Shocking but we're not alone in being unable to find talent. Even those we paid big money for have been failures, with some going on to better things. And it's across the board, so I wonder where the problem is? Is it scouting networks, have they become too saturated? Is it agents involvement, everyone wanting a fast buck? Is it the megabucks and the fruits sown by Man City, Chelsea and others from about 10 years ago now meaning the talent has either dried up or is already on their books? Probably a mix of all these things. Millions of quid doesn't even guarantee quality anymore - WBA wanted £25m for a player they'll now be desperate to offload in Berahino. Arsenal paid £42m for Lacazette, who did look quality, but hasn't lived up to the price tag. Andre Gray, the two at Southampton, Janssen. Is it a tough breed to find these days?
Slimani has been a bust but I am glad we brought in loanees in January rather than making do with what we had
Second this - not every transfer/loan is going to work. We did pretty well in January. Slimani smacked a bit of desperation. He was injured when the deal went through - not the best start for a short term loan. If Leicester were willing to let him stay on loan for another 6months maybe give it a try. Otherwise he may as well go back.
2/3 ain't bad! Dubruvka and Kenedy have made a massive difference. Could have told you to not bother Slim Jim and stick with Mitro but noooooo Rafa knows best!
Interesting that Fulham still seem to retain an interest in Gayle as well as wanting Mitro at the end of the season. Obviously I'd piggy back Gayle down to London myself (I'll even stop by Selhurst Park and drop off their bag for them) but it'll be interesting to see what Rafa does over the summer. Gayle we can shift for maybe £10m, Joselu no chance we could pay someone to take him. Mitro looking like a £20m striker atm and that is before he leads Serbia to the World Cup title as top scorer, £25-30m and reluctantly, nay exceptionally reluctantly I will bow to Rafa and allow him to leave.
Gayle doesn't need a bag really, he has enough space for all his worldly possessions in the pockets of EPL defenders.
I think that we'll not be buying Slimani! He had one good game, so we could thank him for that perhaps, though I doubt he'd be interested to hear our thanks. But he's had nowhere near the impact of the other two loans.
