Signing Alan Shearer as a young player before he had played any senior games and him turning out to be amazing isn’t really an obvious coup in the way it’s being discussed here
The Lawrie Mac signings were kind of the opposite of our policy of buying young and developing these days. We were a home for rehabilitating stars that were seen to be past their best - LM would give them a new lease of life. KK signing was way bigger than any we have done since, or are likely to do. It was the equivalent of Messi leaving Barca and coming to us, rather than PSG.
In terms of “name” Lemina and Boufal were bigger than the ones you mention in terms of at the time signed. Lemina had played in a CL final a few months before joining us. Boufal was being touted to loads of big clubs around Europe. Atletico couldn’t wait to be rid of Toby at the time, he was awful for them.
Awful is a significant stretch. He was fairly good, and played in some important matches for them, but they had Miranda and Godin ahead of him in the pecking order, and as the pair of them started nigh on every match, that didn't leave much playing time for Toby.
I just recall lots of euphoria from Saints fans about him so did my usual of checking out the selling clubs reaction and their fans were almost as happy to be rid of him
Casting my mind back, I believe when he did play at A.Madrid, it was more often as a right back. Due to the Godin and Miranda partnership.
Think it was mostly because he was pushing for more playing time and their lineup was largely set. He also got some stick for his performance in the CL final, but getting brought on to mark Gareth Bale (while playing out of position) was a pretty tough ask.
He gets a bit of an unfair wrap from many tbf. I mean yeah he didn’t live up to the hype, but he was important in that first PL season imo and made some decent cameos on occasion after that. Yet he gets mentioned in the same breath as Carrillo and Osvaldo.
Most of our “big” name signings don’t work out, the huge expectation of being a name player at such a prestigious club must **** them up
That was probably our best chance of getting another year with him. Not impossible now but I think this makes it harder for us.
If Lukakau continues to be **** for them then they need a new star striker. Given Chelseas track record that seems unlikely to be a youngster who has had a decent season at a lower placed PL team. He's clearly very talented, and has put in some great performances, but he's not at it every single game and he's not a big name goal scorer that is likely to get Chelsea challenging for top spot. Not to mention they had a young striker who was scoring fairly regularly in Abraham and they sold him. Hopefully he realises at this early stage in his career that signing for us is the best thing for him, game time, less pressure, and familiar with the setup and enjoying his football. It absolutely makes sense for Chelsea to sell him to us with the buy back but I suppose it depends what happens with Lukaku, and if they are willing to go out there again and splash more big money on a big name striker two seasons in a row.
I feel there’s a good chance that as Broja will choose to stay a Chelsea player and try to fight for his place… and end up being a bench warmer and his career fizzling out. Hope not, though
I think he'll either be at a big 7 club (either Chelsea or another) or a top European team in a few years
If Chelsea got £20m for Marc Guehi after a season and a half in the Championship, then they'll be able to command much more for Broja who is proving himself (and scoring) in the PL. The price is only going to increase as the season goes on, unless he was to get injured and have a long spell out. It makes sense to try and do this now because it will get more difficult as time goes by. We have the advantage that Broja seems happy with us and is getting game time, but come the end of the season clubs will be circling, unless Chelsea actually want him in their first team squad. West Ham will possibly have European football to offer, while big spending teams like Villa (and Newcastle should they stay up) will be able to blow us out of the water on both the fee and wages. I always thought another loan was the most realistic way of us keeping him, but seems like we're either going to have to cough up now or risk only having him until May.
Shearer and Rideout with LeGod and Rod Wallace on the wings 424...1989/90 is one of my favourite ever seasons. And Kit...
Wallace and le god partnership was something else. I had a vhs concentrating on just that **** knows where it went not been able to find the footage since. My uncle who passed away last year took me to my first game (he was an avid Saint) had a write up in the match day program a few weeks ago. I was only 5 or 6 at the time but will never forget. Good times.