ponsaelius

You're right, that does sound pretty hysterical. You always defend the club. Why?

It might seem hysterical to make a big deal out of a bairn leaving but it's not something that should be apologised for. It's indicative of the sub-par manner in which large sections of the club are ran, particularly since Ashley arrived. Nothing like this should be tolerated or accepted until the club is fixed and functioning to the best of its potential.

Sorry but "we never produce any youngsters" is the absolute worst argument to justify selling one that's coming through

Neither of them will make it here, neither are involved in the England set up. This kid is highly rated in the England set-up - hence the fact other clubs want him and are willing to pay £££.

The main problem is not 'developing' players, our academy intake is always poor because the best kids choose to join other clubs. Including Sunderland and Boro. That's the main reason we produce so little, not what happens between the ages of 17 and 21, although that doesn't help. There's absolutely no reason why a 17 year old kid who's supposedly valued at £6 million wouldn't make it here.

Everton signed John Stones for £3 million as a 19 year old and 3 years later had sold him for £50 million. Even ignoring the penny wise, pound foolish mentality of doing so - it's more than that. It sets an extremely negative image of the club and is pretty disgraceful IMO. The exact kind of thing that simply should not be happening with Rafa here.

If he turns out to be a first-team player for Everton then how? Then good on him and Everton. He'd never do that here. Why not? Carroll did, and we then got a crazy fee for him - which probably would have been even more in 2017 figures. Exception rather than the rule, though. How many other academy 'graduates' have fetched a fee anything above a nominal one? Well maybe because we've had fuck all decent come through? How many of our bairns even play for England youth set-ups? Not many. If we've finally got one coming through who at 17 (happy birthday to him) is being targeting for £6 million bids from other PL clubs then we should not be selling him. Pure small-time mentality.

If he turns out to be a first-team player for Everton then how? Then good on him and Everton. He'd never do that here. Why not? Carroll did, and we then got a crazy fee for him - which probably would have been even more in 2017 figures.

If the lad is being valued at £6 million at 16 then he should be being kept, not flogged.

Depressing.

He scored 20 in 19 starts last season.

Well stats lie. He was 21 when he moved to Juve, was never at any point guaranteed first choice, but has improved year on year. He scored for fun playing for Madrid's reserve XI last season and is Spain's #9.

I mean Chelsea's desperation and the lack of strikers on the market has inflated his value, but he's quality.

Great allround striker.

£2 million for a 34 year old with a year left, take it and run.

Pep has just said they're not after Reina.

Terrifyingly, as things stand, I think Diame will be our first choice #10

Lovely

Yeah I'd avoid Hernandez personally. I'd pretty much avoid almost anybody West Ham go for.

At the end of the day we're talking right backs. The single most boring position on the pitch. I'd rather just say the better one is the one who can ping a cross in better tbh.

I don't see what Zabaleta has to put him so far ahead of Walker tbh. Even at both player's peaks. Zabaleta was more solid tactically but I think Walker is the better footballer going forward as well as athlete.

Think so after Silva joined, aye. So point stands.

What's his strengths and weaknesses? Don't think I've ever seen him tbh. Jack of all trades really. Good engine and work rate, decent passer, scores the odd goal. Played left mid for Hull but would come inside to let Robertson attack, so I reckon he'd be better in a midfield 3. Don't think he'd ever be a worldbeater but I do think he's the pick of that relegated Hull squad.

Clucas played out wide for Hull but to me he always looked more suited to playing in the middle.

He would have to be really shit to be worse than Anita.