[SIGNED perm] Mario Gaspar

Discussion in 'The Transfer List' started by Burnsy, Jul 22, 2022.

  1. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    Potentially coming other way from Villarreal as part of Femenia deal as per The Athletic.

    Over 400 games and is captain for them. 31yo though.
     
  2. domthehornet

    domthehornet Moderator Staff Member

    Isn't he the captain?
     
  3. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    Doesn’t make a lot of sense either way, presumably he’s worse than Kiko? And if not it makes no sense from Villarreals pov.
     
  4. Aylesburyorn

    Aylesburyorn Academy Graduate

    He is their captain but foyth and aurier were ahead of him last season. He’s 31 but feels like old school pozzo as it’s like cassetti rocking up
     
  5. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    The homegrown idea didn't last long then. Let's replace our 31 year old Spanish right back with a 31 year old Spanish right back instead!
     
  6. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    Wasn’t a regular last season as Emery preferred a more defensive minded player - but Gaspar is a good offensive RB/RWB.

    Would be a good addition if he’s still fit. Brings leadership and a wealth of experience. Think more Cassetti than Lucas Neill.
     
  7. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Are we now following the rule of 11 Gaspars? This would be second one we’ve signed this month.
     
    IRB and Heidar like this.
  8. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    Sounds promising.

    Screenshot_20220722-092909_Twitter.jpg
     
  9. WatfordTalk

    WatfordTalk First Team

    Yeah we're really rocking the Gaspars this summer
     
  10. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    I'd be shocked if we signed him. He's wedded to Villareal and to drop down to the Championship with Watford......I just do not see it happening. Not sure he speaks English as I've only ever seen him interviewed in Spain. The link to Cyrus Christie is far more plausible.

    Right CB is a possibility I suppose, but I'd much prefer Gary Cahill given the choice.
     
    lutonh8a likes this.
  11. IRB

    IRB THe artist formally know as ImRonBurgundy?

    Sounds like a Spanish Cassetti

    Certainly not the up and down wingback needed in an Edwards system
     
    RS2 likes this.
  12. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    What the head coach needs is an afterthought. Gino getting a player on the cheap is more important. Except when they're a Mogi client, then the finances go out of the window.
     
    CarlosKickaballs, dynamo380 and IRB like this.
  13. reids

    reids First Team

    [​IMG]
     
    Pozzo Out likes this.
  14. YellowKicks

    YellowKicks Squad Player

    Tbf Cassetti was absolutely unreal as a wingback in Zola's system which had a lot of similarities.
     
  15. domthehornet

    domthehornet Moderator Staff Member

    He was the best crosser of the ball we have had under Gino.
     
  16. YellowKicks

    YellowKicks Squad Player

    I think sometimes the drop down in level can make a huge difference for a player. Gaspar has over 350+ games at an incredibly high level and still played 12 games for UCL semi finalists last year, 3 caps for spain and a Puskas Goal nominee (vs England). I think the Championship would be pretty easy for him, just can't imagine why he'd want to come. Gaspar with Christie as a rotation given the amount of fixtures would be more than adequate.

    I'm normally pretty critical of the owners but don't really see an issue with this.
     
  17. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    I should blooming hope so
     
  18. domthehornet

    domthehornet Moderator Staff Member

    Agreed, he comes with a pedigree which can only be a benefit to the club. I can't see him dropping down to our level at all.
     
  19. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    Not sure if this happens or not but if it does, the fact he was captain at Villarreal is a massive plus as we are definitely lacking in that department although Gosling I think has thrown his hat in the ring this morning
     
  20. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    He might be great, I haven't seen him play. But it feels very much like the club are still signing who they want rather than being led by Edwards. Plus all this rule of eleven stuff from Giaretta was clearly a load of guff.
     
    dynamo380 likes this.
  21. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    But Edward's said he wants a HG RB!
    Rob gets what he doesn't want.
     
  22. lutonh8a

    lutonh8a Squad Player

    Yes this, surprised with some of the outrage from some of our fans. In my opinion he is probably an upgrade on Kiko ane has played at a far higher level. I don't see him struggling in the Championship which is a considerable step down for him.
     
    Moose likes this.
  23. WalthamstowHornet

    WalthamstowHornet Academy Graduate

    This would feel a bit like the Sissoko signing - trying to drop a ready made captain into the squad.

    Given the lack of obvious candidates I can see the appeal. If we are serious about building a project under Edwards, my preference would be to choose a player to build the team around (a Sierralta, Louza or Kamara for example) and have a strong leadership group around them. I think there are candidates who could grow into the role.
     
  24. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    I haven't seen anything of him although I've seen Villarreal play so probably just haven't noticed him. Is he the 40+ game wing back we need for our system, one who is able to get up and down all game? I'm sure I saw that the wing backs at Forest Green were often the furthest forward last season.
     
  25. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    If we signed him I really don't see him as a modern RWB. It's a young man's game. Ok, Kiko is the same age, but he's a converted winger. His attacking play is natural to him. Defensively he is a little suspect, but has great pace over a short distance so often got out of trouble with his speed. Gaspar is a good full back, but not a wingback. He's technically excellent, as you might expect, and is very good at control and passing. Playing under pressure too. I think he'd be far more suited to playing at right centre back. He's pretty good in the air and you can trust him with the ball at his feet. He's a leader too, although I'm not sure how good his English is, as I've never heard him speak it, so being the captain you have to be able to speak English well.

    I think the biggest hurdle is to convince him to come. He loves Villareal and to come to England to play in the second tier would be a major culture shock to him. He's got to want the challenge, but I don't think he'd fancy it if I'm honest. If he does come and we use him as a CB, then that would mean we've got 7 first team CB's if you include Pollock. Probably a bit top heavy, however, we are going to use three CB's per game, so a couple of injuries and you're quickly down to 5, which is cutting it fine. Maybe 7 is a number we could go with, although it adds a NHG player after moving one out, so we'd be too high on the number, especially if we keep Sarr/Dennis.
     
    PowerJugs and RS2 like this.
  26. jackwfc

    jackwfc Academy Graduate

    Newcastle made a similar signing when they brought in Jesús Gámez from Atlético Madrid when they were relegated back in 2016 and that didn’t end up going too well. On the flip side this could be Cassetti Mk2.
     
  27. fuzzy73

    fuzzy73 Squad Player

    I don’t see this happening. After spending his entire career at one club I haven’t read anything to suggest he’s ready to pack it in and join a circus
     
    CarlosKickaballs likes this.
  28. Moose

    Moose First Team Captain

    And that with the price of wholesale Gaspar going through the roof.
     
    UEA_Hornet likes this.
  29. onion8837

    onion8837 Reservist

     
  30. Supertommymooney

    Supertommymooney Squad Player

    Cassetti who conceded penalties in the playoff semi and in the final to our two favourite opposition players?

    Not sure I want a repeat of that this season.
     
    põder likes this.
  31. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    He’s been released by Villarreal from what little I’ve managed to find out. Contract offered - down to player.
     
  32. LeedsOrn

    LeedsOrn Reservist

    Any idea on if he’d come in with a view to playing RWB or RCB?

    Not enthused by this one. Seems to be a good leader but if non-HG options are on the table, I’d rather look elsewhere for either role.
     
    RS2 likes this.
  33. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    Nah, no idea on the first question.
     
  34. Crezzy95

    Crezzy95 First Year Pro

    He might not know the Championship but he's got experience playing in the best league in Spain so I'd be happy with this. We do need a few older heads as we have a lot of young players. I've never seen the bloke play but if he was Villareal captain he can't be too bad surely?
     
  35. Since63

    Since63 Squad Player

    The manager wants what the manager gets?
     

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