Eberechi Eze

[thfcsteff]

Levy knocked City back for Kane in 2021. City didn't sign a striker in that window and signed Alvarez in January 2022, an unproven player from River Plate who they immediately loaned back, for ~20m. The Ronaldo interest was in the same window.

They had Aguero, Jesus, and Sterling at the time.

In 17/18, they expressed interest in VVD but he went to The Dippers. The only centre back they signed that season was Danilo for about a third of the money. He stayed two seasons and didn't even play in half their games. Hardly like for like.

They had Otemendi, Stones, Mandala, Laporte, Company and Adarabioyo at the time.

So City hardly just went out and paid the money for who they needed and backed the manager with what he wanted in any of those instances.

Without researching the others, Liverpool famously bought no one last summer after being rejected by Zubimendi.

How do you know we were penny pinching? I've seen this trotted out a lot but don't know that it's been verified.

I think Liverpool evaluated their squad and felt they had enough anyway.
We are in need. We don't have the level of quality proven cover in a couple of key areas. Personally, I think we should be paying the money for Savinho not necessarily for numpties like me, but because it is pretty clear that Frank wants and loves that kind of player. Instead, there's the growing feeling that we are going to make Thomas 'settle' for something...

 

[thfcsteff]

You don't get the point do you? Nobody is busting a fuse because we didn't get a player... it's part and parcel of football as you have illustrated. Only difference is that those two teams made an offer, it was not accepted and a few days later moved onto other targets - and got them. All you need to do is look at their recruitment this summer... imaginative, early and at decent prices. No drama; no daily will he/won't he.

The issue that many have is that we f***** around for weeks trying to penny pinch and then either end up paying as much as the initial fee or getting gazumped in the process and by the time this happens we would be desperate and running our time. We were apparently happy to pay 60M + 7M, which is practically the same as the release clause that Eze had.... when we knew from multiple reports that he would go to the Arse if he had the opportunity and we gave them the chance.

Indeed.
A penny for Venketasham's thoughts...

 

[Aldo]

Still hasn’t actually signed for Woolwich. Their Chairman must be a dithering penny pincher.

 

[braineclipse]

I think most people knew Madders needed credible rotation and care, further that he might've been able to play 30 games max this season. we knew Deki was long-term, anyone hearing the word 'patella' and thinking he'd be back in Oct was dreaming. Frank made it clear the sort of players he wanted. I think cash-flow might well have been a factor early summer, and I concede we can only use the cash which we have and that our owners do not shoot wedges of wonga into the club like others. But we have had plenty of time to have ducks in a row...

...I am hoping that we have had, and are indeed working in the deep shadows under cover. That's the best case scenario. If we're honest, it's looking like a last minute hail Mary loan of some sort from a 'big friend' overseas. I silently hope we are lining up Olmo or someone like that, but I know better (sort of LOL)...

Think we always wanted another #10 option this summer. Maybe Maddison's injury changed what kind of #10 we were looking to sign?

Impossible to know what the plan has been and is from the outside. I hope we're not in hail Mary territory, that would not say good things about our plans.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I tapped out after 20 seconds…what a fudging racket.

Oh it is
But it’s mainly a laugh at how wrong Romano is and how he makes stuff up

 

[Finney Is Back]

Think we always wanted another #10 option this summer. Maybe Maddison's injury changed what kind of #10 we were looking to sign?

Impossible to know what the plan has been and is from the outside. I hope we're not in hail Mary territory, that would not say good things about our plans.

I expect Lange is working away in the background and the first we’ll hear of a potential signing will be Ornstein or Romano when they’ve got the nod from the agent that a deal is very close.

 

[Grays_1890]

Oh it is
But it’s mainly a laugh at how wrong Romano is and how he makes stuff up

Fans have as much to blame IMO on it, the sheer desperation of wanting to believe stuff online is ridiculous. I thought twitter was bad but this place has gone hyper this summer with it too.

I just can't imagine thinking some of the stuff people choose to in football............in normal life, there has to be a level of rationality to it, but it seems to go out the window.
.
Some bloke outside Sutton Station told me he is a Wizard, I don't believe he is a Wizard, so I don't believe half the sh1te online, equally I don't give my credit card details over the phone to cold callers...........I jest, but its all the same thing IMO

It turns grown men back into teenagers, maybe I am getting old and grumpy but its bordering embarrassing

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Fans have as much to blame IMO on it, the sheer desperation of wanting to believe stuff online is ridiculous. I thought twitter was bad but this place has gone hyper this summer with it too.

I just can't imagine thinking some of the stuff people chose to in football and transfers in normal life, there has to be a level of rationality to it, but it seems to go out the window.

It turns grown men back into teenagers, maybe I am getting old and grumpy but its bordering embarrassing

Teenagers have more control

 

[DeanoAustin]

They had Aguero, Jesus, and Sterling at the time.





They had Otemendi, Stones, Mandala, Laporte, Company and Adarabioyo at the time.




I think Liverpool evaluated their squad and felt they had enough anyway.
We are in need. We don't have the level of quality proven cover in a couple of key areas. Personally, I think we should be paying the money for Savinho not necessarily for numpties like me, but because it is pretty clear that Frank wants and loves that kind of player. Instead, there's the growing feeling that we are going to make Thomas 'settle' for something...

Aguero left that summer. Jesus scored 8 goals in 28 league games that year, Sterling scored 13 in 30. Neither got anywhere near the numbers Kane or Ronaldo would have gotten.

They did have good options at CB in fairness but Mangala and Otamendi weren’t great. And VVD would have been a massive upgrade on all bar Kompany.

Liverpool clearly felt they needed more. The lads in midfield they brought in the previous year had been decent but not standout players (I’m talking Endo, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch). The latter two were very good last season but there was a lot of dissatisfaction amongst their fan base last year when they didn’t make any signings (bar a reserve keeper I think). They aggressively and publicly chased Zubimendi and didn’t get him. No one was counting them amongst the serious title contenders going into last season.

The point is you don’t always get your targets no matter who you are. And despite popular perception, even the big clubs don’t just move on to another target and snap them up. Sometimes, they have to wait a window or two (like Liverpool with VVD or City with Haaland).

We are in need but let’s see what the club produce. Not getting Eze isn’t a disaster by any means. Coming out of the window with no one else would be very poor though IMO given the injuries we have. I’ll evaluate the window then.

I do honestly believe Levy will be stung by this and, to a lesser degree, MGW. I’m hopeful we’ll see him pull some sort of rabbit out of the hat.

 

[glasgowspur]

Indeed.
A penny for Venketasham's thoughts...

Well we want one and a half pennies, an option on buy back at half of that and a hefty lump of it up front or no deal.

 

[glasgowspur]

Still hasn’t actually signed for Woolwich. Their Chairman must be a dithering penny pincher.

Wouldn't it be funny if he failed the medical.

 

[Aldo]

Wouldn't it be funny if he failed the medical.

…and a drugs test.

 

[thfcsteff]

Aguero left that summer. Jesus scored 8 goals in 28 league games that year, Sterling scored 13 in 30. Neither got anywhere near the numbers Kane or Ronaldo would have gotten.

They did have good options at CB in fairness but Mangala and Otamendi weren’t great. And VVD would have been a massive upgrade on all bar Kompany.

Liverpool clearly felt they needed more. The lads in midfield they brought in the previous year had been decent but not standout players (I’m talking Endo, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch). The latter two were very good last season but there was a lot of dissatisfaction amongst their fan base last year when they didn’t make any signings (bar a reserve keeper I think). They aggressively and publicly chased Zubimendi and didn’t get him. No one was counting them amongst the serious title contenders going into last season.

The point is you don’t always get your targets no matter who you are. And despite popular perception, even the big clubs don’t just move on to another target and snap them up. Sometimes, they have to wait a window or two (like Liverpool with VVD or City with Haaland).

We are in need but let’s see what the club produce. Not getting Eze isn’t a disaster by any means. Coming out of the window with no one else would be very poor though IMO given the injuries we have. I’ll evaluate the window then.

I do honestly believe Levy will be stung by this and, to a lesser degree, MGW. I’m hopeful we’ll see him pull some sort of rabbit out of the hat.

In fairness, if you've followed what I've said about this deal and Frank's Spurs, you'll know that I think we can end up giving him a player more aligned with his style of player.

But you surely cannot be suggesting that the way we are unable to execute these sorts of deal is not both an issue and a pattern? You mention 'waiting a window', the truth is we've been looking at signing Eze for two seaons! The clubs you mention are decisive when it comes to big targets.

 

[Grays_1890]

In fairness, if you've followed what I've said about this deal and Frank's Spurs, you'll know that I think we can end up giving him a player more aligned with his style of player.

But you surely cannot be suggesting that the way we are unable to execute these sorts of deal is not both an issue and a pattern? You mention 'waiting a window', the truth is we've been looking at signing Eze for two seaons! The clubs you mention are decisive when it comes to big targets.

The biggest issue IMO is no plan B, not saying I am ITK or a knowledge but I knew he wouldn't be coming here from gut AND if Arsenal are coming in for a player, he is not choosing here. One of them aspects is my nonsense, the other is well known and just logic.......The club in their experience and the worlds biggest recruitment team must also know that. Not having more on the burner, or seemingly from the outside, looks very very poor

 

[johnola]

maybe Daniel is still whatsapping Parrish with obscene numbers.

undermine the deal and make Arsenal pay more.

 

[DeanoAustin]

In fairness, if you've followed what I've said about this deal and Frank's Spurs, you'll know that I think we can end up giving him a player more aligned with his style of player.

But you surely cannot be suggesting that the way we are unable to execute these sorts of deal is not both an issue and a pattern? You mention 'waiting a window', the truth is we've been looking at signing Eze for two seaons! The clubs you mention are decisive when it comes to big targets.

I think most of that is fair Steff. There is a pattern there. But we’ve made some bloody good signings this window. One or two more quality additions and we are in a very good place.

I’m optimistic that Levy has some ambition here to push on and hoping that it might make the difference when it comes to the next target. He isn’t going to change his spots completely but hopefully enough.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

We should have signed Johnny Haynes when John White died, I blame Levy.

 

[Bullet]

In fairness, if you've followed what I've said about this deal and Frank's Spurs, you'll know that I think we can end up giving him a player more aligned with his style of player.

Agreed Frank might want a physical specimen who can run 12 miles whilst fighting a full back with a centre back hanging off him. Rather than a dribbly stepover boy.

For instance we all know that Nunez of Liverpool and Jackson of Cheatski are physically phenomenal and able to really drag you up the pitch, but have below average quality on the ball and end up very frustrating.

There are MANY ways to drag a team up the pitch and to win a game.

I noticed today that both Romero and VdV came chaaaarrrggging out of defence because both Bentancur and Palhinha are very tall and very willing to fill in at centre back, so it was a nice dynamic.

Also Bentancur and Palhinha are "good enough" on the ball to play really smart, neat passes and do the right thing, so they won't have some epic highlights reel in each game, but they do win you games. Ditto Sarr.

 

[Gazza]

Still hasn’t actually signed for Woolwich. Their Chairman must be a dithering penny pincher.

Does he have a history of that nonsense? Didn’t think so

 

[markysimmo]