Hindsight is a great thing, I remember before Henderson left a lot of fans were critical of him saying he was a liability defensively and only useful out wide etc.and Newcaslle got twice as much for Carrol at the same time which I suppose proves your point , but we don't have to sell and that is crucial . I would not consider anything less than 30m for Dan and I hope all concerned wont be either. Thanks to the present owners we are no longer the mugs we were in the transfer market , just the opposite in fact and long may it continue.
As @Magnus says - I'd be much more worried about lower prem sides being in for our players. Promising first team Premier League football NOW is a huge opportunity for our lads. Especially considering it seems very likely the 3 relegated sides will be the 3 promoted last season. For example - if Palace, Fulham, Forest or Bournemouth etc came in for any of them. They're pretty much guaranteed 18 months minimum of Premier League football.
Agree with pretty much all of that mate just Hendo was already a PL regular with 100+ games under his belt at that level and an England international at Neil’s age. Big ask to replicate what he done because it’s nothing short of incredible not many players go on to win a PL never mind captain your side to both the PL and CL but it wouldn’t be a disservice to Neil if he doesn’t quite reach those heights he’s still a good player who will play at the top level
I've been thinking long and hard about our players being targeted and moving on and imo unless the buying team state that they are classed as "starting", why would they want to move? Some of our players - Neil, Ballard, Patto, Clarke and Hume will be looked at by prem teams but they are playing regularly in front of 40 thousand fans every other week. Dan Neil is living the dream that we as fans craved since we were kids. Clarke has already had the"dream move" and he was hoyed into the reserves. Yes it's inevitable that in time they will move on to bigger things but ideally I would love them to turn around and say "Nah, I don't wanna go anywhere, I'm happy here" and the club puts the no sale signs up
I agree with all this, whilst I appreciate the money the lads could make with a big move, they are getting games, improving and seem to be a very tight nit group. I honestly can't see any of them going just for the money on offer to sit on the bench or not even get in the match day squads. I'm sure they all talk and people like Clarke, Roberts even Pritchard would more than likely be telling them the moneys great but it doesn't make up for playing every week
Think as long as it’s right for both us and the player then I’m fine with departures. Obviously I want to keep the core of the team together and see these lads play in the PL with us but unfortunately the longer we’re in the championship the less likely that becomes and if someone like for arguments sake Wolves came in with a £25m bid for Neil then nobody could begrudge the lad for leaving. Footballers careers are short and at the minute with us in the championship they’re on decent money but not life changing. Some of these lads are earning less than blokes in normal day to day jobs. He’d likely be on upwards of £50k a week, training with better players and playing against better teams which will be better for both his development and increase his chances of being picked up by an even better club and in return we get a lot of money to hopefully better our Xl.
No way! Where have you seen this? (edit - seen its Fab Romano ) First Bellingham, then this? What a weird decision making at that club. Lets not mention Eustace and Rooney either... Considering Rooney's compensation is around that mark - they're essentially having to sell their best youngster to pay for their mistake in sacking Eustace
Sunderland remain keen on 20-year-old winger as overseas club push for loan-to-buy deal https://the72.co.uk/2024/01/02/sunderland-remain-keen-on-winger-as-overseas-club-push-for-loan-to-buy-deal/
Can’t remember the name but there was another young midfielder from Birmingham I rated, young black lad, maybe 21ish
Is that him that was at Wrexham, sure they had a young lad with same name playing for them in their documentary
