We definitely underestimate the impact of moving country. I know a football is a football, a pitch is a pitch and Lamela is Lamela. Doesn't matter if you're in England or Italy but the human aspect effects people differently and Lamela just isn't showing his ability. Plus in Italy the game is different. Systems and tactics are different, slower game. But the main worry is the longer he struggles, the harder it will be to find form as usually players which are rated high but don't settle, never settle. Soldado at least is playing every week, and is experienced to cope. But Lamela is in danger of becoming another victim of moving too early in his career for big money.
Reports from the Telegraph saying Lescott being mooted on a loan deal until the end of the season. Won't get many better CB's on a short term deal than Lescott, great move if we pull it off.
would be a great signing if it's true. if it's not, that's good bullshit journalism. Very believable.
We also recalled Adam Smith last month, plus Fredericks is getting into matchday squads, so based on that we have cover if Walker gets injured. I'd take Smith over Naughton (then again, I'd take dysentery over Naughton...)
Monaco, us and the Geordies are the interested parties. Apparently City favour Monaco as they'll pay 100% of his wages. I reckon Lescott would rather remain in England for the WC year.
Besiktas have been mentioned too, which makes me think the Monaco rumour is a fabrication from Lescott's agent. Meanwhile, Berbatov has been linked with a move to Arsenal. He really wants us to hate him, doesn't he?
Lescott's fallen behind Nastasic and Demichelis in the pecking order at City, which I don't really understand as his partnership with Kompany seems like their most solid pairing. His pace is questionable but he's a good defender all round apart from that. Would probably be best suited to playing alongside Chiriches. He'd be cup-tied for the Europa, but it looks like a very good deal apart from that, potentially. His contract expires in the summer, so he'd basically be a free if everything worked out. The other clubs linked with him will be attractive draws, though. Newcastle have just lost Collocini to injury, so he'd be more likely to play every week and Monaco may or may not have a load of money. It's an interesting one, if there's any truth to it.
Berbatov...the man could have been a legend...but instead everyone sees him as a vary talented but equally lazy footballer....what a waste of talent. I know he got a **** load of money and 3 prem medals but he aint considered a united great.
"but he aint considered a united great" I doubt he cares. He got his winners medals, and more wages than Spurs paid him. And Fergie also taught him that he is not bigger than any PL club (which was nice) .
No. Still just rumours. In Lescott-related news (possibly) John Heitinga's move to West Ham has fallen through and he's now being linked with Newcastle, which would presumably eliminate one possible destination for Lescott. Screw up the Spammers and give us a boost at the same time? That'll do nicely!
I'll be really pleased if we get Lescott. The more i think about it, the more i think what great business that would be. We shouldn't hang around on this deal, if there's any truth to it.
Agree with this as I actually view Lescott as being average as he had that period at Everton where he was in good form, scored from set pieces then at City was impressive next to Kompany when they won the title but he's now going backwards as a defender and I'll rather we avoid.
But who would we get who can offer us the cover and is proven premiership quality? There isn't much to choose from in a January. It's another "Nelsen" signing again. But this time i think we'd be getting better quality, which is saying something as Nelsen did a decent job for us when he was called upon.
The club messed up a fair bit by not being able to have Veljkovic playing in the Europa. At least Fryers has been getting senior run-outs this season at LB, however you rate him.
Veljkovic must be in Sherwoods plans for next season, as with Bentaleb so if thats the case then I would assume he views Veljkovic as viable backup if injuries occur. I know its easy to say these kids aren't ready but I would rather we use Veljkovic then sign Lescott.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892...tottenham-talks-as-schalke-circle?ICID=CP_105 "Holtby seeking Tottenham talks as Shalke circle. The German playmaker has been marginalised since the arrival of the club's new manager and is after clarification on his future as former club Schalke show interest in a loan Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby will seek talks with new manager Tim Sherwood to clarify his future at the Premier League club, Goal understands. The German playmaker is unsure of where he sits in the midfield pecking order and will meet the Spurs boss in January after featuring just twice in Sherwood's first five games. Goal has learnt that Holtby and his agent will meet with Tottenham representatives to discover whether Sherwood has faith in him, before deciding if it is in his best interests to push for a move away from White Hart Lane in the winter transfer window. Holtby moved to the club in January 2013 but has seen his playing time diminish since Sherwood replaced Andre Villas-Boas, who was relieved of his duties as head coach in December. It is understood that Bundesliga outfit Schalke are looking at the possibility of bringing Holtby back to Gelsenkirchen, as they expect Jermaine Jones to depart in the winter window. Holtby played 89 times for Schalke over the course of three seasons and Jens Keller will look to loan the 23-year-old until the end of the current campaign. Schalke sit seventh in the German top flight, four points off rivals Borussia Dortmund in fourth." Doesn't surprise me at all to be honest. With youngsters like Bentaleb getting game time ahead of him and the chance Carroll getting recalled, things don't look great for Holtby. Wouldn't be the end of the world IMO, I don't think he's offered much in the year he's been here, sadly.