Capoue is a completely different level to Abdi. Abdi by far the best performer for us - but Capoue performed to those levels in the Prem.
Indeed. I posted in the transfer suggestions thread that I hoped the second signing we'd still be considering beyond a LB would be an attacking CM, maybe it will still happen (it might even be Atsu). Striker would be 3rd on the list, but without having seen Gray and Perica really play yet, and with Deeney likely to also be back as an option, that might be a bit greedy or unnecessary.
Yeah, it remains to be seen how much Capoue has left at 32, but no doubt he'll still be very good in the Championship. At his peak though he was our Player of the Season in our best league finish of the modern era.
Adds some strength to a decent looking, but otherwise lightweight midfield. Even better news given TDB’s lengthy absence. Whilst it’s still a shame we had to go through this, I’m pleased he’s back in the frame and hopefully focussed on the club now. Take us back, Etienne. Carry us with haste upon on your shoulders with those telescopic legs, back to the Premier League.
Potentially great news (I don't think he can be arsed to move now, but I won't be counting my chickens until after the window slams shut!), should be one of the very best midfielders in the Championship. My only slight concern is that he's getting on a bit and faded during the busy ending to last season, so I'd expect to see him rested from time to time, but you'd hope the likes of Chalobah should be able to fill in against the weaker teams in the division like he did in the derby
Said it before and I'll say it again. He is our most underrated player, by far. Doucoure got a disproportionate amount of credit for how good our midfield was.
I know that if it was a straight choice of who to get rid of between Capoue and Doucoure, it would not have been Capoue!!! Therefore I'm happy that EC changed his mind and withdrew his transfer request, and even more so that we mugged off Everton with Doucoure. Although Doucoure has probably played better for "The Snakes" in his first few games than he did for us over the last 2/3 seasons I doubt that will last. It won't be long before he will be passing more to the opposition than to his own players just like he did for us. I'm am honestly so happy that it is EC that is still with us and not AD.
I would think everybody will get rested at some point due to how many games we have in a shorter season
Absolutely delighted. Saw his name trending on Twitter and assumed the worst. I'd say he's probably the best player I've seen play for us in the 20 years I've supported the club. I usually get annoyed at how everyone in the game ignores and underrates him but it looks like it's worked massively in our favour now.
If not - and stand by, I’m about to praise the club everybody! - but the club must be commended for having that group all sorted by the end of the window...whilst keeping Sarr and Hughes in the ‘willing to stay’ group, bringing Capoue in from the outsiders group and keeping Deulofeu within the umbrella so to speak. Sad to see Suarez and Estupinan turn out as they did. But out of the players from last season, the above names are the ones I’d have loved to keep. And seem to me that we’ve kept 3 of them with an outside chance of the 4th returning. They’ve done well to manoeuvre that retention.
Two steps ahead of everyone else and makes everything look effortless. Criminally underrated. Great news for us though!
Oh yes, for sure, 46 games in that timeframe is Tour de France-esque! I just hope he hasn't diminished with age, and that his deputy proves up to the job when he is rested, it's been a mixed bag from Chalobah so far this season to say the least
Very good news. Him and Hughes will make a massive difference to our midfield compared to what we have had to field.
Finally so good news this transfer window. With Capoue reintegrated and with Hughes hopefully fit soon this makes a huge difference to our promotion hopes. A decent left back and someone to put the ball in the net (come home Matty) and I’ll be reasonably happy.
So we don't get to save Capoue's "no-relegation clause" salary....guess that means we'll have to sell Sarr now
I hate to drench your chips in hot, frothy piss mates, but just ***** LOL if you think a player who is so desperate to leave a club he is prepared to give up a multi million pound loyalty bonus, will give 100% when he is forced back to that club with his tail between his legs because no **** wants him. LMAO at all of us poor saps.
Highly doubt the loyalty bonus is worth multi-millions at this stage, and it sounds like a case of him wanting to be reunited with a former boss. The domestic window is still open, so it's a sign that he's not desperate to leave to go to someone like Fulham!
Or he’s seen all his exiled mates leave and rocked up to training today and realised he was the only one left... Tail between legs time!
I suspect they were probably part of general training but then did other (gym) work when the matchday preparation starts 2-3 days out from the next game.
