http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/ha...er-kraan-stoke-target-uchebo-reminds-me-kanu? talkSPORT's Dutch football correspondent Marcel van der Kraan gives H & J the lowdown on giant striker Michael Uchebo, who looks set to join Stoke from VVV-Venlo.
http://www.teamtalk.com/stoke-city/7421475/Uchebo-Potters-deal-is-close? Venlo striker Michael Uchebo says he is close to completing a move to Stoke City, who could snap him up for a cut-price £1million this month. The big Nigerian has been on trial at the Britannia Stadium with a view to completing a permanent transfer to the Britannia. His contract with Dutch side Venlo runs out at the end of the season so the Potters could snap him up for a cut-price £1m. The 21-year-old, billed as the 'African Peter Crouch' because of his height, says only work permit issues stand in the way of him becoming a team-mate of the England striker. "My game and my physique are set for English football," Uchebo told Sky Sports. "Tony Pulis loves strong athletes but quality ones as well. Guys like Peter Crouch and Ricardo Fuller have decent technique. "Hopefully the deal can go through and I will get my work permit and play my football on the bigger stage. "VVV Venlo is a good starting point in the Eredivisie but the Premier League is a top league and a dream league for anyone who plays football."
Sgt and Smither's Me too lads and Sarg.. no names from me sorry. And I hope that IF we sign this striker. Tony uses him and it's not another Arismendi saga. I read in the Sentinel there is a possibilty of signing him and letting him go out on loan? What is the point, for me we buy him then we have to play him.
I thought Pulis had his size-obsessed-transfer head on, and it is probably the case, but this guy looks pretty good. His positioning looks excellent which is a skill that all of our strikers seem to lack; not Crouch but Kenwyne is probably one of the worst at getting into a good position. I hope this rumour is true but I also hope he won't be saying "Stoke is a good starting point..." in three years time either
I thought he looked excellent to be fair and his positioning and runs were top class, regardless of the standard those are things that stand out. In relation to standard though the prem is a different class and sometimes the pace of the game ruins the players game - time will tell I suppose!
He's gone home after his 2 day trial and hasn't signed as yet. Most probably because of a work permit I am led to believe.
Waddo, I was just looking at the main footie page BBC and read " The signing of VVV Venlo stiker could collapse due to work permit issues" On the brightside, it does come from the Daily Fail paper.
According to the Sentinel, he didn't really make an impact?? OH **** we mave have blown this one AGAIN!
Won't be signing according to Pulis - he doesn't seem too bothered either. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16546513.stm
The Welsh M Just reading that link it's over T.P. said as much.. WORSE still, he's looking to offer Delap another contract... JESUS wept T.P. we NEED to improve tha area and quick. Looks like NO singings this month then. I also noted that Pennant was not mentioned for the Liverpool game. Crouch and Etherington were.??
I read about Delap aswell and I also think its ridiculous. Its a shame about Uchebo but I don't think we need another striker; it says that he plays right wing but that can't remain true for long. I don't even know if I want any other players now; except maybe a left back, but I don't know who would be best. Not Baines though, I've seen Everton concede a lot of goals on his side lately although I think Pulis could sort him out. I think another winger is probably more important. If we just sort that out, play more football against 11 men as opposed to 10, and stop the annual **** around at the back we should do fine for years to come.
Delap has been a good servant, but he's hardly Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes. In a nutshell, this is what can be so infuriating about TP - he continually talks about gradual expansion, but resorts to offering further 12 months to people (Diao, Delap), who while they may be good people around the ground, actually add nothing to improve the team. How bad must Arisamendi be, not to be ahead of these two - when will Cuevalier get a chance on the bench (perhaps if the 40 points are achieved reasonably soon (unless he's not actually part of the PL squad). Make Rory a scout or something if TP wishes to reward his loyalty. Regarding Malouda - I just can't see him (and his work ethic) sitting well with TP: I was talking to a Sheff Wed fan about Ben Marshall, and he was stating how well he has been playing_ surely we should look to giving him some exposure in the new season?