Well whether he quite does that or not, a young player, goalie especially, needs to think he has a reasonable chance of getting into the side. That is far less likely if we have an expensive one on the books. IMO, the position is not a priority, though I can see why they might have tried to get this bloke.
Because I really wanted him? That's why I'm gutted. Pretty simple. The fact he's chosen the money suggests he was a bad egg. But I didn't want him to be. I'm gutted at his choice. I'm gutted that Saudi Arabia is ruining football. I'm not so sure we'll just go out and find as good a replacement. From everything I've seen he was a rare talent at a rare junction of his career and contractual availability.
Polish kid not coming is why I need these other deals confirmed. Doesn't matter if someone says here we go, its safc.com that i need to see
Do you really think we won't be looking for another keeper because we failed to sign one, it's a position we will be strengthening, Patterson isn't good enough in my personal opinion. He's gutted because anybody who's looked into him can see how good he is, it's very normal
Another thing I think this may say is Patto isn’t going anywhere and anyone we sign has to compete for that number 1 shirt
But he could move to the premier after 3 seasons a very rich man, not sure on how much of a challenge he'll have faced though.
That's the same as saying they're not selling him. Bloody hell they know how to sell players mind, but the lad is only twenty, been injured and scored thirteen goals in three seasons. That's true. Football doesn't wait around for players or managers . A year out is a long time, never mind three. I know one or two lads who have earned some very, very good money working abroad. They really have earned it too, but they are open about not being able to work for what is on offer here, or anywhere really other than the Stans or similar. He'll be the same. If he spends three years there, the highest level he can hope to come back to would be roughly where we are now, maybe less. He won't want to play for that cash. Others will have emerged and have been tested by then to attract the big payers. He's all in on this.
Anyone choosing a construction site in the middle east over a premier league club operated into their third century just isn't my cup of tea.
I'd expect a tweet in the next hour or two from Romano or Keith to say we've moved onto other keeper options now to "strengthen the core of our team"
I'm not sure about that mind. That league really is a low level operation, however much cash is thrown at it. It's not about football at all. They are just well paid pawns. Footballers need to be playing. He'll be yesterday's guy if he stays there for three years.
Pep ran into difficulties last night against a Saudi team...Goalkeeper Bono made big saves to deny Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan from close range, before showing sharp reflexes to tip Josko Gvardiol's header over the crossbar.