can he? I've got no idea as I've hardly seen the bloke play since we signed him. when he does play, he plays completely different roles. that's exactly what I'm getting at SOS, a gem. someone young and up and coming, like when we got Sandro. or perhaps someone who's older and experienced. (unlikely for Levy) We're struggling in that position, IMO. - which is why i have banged on about moutinho, although it's probably been unrealistic.
Yeah it's a tough situation mate. I'd love us to find another talent and save some money on either a "new" Sandro/ Lennon/ Dawson/ Walker etc.
He'll be signed by tomorrow afternoon I reckon... Got a good feeling about this, or at least hopefully in time for Leeds, will be a nice baptism of fire for the lad.
Mata was similar, before Chelsea he was a good player for 3 yrs in a Valencia side that had David Villa aswell. We were linked to him but just like Michu, we turned him down!
I wouldn't count them as the same. Mata cost upwards of £20m, hardly a bargain basement super find like Michu (is currently). Also, he'd been in and around the all conquering Spanish team for 2 or so years before Chelsea bought him.
Who is to say Michu would have had the same impact? lets not forget last season Siggy was a revelation at Swansea and what has he done for us? This isn't to say Michu is going to go the same way BUT he's at a small club, they play a better passing game then us, isn't under any real pressure and his manager knows his game. Anyhow, Michu has just signed a long term contract at swansea so be interesting to see if he can carry on his form next year.
There'll always be doubts mate, especially when players come from inferior leagues but that's the risk. Only reason I discredit the SPL so much is their league is full of teams that wouldn't make the Championship or even League 1 and when you look at the standard of players they have at international level, it's piss poor. Croatia, Belgium, Holland and obviously Spain have top players in their squads. Ironically, all them nations are the ones branded with the "great technical ability" types of players too. They pride themselves on producing from within, mainly because some teams depend on it to keep going financially (Dinamo Zagreb prime example) but it just seems like they're proud nations who invest in their youth and generally reap the rewards.
A free agent in the summer we now have to part with money for! , sounds like a selection of words that can only bring the worst out in Daniel Levy. Schalke are seizing an unexpected chance for cash via Sandro's untimely injury, and have the upper hand. Another scenario that brings out the worst in Daniel Levy, he's cut our nose to spite our face before.
I don't think he can on this one Notso. There will be backlash from the fans, as the majority still feel that we still need a world class midfielder "to replace Modric and VDV". - whether you agree with that or not, many many fans still feel there is a huge gap and the money needs to be spent on someone. (as well as a striker) If Levy approaches this in his usual "i'm not having my pants pulled down, I'd rather go with out" way, for the sake of £2m... it's gonna send the fans into overdrive after the previous windows. - especially as we've lost Sandro and it doesn't appear that we can attract/don't want to pay for a top striker. This deal will happen, even if the fans are left saying, "so we've still not replaced modric/VDV properly" "another poor window." blah blah blah- At least Holtby will ease some of that.
nothing will surprise me mate. - and i'm certainly not waiting up until 12.30 or so, hoping we've done a very late deal.
Nor would I , thats why I said similar, he wasn't 23 million when we looked, nowhere near, that was a 'Chelsea' price don't forget! he would have been a cheap find (I thought it was under 10, not 2 agreed, but still cheap by todays standards) had we acted quickly is all I'm saying, and that we missed them both. There's a bargain in all leagues as has been said...its just finding them!
Interesting read - 1st in a 3 parter that, whilst probably not entirely true, does at least provide a reasoned argument as to why we don't splash the cash all the time http://www.totaltottenham.com/blogs/levys-transfer-strategy-part-1/
Nothing exciting so far for us in the window which has disappointed me as I was hoping for a striker or two. I know nothing of Diame but at £3.5 mill it too doesn't excite. Window's frozen. That reminds me of the time in this very cold weather District Line's wife texted him and wrote"Window's frozen." He texted back "Pour warm water on it." She texted "Did that and now the computer's broken." He does choose them doesn't he?
