It is one thing developing your own academy and nurture younger talent but quite another to put value on the head of a child and dangle vast sums of money in front of them, their parents and no doubt some agents too. What does is do to the child's development and sense of self-worth and what if things don't work out, as the law of averages suggest that most will not reach the top grade. How many will be able to handle the peculiar pressures that come with stardom at such a young age. The world of pop stars and child actors sends a warning and I think football authorities should look at this issue.
What next? Football agents scouring maternity wards to catch them quick and start trading?
There is a part of me that feels Berahino could have been a good buy for us (a striker, pacey, good finisher) and in todays market £12m is a good price considering he's 23 with some fair experience and pedigree. But then his attitude when I've been fuming at Dimi...
I like the Fonte signing; very good CB, Very underrated and a strong leader. His all round game is very good and he'd make a good partnership with any of Reid, Ogbonna or Collins. I think the fee is about right and sometimes the "sell on fee" and age stuff can distract from the important thing-which is signing a proven player, improving the first 11 and squad, and knowing exactly what he will deliver- thats the whole point of singing players at their peak. The Fonte signing could result in us playing 3 at the back more often which IMO it suits us very well and increases the opportunities within the squad.
As for signing a RB, if the right player/deal is not available then we should wait until the summer. We have enough to compensate and it makes little sense to sign an average/mediocre player now, instead of waiting for the right payer in the summer. We do have the option to mix up systems, and we do have options for RB and RWB, so whilst the desire to get one in now might be there, sometimes it does comes down to identifying the right target which may not be there in this window.
If we are signing him as a RWB maybe worth the risk (not if he what's £60k per week though) but as a RB no way
Jenkinson just flat out isn't a good defender
He's great going forward but his challenges and positional awareness are so poor for a 'defender'
He was good in his first season with us but we often deployed a diamond with a midfield trio of Song, Kouyate and Noble which offered so much protection and narrowed the pitch so Cresswell and Jenkinson could bomb forward
If we go 3 at the back he could be a good asset, although I'd rather us go 4 at the back which is where he gets exposed
Alderz, thanks for posting the link. I liked the reference to Adrian as a 'Leader' bearing in mind his form and being dropped, it says a lot about the guy and his mentality to me.
Comments
Of course, MANC are not alone. Last year Chelsea paid £80,000 for 10-year old Cameron McGeehan (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35833792). Juventus signed another 10 year old kid (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/juventus-sign-10-year-old-9020662)
It is one thing developing your own academy and nurture younger talent but quite another to put value on the head of a child and dangle vast sums of money in front of them, their parents and no doubt some agents too. What does is do to the child's development and sense of self-worth and what if things don't work out, as the law of averages suggest that most will not reach the top grade. How many will be able to handle the peculiar pressures that come with stardom at such a young age. The world of pop stars and child actors sends a warning and I think football authorities should look at this issue.
What next? Football agents scouring maternity wards to catch them quick and start trading?
;wahoo
Berahino to Stoke £12m. They turned down £20m in the summer and didn't even get any game time out of him ;doh
Well I don't think we're signing a right back this month, based on DGs comments in the above ;hmm
As for signing a RB, if the right player/deal is not available then we should wait until the summer. We have enough to compensate and it makes little sense to sign an average/mediocre player now, instead of waiting for the right payer in the summer. We do have the option to mix up systems, and we do have options for RB and RWB, so whilst the desire to get one in now might be there, sometimes it does comes down to identifying the right target which may not be there in this window.
Apparently Andre Ayew has Malaria
Hence why Palace said no.
Jenkinson just flat out isn't a good defender
He's great going forward but his challenges and positional awareness are so poor for a 'defender'
He was good in his first season with us but we often deployed a diamond with a midfield trio of Song, Kouyate and Noble which offered so much protection and narrowed the pitch so Cresswell and Jenkinson could bomb forward
If we go 3 at the back he could be a good asset, although I'd rather us go 4 at the back which is where he gets exposed
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/angelo-ogbonna-is-the-angriest-player-ashley-fletcher-dishes-the-dirt-on-his-west-ham-teammates-a3427011.html
http://www.whu606.com/discussion/comment/845321/#Comment_845321