The bonus with Pelle is that Koeman already knows him and how he plays. Pelle should arrive fairly confident and be played in a way familiar to him. I'm sure Pelle is no Pele, but I'm sure he can knock the ball in the net if given half a chance.
I'm not as concerned with his ability to stick it in the net as I am with his ability to actually receive the ball.
I'll give him a chance for sure. I have just got of the phone from Dutch colleague. I asked him if Pelle was the new Pele? Here is his summary: You better end that dream now. He did say though that he is very, very strong and holds the ball up very well to bring others into play. He is used to having the ball into him, knocking it wide and getting in the box for the cross, where he is very good in the air inside the box. He is not technically brilliant, but holds it well. Don't expect him to "slalom" passed three or four defenders. He did say one last thing.... the conversation went like this: colleague: "He is Italian" Me: I know colleague: "Because he is Italian, he can get upset" Me: Gulp
From everything I've heard so far, it doesn't sound like he'll rival Bony, but am optimistic he won't be Altidore mk II. Holding the ball and linking with the AMs is crucial to our system, and if JWP can step up and become a first team regular, his delivery and Pelle's head could be a great combination.
We can imagine how he will fit into the team, but seeing as we will have a new manager and whole new frontline it's probably not that important to compare him with Rickie. Sadly I didn't expect us to sign someone with Rickie's skill set who was strong in the air and good with the ball at his feet. Pelle sounds like someone who will be a little more selfish in terms of getting into the box, but if we get the players who can work to his strengths then it could work well.
I'd have liked to bid for Michu but that's probably gone now. Ambitious bids have got to be made - ones which we'll most likely fail in but are worth a shot. Bony, Alessio Cerci, might as well have a crack, we've got the money and we've managed to Ramirez and Osvaldo somehow. As for more likely signings I like Ings. Wouldn't mind Goran Pandev who is out of favour at Napoli. Shinji Okazaki, Yura Movsisyan, Eduardo Vargas. Tons of options.
Luckily, as Jos said on joining, Southampton is a tropical paradise with palm trees (mind you he was coming from Scotland).
@SkySportsAmy: Southampton have made a bid for Feyenoord's Graziano Pelle, we understand. @SkySportsNews
