I was suggesting that if Idah is good enough to be fast tracked, he could have appeared for the U23s last season. Maddison is certainly capable, but even he had to work his way up through the levels. To jump from U17s to the senior squad takes exceptional qualities. Jamal Lewis made it at 18, though, so it could happen under DF.
I think we may have to wait for the international window to open. That's June 1st for Germany and others I think.
That is what the hype suggests, I'm sure I read that they were also getting him involved in training with the first team last season. So perhaps as you say it could happen. It's also a cheap option for a club with no money, so the likelyhood increases. Bah!
The lad at Fulham has certainly proved it can be done. Incidentally local media suggest that Nice have dropped out of the race for the German striker we are after but Lyon are still after him.
Not really transfer, but as he will feel like a new signing: Scotland just played Peru in a friendly (they had a shocker) - anyone a view on how McLean did?
Here's the Pink'un write up Rob. http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/canaries-midfielder-earns-fourth-scotland-cap-1-5539653 Given his 11 goals in 47 matches for Aberdeen, hopefully McLean will add goals from midfield this year.
Here's the type of classic transfer "news" we all like... Marcel Franke and Marko Stiepermann have been seen on holiday together with Toni Leistner.
Franke will be saying that if they don't like you you'll be carted off somewhere else on loan and Stiepermann will be saying that the bench is nice and comfy...
Interesting to see the role Stiepermann has in the squad next season. He's not here to be third choice LB, and we don't have many left sided midfield options. He's also played up front before. I think injuries really restricted him last season, rather than him purely not being good enough. Hopefully he can kick on and challenge Murphy for a starting role.
When he came to us he was primarily an AM who could also play on the flanks or as a deep playmaker. Maddison took over at AM, even pushing Pritchard out wide. The injury made it difficult for him in a very competitive midfield. If Maddison leaves, it'll depend on what formation we use. If it's a 4-2-3-1 he could be competing at AM or out wide, but if it's a 4-3-3 (which we used a lot towards the end of the season) or a 3-4-2-1, the it'll be the latter. He did play WL early in the season. McLean will add more competition in attacking midfield positions.
Latest rumours: Everton leading the race the Maddison, with new manager Silva said to be a keen admirer. We are apparently looking at 2 young keepers from Man Utd and Liverpool - Dena Henderson and Danny Ward
