He was. In his last season for us, he scored 11 got 5 assists and 8 MOTM awards, in 31 games. Not bad like.
Was a great player for you lot I agree, definitely better than people give him credit for. Okay he's not in the top bracket so like United class but could do well for a team just below that level. Liverpool a good shout actually.
Nah he's always been bang average at best, at PL level at least. People just raved him about him because we kept so many clean sheets under Koeman, easy being a keeper when you've got a top class defence and defensive midfielders in front of you. He's always strugged with low shots as he's about as agile as a sloth on Ketamine. Doesn't command his area / come for crosses anywhere near well enough for a bloke of his size and frame either, and the injury he picked up took away the little agility he had. You can ask @Saints_Alive I was one of the few on our board who has simply never rated him and saw him as the overrated lump that he is. I had a mini meltdown in the Summer when we gave him a new deal making him one of our highest earners That's a sackable offence for Les Reed in itself ffs.
Yeah I think he's worth the risk, looks ideal for our style of play. Probably say him and that Milinkovic-Savic are the two best CMs in Europe that aren't already at elite sides, we've actually been linked with Savic along with his Immobile in a £100m double move, can't see it happening but would be some coup if we pulled it off. Griffiths is 17 but will be 18 come the new season. Looks unreal, he's banged in about 3 or 4 hattricks in 2018 already. Shaw worked with Poch at Saints and looked great so I'd be hoping that could be similar if he joined. Davies been in excellent form though so depends if Shaw would fancy a fight for the spot or if he just wants to join a club that'll guarantee him a first choice spot.
When we played Watford away this season he bossed us in the centre of the park. Seen a few other games this season where I thought he's looked really good. I think if he's around better players he'd raise his game. Would still prefer Seri but I'd have no beef if Doucoure signed.
We nailed it with Sanchez to be fair but I'd agree in general our big money signings have been major disappointments outside of him. He's already made £40m look a bargain though, feels good knowing he's our record signing now instead of Sissoko! Had a few shaky games but at 21, he's been ****ing unreal and has all the ingredients to be better than Toby and Jan in years to come, bloke's a monster.
Seen you lot linked with Butland in the past, amazed he's stayed at Stoke as long as he has, quality keeper and definitely good enough to be playing for a side in European competition. Oblak is mustard though, easily in top 10 keepers in Europe, arguments for top 5.
I was joking about Oblak. I'd love him to sign. For me only De Gea is better currently. I like Butland but really don't think he's good enough for top 4. I'm hoping we don't sign him. He's better than Karius but I would prefer someone better... Oblak or Allison
Regarding the youngsters... We've got Brewster, the kid that won the world cup and was top scorer. He's about 17 I think. I'm hoping he doesn't leave as there's talk of him stepping up to the 1st team soon.
Yeah seems a good lad too. Hopefully he's got a great future ahead of him. Easily the best striker at the world cup for their age group. Trouble is kids can fizzle out so easily... but the signs are good. I'd lend him to Gerrard up at Rangers tbh.
You may have a chance of getting him tbf. Will cost a fortune though. Ain't too sure about Alisson, seems to keen on punching and palming the ball, works alright in Serie A because the game is slower, can't imagine it'd be too great in the Prem. Oblak is much better for me and I think Butland would be a better buy as well, way too good for Stoke, I think he's good enough for top four. England actually have a decent bunch of keepers for a change what with him, Pickford and Pope, no doubt Southgate will find a way to take Hart to the World Cup though.
Yeah heard about Brewster, sounds quality. England's got some great youngsters at the moment, proven by how many trophies we won last summer, hopefully some start getting chances at their clubs.