its a difficult one when it comes to this "proven premier league striker" who we want on the cheap, to play what is likely to be a squad role. The reality, is that we have one. Probably one of the best ones in the league. - Defoe. There's not many who are better than him for the role we want. Well, there are, but they are on ridiculous wages, I.e Dzeko. The only one I can think of is Hernandez. and we have no chance of getting him. Unless we bring back berbatov? who else is there that is better than Defoe, is affordable, proven, and likely to move in January? - We're scraping the barrel unless we spend the money.
I completely agree mate in regards to Defoe being a great squad striker and if he stays then there's no need for a new striker but if rumours of his impending Toronto move are true then I personally think a new one needs to be brought in. Fletcher and Long are two that I can think of that would likely be sub-£10m, Long especially seeing as he's out of contract in 6 months. As I said I'd be happy to see Kane given a go but I'm worried that if he doesn't produce the goods, not only will fans jump on his back but the anti-Levy brigade will have another reason to moan at Levy for not replacing people properly and just create a **** atmosphere.
If he's pushing for a move, then there's not a lot we can do. I guess we have to go for whoever we can get. But if that means just a 6 month deal before signing someone better in the summer, then I guess we'll have to accept someone for now who's not as good as Defoe. Maybe united's circumstances might change this month due to their current predicament? RVP has been injured, there's rumours of Rooney going elsewhere/not signing a new contract, and Moyes has been told he's got money to spend. Maybe, just maybe, Hernandez might become available? Ok, I won't get my hopes up!
Although no one (except for us) has actually come out and said "we will not sell to a rival" it seems to be the general thinking amongst clubs in the last couple of years. Well, it certainly seems that way anyway, based on the lack of transfers from top clubs to other top clubs in the premier league. Yes, Arsenal were doing it, but they seem to have stopped now. Since Levy's stance over Modric and Bale and the fact they HAD to go abroad, others seem to have followed suit. Therefore, there's 2 options. Sign from a team lower down the league, where the player and agent will end up forcing a move through (such is modern football) or Sign players from abroad. The problem, is that the strikers who are at clubs lower down the league probably aren't better than anything we already have, and the foreign ones could turn out to be a flop, or will cost a fotune. Or both!! Stick or Twist?!
Defoe is in one of his non scoring modes....so why keep? Who else could we get the same?....christ!, there's a whole host of misfiring strikers available! As has been done to death, JD provides little else other than goals. He's had opportunities this season and fared no better than Soldado, I've also noticed he's losing that sharp burst of pace...crucial in getting room to shoot....still wanna keep him? Hernandez has been mentioned, but there was an interesting conversation about him during their FA cup game v Swansea. It seems he's held in the same regard as JD, goals only, and when they dry up...??? little else, so don't be too keen to get him in. Soldado still contributes when not scoring, Chickpea tends to be anonymous.
On the TV they where discussing the top ten premier league striker's of all time based on goals to minutes played ratio. You had Dzeko, Crespo and Hernandez was in the top three. Sadly no sign of Steven Fletcher!! But as mentioned Hernandez is a pure goal scorer, a superb one but just a scorer. Now Dzeko is proven but no one is going to sign him to lead the line, as he's like Hernandez, an impact sub which is why their ratio is so good. If they played every week or as often as Defoe had then they wouldn't be in the all time list. That leaves us with Harry Kane as an option , who according to RobSpur is similar to Lineker. Maybe let's stick with Soldado, Ade and if they get injured we can play Lamela in a free role or if we're really desperate there is Chadli.
Kane's similar to Lineker? I haven't seen him play week in, week out, but he reminds me more of Sheringham.
No sign of Fletcher, but what about signs of Ade, Defoe, Soldado? Were they there? What about other recent strikers who were a success for us like Keane and Berba? I bet they weren't in there either. Stats are pointless
I think you misunderstood why I mentioned it as the three players I mentioned are in the all time top list but aren't all time top premier players, and I'm taking the piss with the comment re Steven Fletcher as no offence to my buddy SOS but sounds like he had a fight with a lamppost if he's thinking we should sign him or Lescott!
I can still see Levy doing something like selling Defoe to Toronto for £6m-ish and spending that money on a couple of strikers who are on dwindling contracts. We've been linked with Berbatov, Shane Long and Gomis, so there must be others available and under the radar. Perhaps some random unknown and an experienced player?
Didn't the papers do the rounds and all say Defoe has agreed to sign for the Toronto club? Funny as he's still here and Sherwood says he hasn't heard anything about this move so where did this rumour start? Maybe now we're playing 442 Defoe will get a chance once fit as it be disappointing if he ends his career with us on zero league goals this season! Especially after his previous superb form last year and being our all time European top scorer.
