This lad is destined to play at the very highest level and is going to be out of contract in the summer. He has already come out and said he won't be signing a new deal at Southend so any suitors will have to pay compensation at an amount agreed by a tribunal to secure his signature - unless he is snapped up for a Fee (£500K - £850K would probably do it) in the January window. Dan's preference is to play for a London based team and obviously a PL side with a route to the number 1 jersey would be in pole position. He made the League 2 team of the year 2015 and I have seen him play many times. He is one of the best in League 1 and has a lot of potential to go to the very top. I would be surprised if we are not at least monitoring his situation. He wouldn't be ready to replace Gomes yet but he is ready to pull on the gloves now at any Championship club and make the step up to the PL within a couple of years. What do we think? Or would you prefer Arlauskis to be the natural heir to Gomes' place?
I'm not so sure really. Gomes is a shoe-in for all matches whilst he's fit and Aulauskis is no slouch being an international. I can't really see another keeper coming in for a while unless there's a long term injury to either?
He is an interesting one, as his name was touted as a future England no. 1 a few years ago, and it appears he's still living up to that tag. If he's available at a decent price, as a talented young keeper and as a British product, I think he'd be an excellent investment. Agree a deal in Jan for a summer transfer, then loan him out to a Championship side for the 16/17 season I say. Get on it Ponzis!
You buy him and then send him on loan for a season if need be. Gomes possibly only has another couple of seasons in him and will Aulauskis want to wait around and not play, I am not so sure.
Absolutely no reason why Gomes cannot play on for at least another 6 seasons (hes 34yo now). David James played at a decent level in this country into his 40's as did Alec Chamberlain iirc.
The best GK's have it in them to play into their very late 30's to early 40's, . Gomes I think will probably call it quits very early 40's if his form doesn't drastically fall. Friedal 44, y/o only retired last Season. If Bentley came here he'd probably be loaned out to a Championship side for a Season or two and would go from there as Gomes would need a contract renwal in 2 season's time, assuming we don't tweak it between now and then.
You're quite right of course. That said, with the greatest of respect for Gomes, I would be hugely surprised if the club stuck with him til anywhere near then. His superhuman powers will wane, and if the Pozzos ever have the chance of signing the next Neuer or De Gea I think recent history suggests that it'll be curtains for him sadly. Not a fan of this unsentimental approach but can't argue with the results it's produced so far.
Makes a lot of sense if we stay up. Unfortunately a lot of teams will be in for him, so it entirely depends on how influenced he is by money. We won't offer him as much as some, but I think there is a clear route to a first team position with a PL club (touch wood).
I am a fan of this approach. Let's face it if you don't improve your stock when you can then you end up like Muff, Naarch, even Chelsea are now. We are in a competition and need to stay competitive; fans favourites are judged on completely different terms as yesteryear.
I can't be the only to think "Oh f**k no! He's ****!!" and then correctly reread the title as "Daniel"
That is the one thing of the Pozzos that I have been annoyed with, that despite their vast scouting network they are yet to fully establish themselves in England. Sure we bought Ikpeazu, but since then it's been more about the first team squad (which I understand). However, I too have seen Bentley and if what you are saying is true (fee, wants to play down south) then I think this would be a missed opportunity and actually would benefit from Gomes and Arla here. The problems would be whether we would want him, whether he would want to come to us, or if there are better options (West Ham, QPR, Reading etc)
Couple of mistakes at first, crosses etc, looked dodgy. Played 9 on the bounce and got better each game until he injured his calf. Al Habsi came in for 3 games but Bond should now be back in goal this weekend. It is fair to say that like it was here, fans are not convinced with him still at Reading and that some want a replacement come January while others think he is a good prospect still and will continue to get better with game time.
