I just can't wait for the summer and next season. I can't really be arsed with these last three games, jobs been done.
Players develop at all ages. 16-21 is certainly a big growth period for any player. As is 21-25. By 25 you are generally starting to become more the finished article. He turned 25 in March. Funnily enough his upturn in development and output coincided with him becoming a regular starter. For instance in the 2018-19 season when he'd have been 21-22, he only started 19 games. The season previous to that he started 18 games. He was in that learning and development period so understandable. That became 30 and 32 the following two seasons when he established himself in the team and as one of the leagues better strikers in terms of goals. Ancelotti rated him very highly and he's seen plenty of quality operators. The lad may have questionable dress sense, but he is a good option for us if doable. Mind if the 50-60m is true I'd say that is very questionable.
Yeah I think he'd bring a lot to the squad. The mistake he has made is staying there too long. When you look at his performances with regular starts at West Ham, its clear he's either been badly advised or made a terrible error of judgement from 25yr old onwards. He'd bring a lot of experience and top 6 mentality. Plays multiple positions too.
He could help someone like ASM too. I don't understand cribbing signings like this. We are going to struggle to jump from battling relegation most of the season to top 8. Its not that simple. The fact we've turned it round from January is neither here nor there. We weren't as bad as we've shown up until Xmas, but equally we've probably played above our level since. The fact is we look a side sub mid table on paper. Making those jumps up the league is tough. Lingard and players of that ilk can help set a certain level. This is exactly what Man C did with Barry, Adebayor, Santa Cruz etc etc. Hoovered up a load of experienced players who knew the league and had quality.
