(11) Ismael Kone

I agree. In the here and now, he's not what we need. Offers very little. To pay £7m (or whatever it was) at the time we did was just nuts. Another poor decision by the decision makers signing an expensive player who offered very little. Again, a signing intended to make the Pozzo's some money somewhere down the line, but not to help the side in the present time.

 

I'm not fussed if he goes. He's not suited at all to the Championship now, but might be better if he can build some upper body strength and be a bit more decisive. That seems like more than a summer's work.

That said, I don't think his social media post makes it certain he's off.

 

I've never knowingly seen Transfermarkt even do an interview before, let alone an exclusive they then tout around Twitter

 

https://www.udineseblog.it/udinese/mercato-bianconero/
You could be correct if Udineseblog are to be believed.

 

I'm surprised they'd take him as I don't think he's even good enough for the Championship. Has potential yes, but would be no loss to our team, IMO.

 

Agreed. I fail to see what he offers from his displays thus far.

 

Presumably just another EFL-baiting transfer deal between the clubs.

 

He's had his moments for us, he could come good for us next season, but I'm absolutely convinced he'll go on to great things without us lol

 

Don't need him with Cleverley and Gosling back, they'll be like new signings.

 

Ohh Reids I expect better from you than stirring things
At least you could backup your statement with graphs/charts

 

Some twitter sources reporting that they are about to finalise the new contract of Gosling. Irrespective of finances the people making these decisions are nutters.

 

Which Twitter sources? I saw one fan account that is not at all in the know.

Re Kone, I don’t think these articles are sharing any new information. They said in January oh maybe he is actually coming to Udinese. They’ve just regurgitated that. In contrast we have quotes from Kone that he wants to get the club to the PL.

 

I wouldn’t know who is in the know or not. Just saw people getting upset out it!

 

The Dan gosling stuff comes from a picture on his own it’s saying contract pending. Could mean anything tbh

 

Own instagram

 

Watching the USA vs Canada game. First half, so far Kone has been Canada’s best player.

 

USA won 2-0. Kone the best player on the pitch for Canada. I hope he performs like that for us this season every game, or at least every 8 out of 10 games. Obviously this is providing he’s not off to Udinese.

 

Agreed. Played in front of the back four and was Canada’s best player. Mind you that’s not saying much in that performance!

 

Back with us in today’s training photos.

 

Which is strange as he is supposed to be playing in the CONCACAF Golf Cup. Canada's first game is on Wednesday.

 

I assumed that too. But he’s not been called up (or more likely, released by agreement):

https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-announce-squad-for-the-2023-concacaf-gold-cup/

 

Bit of discussion on another thread but would be interested to know people's thoughts on this guy.

Think it's fair to say he hasn't been worth the £8m transfer fee so far, but do we think he could be worth that and more in future. It's important to remember he's only just turned 21 and this is his first big move out of his comfort zone.

He's shown signs of being a handy player when it comes to driving past a couple of players and getting forward, but he can also be pretty anonymous

 

Still looking for an exact role I feel.

 

He's, sadly, dogshyt.

 

He quite clearly isn’t. He’s a still relatively young player with only 50 or so senior appearances to his name, who has moved to a new continent and already worked under three different managers since choosing us over Norwich and Sheff Utd. Give him time.

 

I quite liked him last season, but I do fear he might be one of those players who another club see the best of, we've had a few of those!

 

So far I see very little in his displays.

 

"Only" 50??