[Danny]

I feel like asking that question is almost a cliche now. Every year we wait for Pato to emerge from the shadows and realise that potential, and every year he lets us down - either via injuries or poor form.

Now while he's not an old man at 22, he's not the 18 year old we signed either - it is time this lad finally began to show his class regularly because we sure as heck don't appear to be signing a marquee striker to replace Ibrahimovic.

Is this guy going to be a perennial underachiever for us, or are there folks who believe he will finally become what his destiny suggests?

Admittedly there's the Babs baggage as well, which probably means we're 'stuck with him' anyway, but there's no denying on his day he is a scintillating striker. It's just a pity he's as fragile as glass in both form and body.

[Danny]

Any Milan fan talking up the idea of selling our one remaining marquee player just because we're having a wee debate about how to play him is, imo, a tad misguided.

In fact, yer all nuts.

He is, quite simply, a must-keep player. Our best player. The one player we have who can win matches on his own. He's one of Europe's most under rated players and I'd like it to stay that way.

In this market he's a £50M+ player - we'd be bonkers to sell.

[acid911]

In this market he's a £50M+ player - we'd be bonkers to sell.

Considering the duds who have floated around in the EPL these past years, I have to agree. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Pato is the de facto face of the club, but the fact remains that he is also a golden duck (both literally and figuratively). He along with Boateng and Mexes are, for better or for worse, the three guys the management could sell for good price.

I can practically see B&G have discussions when (not if) to sell them any given Sunday. Sad.

[X-Offender]

Considering the duds who have floated around in the EPL these past years, I have to agree. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Pato is the de facto face of the club, but the fact remains that he is also a golden duck (both literally and figuratively). He along with Boateng and Mexes are, for better or for worse, the three guys the management could sell for good price.

I can practically see B&G have discussions when (not if) to sell them any given Sunday. Sad.

I believe that Danny was talking about Boateng. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[acid911]

I believe that Danny was talking about Boateng.

Could very well be, and I thought of that too, but this is Pato's thread, after all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) And well, Boating is not the one to win us matches all on his own, he's good for the hustle and the occasional wonder strike. I guess Danny is the only one who can clarify who he was talking about.

But the sad bit through it all is that we have only one or two players that can be labeled AAA. Most others are just A, B or B-, though in all fairness, a couple of them have yet to reach their best. How the mighty have fallen!