I do think though that @Hendrix22 has a point. We're brutally overspending, but it's clear it's either that or more Carlo. Pretty obvious to me that Xabi doesn't sign up for false promises.
Moreover, if Xabi was brought here without reinforcements and failed, then it's obvious that it's the roster that is the problem, rather than the coach. That would bring the heat to Perez and the others.
We might be overspending but we’re doing so by bringing in quality young players in positions much needed. We wouldn’t be doing this if the board did this over the last two seasons when it was much needed.
Whether they are quality or not has to show itself, and so far it's only one official, and one very likely (Trent). What a weird situation though. Reports claim that things were a bit awkward at Leverkusen, but then again, business is sometimes uncomfortable. Leverkusen kind of had a rough season and Xabi clearly didn't feel comfortable being celebrated as if he had won anything, while some people were celebrating him like he won a title, I liked that.
I really hope this is how Carlo is appreciated on the last day after the Sociadad game. Won or not, he’s a legend at this place and is welcome back any time he wants without even booking a slot on the VIP list.
The kid we picked up, we spent over 3 times what his club spent less than a year ago. This is the Holjund tier spending where you just close your eyes, click on "buy now" and hope for the best case scenario.
I'd say we "overpaid" for the release clause. But the big English clubs were all over him, so that means something. I dunno if Juni had any input on this, but if he did l, I'd give the club the benefit of the doubt.
if Lucas and Modirc leave this summer, Fede could be the new captain (assuming Dani would be sidelined). I am assuming Vini will be the vice-captain next season. But players such as Bellingham or Rudiger can lead the team without being a captain or vice-captain.
Huijsen simply checks too many boxes in a position of great need. I don't think paying the clause is overpaying for him, Juventus sold him cheaply because they needed cash for Motta's project. This is actually the biggest problem with the coach running the squad building policy, they will often let go someone (often a youngster) that they shouldn't have. I actually would have preferred Hincapie for 70, Lukeba for 90 or a Colvill for a 100+ fee, but Huijsen is a statement of intent for a specific tactical setup at the back and beyond that so that for me is a first priority when choosing a player.
Wasn't that kid in our youth ranks at one point or am I moving mad ? Anyway, i've never seen him play so I don't know anything, though the media makes it looks like the kid is an insane LB. Hope he comes good.
I think 70 mil.+ is criminal for a defender. People spending like that should be on a watchlist. Overpaying is also relative, i think we're definitely "overspending" for our standards.
This happens with virtually every young player that major funds are spent upon. Militao was at Porto for 1 year when we bought him for 50. Tchouameni was at Monaco for 2 years we when spent 80+. Mendy was at Lyon for 2 years when we spent 50 on him. Strange to label it the “Hojlund tier spending”
That's because you can't separate the process from the results. Just because you did something stupid doesn't mean it can't work. Likewise it's possible to do everything right and the transfer still doesn't work out. People just take observations as insults by now. We need to bring players in at any cost. So we're going to be spending a premium on every transaction.
We are also underperforming for our standards and thats because we cannot accept the reality that 70 million is not actually criminal for a worldclass defender that we need when we offered 200 million for Mbappe 2-3 years ago, a player that we didn't exactly need. Yes defenders are cheaper than attackers but if we don't accept less than a 100 million for someone like Rodrygo then we accept this market and operate within its rules (if we want success obviously).
As I said, yes it costs more, but how is 120 million okay for a worldclass midfielder (Bellingham), 200 million okay for a worldclass attacker (Mbappe), but 80 million is not okay for a worldclass defender? As far as I can tell, the scaling checks out.
You can win without an 80 mil. defender. But you can't win without standout attacking talent. That's the case here. You need to score goals to win, you just need to concede less than you score.
That's what I'm wondering. We're buying outright and not the final year of contract.. no? This guy is a starting CB at 20 for the Spanish NT and Bournemouth.. no? I know people say he is slow but many have rated him highly since he was at Juventus.. we paid €59.5M; how is that gross overpay? Gross overpay is €80M on the last year of a contract to a French player with no NT experience who hasn't played in a top league.
Extreme simplification based on mythology. I can also say some cliche take like offense wins games defense wins titles, but the truth is its all just probabilities, and having an 80 mil defender helps quite a lot in improving them, as much as a 200 mil attacker does probably. In fact neither actually improve too much if its just paying for nothing else except individual quality. And that is the main reason why I like the Huijsen signing - we're not buying him just because of quality in a vacuum. But if we can agree that there is an attacker out there that is indeed worth 200 mil, then there is a defender that is worth half of that. Even if we accept somehow that attack is more important to winning than defense, its not twice as important.
Theo has poor attitude. Had a couple of good seasons, but fell out of favour with Piolitowards the end, and has been benched on multiple occasions by both Fonseca and Conceicao. He’s not a serious option for this club, and is a player that will age very poorly.