Apparently today's Sun is saying we're interested in Jim Karacan along with Bournemouth. Can't open the link because you have to pay. Also Essaid Belkalem is, or has returned to England. Trabzonspor are now saying that he is to expensive... http://www.africatopsports.com/2015/04/12/essaid-belkalem-lalgerien-de-retour-en-angleterre/
Belk looked great at the world cup If he can translate those kinds of performances to the prem I'd be very happy to keep him
Could be screwed for the next African nations if Belks is involved. Could have Ighalo, Belks, Gueds (if he signs) and that NAC bloke if he signed all away for a month. And possibly Essien if he signed....
No ACON next season (they usually run a different one every other year in which only players playing in Africa can play)
My bad, thought it was every year. Well still.... 2017 then, and by then we'll have the likes of Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure to worry about to.
I think Karacan would be a good signing.. if he stayed fit long enough. I think he's only played a handful of times in the last two seasons due to injury.
Didn't someone on here mentioned Karacan? Someone also suggested that tabloids were getting some rumours from here too... Think there was another example
From wiki: He began the 2013–14 season in good goalscoring form, netting twice in a 3–3 draw against Watford on 17 August. A month later he again suffered a serious injury in a game against Leeds and had to be substituted after nine minutes. The club later confirmed that he had ruptured both his anterior cruciate and medial ligaments and would be out for six to nine months.[18][19] After more than a year out, entered the final part of his recovery in October 2014. For the 2014-15 season, Karacan changed his squad number to 21, due to his admiration for Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo. He made a brief return from his injury nightmare on 10 January 2015, coming on as a late substitute against Middlesbrough, but another setback kept him out for a further two months. He scored a consolation goal from 20 yards on 14 March, after replacing Jake Taylor as a second half substitute in a 4-1 defeat at Vicarage Road, in his second appearance of the season. Seems to like playing against us, but always seems to be injured
Think WT suggested him. Technically good hard-working player. Being the profile of player he is I'd probably expect him to choose Bournemouth if if came down to it, tbh.
Now too expensive? I thought (might be wrong) that it was a loan deal with an option to buy, so surely they'd have to agree to it? Maybe they're just holding out until they're sure they'll make Europa league. Also fun fact: Belkalem has one less goal than Torje in the Turkish League.
I like Belkalem. I do hope he returns because he was a nice guy. Last season I saw him before a game and had a chat with him - he was injured at the time, but he told me he was "a little better". He seemed friendly, and I always had high hopes for him after the World Cup.
Suggested Karacan a while back, I like him. If we could somehow keep him fit, he'd be a good signing. Belkalem was impressive at the World Cup and seemingly very good in Turkey. I'd be very happy to have him back.
Karacan would be a good signing. Unsure about Belk returning, he didn't seem to be wanting to play for Watford though now we're in the Prem he may want to play for us.
I want the Belk to be a success if only for the fact that if I were a fancy-pants £60 million Prem striker and I saw him charging towards me, I think I'd actually **** myself. Just what we need. Big scary centre back.
On reflection though - I could see Belks giving away quite a few spot kicks when the likes of Aguero/Silva show a bit a quick footed skill in the box!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR1CpppbB4c my favourite world cup clip karacan...meh could take or leave tbh I think we can do better
Belkalem looked very good in the World Cup (especially against Germany) and by all accounts has been very good at Trabzonspor. Lets not forget that he came into the team at a time where we weren't exactly playing well and he was very rusty. I think he showed enough at the World Cup to think he has something to offer, and he's clearly coming back to us fit. I feel he is definitely worth another go. Agree with IRB's post on Karacan.
. So far Bmuff have been linked with signing will Hughes, Danny ings, Rob green, karacan and Berbatov. Press are having a field day trying to sell papers.
I would rather us be looking and stronger type midfielders. We have enough soft touches in that area.
Karacan isn't a soft touch tbf, he's a bit of an all rounder, but I agree his fitness is a question mark. As for Belkalem I don't think he's comfortable enough in a back three, he'll be 4th choice at best by the time the season starts & I'd be looking to move him on tbh.
Ooops! Butter fingers. [video=youtube;OxspfInbLV8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxspfInbLV8[/video]
Rumours in Turkey appear to be linking Belkalem with a possible move to Fenerbache. Took a while to actually be sure as Google translate has a stinker when confronted with Turkish, luckily a French article has appeared, good old Algeria. http://www.dzfoot.com/2015/05/13/transfert-toujours-pas-remis-belkalem-vers-fererbahce-68728.php
