True. But if so, it means more matches will take place later in the season, increasing the likelihood that they will (hopefully!!) take place post-vaccine, and thus in front of a fee-paying audience.
That's some serious squad depth for a Championship midfield. Wouldn't be surprised if two of Cleverley/Chalobah/Hughes/Capoue were to leave.
Basically, the stock answer to any player rumour so far this summer whether they're **** or not is 'it's a hectic schedule this season'. Then when the coach makes 5 changes due to the 'hectic schedule', he'll be ripped to shreds with cries of the replacements aren't good enough. Same as last time.
Gives a bit of height to our midfield too. P.s. when the video says 'headphones recommended'... it lies.
As the club is more secretive about finances these days, our response had to adapt from the previous forum standard "wages". "Provides depth due to hectic schedule" seems appropriate, given who the **** knows who these players are and if they are any good.
I suspect Cleverley is staying, I don't imagine too many clubs would want him, and he played in the Scunthorpe game (obviously not a first XI, but I imagine all of those players will have a role to play this season). Other three could easily be off, wouldn't mind if Chalobah goes, would like to keep Capoue but would understand if he left, but we absolutely have to do everything in our power to keep Hughes
Don't mind if Cleverley stays - still a decent pro and would be an asset in the Champo - was just struggling in the Prem
From what I've read about him he sounds like a fantastic prospect. Loan to permanent fits our style of signings I suppose for now. Like that he's capable of dropping into the backline because I imagine our fullbacks/wingbacks are going to be bombing forward.
Yeah looks like he was bright against Scunthorpe. Could be a real asset in the Champo if we keep him fit
Do you think he was on our radar in the Premier League? Would he have been good enough to be in our top flight squad or is this us reducing our sights a bit now we’re down?
Unless I've totally misjudged how good he is or could be, I thought he was going to be the natural replacement for Sergio Busquets, as he has all the same attributes. Having the name Busquets he stood out to me early on for that reason. He's one I'd have thought we were looking at in the Premier League, just like Ngakia. I think he would eventually be good enough for Barcelona's first team, so would certainly be one for our first team in the Prem. This is why I don't think we'd get him permanently, but on loan in the Championship would be amazing. He's probably good enough for the Premier League right now, but maybe they think a good club (which we are) having a promotion winning season (which we will have......erm...probably) will be great for his development. If we have an obligation to sign him if we go up, that would be a terrific piece of business by the club.
Thanks. I imagination any obligation to buy would include a clause enabling Barca to nab him back again in a year or two should he develop as they hope.
And a Pedro. Think we should rebrand as Waterlona. Their motto is Mes Que un Club, we could just go for Mess of a Club.
The only very short-term caveat would be that even if we signed him this week, it would probably be a month or so before we would see him play. He’d have the two week quarantine to serve coming from Spain, and I don’t think he’s seen any competitive action since March. But what a fantastic addition to have come October. Hopefully we sign Grimes too, who can hit the ground running and be in the side for the opening match.
One of the scouts I work with says this about him: "I liked him. Wonder about him athletically but he's quite the metronome. Breaks up play well too."
It seems he played some of his games on loan at Twente at CB. So I wonder if his versatility is a big selling point. Bringing in both him and Grimes would be a lot of investment in defensive midfield. The only other thing is Transfermarkt (which of course can be wrong but is accurate most of the time) has his contract expiry as 2021. So I don’t know how viable a loan with an obligation to buy next summer in the event of promotion is. But would be very excited by this.
Think its just a ploy to convince Geri to stay. Trick him into thinking his old team mate Sergio is rocking up.
This made me wonder whether Hughes would be pushed further this year if we stick to 4-3-3, similar to where he has played in the past for both us and Derby. As there are doubts about both Quina (inexperience) and Cleverley (age and legs going) it might make sense and explain why we haven't really been linked with any attack-minded central midfielders. Busquets as a ball-winner, Grimes as a deep-lying playmaker and Hughes as the aggressive would be an excellent midfield trio for the Championship and have a lot of grit to it. Plus they would be young enough to carry us into the Premier League without having to start again as soon as we got there (compared to if Capoue or Cleverley were in the preferred lineup, both likely needing replacing come end of next year anyway). Grimes, Busquets, Hughes with Quina, Capoue, Chalobah, Cleverley and Dele B supporting should definitely be a strong enough midfield to challenge, in fact it would be even if Capoue left too
Hughes doesn't have the pace for box to box, he's as slow as a Mr slow when he's walking extremely slowly to somewhere he really doesn't want to go. Where Pearson put him is his best position.
Quality player would have happily took him if we stayed up, it would be some signing for The Championship.
In the Premier League probably, but I can see him having a bit more of a creative influence if we can keep him this season. You don’t need to have pace to get up and down, just stamina. Ivic’s style isn’t fast, counter attacking stuff, it’s very patient and slow. Hughes’ lack of pace won’t stop him finding spaces to receive a pass or from playing through balls to the forward/wingers.
Leventhal confirmed we are interested in Busquets in the latest FTRE podcast at about 42 minutes in. Says we have had talks with Barca but not sure it is doable for the time being. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RBUlPFwfFKvyJCWJsycWK?si=bLZfw8tlQBi7pe15fi22WQ
I think he just has one source maybe - he found out that Ivic had the job before anyone else for instance. I think his source knows some things but certainly not everything. In some of his podcasts and Athletic pieces, he’s also been fairly accurate in suggesting what the make-up of the squad might be. I just think he has no sources when it comes to recruitment.
