I’d gladly sell Gakpo, but we’d need two wingers then (Barcola and another). I don’t think Gakpo is suited to Iraola’s system.
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I just don’t trust Richard Hughes or whoever is doing the transfers this summer to bring anyone in to replace him.
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If Barcola is coming, regardless of what happens with Gakpo, great.
If Gakpo is then sold and we buy another winger for the right, to give us more balance, I would do that. The only two I can think of would be Minteh and Fernandes-Pardo, with the latter able to play across all three positions and give us cover for Isak, while Ekitke recovers.
I could also name Rayan to add as a right winger, if we sold Gakpo, but his 85M release clause doesn’t kick in until next summer (or maybe January). With Kroupi out injured I would be very surprised if Bournemouth would consider an offer for Rayan right now.
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. Gakpo was frustrating, like all of the team, last year. But he’s currently our best finisher bar Isak. No way we should consider selling him until we have the squad built up with 2-3 quality additions/returns to forward line
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Diaz was actually good for us. Gakpo was shit. It’s not a reasonable comparison.
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From what i remember their goal and assist figures prior to last season are pretty similar.
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Diaz had 13 goals and 5 assists. Gakpo had 7 goals and 5 assists. Not a massive gulf, but six goals is a meaningful difference.
Plus, Diaz’s value was not just in G/A but also is overall impact on defenses - his versatility, pressing ability, ball-carrying ability, etc. Gakpo gave us nothing in that regard. He was a detriment more often than a benefit because he didn’t link up well with anyone.
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Like the rest of the side. Would he have been as poor if he had Diaz still playing with him.
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Diaz offered more, no doubt. But Gakpo is not shit
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Is Diaz playing for us next season? I’m not sure why the answer to that question matters. Either you believe Gakpo is suited for Iraola’s high-energy direct system, or you don’t. I don’t think he is. If you disagree, more power to you.
Gakpo is more than suited im guessing you have forgotten him playing in Klopps system.
He was shit last season. I’m not saying he’s shit as a player overall.
We could consider upgrading Gakpo if we were in a position of strength. Right now he’s the second best goalscorer at the club. And the first best seems fragile
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I said prior to last season. Diaz had 41 goals and 16 assists in 148 games. Gakpo 50 & 20 in 180.
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Wirtz offers nothing out wide.
He was a rotation option for us with Klopp. Started less than half of the games. He was never a main man and benefitted tremendously from the ways others stretched stretched defenses and gave him poaching opportunities.
I’m not sure he’s suited to be effective in a system where much more creative expectations are placed on him. We saw how ineffective he was last season when given the opportunity.
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The comparison being talked about is Diaz and Gakpo in the 24/25 season isn’t it? Gakpo got very similar number of goals per appearance compared to Diaz that year across all competitions. Gakpo 10 goals in 35 Premier league games and 18 in 49 in all competitions. Diaz was 13 in 36 and 17 in 50.
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We’ve currently got one top quality defender, and he’s 35. Gakpo is the least of our worries
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The notion of selling Gakpo is madness is very durable pops up with goals puts a shift in.
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I was comparing Gakpo last season to Diaz the season before - their most recent seasons with the club.