He was awful at Villa and didn't really play regularly at Chelsea. Do you not think it'd a bit strange to counter someone's argument by saying that you haven't seen someone at a club and then say you "suspect"?? Latvian didn't say Oriol was bad, just pointed at the stats from when he played. Look at Villas stats when Ryan played and then that's a fair comparison and perhaps my view (not argument) is then seen as an equal or fair comparison. I should have expanded by saying that he is an example of a player who didn't play much for his parent club and then played for a team who were very poor, he didn't play well and they finished fighting relegation almost. To me that sounds worse than Oriol. Performances at one club, good or bad, don't necessarily reflect on possible performance at a new club. If you don't believe me, ask Liverpoool
Fair comments Latvian and excellent that your last line mentions perception because everything is about perception really. I perceive him to be a good signing. I mentioned earlier that I posted about him a couple of years ago as an example of a player we could go for. I like him and when I've seen him, I've been impressed with what he does. He's like a steely Jack Cork. I am not fussed as some have about the Barca academy bit, but I like the fact he has played in germany and Spain (on loan) and I think he'll prove to be a good signing. As for contribution compared to Clasie, I am not sure what you are looking for? Very difficult to compare and I think we need to remember our old friend Nigel: "It's not about the 11." I am happy because we are signing good players who are making our squad deeper and stronger. We can't expect to be signing top or nearly top proven players as we are not at that level, we can't pay the top wages and will always love threatened by top champions league clubs for those players.
Oriol seems to be a real team player as he mentions liking to make his team mates feel comfortable playing next to him. Never mentioned bombing forward and scoring goals, so I suggest he's defensively minded....fine by me.
Provides welcome strength and agree that further plugging in front of the defence will provide the cover to maintain our excellent defensive record. One of the two signings that Ron was talking about assuming the other is The Thunderbird 2 pilot.
Love the fact that for the first time ever, we're developing a really strong & quality squad. Players that can double-up in various positions & players that can adopt different formations. With our financial restrictions (compared to the top 6) massive appreciation to RonK, LesR, MarcusL & KatL, RalphK et al. They're doing a great job.
Don't know a huge amount about this guy as a player, but looking at our midfield without Wanyama and it's lacking physically. I don't care how tenacious a Reed or Clasie can be, it's still useful to have that natural presence available. It's another great option and alternative. I'm liking the squad we're building.
Better win something then. For that to happen, we'll need the whole squad to contribute. Of course, they'll all want to play in the Europa league final, but once we get there Ron can sort it out.
Sounds a good signing although am a bit confused.......Is this another Sniders replacement or a Cork replacement or neither? Its just that I considered we had replaced both certainly a far as Sniders was concerned (Clasie). So is this just an additional option or a regular player?
Cork and Schneiderlin are the past; these guys are the future. That's it really. Not replacements, just new players.
Clasie is a different player, to be honest. He may well possess some of Morgan's characteristics, but Romeu is even physically similar to Schneiderlin, and plays in a much more familiar way. The moment I heard of his transfer I said he was our real Morgan replacement. Clasie is more of a Steven Davis replacement, for when Davis isn't available, tired, injured, in my opinion. And to be fair, as Archer says [and Mark Lawrensen], they are their own players, not replacements.
International Business News link says "Chelsea announce midfielder deal as rivals confirm move" - I like that. Rivals. Nice.
Agree. Ron et al are building a new team...will be similar in ethos, but small differences associated with the players we have. Important thing is not direct replacement, but getting the balance right. Only time you need a direct replacement is goalkeeper.
I don't think that will be a problem Archers. I am sure Ron will just tell the lads who miss out on the Europa League final that they can play in the FA Cup final instead.
