And whatever we got for Neil would substantially reduce the Xhaka write-off.
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Prehab26
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I also get that. But father time is also an interesting point too here. How many 33/34 year old Cm's are performing well in the premier League ?
I think this current ownership team have earned the right to invest in how they see fit. I'm totally chilled at what they are doing right now and if Xhaka is seen as a viable spend then so be it. I want Neil to sign his contract and stay he can learn a lot from Xhaka if he signs.
There was a German team interested in him but they are pretty set in CM now
Everton and west ham both been linked with him
I think Xhaka is a bit different mind, Leverkusen don’t want to lose him, he nearly won a treble with them, was in the invincible season. He’s still operating at a very high level
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Prehab26
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Again though, it's different dynamics. Different because the team around him? Performing at the top, holding possession in ever game. That won't happen here.
Again, how many 33-34 year holds are kicking it in the the premier league, performing well weekly?
Be madness to drop a level after finally getting us over the line, don’t see any other prem teaming taking a punt on him though
I know the real world doesn’t work like this but I just can’t fathom after the journey he’s been on here and a Sunderland fan why he’d want to be anywhere else
I have previously said the same on the thread. As it standa Neil and the club need to sort their **** out quickly. I also have said Xhaka would improve us and be a cracking replacement if Neil went.
However, if Neil signs a new contract I wouldnt swap him for Xhaka. I would still sign Xhaka if everything fell into place (although I still think this is a convenient media story mostly).
Why would I keep Neil? 9/10 years younger. More than capable of playing mid level premier league football imo. Will relish having better players finding better space for his passing range. He is an academy lad and our captain. I have said loads of times on here how academy players in our first team makes the club better and stronger. That is even more the case now we are in the premier league.
Now like I said I would take Xhaka. But here is an interesting question. How many 33 year olds performed regularly in the premier league last season? I am racking my brains to think of many? Most of those I can think of were below par. Casameiro, Gundogan, Lallana, Morsy. Few bit part players maybe like Jorghino? Maybe there are some I am missing. But has me wondering anyway.
One thing about this is certain ...
... we've no idea how Neil will cope in the PL, we know Xhaka will.
It may be that the club want them both in the squad but if I had to choose today I'd go for Xhaka.
I think Prehab has a great point. However I do think we will sanction it on the right terms. For instance, they'd probably be game to play 11 million quid max, not boosting his up at all, but maybe adding extra incentives to his deal. Plus, I'm sure he'd be our captain, tbh.
Way I see it, even if Xhaka only has one season at the top left, if it keeps us up, that loss we make on him will be consoled by our squad worth increasing dramatically.
Ballard, Cirkin, Hume etc, would go from being rated between 8-12 million quid, to being rated at 20-30 million.
Likewise, if someone like Diarra hits the ground running, theres a good chance we could double our money.
It really is crazy.
Way I see it, even if Xhaka only has one season at the top left, if it keeps us up, that loss we make on him will be consoled by our squad worth increasing dramatically.
Ballard, Cirkin, Hume etc, would go from being rated between 8-12 million quid, to being rated at 20-30 million.
Likewise, if someone like Diarra hits the ground running, theres a good chance we could double our money.
It really is crazy.
He's 32 at the minute, turns 33 next week - that's not old
Yes if he signs a 3 year deal then he would be old by the end of it - but how many players really see oit there contracts.
Xhaka is super fit still and covers loads of grounds and quickly for Leverkusen who ask their CM to do a lot
For next season he would be class, we have plenty long term options and talent - we need some short term talent to compliment that
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Prehab26
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How many 33 year olds are playing well in bottom half of the premier League mate ?
See me later post on 33 year olds mate. Of course Xhaka could well do it, but it is looking like a younger mans league more and more
Are we getting above our station a little here? He played 49 games for the 2nd best team in Germany last season?
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Prehab26
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It is. It's why players who are over 30 usually get moved on from teams out of the the PL. Father time waits for no one. Even the best teams in the league move them on, if they don't, they get ran off through the middle.
If you have the luxury of 70% possession every game , you can carry the odd player like that. Otherwise it's a risk.
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