[SIGNED perm] Ismaël Koné

http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-strongly-interested-player-close-closing-deal-ahead-january/

Seems he was linked with Sheff Utd in the summer but ultimately didn't go there because Berge stayed put.

 

Bit of an all rounder but more possession orientated than defensive

 

Never heard of him, but he’s a good age and even if he’s rubbish, he’ll be useful on the training ground.

Get it done.

 

Sarr replacement.

 

Who does he compare to? If he uses his weaker foot occasionally he is an upgrade on Kayembe.

 

Most similar to Kayembe, but is better on the ball (at least in the MLS) whilst Kayembe is better than him defensively.

 

I got 99 reasons why we should sign him.

 

I dunno, think he's a bit flaky myself

 

Is one of them that he’s two flaky?

Edit - Damn you HD… beat me by a millisecond!

 

Could be another Pape Gueye, my advice to him would be…

 

He seems a pretty similar profile of player to Christos Zafeiris @Burnsy - suggests we are indeed looking for a prospect in midfield with decent passing to compete with Kayembe. But it seems unlikely we'll sign both.

 

I'd definitely prefer Zafeiris if that's the case!

 

Welcome to watford, Ismaël.

 

Have to say (small sample size yes) but I really liked what I saw of Kone against Belgium. Looked comfortable and progressive in possession as Canada chased the game.

The other thing is that he only made his professional debut earlier this year and is improving at an impressive rate. If that continues then he would surely prove the better bet than Zafeiris.

 

Everything about Canadian football is sexy right now and that’s why I’m in.

 

I wouldn't be against either, I watched some of Kone this morning and liked what I saw. Zafeiris is slightly more creative and takes bigger risks moving the ball forward (arguably what we need more of atm!) and is better defensively (in a tough physical league), but relatively similar profiles and ages so wouldn't mind either one of them!

 

For the prices being mentioned, sign both. Give us a genuine depth of quality in an area we are lacking it.

They are the type of players who will almost certainly make us a tidy profit, that we can realistically attain before their profile is too big.

 

Couple of public mentions about our interest from the BBC there...

 

Could Keon stop making comments like “Kone has impressed since he has come on” as its alerting other clubs

 

Hasn't played as much this season (blue) so it's a relatively small sample size (just less than 6 full 90s), but last season was very impressive (red). Probably won't be at Brugge for much longer.

 

He seemed fine. Initial impression was tidy but unspectacular in possession, a bit like Choudhury. Although he did seem to lack a bit of intensity in his off the ball pressing and tackling, which could in part be an age thing. Not entirely sure what role he was meant to be performing.

As per above it still makes sense for a club like us as a prospect, but might not be an immediate upgrade in midfield (based on the limited info).

 

If only we had an agent who covered the Belgian leagues….

 

It's not as if we didn't do well in signing Dennis from the same club though.

With Buchanan, while he's quite exciting, I'm not sure where he'd play? He seems most suited to a wing back. I don't think he seems to provide enough end product for a wide forward.

 

Friend who works within the club who has been very reliable with predicting signings, manager changes etc so far this season says Kone deal done as of tonight.

 

Suits Edwards' style of play perf...oh

 

Buchanan also regularly plays for a club that is in the knockout phases of the CL and is valued over £10m. So I think ‘what position he plays’ is pretty irrelevant anyway.

 

Spoken to a scout I know who's watched loads of him (and disagreed with some of my views above!). Said he really really likes him and rates him better than Zafeiris. Said Kone is a better athlete and more composed as well as being better defensively (although did say he still needs work defensively, especially off the ball). Said he's only been a pro for 9 months and will need a fair bit of coaching but reckons his ceiling is higher than Zafeiris's

 

"If we want him....etc"

 

There you go straying into the realm of sensibility..... This is Watford we are talking about.

 

I'd have thought most people discussing Buchanan would be with a view to if we got promoted?

 

If you put him on your head you could say "Look at me, I'm a giant witch."