I think of all the players signed under the Pozzo era, he was the one I was most excited about (along with Deulofeu). To think we’d moved from barely being able to sign anybody a few years ago to then being able to attract the likes of Bobby P. Signing a player from the Italian champions, who’d played in a Champions League final etc. Wow! Many happy memories of having him play for us, but equally tinged with disappointment too of the last few months. We could and should have seen better from him to help try to help us to safety. But we didn’t. And for all the great goals, the Leicester one especially, I wonder if I’m only one who will remember one particular ‘goal’ he failed to score too, namely at 0-0 in the cup final. How things might just have turned out differently... Happy memories of a great player but just a little nagging feeling that it could have been ever better still...
Less highs than I expected when we signed him - but I do wonder if his presence at the club helped convince others to join and I’ll be grateful for that too. Was a big decision for him to join us. I will always wonder how special his career could have been with us if it weren’t for the injuries. I think they massively held him back mentally so it’s better for him to go to a slower, possession based league. But I don’t really have a bad word to say about him. I just wish I had more good things to say after the excitement I felt when he joined.
Think I would have fonder memories of him if it were not for this season when he didn't really even pretend to put in effort, especially towards the end. I know it can't all be laid at his feet, but if he had even played at 80% we would probably have stayed up.
Not me. No way I'm holding him responsible for that day. I prefer to remember the good things such as the wonderful finish at Wolves a couple of years ago
Not blaming him for us not winning the cup final. Had he scored, I doubt our defence would have held out for long. Just musing about what could have been...
Let's not forget he had a horrible injury just before Xmas in his first season with us. I loved his goal v Huddersfield 2 years ago.
Was exceptional on his day, woeful on others, shame it's ended how it did (and it's definitely not all on him at all). I'm sure he'll do well back a Udinese, and I'm sure he'll be happier back in Italy than he was here
Good player, but I don't think we ever saw the best of him outside of short flashes. Initially I think this was down to head coaches not using him in a way that leveraged his strengths. In more recent days, I think he just wasn't feeling it anymore. One way or another, he never quite reached his undoubted heights with us. We'll always have the Baby Shark celebrations though.
Very much a marque signing... Not often that new signings get paraded on the pitch Some great moments not never fulfilled his potential.... Probably would have done better in a possession based team. Wish him well
One of the most talented players we've ever had, but bar a little purple patch just no consistency and a real lack of balls and effort a lot of the time. Still sad to see him go, in a weird way.
His volley v Chelsea was incredible. Doubt we had another player with that in their locker. A shame, but inevitable.
Undisclosed. The fee will probably depend more on how much money they want to move between the 2 clubs rather than the player's value.
I think in the mantra of Vladimir Ivic... If your head isn't ready to give 100% to the cause, you won't play at the level required. Struck so many key, often fantastic goals. His YouTube highlights will always be worth a watch. I hope he finds footballing happiness at Udinese to get him back to his best.
Was never really made for the physicality of the PL, and better suited to Italy. I will remember some of his flashes of genius, and his lack of cajones last year, when we needed him most
Definitely, although I'd imagine Udinese have their limitations financially so aren't gonna give us like £30m lol
A woefully inconsistant player who failed to live up to his potential and didnt give 2fs about the club. If we get promoted again we have to avoid this type of recruitment, it does more harm than good. We need players who are committed to the club and buy into the team ethic.
It's all been said above - but he really was one of the most talented players ever to wear the shirt. His goal away at Wolves is still one of my favourites from the Pozzo Prem years. Outside of the boot on his weaker foot into the top corner! Absolute class.
It was really sunny in the away end that day so I moved after a few mins into the empty shaded seats nearer to the Wolves home end. Glad I did, I was right behind Pereyra when he shot and was celebrating as soon he made contact with the ball. Absolutely glorious!
Sums it up for me. Injury didn't help. Definitely not a player who would be suited to the championship!
I was so excited when we were linked with him. I was searching Twitter, browsing these forums and refreshing Wobby constantly just waiting for something to confirm he was coming! When he did join and was paraded at HT of the next game I think I was more excited by that than any of the football that day. Then his debut against Arsenal he was fantastic. Absolutely everywhere on the pitch, starting every attack and nicking a goal. He gave us some great moments; his goals against Brighton, Chelsea, Wolves and Leicester will live long in the memory. Hasn’t been great for about 18 months though and doesn’t seem one for the fight this season. I’d hoped he would go somewhere other than Udinese so we’d get some actual money coming in but oh well. Good luck to him.
So farewell then Roberto Just think if you'd scored in the final We'd have lost 6-1 and not 6-0 Oh well. Good luck and thanks for all the fish. EI Adio aged 42
Good riddance. Epitomised the cowardly 'better than this'll attitude which saw us relegated. Hope we got a proper fee from those italian scroungers.
Apparently he gives 20% of his wages to childrens charities, which is coincidentally the same % of effort he gave his football last season.