Agree. If Chiesa stays and we get Isak, then we don’t need another forward. I have this feeling that Chiesa can be a solid contributor. Last season was rough, no doubt, but I think he has something to offer and hopefully wants to prove himself. He certainly has quality.
2 Likes
I don’t mind us keeping Chiesa but if he doesn’t get used more then he did in the second half of last season, it’s basically the same as not having him. He should only be the 6th option in our forwards if kept.
2 Likes
I think Chiesa is cooked physically. His incredible pace was a key asset prior to his injuries. These days, he can turn it on in spurts here and there, but it exposes him to injuries that keep him out for extended periods.
He just cannot be depended on as anything more than an emergency option, IMO. And I understand why he’d rather go somewhere where he can get more playing time.
3 Likes
That would make me question why we bought him in in the first place. Buying a player thats lost a yard of pace isnt really what we do these days.
The data says he hasn’t. It said he doesnt do as many sprints as he used to, but a big part of that was that his last season at Juve he played more centrally and so had fewer opportunities to open up than when playing wide. But when he had the opportunity he was clocked at his pre-injury top speeds.
But with that said, the experience of last season showed he was still physically diminished. The question is how much of that was a known issue that we are confident can be resolved vs how much was a roll of the dice that didnt pay off
5 Likes
The year before we signed him, he still displayed tremendous pace. He just got hurt so often that it didn’t really matter.
Perhaps we hoped that some time with our training staff would help. But then he arrived injured and by the time he was fit, Arne had his rotation set.
1 Like
I don’t think he’s cooked physically. I think his fitness wasn’t where it needed to be when he got here and wasn’t ready for the physical nature of the league. I’d be ok with seeing what he can do now. Perhaps he’s worked hard this summer to get where he needs to be and he’ll have a full preseason under his belt. If he’s sold it means Slot and Co. don’t believe he’s up to it, which is fine as long as we bring in someone he trusts and can rotate in.
Chiesa started the season unfit. When he built up his fitness I’m not sure that it is a case of him not being trusted but that the people in front of him (i.e., Salah) were better.
Slot doesn’t seem tobrotate when he doesn’t need to. And really, if he is good but not better than Salah… why should Chiesa play?
Situation could be different if we don’t have a fit winger. In those cases, I don’t think Slot wwould be reluctant to use him at all.
Well if that’s the case, then we shouldn’t sell him. He has quality…there’s no doubt about that. Would I rather Rodrygo? Yes please.
Rumors going around that Madrid have dropped the asking price, for Rodrygo, to 50m.
3 Likes
At 50M I’d take him over Isak if this report is true
3 Likes
4 Likes
50m and would be a no brainer. Provided his wages are reasonable.
I’d still take Isak too though.
2 Likes
Do we envisage doing any defending? Any at all?
5 Likes
2 Likes
Rumours Palace are in for Yann Bisseck so that could be what completes the Guehi deal. I do wonder if it’s something more like that than anything else.
1 Like
Looking at Palace’s roster and the fact that they play 3 at the back, I think they will need more than 1 new CB, especially once/if they sell Guehi this summer. So, links shouldn’t be surprising regardless of what happens with Guehi. You don’t necessarily need 6 options when you play 3 at the back, but still, right now they have: Guehi, Lacroix, Riad, Richards and Holding. Two of which are injured, one of which long term (Riad expected to be back in January). Their “next” option is playing Lerma out of position at CB. Or an even bigger emergency, Clyne. Still a PL player, wow.
1 Like
Scoring so many goals, we might not need to defend.
1 Like
And Holding is leaving, so they better go CB shopping.
English defender Rob Holding, 29, is set to leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer to join Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids , who held off competition from Championship sides Sheffield United and Wrexham . ( Sky Sports, external)
Scoring more than the other team.
Attack is the best form of defence