Return of the Ox?

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Would you have Alex back at Saints?

  • Yes

  • No

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I would do. Has over 2 years remaining on his current deal, how much do you think it would take to get him?
 
I know it may prove controversial, but I just don't see him as much of an upgrade (if any) on what we've got. Throw in the money required to lure any player from the wage he's been accustomed to at Arsenal, as well as a massively over inflated transfer fee, and I'd rather promote from within where possible, or buy hungrier young players with less wage outlay than Ox to fill any gaps. I believe he had far more potential when leaving us than he's truly shown since moving to Arsenal. Can he train on again, now he's already tasted the big time, and would be taking a step back? That's a big question with no definitive answer, yes or no.
 
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latviandream said:
I know it may prove controversial, but I just don't see him as much of an upgrade (if any) on what we've got. Throw in the money required to lure any player from the wage he's been accustomed to at Arsenal, as well as a massively over inflated transfer fee, and I'd rather promote from within where possible, or buy hungrier young players with less wage outlay than Ox to fill any gaps. I believe he had far more potential when leaving us than he's truly shown since moving to Arsenal. Can he train on again, now he's already tasted the big time, and would be taking a step back? That's a big question with no definitive answer, yes or no.
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He isn't on demented wages as far as I know...remember, he's still on a deal signed at age 19 in 2012, and the finances of the game have shifted a fair bit since. We couple probably pay him the same amount as Arsenal has without really deviating significantly from our wage structure.

Also, we might get a bit of a discount on the transfer relative to other teams; there are outstanding clauses.

And regarding tasting the big time, he wouldn't be the first. Look at Bertrand...he went from playing in the Champions League final to joining us in order to get more regular playing time. I also think that's part of the upside: who better as a symbol that the grass isn't always greener than a player that concluded that they were better off returning?
 
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He will be in the same boat if he joins City, Pool or the likes of Utd or Chelsea if they were even interested which I doubt. That would leave Spurs who he would fit or spam, Everton or us. I think only 1or 2 teams would be interested in him with a 15 mil pricetag and poor injury record
 
It would be unusual for us to get a young player back I would have thought if he did that he would regard it as a failure. So sorry I don't think he would be as good as he could have been if he came back. So no no and no again........
 
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I cant agree with this!

He is better than Tadic and has the potential to be better than Mane, who has also been hugely inconsistent this season despite being a virtually ever present.

Ox hasnt had that and would gain form by being played consistently.

Also, he would be very fluid across the front positions incl the attacking mid which is where I thought we would play him had he stayed. He is also still young, so Id have him for sure, not sure it will happen though!

latviandream said:
I know it may prove controversial, but I just don't see him as much of an upgrade (if any) on what we've got. Throw in the money required to lure any player from the wage he's been accustomed to at Arsenal, as well as a massively over inflated transfer fee, and I'd rather promote from within where possible, or buy hungrier young players with less wage outlay than Ox to fill any gaps. I believe he had far more potential when leaving us than he's truly shown since moving to Arsenal. Can he train on again, now he's already tasted the big time, and would be taking a step back? That's a big question with no definitive answer, yes or no.
Click to expand...
 
Beddytare said:
It would be unusual for us to get a young player back I would have thought if he did that he would regard it as a failure. So sorry I don't think he would be as good as he could have been if he came back. So no no and no again........
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You don't think he would be as he could have been? That sounds very ambiguous Beddytare. What if you thought he could have been brilliant and he comes back and becomes 90% brilliant? :)

He was 17 when he left playing in league 1. No-one knew how good he was or could have been. It's a little like the Theo myth when Saints fans say Arsenal have turned him from Pelle into Parlour. It simply isn't true.

They were two young kids who looked really full of potential. That potential didn't mean they were going to be great. Lots of our kids have potential, but not many become Gareth Bale. Sorry but it is Saints coloured glasses. Theo was 16 for goodness sake; a mere boy.
 
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