I think it's important to remember that if a good Academy player is probably deemed likely to fall short of making it into our first team squad, then that doesn't mean the lad isn't going to make it in football. So, then the second objective of a youth policy kicks in and we sell to make some sort of profit. Such is the case with Luongo. A very talented footballer with a very good attitude, but a player who we thought might just fall short of the standard required. He should make a name for himself within the next couple of years and will undoubtedly have a decent career in football. And yes, we do have a sell-on clause in the deal.
Agree with what DL has said regarding creativity, but we should see it solved when the likes of Eriksen get game time having bedded in. NLD is gutting to lose and although I'm upset and annoyed we didn't get a better result I don't think it'll affect our season too badly. As many have said the game came a few weeks too early for us and I'm still optimistic that we'll improve and get to where we need to be.
So come on then ladies and gents, deadline day in 40 minutes. Who's coming in: I can see us getting a new left back. Nothing to do with Rose being sub standard, he's actually impressed me despite my initial doubts but I get the feeling AVB wants someone better. I have a sneaky feeling we might go for Baines. If not then I can see Coentrao coming in on loan as some reports have said recently. Also, a few whispers on Twitter that Levy has a final surprise in store and that it's a big one. I reckon Hulk. I've said before I'm not much of a fan but hopefully if we do bring him in he'll make me look a fool for thinking otherwise. Who's going out: I'm gonna go with Sig and Lennon. Even though I've predicted it, I'll be gutted if the little guy leaves. I think Gomes will be off too, I feel really sorry for the guy not even being in our squad. He still has a bit of time on his side to be a good keeper elsewhere and it's silly to have someone as good as him being a spectator. Who's going to be the biggest/ best signing on the day: If we pull off the Hulk deal I think that'll be the biggest in terms of fee. Though the best could be whoever gets Ozil. Both Utd and Arsenal linked. I've heard personally that Arsenal will be his likely destination, brilliant signing for them if true.
Updated the front page for Bale (and Luongo) Felt quite sad when it got announced even though I'd been expecting it for weeks... ----------------- Apparently there is a £45m deal that is close for us - 1 of 2 players (1 is Benzema, not sure on the other). Arsenal are also close with Ozil - I really hope they don't get him - massive signing.
You guys really think you'll spend more? Can't see Levy going more than 20m over the Bale money so you're about there I reckon.
Too many new faces can be as big a problem as no signings. I don't get why you didn't spend a chunk on a class playmaker rather than players to fill out the squad which some of these buys seem to be. You look worse than last year imo so far. Lots of strength but very little guile.
We bought Eriksen on Friday don't forget. I think he'll prove to be a magnificent signing once he settles. I don't think there are many better players in terms of playmaking than him on the market who we could get. Lamela is also supposed to be someone with a creative spark. Holtby is back from injury too, and while I haven't been overly impressed by him in his time here, many on here believe he can be a great player and seeing as his main attributes are playmaking, I hope their opinion is right.
How often do you think Mata and Willian will play? Or do you think The Twatty One will play them together?
Thursday night was his first game back as he'd been out of action since playing for Germany U21s just after the end of last season. Presume AVB didn't wanna chuck a 60%/ 70% fit player into the mix, especially it being the NLD.
That said, Holtby could not have done any worse than whoever it was who took his place, and did, at the very least, have the advantage of having played some competitive games with us. I doubt Mourhino will be daft enough to play Willian ahead of Mata, not for the first half of the season, any way.
There are questions about whether AVB has wasted the Bale money which is a reasonable concern but I daresay Real Madrid supporters will be thinking the same thing. "Have we wasted all that money on Bale?" For them buying Bale is just as big a gamble as us buying the seven new players. There are no guarantees of success are there for anybody? Torres flopped and so did Carroll. My advice is just to keep our prediction mouths closed and see how we do on a match to match basis and judge at the end of the season.
SOS - to answer your post. Incomings - a LB as we only have 1 and we've got cover for every other position. Another striker, possibly a loan. Another expensive midfield/forward, possibly hulk. I will be gutted if we spend £30m on him now. Outgoings - Ade, Benny, sig, possibly Lennon and 1 or 2 loans.
I'd much rather get excited about our signings and predict good things of them. What's the point in football if you don't dream about them / winning the league / winning the cups? Also how anyone can say we "wasted" the Bale money is totally beyond me. Even if some of those signings turn out to be flops the fact we bought 7 for relatively low fees (compared to buying 2-3 mega starts for £35m each) means we should be able to recoup a majority of the money back anyway as apart from Soldado they are all young players.
