Two excellent posts. In the 2016-2017 season when we scored a lot more goals, I seem to remember that over 50% came from midfielders and as DF seems committed to playing with only striker, then unless our midfield yields more goals next season then I fear we could be among the low scoring teams again.
Is this for real - 'Indeed, Buendía’s ability to play on either flank and as a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation seemingly earmarks the young forward as a direct replacement for Alex Pritchard, who left City to join Premier League survivors Huddersfield Town for £12m at the start of 2018. No doubt Buendía’s arrival would also have the eyes of City fans casting a glance towards the future of James Maddison, who spent much of his stellar 2017-18 campaign as Norwich’s chief playmaker.' http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...eds-target-emi-buendia-from-la-liga-1-5549242
Seems like he was the "definite deal" that we'd previously been promised. The timing fits with the international transfer window opening!
Totally unexpected, but very welcome news! "Buendía spent last season on loan at La Liga 2 side Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, where his performances earned him their player of the season award alongside 13 assists – the second-highest tally in the division – and six goals from his 40 appearances." Great news.
I'm not sure I'd go as far as "great news". I know we can hope for little more, but this is an unproved player, playing in the second tier in Spain (almost certainly a lower level than the championship, Although likely higher than the German 4th tier .) I think this goers under "interesting news", hope it works but sizable gamble. OK, so he performed well in a struggling side, but "direct replacement" for Pritchard? That assumes too much for me, he will need to adjust to the Championship, at £1.5m and the fact a skint mid-table championship side has got him, its tough to suggest he can be at Pritchards level. Maybe an indirect replacement? 6 months to adjust to English football? two or more years to develop and maybe reach Pritchards level? If he can before we sell him if he shows a glimmer of quality. Capt Positive I know, but are we supposed to just be excited because he's South American (They're all skillful down them parts, aren't they?!) Hopefully all part of the evolution to a side capable of playing Farkeball at an effective tempo. Bah!
In terms of squad places, yes McLean has replaced Maddison, and Buendia replaces Pritchard. Unfortunately the days of having an £8m CAM on our bench are gone (unless the name is Naismith...), and we've clearly lost quality in that area of the pitch. I don't think Buendia has been signed as a first team regular, I'd still expect our attacking midfield trio to be Murphy-McLean-Hernandez. Buendia can cover all three positions though, and perhaps can offer some spark and flair from the bench initially. Hopefully he grows into something more, but at his age and the price quoted, it seems worth the risk. Looking at our lineups from the second half of last season, I suspect he's taking Watkins' spot on the bench, and that can only be a good thing! It does make things tighter still on the homegrown quotas though. Either Farke/Webber expect a lot of our youngsters to be regulars in the matchday squads, or we must have plans to sign some English/Welsh players in the next few weeks.
I'm not so sure. We have clearly lacked going forward over the last season and to just be buying players who might play from the bench makes no sense given we are already going to be going backwards very quickly once Madders is sold. Webber and Farke simply must be buying players who once up to speed with the championship, will in their thoughts improve the team, otherwise what's the point? £1.5m can't be spent now without there being a very high suspicion that that player will be able to contribute and relatively quickly. I still think Murphy as a saleable but inconcistent player will go, he is not suited to playing more narrow as Farke repeatedly deployed him, so I think maybe he (Buendia) will and should be seen as a starter. At least he can't go as badly wrong as our last Argie! .....can he? Bah!
Is he a true/strong rumour? I've seen this bloke before a couple of games. I think he has decent potential. I recognised the name. He was always lively, the games I saw.
I'm beginning to think that the deal is well advanced - we'll just have to wait and see if it's confirmed.
Suggestions that Villa need to sell everything/everyone they can this summer to avoid administration. If there's anyone of interest there, surely Webber won't be letting that opportunity go by?
There is no way in hell any of those Villa players will leave for what we could pay them (unless they are the poorly paid non-first teamers which won't help them), they will be stuck like us paying out wages for a number of players who won't leave for less and can't find better anywhere else because no one will meet their high for championship wages. Obvious exceptions could be Grealish, maybe Hourihane, Snodgrass but I get the impression these guys will all be on well above going rate, how on earth will they get rid of many of the others, prime example, McCormack? I guess they did have a decent season so many of the players will be saleable, but how many to the PL where people might afford their wages? Bah!
The EDP certainly thinks it's on. Makes sense because he can play AM, WL and WR. That versatility could be valuable for movement up front, especially against sides which are parking the bus. Murphy, Hernandez, Watkins and Wildschut are better in away games when breaking with pace. Hopefully Buendia will have the necessary guile (like Wes and Madders) to break down stubborn defences and produce more home wins. Signing Leitner on a permanent contract would also help in this regard.
SW seems to be working on the keeper, but I suspect the striker signing may have to wait until Madders leaves.
Bir disdapointed that there will be no friendlies at CR because they are laying a new pitch, I'll go to Charlton on 28th July to see the new recruits.
