I'm sure the big sides look at players at all the clubs, but I suspect they pay particular attention to Southampton as we have a reputation for bringing on players. However, not all of them have transferred well to other clubs.
I'm sure the big sides look at players at all the clubs, but I suspect they pay particular attention to Southampton as we have a reputation for bringing on players. However, not all of them have transferred well to other clubs.
They also trust our scouting ability and can reasonably assume that if we sign a player then they're going to be a success. It's a good point because I wouldn't see a team like Liverpool buying Mane for £12m from Salzburg. They've paid over twice that now that they know he's Premier League quality, and I think he will be a big success for them. It just means that Southampton fans sit by the conveyor belt and watch players come and go, some capture hero status and it makes it more difficult when they leave.
I think Mourinho sees the Man Utd dressing room as short of leadership, those "big characters" in the dressing room. He's talked about Zlatan's positive influence, attitude and experience already and I would think he sees Fonte as someone who can play to a good standard and can also be the same sort of presence in the dressing room and on the training ground.This has always seemed strange to me. We all know Fonte and his strengths and have been surprised (and grateful) that he has been overlooked by teams such as Liverpool and Spurs when they have been busy sniffing around our players. But Manchester United?? Like Chelsea, this is a team that pays huge sums for players that I've even heard of. To keep Fonte, Saints don't want to increase the length of his contract....even his most ardent fans are expecting his game to drop off in the next year or two. The link must be Mourinho....does he need a friend....does he see Fonte as a coach even more than as a player. We know Fonte is taking his coaching badges....does he see this not as just a chance to work for United, but also the chance to attach himself to Mourinho's star.
Sky said that Saints say Jose not going anywhere and there have been no offers for him....I would be happier if they said the first bit of the sentence without adding the second.
Les said "No way Jose".
Probably been waiting years for the chance to say it.Basically going to go down to who wants it more. Fonte or Saints.
His agent is the most powerful agent out there, which is the problem. Like you said I hope he changes his tune.The guy's a pro. If we put our foot down, he'll come round.
A trophy at Wembley, back to back promotions, his Euros medal, the prospect of captaining Saints in the Europa this season...that's not a bad career. I reckon he'll see that eventually. Maybe we should dump his agent into the docks though. Just to send a message.
Its a case of when he goes,not if.........
His agent is the most powerful agent out there, which is the problem. Like you said I hope he changes his tune.
The same betting site that priced Rudi Garcia 1/2 to succeed Koeman has Fonte at 5/2 to join United and 4/9 to stay put. Take from that what you will.
See that Fonte isn't in the squad photo with the new partnership on the Official Website?
See that Fonte isn't in the squad photo with the new partnership on the Official Website?