QUOTE (Jack Sparrow @ May 18 2017, 09:16 AM)
28 million includes bonuses I think.
And we're also closing a deal with Ricardo Rodriguez for 15 MM apparently. (12MM+bonuses). His wage would be around 3 MM a year though.
So I guess this means, De Sciglio is out for sure?
Corriere della Sera and a couple of other outlets are saying that the Kessie deal will be done through a 2 year loan for 5m and an obligation to buy for around 23m. And I also read that this was basically Atalanta's request because they'll be selling a lot of players this summer so they'll try to spread the profits over more time. While if it was our request it's still great for us as 5m barely dents our warchest while we get a potential star for our midfield. Great deal, same goes with Ricardo Rodriguez with most outlets agreeing that it's basically done at 15m + 3m bonuses which is a steal for a player of that quality
Honestly, I'm very impressed with how Fassone and Mirabelli have conducted business so far. I don't think we've ever seen this type of efficiency and planning go into the transfer market even during Galliani's best years
QUOTE (Danny @ May 18 2017, 11:05 AM)
Kessie and Rodriguez are absolutely the kind of direction I want.
Suso is said to be interesting Spanish sides. I say take the money and run. I'd happily be rid of him and Deulofeu.
Disagree about Suso. We've seen how productive he can be when the rest of the team is functioning. Why would you want to sell him for something minimal like 20m and then create another problem to worry about
I personally don't agree with the notion that we should sell a lot of players in one summer. Sure there are the obvious cases, but players who have performed well this season shouldn't be on the go-list imo
We simply can't build a completely new squad in just one summer, it's also why I argued for keeping Lapa as the backup for next season
What we should do is make the core changes that this team is desperate for; namely 1 LB, 1 CB, 3 - 4 mids, 1 LW and a striker to replace Bacca. We also need to look into improving the bench which is dire today. Creating added problems by selling players who are good and usefull is unnecassary. Once we get into the CL next season, then we can look into replacing someoene like Suso with a flashier name.
QUOTE (Jack Sparrow @ May 18 2017, 02:27 PM)
It's not that I don't think we can do better than Suso. It's that I don't see how we could possibly find an adequate replacement without spending a ton of cash. If you consider that Suso cost us 1.3 MM euros, he's been an absolute bargain.
I'd wager with a more careful workload(we basically overplayed him,Rom and Jack till they collapsed) and some shrewd depth Suso will be great for us as part of a XI that breaks into CL spots.
That midfield still confuses me. I don't see the strategy there. What's Montella building towards. Kessie is just another Kucka type isn't it? Younger and possibly a higher ceiling.
Agreed about Suso, especially the overworking of certain players part. We've been too reliant on some players and at some point it was obvious they were going to buckle
As for the strategy regarding the midfield, I think Kessie was a smart move, he's a beast physically, he's a good passer and can also chip in with goals. He's perfect to replace the hair brained Kucka who has been a total liability for us this season
It all depends on what formation Montella is planning to use. Imo we need a proper creator in that midfield. I think the Cesc dream could be too much of a longshot at this point, Badelj keeps getting mentioned but he's not someone I'm excited about, he's basically a much better version of Monto, still not a true game changer like Cesc. Still a Bona, Badelj, Kessie/Gustavo midfield is already a major improvement on what we have now
QUOTE (Danny @ May 18 2017, 02:39 PM)
I don't want Suso replaced. I want the reliance on an ineffective winger on the right and a useless locomotive on the left gone.
He and Deulofeu have outlived their usefulness and if we get say 20M for Suso let's spend it on someone who will fit in better.
Have you ever seen Suso take a decent set piece (other than one or two admittedly good direct free kick goals).
I disagree about Suso being ineffective. He needs proper players around him who will benefit from his passes/crosses to be more effective, and this is what he'll get next season
I agree about Deulo though, he was great in his first few matches, but now he's turning out to be a one-trick pony who's got that Barca whingey attitude down pat. The constant looking for fouls instead of looking to actually play is annoying as f@ck, he's not a good dribbler in tight spaces and he's always hestitant when it's time to finish. I think we can do much better than him especially considering what Barca would want for him
There are persistent Keita rumours going around, I'd take him over Deulo any day of the week. Strong, fast, good dribbler, great shot, decent finisher (can improve in this area even if he's on fire atm) and I think he'd fit in well into Montella's system
QUOTE (X-Offender @ May 18 2017, 10:05 PM)
One between Suso and Deulofeu has to stay, because we simply cannot replace them both with equally good or better players in one go. Personally, I'd keep them both and invest in a top midfield and a top striker. You'll see that Suso will thrive then.
@Jack: Kessie is a box-to-box who can also play in front of the defense. He'll be the muscle of the midfield. Jack being the second piece and hopefully Fabregas (or someone similar) the final piece.
Suso definately, he's our player and we've invested time in him that we're finally starting to see the fruits of. Deulo isn't our player and we can easily wash our hands of him. He impressed me at first but now I think that he's too limited to be someone we can rely on to produce