It's A Cruel, Cruel Summer - The Summer Transfer Dread

That's more Konoplyanka than Yarmolenko who is more a goal scorer. But don't think he is a top level talent.

How about Juan Cuadrado at Fiorentina ? Was linked with a Anderson/Nani swap deal last week. Linked with Liverpool a lot now.

 

Which means we'll sign Osman and Coleman instead.

 

These jokes never get old?

How do you guys rate Shaw compared to Coentrao?

 

He is a good squad player, I'd swap with Valencia or Young, but the not the one who you would invest in to be potentially world class.

 

If the Shaw and Carvalho deals almost being done are true, it's a step in the right direction. Next seal up Klopp, Reus and Kroos, and then I'd be a mildly satisfied muppet

 

Link?

 

Who said we're joking? Last summer when we we're linked with Thiago and Fabregas, everyone "joked" we would end up with Fellaini instead. See how that worked out...

 

I still think we'll lose out to Chelsea in our Shaw pursuit. Carvalho has a lot of smoke behind it but the fee being thrown around is much too high for him.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-Southampton-left-back-Luke-Shaw-for-30m.html

 

Reading some Chelsea forums, the general idea seems that if that £30 million united offer is true, then they won't be able to match, considering they have more important positions to pursue with that amount of dough.

Either way, it will seem every player we will be linked with will have an inflated price this summer, especially with clubs hearing about this alleged £200 million transfer kitty we have available, our evident desperation, and the fact we paid £28 million for some hairy muppet who's better off being a Sesame Street character than a professional footballer.

 

30 mil is A LOT for a LB but sadly overpaying is standard for any promising English player. He would solve our LB issues for the next 8-10 years and personally, I prefer him to Coentrao, but not at that price. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if when Shaw hears Chelsea are interested that he tells Southampton he only wants to go there. When a player has his heart set on a destination it gives said club a lot of leverage. Take RVP for instance...it was widely reported that City and an Italian club (probably Juve) offered Arsenal more than us but RVP had his heart set on United.

 

He's not Sesame Street quality. His awkward frame and big hair might make him a serviceable Fraggle Rock side character, but a Muppet brand of SS's stature needs to think bigger. Elmo has enjoyed great longevity but he will need to be replaced with quality eventually.

 

That's basically a story written by Shaw's agent. A few weeks ago it was 22M, now it's 30? I know Woodward's not exactly shown himself to be a transfer genius, but I doubt he's negotiating against himself quite that badly.

 

Shaw has physical attributes. I think he's already 6'0 tall? He's fast, tough, etc

But I haven't seen anything special on the ball. He's par dribbling, not particularly aggressive or adventurous like Coentrao. He doesn't look like he takes players on. His crossing is par. Defensively he looks like he's okay.

What really wows you people about him? There's two or 3 left backs I'd rather have.

 

Rodriguez?

 

He is one.

Does Shaw have and spikes outside of his physical condition?

Even if were talking potential, what is Shaws top 3 attributes apart from the physical?

 

Nationality, hard working, nationality.

 

I would take Rodriguez over Shaw for that price. The English inflation will make him hard to sign. But hey, at least Ricardo can take free-kicks...




Any other promising left backs coming through?

 

There's certainly a tax because he's English, but Shaw's only 18, has been starting for two seasons and is an important cog in a Southampton side that plays little like the typical English side.

 

He somewhat reminds of Riise when he played for Liverpool. Very physical and strikes the ball very cleanly. Other than that I find him somewhat average. When pressed on the ball, he seldom does anything that impresses me. If we buy him, I think we'll miss Evra's ability to bring the ball out of defence pretty quickly. However, he is 18, and could of course develop into a proper left back. But I find 30 mill to be too much for him. If we're going to lay low and play counter attacking soccer, I'd rather get Coentrao.

Talking about fullbacks, what do you guys think of Micah Richards in rotation with Rafael? He sometimes reacts to slow on the defensive side, but often makes up for it by being extremely physical. Imo his attacking attributes is pretty good, especially his runs into the opposition box. He's got that Yaya power when he's going at full pace, and he's very hard to stop. I think he would be a far better option than Jones / Smalling as back up fullbacks.

 

He's British and stands out at one of the division's smaller outfits. He exceeds conservative expectations.

Not that he's a bad player but 30m is elite money for a LB and that he certainly is not, nor probably ever will be.