Keep reading about a Norwegian MF player who presently plays for Hamburg by the name of Skjelbred. After reading a very detailed analysis I was prompted to think, but we already have this player in the persons of Tettey and Johnson! Can't see why CH would want to to persue yet another MF player when he stated that there is need for a striker(s) in this January window. He has distanced himself from the continous rumours that Hooper is on his way to CR so feel a little confused. Are we to believe that he has a striker(s) in mind, but he is going through the 'playing my cards close to my chest' routine? I have broken out of the long thread on this board as it has now reached 22? pages.
To briefly summarise the big thread, it seems Skjelbred was highly rated when younger, but went to Hamburg where he's been useless, with the club calling his transfer 'a mistake' and they want to offload him. However, a friend of Supers (I think?) raves about him, and apparently he's pretty decent on football manager. Where was this detailed analysis you've found? From what I've read, he's more like Wessi or Butterfield than Johnson/Tettey. Whilst yes, we are quite abundant with midfielders, not all of them fit our current system (like Surman). If this system is to stay, Surman's chances might well be limited. If we can cash in on him, and sign a cheaper player who fits out formation, then we're both in profit and have a more useful player. That is, if Skjelbred is any good, which there seems to be mixed messages about. That's the only reason I can see us being interested in a midfielder, anyway.
we spoke about this guy yesterday on the transfer thread. he's hardly played at hamburg but was a brilliant prospect as a youngster. he plays more in the hoolahan role though rather than tettey or johnson. he's a number 10 really. a norwegian friend of mine really raved about his creativity but i'm not convinced myself. best to not worry about any of it. we aren't mega-desperate for incomings, as you say, hughton is going to play his cards close to his chest. its possible any potential signing will come straight out of left field and won't have been mentioned before. edit. sorry - dh beat me to it.
Why the need to get rid of Surman? Cull Vaughan, Martin, Tierney, Lappin, Francomb, Smith before him surely? At least he has PL quality! Sometime through injuries in the 2nd half of this season; Pilkington, Snodgrass and Johnson will get injured/fatigued...hence a formation change to 4-4-2 or diamond, in which case Fox and Surman and Bennett will play. Simple
I'm not singling Surman out as the worst person in our midfield. It's more a case that he's probably the most desirable player who can't hold down a regular starting place. Transfermarkt value Surman at £2.2m. Let's say some championship side reckon he's the last piece in their midfield jigsaw, and are offering say £4m (which is high but not impossible). If we can sign Skjelbred, who for the sake of argument is a better player and fits out formation, for very little, and on comparable wages, then much as I'm not trying to push Surman out the door, that's a deal I'd make, as it improves the competition for first team spots, and is a handy boost to the coffers, to be spent on areas we do need. I'm happy to see all the players you've listed go (although seeing Lappin go would be sad), but you need a buyer for them too.
