Well, I can remember Wijnaldum leaving for PSG on a free. He did, however, stick in a decent shift on his last season with us.
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I think that was more the clubs choice than Giniās though?
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I was under the impression that a contract extension was offered? I canāt fault Gini for his commitment.
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Winaldum
While I understand his desire to play for Real Madrid, I donāt really understand Real Madridās desire to sign him on his overall Liverpool form - then again, I didnāt fully understand their desire to sign Trent (it was probably done under expectations of Alonso helping him recover his 2018-2022 form). Konateās ceiling was high but he was never as good as Trent was during those years.
If I was a betting man, Iād bet on him joining PSG, I agree with you on that. And yes, Iām also sick and tired of our players leaving on a free in their prime but replacing Konate in his current form with Guehi in his current form is quite an upgrade, even if their styles are different. Not that Iām certain heāll join Liverpool, of course, itās just something I hope for.
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I think more likely is that Madrid are willing to take a punt knowing they can flip these players on for a fat profit.
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Theyāre not targeting Konate (or any of the recent transfers on a free) in order to sell him for profit. You donāt just flip players on whenever you wish, especially ones who might be struggling (Alaba was one who wasnāt a great success, mostly due to his age). We know a thing or two about that, being in the same or similar position in footballās food chain.
You could say their activation of Morataās buy-back clause in 2016 after a not impressing at Juventus, to be their backup striker (something he did really well, scoring 20 goals) for a season then sold for more than double the amount to Chelsea, was also because it made financial sense.
I didnāt see anything weird in Real wanting and signing Trent. In terms of Konate, they possibly want a new physical RCB (or add competition) to go alongside Huijsen (and knowing Trent from before), especially if Rudiger is leaving (contract expiring in 2026). And Militaoās had many injuries.
Periods of form at previous clubs are only one aspect of such decisions. Weāve signed many players who werenāt used, were used differently or didnāt really perform well at certain times at their previous clubs.
KonatĆ© is currently struggling (same as other players in our team), but thereās nothing to say that heāll not flourish with Real.
I have come to terms that heāll leave us next summer. Shame, but life is moving on, and weāll hopefully find a good replacement for him. Ideally, we sign Guehi in January already. That would give him a bed-in period which would help everyone, including KonatĆ© for his last six months with us.
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Definitely getting this vibe off Slot. Especially this season. Case in point: Chiesa.
Joe should definitely be starting after that last display from Ibou
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It was, Gini wanted a longer one. In retrospect the club was right. Giniās levels fell off a cliff fairly sharpish after leaving us.
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Iād say every era has players who donāt play much and then in bad times, there are shouts for those players to play more. Sometimes itās players inherited from past regimes, sometimes head coaches were part of the decisions to bring them. Though it doesnāt matter too much. Shaqiri was one under Klopp.
As for Gini, he shouldāve asked himself (and probably did) why he didnāt get one offered during or just after his first two seasons (when we usually offered improved terms for players who impress) at the club, before he became āseriousā and went up a level from 2018 onwards.
Similar could be said for Diaz, although in his case there were some injuries and a terrible family situation at one point.
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Emre was also pretty good in his final season with us. In fact, he was one of our in-form midfielders in spring or some of the last months of that 17/18 season, before he got injured. I really have nothing negative to say towards many of our playersā performances and behaviour who would leave on a free.
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Yeah I remember there being gnashing of teeth over his injury in the tail end of his final season and how it would impact our run in.
Doesnāt change much for us.
Real have a few players on their list, there are other CBās who will be free next summer. Nobody knows the reasons. Maybe itās a current stance, things can still change.
For Konate, he could sign for another club or still prolong with us. Weāll see.
Iāve had enough of him. He can be brilliant, but itās either a 9/10 or a 3/10. Never a solid 6 or 7. Not just this season either. We need a starting CB thatās more consistent and reliable
Madrid be like
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One thing I have always had doubts about is his fitness. I donāt mean in terms of avoiding injury, although that is an element, but in terms of lasting 90 minutes. I remember in the PSG game last season that once it went to extra time, he just hit a wall and couldnāt move.
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Like a certain Englishman playing at Crystal Palaceā¦
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And another Frenchman at Bayern and moreā¦