I am seriously depressed at this Are we really going to waste 25-30 million on James ? We could have a world class footballer for that - and no James is not that, he's just a bang average championship player We desperately need a class midfielders (I'd actually say we need two) and we p**s away so much cash on James ? He's not good enough for our first team, not by a long way, but the midfield we have is not good enough for the premiership. Can't Bielsa see that ? If we waste our transfer budget on James, I predict a long, hard season, a bottom half of the table finish (even a brush with relegation), Bielsa leaves June 2022, and we're stuck with a £25-30 million white elephant the next coach is lumbered with that we'll struggle for years to pay off It'll be Helda Costa x2. God, I hope this doesn't happen. Better no transfer business at all than waste all we have an such an average lump.
Strachen and Giles were class James is another Lee Sharpe - and a ruinously expensive one at that IMO, selling Gary Speed and replacing him with Lee Sharp was when Howard Wilkinson lost the trust of the fans. Same might happen for Bielsa.
Its been a while since WJ had one of these debates. The only thing that winds me up is the price because I would have thought we could have got two decent players(if available) in for more important positions that we need to fill IMO . But I'll back Bielsa on this and just hope(if we sign him) that the lad does well.
James is now reported on Sky as good business at just £24m ... now let's see, he's had 2 seasons in Prem & had European football, got an improved contract after an excellent first season and is still young and highly rated ... his second season at Scum got hampered by the arrival of Bruno, and the way it goes with the big six is that it will always be a young un that makes way rather than a big money player ... they moved Pogba out wide to let Bruno play in middle ... with Lingaard tearing it up in a free role at Sham last season, Scum now see him as their backup wide man I think James will find his form under Bielsa, don't be surprised if you see him playing through the middle behind Bamford ... his pace will destroy defenders, and he will be capable of easily interchanging with Harrison/Raphinha give the lad a chance, he's always wanted to be Leeds, now he finally will be ... he's a class act, watch him fly in a White shirt, unleashed by Bielsa Ball ... can't wait
I hope he improves us, I believe he will. It’s always a gamble though, for me Llorente and Raphinha are absolute steals, Costa was a waste, Koch a little overpriced (but time on his side) and I think playing Rodrigo in the position he has been used has absolutely slashed his value. I want to say we’ve blown our money on Rodrigo as he really has disappointed. My only concern with this signing is where does that leave Summerville. I really wish Bielsa had given him a chance against Crewe and we should have put him on when we’d conceded the 4th against Man U we should have took a look at him.
I agree, I don’t see anything wrong with the price, we were being quoted £40m for Ben White with no PL experience. It wasn’t long ago some were pleading with the board to spend £18m+ on Che Adams and some other striker who’s name escapes me, both at the time with around 3 appearances in the PL no goals no assists.
As I started this thread and can see both sides of the debate. I look at Alioski and the debate that sprouted because he maybe going to Gala. Loads said he is just trying to earn a living, but in the end he didnt go. Think about O’Brian at Huddersfield all summer thinking he was coming to Leeds, he even put in a transfer request so the club got all the transfer fee, but still not happened. How will he be feeling right now as his career and ambitions are thwarted. Plenty of dogz fans will be booing him because he wanted to join Leeds. You could also say he just wanted to better himself and is similar to Dan James at Swansea. O’Brian will leave as soon as the next offer comes in for him
Last summer Bielsa said he thought Raphinha could play a more central role and was interested in teaching him how to do it. This summer Bielsa hands Raphinha the No10 shirt and buys Dan James?
Just to say i voted no to James. Not because of his potential but we need a midfielder with some grit and size. Forshaw has got to be moving on soon he adds nothing. Once again i wonder why we have u23s because Bielsa does not use them. He never used them in efl cup due to him messing up pre season. Dump costa and promote summerville. Also if raph is moving to ten surely we must sell one goal roberts.
Hold on, we can’t have it both ways. On another thread people are posting that Bielsa has a set value in his head for each player and will veto any signing he thinks is overpriced (O’Brien) so presumably he wants Dan James enough to agree with Victor on the price we’ve agreed.
Phil Hay says the view from the club is that Dan James fee is fair and in line with comparable transfers of Buendia, Willock and Abraham and see it as an investment? o’Brian has done nothing so far to deserve a higher valuation
My take on Dan James Both Swansea & Scumbags pulled the rug from under our feet and put Dan James in an invidious situation. I pose the question what was James supposed to do and let's be honest when a club like MU come calling you have to take them seriously Didn't work out because he wasn't the finished article MU just like to splash the cash and maybe they saw a chance to fcuk us over didn't work so they cash in to offset some of the Ronaldo money Let's give the guy a chance for Christ sake and see what Bielsa can do with him If it doesn't work out then be my guest and hang both Orta and Bielsa out to dry
He's here, he will be given every chance to shine, if Bielsa can't get the best out of him no one will.
