I wasn't counting Alcaraz as a player that we want to sell. But I could easily be wrong, hard to know really where we stand with him going forward.
I'm easy on Charly leaving as long as we get a really good amount to recycle on transfers. He is our biggest saleable asset and i'm not convinced by how he fits in the system. Sometimes players are just not suited to a particular style and he will surely want to go where he is more than an option off of the bench which is what I fear he will become here.
Alcaraz is a strange one. He signed that slight contract extension in October after Martin came in as Manager. He actually featured 26 times(4 goals) for Martin before going to Juventus. Compare that to Sulemana who was here all season and also featured 26 times(0 goals). To me it all points towards trying to save some money, they almost certainly tried shifting Kamaldeen but no joy so they let Charlie go. Now we are back in the Premier League, I would expect him to stay and would rather he start or be an option off the bench than KS.
Just a feeling he will leave this summer, one year left on his deal. No idea where but considering 1 year left and he’s a right back can’t see us getting a huge fee if he does leave
If you want to sell something you need to put it in the shop window ....... not leave it in the stock room.
Can anyone explain to me why Alcaraz won’t ‘fit the system’ we play? Can he not pass the ball or something?
https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/lallana-returns-as-first-summer-signing I just noticed it's posted elsewhere!
I think the reasoning is that heavy possession football can at times stifle unpredictable/flair players. It's a bit of a generalisation really, but I think managers who play this style tend to prefer players who don't rely on instinct as much.
I doubt Martin had much say in it to be honest. He might have been consulted, but doubt he had any sway or clout in the decsion. In fact, he was quoted a few days beforehand that he didn't want to lose anyone (including Charly).
It's why I'm not a huge fan of the heavy possession style. Those sorts of players are the best to watch in the flesh imo. Players like Alcaraz are the type where everyone takes a breath when he receives the ball. People want to see those players using their instinct and running at defenders to try and create something rather than take a couple of touches followed by a sidewards 5 yard pass.
He isn't going to say anything other than that though is he? It would look awful if he said "I dont mind if a few go as they don't contribute much anyway". Any deals that are important financially, such as Tella, then I doubt Martin has much of a say at all. But as we got very little out of the Alcaraz deal, if Martin thought he would be at all important in the promotion battle then I think the board would have kept him. A player that would help towards promotion is worth way more than a small loan fee and wages.
True, but let's be honest, it's Juventus. One of the biggest clubs in the world. Whether he'd started every game or not, Charly probably would have wanted that move regardless of how much he'd played here.
It's a fair point but we don't know what went on behind the scenes. His lack of playing time might have been what prompted their offer initially, or if he was playing regularly then the board might have refused to negotiate.
It's a tough one. I do agree with you that its way more entertaining to watch direct players with flair than the possession based style (always think back to the Ronaldo Madrid Vs Messi Barca teams - Madrid so much more fun to watch). However, if possession football is what gets you the results, then that is what gave us the day at wembley - which was more entertaining then enjoyable than any goal ive ever seen.
Suppose it depends on whether you value results or style of play more. For me it's comfortably the latter but everyone will have their own preference.
