Did seem strange that you buy him one minute and loan him the next. May have something to do with the fact we have been after getting him on loan for a while and this was easiest way round the problem. With a bit of luck he will help us while we help him.
Sounds good for everyone then. Apparently he impressed in the Juventus youth team but went on loan to Bari and they stuck him out on the wing in a rigid relegation battling side and didn't do very well. Hopefully he'll thrive with more attacking freedom with you guys, he did well for us in the Europa League.
To be fair the kid came from the Barca academy so he's naturally got that sweet technique and flair about him (we've seen that in his cameos). Hopefully he can do the business at Southampton (not many better places to go for a young, technically good player), help get them promoted so I can then take a trip to St Mary's and come back ready to fight for a squad place. Fingers crossed it's a win-win situation for all parties.
I don't see anything strange about our loaning Falque out immediately we sign him. Indeed, I rather suspect that that was a condition that Falque's advisors insisted upon before he put pen to paper. Falque will have seen how the likes of Dos Santos and Pienaar have fared, and he will have wanted to have ensured that he wasn't merely going to be wasting his time on the bench. Also, I am betting that he would not have been agreeable to going into Div 1 or Div 2, or playing in a side of scrappers. All in all, his going to Saints, where he can help a good, solid team, that plays its football at a top-notch stadium, and where he can fight for promotion rather than relegation, has got to be a good thing. If he's going to have a future in our midfield, then he's got to show that he's the type of player that can make the difference to Saints coming up automatically, or in the play-offs. Also, if Saints do get promoted, there's every chance that Harry will extend his loan there, with Falque getting a whole season's taste of EPL footy. I can't see any losers in this scenario. Or have I missed something?
Cheers, S or S I'm really looking forward to seeing Falque play for Saints, as I rather suspect that he has all the tricks of Taarabt but without the overbearing ego. I'm glad Saints have got him, as it could be additional recompense for our having taken Bale off their hands.
It's not rare at all - Kevin Pleb Boateng signed for Genoa, was loaned to Milan before the ink was dry on the contract, and shortly afterwards Milan paid a fee to co-own his registration. Actually, that one does sound a bit suspect...
Same here. Think he's looked decent when he's had the chance. Likes to have a crack and has been unlucky not score on occasions. I mentioned earlier about how he's got all the raw attributes of how a typical Barca graduate is, technically good, has that flair that's exciting to watch and likes to make things happen. Couldn't be a better team to help him develop in my eyes. Here's hoping they can chuck us another Bale as a favour
In return you can have Tommy Forecast back! Saints like their wingers to be dynamic and unpredictable, which this lad is by the sounds of it. The preferred system is a 442, but it's very fluid and roles aren't rigidly defined.
Personally, I'd play Falque either as a play-maker in the centre of the park, or just off a lone striker. I'm sure Falque can play on the wing, but I wouldn't see that as his natural role.
Such was the poor opposition in the EL comp, I don't know whether to be excited or not...think I've answered my own question there as it goes. I've only seen what I would expect tbh, nothing outstanding, so I'll wait and see.
We tend to utilize either a 4-4-2 diamond with Lallana in the advanced play-maker role, or a straight 4-4-2 with Lallana technically on the left, but drifting wherever he pleases. Would expect Falque to see some time as the attacking mid spelling Lallana, but when playing on the right I'd imagine that he'd have the same sort of creative freedom that Lallana has on the left...having two players capable of cutting inside and making plays could be quite a luxury, and our attacking fullbacks can provide width while the two nominal wings are running roughshod. Two of our next three will be on Sky; Monday night against Leicester, and at Birmingham on the 4th. Would be a little surprised if the Southampton-West Ham game on the 14th doesn't get picked up, as well.
Cheers, Schad. I'll definitely keep an eye out for Southampton now, though we do have about a million players out on loan, at the moment.
We'll, we're going for the perfecta of him making a big step forward towards stardom and you getting just what you need to solidify promotion. I like the chances, actually, looks like an excellent player, and I agree, he'll both fit in perfectly at Southampton and get good experience playing the right way. Plus, regardless of what I think, I believe Levy wouldn't sign someone for eight million who won't turn out to be a very smart signing. Last one we signed for that amount was VDV. Good luck this year. I wonder what odds I could have gotten before the season on Tottenham and Southampton winning their leagues?
Sorry lads but no more Bales at present as we are going to keep all of our youngsters, those worth keeping of course. Have enjoyed watching Bale progress even more since joining your lot. Don't begrudge you getting him because of our situation at the time. His value must have quadrupled by now he is that impressive and is British.
