A very detailed and interesting write up. Many strong points and could be very useful for us, if he can “step-up” the leagues.
Not really a signing to set the pulse racing He seems to have been a permanent loanee since joining Chelsea so I imagine that they are now looking to move him on permanently. Potentially a bit of an injury risk too But maybe what he needs is a club that really wants him, regular first team football and quality coaching
He was really good for Rotherham but seems to have lost his way/been injured too much. A bit like this time last year taking a punt on Amos. Similar position to Thomas the Tank Engine and Chair too I’d have thought.
Yep, if a 25 year old defender with two years left on contract from a club that shipped nearly two goals per game and were relegated is worth £41m then the expectations for a truly exciting 22 year old attacking midfielder with the same terms must be exceptional. The only difference is PL experience of course but if we can't do a similar deal I'm going to feel we missed out. Certainly Bournemouth are coming to the Championship with a boatload of cash to spend.
They owe £81m in fees for previous transfers apparently and coming down with a serious wage bill. Wilson off for another £30m though.
I'm willing to admit that Pep Guardiola knows a bit more about football than me, and maybe most on this forum, but that figure for Ake does seem really odd. Must be best mates with his agent. That said, not many of his defensive signings have been brilliant over recent years at City.
He has history of paying over the odds for accident prone centre backs, 50m Josh Stones is just one example
Is Jack Grealish now 70m because he has had a season in the premier league, and done ok in a crap team with an areshole coach, or because he has been bogged up by the media. Either way the only difference between Eze and JG is the defensive work, which surely will come with the step up. I obviously speak with tinted glasses but Eze has a natural talent that will surpass anything JG has to offer. So price????
Crazy amount of money at first glance, but should we be surprised. I remember people saying football had gone too far when Shearer went for £15 million, and that is now small fry. It's been creeping up and up for years and will continue to do so until FFP or some sort of equivalent system is able to truly level the playing field. As others have said though, it'll annoy me if Eze now moves on for peanuts.
I don't think he's quite the talent he's made out to be, 70m is ludicrous. I've not watched closely but he's had an inconsistent season hasn't he?
Hall having a medical at Boro who can sign him for nothing. As he scored 5 goals, was Captain, and I cant remember him making too many defensive errors it seems like we have missed a trick here somewhere. Maybe his injury record before this season, and our overall defensive one are more important indicators, but I think defensively we improved when he was playing regularly last season.
In defence of Ake, I really believe that he is one of the best defenders in the premiership. I also think that £41 mill is a bargain - bear in mind Stones cost £47 mill ad has been rubbish. Bournemouth play in a way that if you score 1, then they will score 2. If Ake has cost £60 mill it would be a bargain, he is still young and can and will learn from Pep. I would like to see Calum Wilson stay at Bournemouth...but then again he is a patron of the charity I do some work for in Bournemouth and having met him last year, he is a down to earth guy that had time for everyone whether they wanted photo or autograph.. Grealish is a bit overrated in my opinion However, what do I know about football....
I guess Hall must've got a decent pay rise out of it too I would certainly need a significant financial incentive to move to Middlesbrough
Brentford and QPR keen on Dickie please log in to view this image Brentford and QPR are among clubs keen on Oxford United centre-back Rob Dickie. The 24-year-old has impressed since joining Oxford from Reading in 2018. Dickie played a key role in the U’s reaching the League One play-offs this season - they were beaten in the final by Wycombe. He has entered the final year of his contract, alerting several Championship clubs to his potential availability this summer. Brentford have been tracking him for some time, while QPR are looking to sign at least one central defender before the new season starts. Both west London clubs are also interested in Northampton Town centre-back Charlie Goode.