Well they already spent about £45m, I guess it depends how much of that was preempting the Raphinha sale. The Leeds fans I know all thought that the Aaronsen purchase was Raphinha’s replacement when he was signed
I expect he probably was. 45m? I didn’t realise the other two other than the winger came in at circa 20m. Or was the Aaronsen 30m?
Think it was something like 25m for Aaronsen then £10m for each of the other 2 (Kristiansen and Roca)
Seems that Nick Pope is about to join Newcastle for £12m. That will upset the Burnley fans who speculated he wouldn’t be a penny less than £40m…
We have been linked at various times with several Man City players who they seem to only want to loan despite in some cases having (or plan on having) at least two elite players ahead of them in the queue Lavia - DM McAtee - AM Delap - Striker If we can only loan one and assume that it definitely happens - which would people pick? For me Lavia wouldn’t start enough games. He would be cover / challenge for Romeu and also seems like he can be cover in defense. Any move for him would seemingly have to be permanent for all parties The other two are in positions we need to reinforce I’d expect McAtee there is no chance of anything over than a loan but the presence of players like Rhodri and Haaland might make a permanent deal for the others at least possible. Although Delap is another who has tied himself to a long contract Part of this question also depends on who else we are after and can get (both on loan and permanent). And yesterday appears to suggest speculation could be a little pointless !
Not only is his deal up next year, they are damned near destititute. While Pope is good, the danger was that there are only a handful of top-flight teams looking for a first choice keeper, and we aren't one anymore. As we well know, having the slight stench of desperation around you doesn't increase the transfer value of your players.
City have also signed Julian Alvarez, who is another striker, so Delap's game time will be very limited. That said, a lot of people were saying Foden should go out on-loan, but he stayed and trained with elite players everyday and then broke into the team. Maybe Delap will want to do the same.
Yeah the classic argument, is it better to train with better coaches/players/facilities day in day out but not play first team football. Or play regular first team football for a worse team As ever it’s probably a bit of both
There will be Saints fans asking why didn’t pay the same to get him instead as there seems to be a big demand (especially on the other site) for older, experienced players I expect part of the answers are: - He knew Newcastle were in for him and so did we - Wages (due to Newcastle). I imagine it is safe to assume that he is on at least double the wages. Likely equal to our top earner
Also: He is 30 so no resale value This is Saints we are talking about. Anyone over 25 is old and past it... unless they're Shane Long
This feels different though. The city young players weren’t even started in their dead rubber champions league games. Pep really doesn’t trust them unless they are truly exceptional. He’s given a different reputation because he was in post during an exceptional Barcelona crop of players. But he isn’t going to be shunting Haaland out of the team for Delap. If Haaland doesn’t work he will return to his false 9 with one of the many used last year And Foden was trying out for more slots (one of any of the front free rather than just the central one) I guess they don’t want to sell as Haaland has a release clause that it seems pretty likely Real Madrid will one day use (and it is hard to see him not following through) But they would be equally likely to sign a replacement than use Delap. It just doesn’t make sense for him to stay but i am probably undervaluing the training with top players thing. Especially as he missed a large chunk of doing that last year
Everything and anything seems to annoy Saints fans. One imagines Newcastle have offered him a billion quid a week and a lifetimes supply of bone saws, so…
I'm extremely comfortable and happy with Bazunu ahead of Pope, Obviously if we had a up and coming Keeper coming through then maybe the goal posts might have changed, But I would Argue at 30.. He is very unlikely to change of style of play, ala Macca and Forster. For me he isn't great with his feet or coming out either. So we have made the right decision.. But as you say, Saints fans are pretty simple in a round about way.
I'm also in slippers and pipe mode. Two goalkeepers and a defender in, backup and development players. I'm hoping for some patience as they settle in, mistakes will be made, no doubt the Rout brigade will seize on any opportunity to demand change.
