I'm pretty sure AKCJ meant the quality of the player WHILE in the championship. Otherwise, Mahrez wouldn't have to stay with us to achieve that status, as he's already played in the Championship. You obviously saw Okocha more than me mate, but didn't get the impression from what I read and saw that he was still a world class players while at Hull, more that he struggled to stay fit and that you let him go when he wanted to stay. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Hull are in the habit of releasing world class players. And likewise, I don't think world class players are in the habit of joining Championship sides. There are tons of quality players that have played in the Championship before they reached their potential and after they were effectively finished. Mahrez is not one of these. He is in his prime. He was superb in Championship last time, and he's an even better player now. If I had the choice of Okocha in his prime and Mahrez in his prime, I'd choose Okocha. If it was (as we're talking) a choice between 24 year-old Mahrez and a 35 year-old Okocha - there's really no comparison.
Okocha was superb for us, just Simon Walton nobbled him in training so he only played 18 games. Best player to play for Hull City in my lifetime, and I'd guess either the best or second best of all-time.
I would sell him while you can. You could have got £10m for Knocky if reports were right and now you are farming him out. As Greavsie says "funny old game"
Incidentally, who is the best player to have ever played in the Championship, not in terms of how good they were when there? Gareth Bale? David Beckham? John Terry?
I doubt that's true. Knocky was untested at the highest level (that said, so was Ulloa, and we still paid £8m for him). Mahrez, on the other hand, has shown he's a real threat in the top league. He's a proven talent. £7m is not a mind blowing sum and even if he stayed with us and got a career ending injury mid-season, I don't think there'd be too much regret at not selling for that amount. Like I said, the only chances of him going are if we get a massive offer (double the figure mentioned above) or if he's desperate to leave, which is not the impression I get.
I thought it was said Arsenal were offering £10m. i take your point though about Mahrez in the top division. He does look a talent.
He may have played well, but he's still not quite influential enough for me, and can be a bit of a luxury player when we're up against it. Knockaert has a bit more about him defensively. We forget that Mahrez has still only scored 2 goals this season.
Knockaert is out of contract at the end of the season, has about 4 appearances all season, is not in the country and is rumoured to have punched someone in the squad or something like that. He is almost certainly off.
Knockaert has not punched anyone, where do people get these rumours from? Nigel Pearson said himself Knockaert's dad is ill so he is in France with his family
