I've seen Batshuayi linked with a loan to Dortmund. On the one hand selling Llorente and not having a replacement would be a bad bit of business - but on the other hand, can anyone honestly say Harrison, Sterling or even Richards would actually be much of a downgrade?
Is this the former manager of a European giant version of Hiag we are getting? I know, I know...the truth would kill me How's Hiagy boy doing? please log in to view this image
Isn't there some bizarre UEFA rule saying all squads should have three goalkeepers? Good news for Alfie Whiteman if it's true (although he's already in this season's UEFA squad anyway) Although on the subject of our UEFA squad, it's possibly worth pointing out that Amos was also in our UEFA squad, so does that need addressing? Although let's be honest, "addressing" likely means Harrison, Roles or Shashoua get moved into the squad but won't feature unless we win 8-0 in Turin.
Just catching up on the Llorente situation that @Roo mentioned earlier. So, depending who to believe, this has happened: Chelsea no longer want Giroud and so he may end up at Dortmund. Chelsea offered us a swap - Batshuayi for Llorente. We were for it but Batshuayi rejected it as he no longer wants to be second choice, Batshuayi wants to go Dortmund. Possibility we'll still consider letting Llorente go to Chelsea providing it's a permanent move and not a loan. Few people have said (not sources though so could just be opinion as I've yet to see it written by anyone with credibility) that Rondon could be our option should Llorente go, seeing as Sturridge has now joined the Baggies on loan. Not sure what to make of the latter. Rondon's never struck me as an excellent striker during his time in the Prem but playing for West Brom it's hardly as if he gets the best service, prior to joining them he had a half decent record. Would you take Rondon over Llorente purely down to the fact that he surely can't be any worse than Llorente (and Janssen... And Soldado) or is it a straight "no" because he's not someone that'll get your tails wagging with excitement? I'm sort of 50-50 on it, part of me still wants Nando to come good because I do feel he's a great striker that's just massively underperformed thus far but part of me says he won't improve, just like the other strikers before him and so it's worth gambling on another striker in the hope they can at least resemble some form of genuine competition for Harry. I'd probably sway just towards the Rondon option as it's a fresh choice in attack who may (or may not) come good when called upon. **** man, this is the most active I've been on a transfer thread in ages. Still waiting on a ****ing CM too!!! Although if Moura joins maybe Poch will indeed utilise Alli deeper?
This whole striker situation has gotten very complicated very quickly but one thing I know for certain is that if Llorente moving sets off a domino effect that ends up with Aubameyang going to Arsenal, we should hold on to him at all costs. Batshuayi-Dortmund-Llorente-Chelsea-Aubameyang-Arsenal-and Giroud stays at Arsenal is a possible triangle that we need to be actively looking to ruin.
The thought of a front 6 of..... Kane Son Eriksen Moura Alli Dier/Wanyama raises the pulse a bit and it gives us some real pace which has been a real problem since the Walker/Rose Spurs-backs disappeared. That would be something of a return to the kind of exciting attacking set up that came into being in 2016 and which we've got a bit too far away from. Let's hope that's the sort of thing that Mauricio Pochettino sees coming out of this in games where we need to make the running. I'm all for a back 3 and three central midfielders away at Liverpool and Juve. I'm hoping that the Llorente/Batshuayi swap deal is still possible. It keeps Dortmund/Arsenal isolated and Batshuayi has real potential and should have joined us rather than THEM, had he not been so greedy on wages.
I’ve always quite liked Salomon Rondon, personally. We all know that signing a top class striker to sit on the bench is never gonna happen. Batshuayi is the latest to reject us for the same reason. Hardly anyone can compete with Kane. Llorente has been a massive let down, and we’ve not exactly helped his cause either. He’s been the maker of his own downfall with some poor control and sitters that he’s missed, but at the same time we’ve barely thrown in any crosses to take advantage of his height and heading ability. Rondon is quicker, arguably as strong (if not stronger) and more of an athlete. I’d have thought he’d suit us better. Then again, the curse of the Harry Kane understudy may come to haunt us once more.
I would agree. I think Rondon offers strength and pace - 50% more than we were ever likely to get from 'Nando! And the fact that he has kept a decent reputation whilst playing for WBA says quite a lot He also seems to be a decent character as well, judging by his reaction on the pitch last week after that horrible incident against Everton. Surely worth a punt at 28 if the ££ fee is not silly. Edit: that's not a particular slant at Llorente. I was delighted he joined us and thought he would really fit in - but we haven't helped him anymore than he seems to have helped himself to make it work on the pitch.
Yes, please... take him, take him, take him! https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5454304/chelsea-news-fernando-llorente-olivier-giroud/
If there is any truth in the Llorente to Chelsea rumours then surely someone must also arrive to replace him, Crouchy anyone?
Would you be so keen if it led to Batshuayi joining Dortmund and then Aubameyang going to Arsenal? I'd say us keeping a useless 2nd choice striker is more important than Woolwich gaining a world class 1st choice one.
Some hack has claimed that some deal involving a swap between Llorente and Michybatty has been proposed. That has got to be Levy on the WUM.
I've heard this mentioned by some pretty reliable sources but Batshuayi understandably isn't interested in sitting on a bench anymore. Stupid pillock shouldn't have joined them in the first place then, should he? This is easily the best case scenario as we ditch an underperforming, disinterested carthorse, gain a young and hungry replacement, Giroud to Chelsea falls through, Dortmund don't replace Aubameyang and Arsenal end up with Iwobi as Sanchez' heir. In other news, a pig just flew past my window carrying a bucket of leprechaun gold.
Bet he got no guarantee he would be top dog at Chelsky (as Morata no doubt did) , so let his merc + silverware mind make the final decision. < you reap what you sow >
The Fail are going with Chelsky want Llorente on LOAN. The Chelsky transfer kitty must be suffering due to the costs of their new stadium build. < Narrative (TM) >
