He was already an incredible footballer, he was 24 and had been a Brazilian international for 2 years when we signed him. He was the finished product, we just made an incredibly good signing.
Pushing forward is about being in Europe every year and having a squad able to cope with it, not with being thankful about one less game a week.
Nah. He’s improved. And he’s got 2 years older. His pedigree is the highest it’s ever been. And he’s doing it at the highest level now. Not in the crappy French leagues. Let’s see if Madrid come in for him if he stays or goes. What would you do?
You claim this was for a season, but no timescales were agreed. Not my fault if you don't specify the required parameters.
The words you used were "developed into an incredible footballer", he was already at that level regardless of whether he's got better. We weren't taking a punt on a hopeful prospect, he was the real thing already and a Brazilian international.
He was a good footballer in a terrible league. He is now an incredible footballer in the best league and bossing most games.
I really want Bruno to stay, but if a club like Real Madrid were to come in for him, offer to triple his wages and CL football, then you really couldn't blame him at all if he wanted to go. I'd be totally gutted but he would get my blessing. We'd then need to reinvest the funds very wisely. Where it would feel more sickening is if he did that for say Man City or Arsenal. I don't think he'd get quite the same send off from Toon fans if he moved to another English club, even if the deal itself offered the same incentives for him as Madrid would.