In reality that’s not too dissimilar a record to Deeney or Gray’s records over the same amount of games - and they have been in the PL and Championship which I would argue is better than the Russian league for the main-part. If he was 23 then maybe. But whilst I recognise we won’t be able to just buy a 20+ a season striker, I do think we can probably do better than this guy.
So Deeney and Gray have got 35 goals in their last 80 games in the prem ? And 14 in 28 internationals? I agree he's no Messi, Ronaldo, or Vydra but who do you think we will get with a better record then ?
If you read my comment, I include the Championship in their goal tallies and I’d say bar a couple of teams, the standard of the Championship is likely a better league than the Russian top division. However, Deeney has scored 28 goals in just over 100 PL games. Gray has scored 23 in around 90 PL games. Both Deeney and Gray were prolific in the league below. More than Dzyuba has ever been. So I would say the comparison I have made is more than fair. This isn’t me saying we shouldn’t sign a new striker. Just that we could do better. Danny Ings would be better. As would Origi or Welbeck. If he could stay fit, which I understand to be very unlikely, Sturridge would also be a better bet. And all of them know the PL and are of a better age and standard.
The Russian league isn't that bad, they had 3 teams in the last 16 of the europa league this season. Its a higher standard than the Championship I'd imagine. Sent from my G3311 using Tapatalk
Really like how you casually name dropped Vydra! The blond bombshell. What's your source? He's coming home, He's coming home...Vydra's coming home!
Yes I'd be happy with any of the first 3 but think it unlikely we would pay what it would take. The Russian league isn't bad and his scoring rate is good. I think it will be someone like him or an unproven but promising diamond.
Welbeck, Sturridge! The antithesis to Pozzo signings. Serial underperformers at seriously exorbitant wages.
I would take a chance on Welbeck but in anybody's book Sturridge is now just an unacceptable risk or a joke depending on how charitable one feels. Both are on silly money. Ings would be more realistic but not exactly risk free.
I personally would be pleased if we managed to bring this chap in. Can definitely play the one up top role for 70 minutes a game, and defenders would just bounce off of him. If the fee is right then we should go for it.
No nothing about this chap but would prefer a pacy option like Welbeck but I imagine he is out of our league in terms of wages
A big target man. Do we need another? Looked like he tired quickly during the second half too. Welbeck or Ings would be great if we can keep them injury free.
Will he though? Joined Liverpool on a free as a free scoring home grown striker. Reckon he'd be on 70/80k and similar to Welbeck.
According to the Telegraph article at the time, it was/is £115k per week for 5 years https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/f...er-agreeing-16m-deal-for-England-striker.html
Especially when you consider he's spent most of the time in the treatment room. I actually think Welbeck is a decent player (certainly for a mid table club) - but like the Sturridge's and Wilshere's of this world - he's made of glass. Even taking a pay-cut, you'd have to assume he'd still be looking for £75k+. Factor in our injury record - we'd never see him whilst he bleeds us dry. As for this Russian chap - I admit I'd never seen him play until the World Cup where he did look useful. But I remember seeing an unknown Andrey Arshavin tear up Euro 2008, yet look a pale imitation of that player bar a couple of stand out games after he'd signed for the Gooners. Maybe the prestige of a home WC helped elevate this lads performances to a higher level? Could we guarantee a similar level here? I'm glad I don't have to make the decisions.....!
I totally agree that Sturridge and Welbeck are out of our price range. Sturridge lasted 6 minutes for WBA. He was supposed to have been their saviour and WBA fans must have been gutted. I also prefer Welbeck, a player all England managers have rated but another who never lasts for long. Ings we might just be able to afford but he is not at the same level and has been very unlucky with injuries. Artem Dzyuba looks a more durable version of Okaka and I think he might be worth a punt. Won't be on silly money in Russia but would give us a different dimension in games requiring a more physical presence. Would expect him to be 'hungry' to do well but who knows as Success might be given a final chance to prove himself up top.
Mmmmmmm he actually will be on fairly silly money in Russia. How do you think they keep all their stars at home in the motherland? They even have a quota of homegrown players required for every Premier League team. Russian players at Zenit are funded by Gazprom, essentially.
