he had about 3 or 4 games (probs a few more for 1 min subs appearances maybe?) but after a run of like 2 or 3 games he was either dropped or i think he had little niggly injuries. Barely played but when he did conte chucked him as an inside forward where hazard/willian played. Tbh even though he can turn a game, i've always thought he was overrated. Too busy being a hollywood player and trying too much rather than playing with intelligence. Technically good but you don't have to take a shot or go on a mazy run or hold it for 5 mins looking for a key pass when you receive it.
Wouldn't be excited about zaha personally and you are right we need a striker (I think our fullbacks will be spot on if Emerson and azpili take them). Zaha wouldn't be the worse though, apart from Pedro hazard and willian don't like to stay wide so zaha would be a true winger. Other thing in our team is a lack of pace in behind. Only willian is quick but he never runs in behind. Maybe we could even play zaha as a forward as he was in that position for palace last year. All said he probably wouldn't play too often so it would be a bad move for him
As long as it keeps the talent in your youth system heading for the exit door, then I wouldn't be too bothered. Your academy's miles ahead of everyone else, but there's no connection between it and your first team right now. Long may it continue.
Supposedly, i know we've won a lot of youth cups (3 in a row or something) but it's a chicken and egg scenario really. What i mean by that is, is it because we don't give them playing time so they don't develop or is it because they aren't good enough so that they don't develop? This supposedly academy with loads of great players we have produced/nicked off foreign clubs, who has really made it big? Kakuta - gone to crap somewhere abroad Traore - he did alright ajax and is currently doing okay as a squad player for lyon (i think thats what he is) Solanke - pretty average at Liverpool Abraham - was mediocre at Swansea Chalobah - i really rate the lad but unfortunately for him he got a serious injury at watford last year Musonda - did the sum of f all at celtic Ake - highly rated but is he the quality for a title fighting side. Doing alright at bournemouth anyway i won't bore anyone else with who is on here but last i counted, theres no world beaters from our academy who is playing for a top side so i don't know why you think our academy is miles ahead.
I don't know if you've had the opportunity, but you really should have a look at some of your youth games. The U23s tend to have shipped everyone out all over the place, but anything below that is really impressive. Mason Mount looks a real talent and he's joined Fat Frank at Derby, so he might get a game tonight. I still don't get why Ake was sold, especially given Conte's apparent disdain for David Luiz and Terry's retirement. A young, experienced, homegrown, club grown centre-back, who's also left-footed and can play out from the back? Odd choice to sell, in my opinion. I also thought that about De Bruyne, Salah and Lukaku though, so what do I know?
I must confess i don't see our u23s at all. I'm not saying they aren't a cut above other youth teams, but generally it's the big athletic players who shine or the really talented. That step up into the first team is giant. I don't think we have given our youth a chance but at the same time no one has been outstanding after they have left or gone on loan (not necessarily their fault). Conte was a weird chap but he liked luiz. They fell out in the 2nd year (we think) as Luiz spoke out that he should try Cahill at rcb before the Roma game i think. We lost and Luiz was out with a mysterious knee injury for the rest of the year never to be seen or heard again lol. Dunno why he didn't bother to develop Ake. In fairness to Ake he's not a bad player but at the moment he's not a top 6 one (could be) and his size counts against him (5ft9). Thought he had a good but inconsistent for bournemouth last year. KDB, Salah, Lukaku hardly came through our youth academy. All bought for large sums of money (for young players) with Lukaku being the only one who was younger than 20. That was more stockpiling than to supplement the youth academy
The U23s aren't much cop, as it tends to be loads of fringe squad players, rather than your actual youths, who are all loaned out all over the place. The Youth Cup and U18s that I've seen are miles ahead of the game, though. It's not dominated by big, athletic types, either. Real focus on playing attractive, attacking, technical football. Ake's 5'11", which isn't massive, but I don't think it's as much of an issue in the system that you use. Playing on the left of the 3 centre-halves would've suited him down to the ground, in my opinion. I knew that those three players didn't come through your youth academy, but I just wanted to have a dig! De Bruyne was sold because Courtois banged his missus. I don't think that the other two got enough of a chance. Salah was shipped out to bring in Cuadrado, FFS.
lol i was thinking 5ft9 is short. ****ing google making me sound dumb lol. I think you are right that he is 5ft 11.
The release clauses protect both the club and the player generating huge amounts of money. Ronald was bought for £80m...I am guessing that shirt and other merchandise sale plus sponsorship money earned them a fortune. The release clause protected those earnings. Ronaldo earned £250, 000 plus per week in the first few years of his Real contract...in order not let him run down his contract Madrid had to keep raising his money so by time he left he was on £350,000 plus per week. Now Madrid wanted to cash in...they made a £20 profit in the transfer fee, will get to keep Bale, who is in his prime and free up a space for a new signing...so £100m was a good deal. Ronaldo was not going to sell much more merchandise for Madrid as their world wide fan base has probably been bled dry over the last 8 or 9 years whereas his new club can now milk theirs with his merchandise. They clearly do not wanna lose Modric so are refusing to accept any bids below the clause.
Players just need chances, mate. Your young lads seem immense, I've seen Spurs-Chelsea youth a lot of times and more often than not you play us off the park - and we have a very good bunch ourselves. I wouldn't read too much into loan spells either, Kane had mixed fortunes, Mason and Townsend were **** for most of theirs. Ultimately they tend to perform better around better players and guys who they've trained with having known them for years, Mason and Townsend may no longer be here but they played a pivotal part in our improvement under Poch.
To be honest, I know a couple of Millwall fans and they were singing Kane's praises after his loan there, it's just the loans to Norwich and Leicester were wastes of time. Similarly, Sunderland fans were singing Rose's praises, but it took him a couple of seasons to replicate that for us. On the other hand the likes of Caulker and Townsend all had impressive loans at one time or another yet all failed to replicate their form at Spurs, while Pritchard had a couple of impressive loans yet never had the chance to show if he could replicate that form for us.
I dunno mate, Townsend had about 65 loans and I only remember 2 or 3 of them being worthwhile. Thought he done pretty well at Spurs although the moment he pushed Nathan Gardner during the warm downs, Poch threw him to the wolves. I thought Caulker looked really good in the first team, the dickhead however decided he'd be better off at Cardiff for his footballing development (worked out well), just a few months after making his England debut and scoring in it. Pritchard was just wrecked by injuries, he was set to make his breakthrough in Poch's first or second season but then got an injury after he came on against Everton and was never seen in a Spurs shirt again.
alcohol, gambling addiction and depression according to wikipedia. Calling someone a dickhead when they have those sort of issues seems a bit harsh. I think i read that he felt that going to Wales might help him remove some of the temptations that are all around in a city like London
There's nothing better than seeing a youngster get and take his chance....id take that over a signing anyday. I just wish they get a proper chance...still a bit baffled at KWP being MOM in the first game last season then dissapearing.
