Isn't this how Carlo rationalized it? The main reason we needed to transition from Carlo was specifically due to this factor
Great, lets spend 60 million on another one, then we will be in an even greater position with three promising young strikers on our roster. We shot ourselves in the foot with zero investment in defense and midfield, that costed us an entire season. With the frugality we are operating, there is zero chance that blowing all that money on Endrick is uncorrelated with the refusal to address more critical positions (leftback, centerback, central midfielder). I was a fan of the Endrick signing, but if I knew Gonzalo was this good, I would have been fine with Endrick going to Chelsea.
Wait and see how future plays out. For all we know, Mbappe and Vini stays at RM for next 5 years and Endrick/Garcia are too big for back up role after a year or two. Might have to cash in on both then.
"Cash in" on Endrick means selling him for 100 million and he's not going to have that value anytime soon especially not as a reserve. Cashing in would have actually been not parting from that money, and spending it more wisely since we already had a wonderkid striker, we just didn't believe in him.
Think Gonzalo's rise was unexpected until 35 goal season with Juvenil A. He last played for Spanish youth team in 2023 and has 0 goals from 13 appearances. Yet to play for Spain U-21 though he had a record breaking season with Castilla. Everyone underrated him it seems. Mario Gila also flew under the radar. He never got Spain U-17, U-19 call up.
We haven’t spent €60m on him. And obviously, let’s wait and see if the actual mo eh spent ends up being a good investment or not. Extremely obvious.
Nobody can really blame Carlo for not using Gonzalo becuase Mbappe was forced on him and there was no way around it. It's very ironic. Despite Florentino and the board insisting Carlo make due with Castilla players to solve the issues on defense, there's no way he they would have listened if Carlo had told them he didn't need Mbappe because he had Endrick and Gonzalo and he thought they needed game time if they weren't going to develop into world class players the club could depend on.
How would anyone know Gonzalo would play this level three years ago?? So much of this us just hype because Gonzalo is having a good moment but people can't just leave it at that and have to jump to conclusions about his future. Let's pump the brakes a little
I hope so. Endrick hasn't really shown much with the ball at his feet, most of his good moments last year were running into space. Hope to see some growth this year.
Soldado was touted as the future for this club after doing what Gonzalo is doing now in Champions League games. Gonzalo has done well but there's a chance he turns into a pumpkin during the season and this isn't anything but "the summer of Gonzalo", something we keep in memory. I hope he can keep it going, but really, how odd to pin the guy down as the future after 3 games.
This is true; that's why we need to wait until the season is over. He is making a great start, but will he keep it going throughout the season is the real litmus test.
It's a great problem to have; we have 4 strikers for 2 positions which is what is needed for all the upcoming games.
Who said he was a "game wonder"? People said to tone down hype so expectations that are too heavy aren't forced upon him.
Oh I wasn't saying that back to anyone. I just meant it in general, as in "is it too early to start the hype or not"... I know it's still VERY early days, but the kid has grit at least and even though he's a rough diamond he also has something you can't really teach - a nose for goals. I hope he gets chances during the season cause he could be a better option than Endrick right now.
I hope he starts against PSG. Xabi said GG & Mbappe can complement each other, so he can play with either Vini or Mbappe. The season is long. Wanna see a healthy competition.