He’s so perfect for Bielsas system tho. Right now is Cooper, Berardi and the young Dutch kid. Need help there for sure. I agree that I would want that much on a striker but I just love his style of play.
Ben White being talked about at 40 million+ while Brighton is offering him deals of 20-25k a week. Seen Kock from Frieburg as a backup option but still waiting for first team signings. Also on GK front they cannot let Casilla stay. I am fine letting Mesiler start if that is the direction but with all the drama with Casilla they need to bring in a backup.
Rodrigo doesn't bring end product and at 29 it is a bit concerning that there is very little resale value here. He has shown to be quality but 30 million is nothing to sniff at. His metrics are not the best and he has never been shown to be a willing defender. Hope this fits Bielsa's system. Would have liked to see Koch brought in first. Curious to see who the other 1-2 signings might be.
I’ve watched Rodrigo for a quite a while in La Liga and he’s always impressed me to the point where there was talk of him as a potential transfer to Madrid last year (ended up with Jovic instead) and I would have been happy with him as a backup option. He’s fast, experienced and always seems to score in big games (seemed to always scored against Madrid). I’m happy with the signing, definitely a big improvement over Bamford.
Thread with analysis on the deal. I still doubt he unseats Bamford considering Bielsa loves his work rate.
It’s going to be a long season if you don’t have a striker who can put it in the net. Bamford gonna need to start being more consistent in front of goal or his work rate won’t matter
And I understand that. But it isn't like Rodrigo has amazing end product himself. 12 goals total the last 2 years doesn't scream banging them in.
I was just commenting on the Bamford and work rate. I don’t know enough about Rodrigo to comment. My point was just that after watching Newcastle struggle to find goals because their striker didn’t want/was able to do it, made it a long season
Rodrigo announced today. Koch is in to do a medical. Youth recruitment has been pretty damn good. Not a bad little transfer window so far. Would like another 2 1st team signings one being a CM and another being a wing/10 cover. Not even going to hope for a 2nd CB because Bielsa has already talked about only needing 1.
Still like the idea of cover on the backline. Not a fan of Kent but he must really be rated by Bielsa if we keep hearing about him.
That would be quite the pull holy hell. Cover in the midfield and 10 role would be provided by him pushing others down and we might stop hearing about Kent then. Long way off from raiding the Championship's best players but considering those prices these signings make a lot of sense. Eze went for a good deal but he only wanted to stay in London.
He was arguably Argentina’s best player at Copa America and as you mentioned can play box to box or more attacking. Would be an amazing signing.
This is all a fever dream right? I am going to wake up and find that we are still managed by Warnock aren't I. This is absolute insanity right now.
I don’t know much about Gvardiol other than he’s listed as huge potential on FIFA so I bought him and he was a beast lol. But we definitely need the depth. I can’t believe we didn’t stop after Koch. I’m with you this is insane.
While the results was poor I am not too worked up about it. Missing a good amount of the first team and would hope the team is just getting their legs under them. I will say watching that has me wanting to see the back of Casilla on the way out the door even more than I originally wanted.
Crazy to think we now have an English, Spanish and German international with hopefully and Argentinian one coming soon. But agree on the Casilla take. Meslier needs to start imo.
Bielsa has to be seeing something in Josko. De Paul is who I really want. Him in the 10 next to Klich with Phillips behind. Swoon.
Don't believe Draxler would take that pay cut to leave Paris for Leeds. Udinese need to stop being assholes and take the 35. Also saw the price was going up on Josko with a sell on too. Not a fan of that.
Yeah want De Paul way more than Josko. It was already a high fee at 20m for a young CB. New bid was 22m with 25% sell on fee.
Cooper missing this hurts. Also would have loved to hear our fans at Anfield. Would have been magical.
This is why we needed cover for CB. Struijk did quite the job when Phillips was hurt at the end of last season but this is the ultimate thrown into the fire.