, or the price of the offers will drop significantly.

The kid seems to have poor representation, which is somewhat understandable because he is only young and has only just burst onto the scene.

Think he'll ultimately get poached by a bigger agency, once the current agent messes things up for him like he's doing now, and he then wises up and moves on.

No surprise that we have now pulled out, and despite all the hype, there doesn't seem to be any other clubs actually putting in bids. Think his agent is pissing teams off.

1 hour ago, Joey47 said:

 

Is he the striker you were comparing to Osimhen? 

Similar in the sense of the great physical attributes, yes.

However, he is not as far along in his development, due to the work permit issues at Liverpool when he was younger.

He's got all the tools though, and has a great attitude, proper grafter. Think it's a fantastic coup for a newly promoted side.

Just hope they have a team that can create enough chances for him.

1 hour ago, Nine said:

 

Doubt it

My God this is awful.

What could be worse than having an overbearing coddling mum as your agent, constantly whinging and bitching about everything. What an absolute nightmare that is.

Guy needs to cut that umbilical cord for goodness sake, although it's probably way too late now. Likely not going to overcome that dependency. Few things more insufferable than an over grown coddled entitled mama's boy. Damn.

1 minute ago, SUPERTOON said:

 

I think we're desperate to add someone that gets goals from that position, and if we were willing to go to £40 million for Diaby, as the rumours stated, then we won't be too far off the price for Raphinha I presume. No one has met Leeds asking price so maybe we steal in there.

7 minutes ago, Coffee_Johnny said:

Don’t go fully defecting! 

I won't, but I will be rooting for him big time. He's such a decent guy off the pitch, and was unfortunate at Liverpool that he couldn't get a work permit when he joined them as a youth and so had to get loaned out constantly. He's a handful, classic power and pace type, with decent finishing. Carried Union Berlin into a European spot as their top scorer last year, which was a great achievement. I'm excited for him.

26 minutes ago, joeyt said:

 

Because their contracts were expiring this season

Fair point!

28 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

 

Think that's a great signing for that fee. Kudos to Forest.

21 minutes ago, STM said:

Whilst I wouldn't rule out us signing another midfielder, I'm fairly certain that Shelvey will get a new contract with us.

 

He mentioned just wanting to be part of the transition between the past and the future. I think he will probably accept a lesser role in the next couple of years. I get the impression he is settled here.

 

Personally, I've got no problem with Shelvey being a squad player in the future.

 

 

 

It's gone very quiet with Shelvey. I don't know, think he would have been sorted out now if he was here long term. He is 30 years old now.

Both Dummet and Longstaff were sorted out pretty quickly towards the end of the season, but no deal in sight for Shelvey.

Guess we'll find out soon enough though.

I don't remember Winks getting all this grief when he was doing well at Spurs under Poch.

Think this all started due to performances for England, and then also once Mourinho went to Spurs. Both more defensive setups.

From what I can see, if he's not playing for a manger that sets his team up to use the ball more, then he doesn't do well.

Don't really like Lampard, but he's not a defensive manager, and so I think Winks will do well there. Be interesting.

17 minutes ago, Manxst said:

Everton trying to buy Winks. Such a Lampard/Everton overpriced and over rated  transfer. 

Winks was really coming along well under Pochettino, but then Mourinho ...

Think people are really harsh on Winks. Has a lot of decent qualities for a team looking to play and use the ball.

He'll be better than a lot of the midfielders they have over there at Everton.

14 minutes ago, cubaricho said:

Agreed. Not sure we’ll get a replacement in for him and he’ll be one of those names first on the team sheet for at least half of next season. 

Shelvey's going into the last year of his contract, which hasn't been renewed. Don't think he'll be a first teamer.

I think Bruno, will play in the deeper role, and another central midfielder that is a goal threat will be added.

2 hours ago, Ikon said:

Isn’t he left sided? 

Yeah, he is. Danjuma usually cuts in from the left side. He's also played upfront at Villareal at times.

I think ideally, Eddie is looking for a left footer for that right hand side, someone that is a threat to cut inside. Opening up space for the full back to get forward.

I think a potential pickup from Villareal could be Samuel Chukwueze, who is an explosive left footed right winger that looks ready made for the premier league. Think the open spaces in the premier league would really suit him.

Villareal had another young left footed right winger emerge last season, Yeremy Pino, and so I think they'd be open to letting Chukwueze leave.

2 hours ago, HTT II said:

I’d have him, but my Rangers (and NUFC) supporting mate says he would flop massively in the PL and his only value would be his nuisance factor!

I'm not so sure. He's got a lot of strings to his bow. He's very stocky and strong and so holds it up well, and when he does so uses the ball really well in his link up, runs the channels out wide and will carry the ball forward when he gets it, and his movement in the box is really good and gets him in scoring positions.

Rangers have played some decent European sides when he's been there and he's always looked the part, and had really good performances in those games. I'm surprised no one's taken a punt on him. Be interesting to see where he ends up next and how he'll get on.

2 hours ago, Optimistic Nut said:

If we’re not going ‘high end’ this summer for a striker would Morelos be worth a look? Last year of his contract so probably £8-10m? Pushes Wood further down the pecking order, gives us a bit of depth behind Wilson and we can revisit the number 9 position again when we’re competing in Europe hopefully?

I think the guy is so underrated and doesn't get enough credit. Love the fire he plays with. He's like a budget/poor man's Luis Suarez. What really caught my eye with him, were his performances in Europe with Rangers, where he usually rose to the occasion, and performed at a really high level, often carrying them.

Nothing wrong with aiming really high early in the window and then working down from there.

So many good players out there, and confident we will still get a huge upgrade at that position.

At least Diaby was clear and upfront on his stance. Wish Ekitike and his reps would be the same.

Just now, JP said:

 

Yep and World Cup around the corner for Pope.

 

Yeah, for sure. I'm happy with the move.

That Luke Edwards article has a lot of detail in it, I think he might have some pretty good insight.

Makes Ekitike and his representatives sound absolutely terrible, my God man. If you are exploring other options and don't want to join just come out and say so.

4 minutes ago, MrRaspberryJam said:

Didn't realise he was 30! Thought he was mid 20s.

The fact we've gone for someone at that age and experience tells me he's coming in to be number 1, and eventually Dubravka will be replaced with someone younger.

9 minutes ago, Lotus said:

Didn't he a lot on the left wing for Leverkusen?

I thought that's where he set up most of Havertz's goals from?

Anyway, yes, probs best in a 3. No where good enough defensively to be in a midfield 2.

Tbh, he's very much an "Arsenal' type player if you know what I mean. 

Can be great in games but won't necessarily influence the season.

That last season at Leverkusen I recall him usually playing as the left side central midfielder in a midfield three, and so he probably often drifted into the half spaces on the left. I believe Leon Bailey played on the left wing proper that season.

And, yeah, I agree he can be a bit hit and miss, but I think adding his talent and ability to our current team would be a big coup. And if Eddie can improve his consistency that would be a game changer. 

1 minute ago, Lotus said:

If that's a genuine price then I would say yes. He certainly has his problems though. He has some great skill but also has some pretty serious brain farts.

Is also (oddly) appalling at trying to control the ball if he's facing the pass (mostly if his back is to goal). If he's on the turn he's awesome. 

In my opinion he's best as a central midfielder in a midfield three, as one of the two more forward central midfielders (as a number 8). This is where he played for Leverkusen and he was an absolute terror.

It's never quite clicked for him at Dortmund because they either played him as a 6 i.e. too deep, in their 3-4-2-1. or as number 10 in various formations, where as you said, he is having to receive the ball facing the pass too often. They also occasionally used him out wide, where he probably has given his best at Dortmund, but then in that role he's not quite as influential. Dortmund hasn't really played a 4-3-3 setup since he joined, but it's really the setup that suits him really well.

5 minutes ago, McCormick said:

I really like him. Very gifted athletically with his height and speed, also very decent on the ball. Seems like the kind of prospect that could have excelled in any position; currently looks like he could do a job anywhere in the backline.

I agree. I think he is an elite talent physically.

If he had come through at any other club he'd probably be an established top premier league player by now. At City he had Kompany, Laporte, Otamendi and I think Mangala all in front of him, which slowed his progress.

Honestly, it's the kind of clever signing clubs should be looking at, hopefully it's us.

7 minutes ago, Nine said:

That’s fair enough but that’s a stat that gets pretty inflated when teams play like we were the last 6 months of the season, Willock and Longstaff actually have higher numbers than Joe does per 90. Playing a 3 of Bruno, Longstaff and Willock wouldn’t exactly fill me confidence that we have enough overall in midfield to stay in it vs a high energy press that they would be up against a lot of the time in the PL, I guess all I’m saying is that I think it’s got to run a bit deeper than what those stats suggest on the surface of things.

 

A 3 of Paqueta and Bruno ahead of a beast DM is dreamland stuff but also the most effective way to play them together imo. 

Not sure I understand. Are you saying that a three of Bruno, Joe and Paqueta would not be good enough pressing?

After seeing how effectively we pressed against Arsenal with Bruno, Joe and Longstaff, I'd think Paqueta stepping in for Longstaff would be an upgrade if anything.

Just now, r0cafella said:

I don’t know anything about him but upon checking it seems he represented England at a few youth age groups. 
 

An Ashworth one maybe?

Yeah, he was very highly rated as a youngster. Was with Man City as a youth.

Pep liked him and promoted him to the first team, but there were just too many options ahead of him at Man City and so ultimately left for a first team opportunity in the prem with newly promoted Fulham.

Always felt after a few seasons he'd end up getting a move to a better club. He's going into the last year of his contract and so is probably looking for such a move. 

Could see him as a long term partner for Botman ... if Botman ever joins of course.

3 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

 

The Tosin link is interesting, because Lascelles has also been linked with Fulham this morning.

If some kind of swap happens there, that would be a good deal for both parties. I like Tosin's game a lot. He's really quick and is also comfortable with the ball.