I remember Roy Keane coming in and slating our scouting network and stating he was going to build it up. Since then in came Steve Bruce with his "south American" connections. Now O'Neill has come in and do we have a scouting network to talk of? When was the last time we had a gem from the lower leagues? Who has been our bargains from abroad. I'm struggling to think of any unearthed gems or players brought in who we have made money on???? Henderson was developed and Bent was hardly an unearthed gem. Larrson a free but that was because Bruce had managed him. You could say Kilgallon but he's a squad player at best. Outside of the premiership have we ever had value for money since the arrival of Keane? It could be argued that we have always been patchy when bringing in foreigners. Thoughts anyone?
You could argue that Mclean has now become a squad player. I agree that we could sell him for more than we paid. Even then that's only one.
What about some Africans.. Remember that team with the shirts, that Amsterdam etc were trying to help http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theunlikelylads/keroche-0
The thing about Michu is that he wasn't a secret, he scored 17 last year in Spain. Doesn't even take scouting for that just look at the stats for the top leagues
The Michu thing absolutely baffles me. He looked a very good player in a distinctly average team, had a phenomenal season in La Liga, and then is sold for a pittance? How were Swansea the only team in for the lad? Why didn't Spanish clubs look? Good English clubs? I know Laudrup is well in touch with Spanish football, but this seems like a no brainer bargain snaffle that the whole footballing world collectively missed. Fair play to Swans, what a ****ing buy, even if he never scores again he's paid his £2million back.
Some players like playing for clubs where they know they are an integral part of the play. Michu is guaranteed a start in every game in a side which prioritises passing and fluent play against all opposition, would he have got that anywhere else? I can't think of many other clubs off the top of my head. It may well be the case that Swansea was the perfect fit for him, I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't look half the player if he had been in the Newcastle or Sunderland team this season.
But he did score 17 in La Liga last year as well, in a very poor side. 27 in a season & a half, in one below average and one average side, in the worlds top 2 leagues, suggests he'd do well anywhere.
He would sell for £10m/£12m+ now easily, maybe much more if a bidding war starts in the summer and Swansea WILL cash in while he is hot imo.
I disagree with Sess' he flatters to deceive. I doubt we would get much more than we paid for him unless he has a rapid upturn in form. Jusrt look at how much we paid for Wickham. Serious question did we get better value for money under bob murray???? Seriously look at some of our buys.
