Smith-Rowe and Sakha for me please
1 Like
Smith-Rowe is their only player making an effort. I don’t think i’d touch any of them even if a change of scenery might do them some good.
I remember doing some scouting last year during Covid and comparing Saka to McNeil. For me, McNeil is lightyears ahead of Saka.
Both of them are very technical and quick (Saka is faster). McNeil has a better, or cleaner, strike on the ball. The difference for me is off the ball - McNeil works tirelessly for the full 90 minutes whether that is creating space or covering full backs whereas Saka just drifts along when the other team have possession, happy to walk around and wait for Arsenal to get it back. He comes alive when he has the ball at his feet.
Personally, knowing the problems Arsenal have right now, I’d be leaving Saka out for someone more diligent and hard working… But I’m not sure they have many of those kind of players anyway.
4 Likes
I’m a big fan of McNeil. Before we got Tsimikas that’s exactly who I wanted us to go for.
2 Likes
Isn’t McNeil a winger, therefore I’m confused by the comparison.
He’s also a lad from Manchester iirc, and was released by United before his switch - not that being an ex man U youth player means much.
I like him though.
Are we sure that’s down to the players though? What you’re describing wouldn’t surprise me at all if you were comparing any Dyche player against any Arteta player. Although do have to admit McNeil is a player I like and really impressed me at the weekend.
1 Like
He is in Burnley’s system but he basically occupies the same areas as Robertson does for us (and Tsimikas). He’s good at pressing, is defensively sound, good athlete, and has a wonderful left foot. He’d play as a LB for us but given how our full backs play it wouldn’t be hugely different to what constitutes a winger under Dyche.
7 Likes
I think he has played both full back and winger. I hadn’t realised he was ex utd. Crazy to think they didn’t keep him given how much they have spent on full backs in recent years.
2 Likes
Mcneil is quality, still undecided on what his best role would be. For us I guess at left back, but I wouldn’t put it past him to play box to box either.
He looks completely out of place playing for Burnley, which is the biggest compliment I can give him.
6 Likes
For me Saka is wildly overrated. He is non descript insofar as he really doesnt know where to be on the pitch.
He is young, quick and English, all ingredients to make him a media favourire. I just dont see it.
3 Likes
Yeah he sticks out like a thumb that isn’t sore, McNeil. Like a thumb then, I guess.
Imagine if he was black as well…
I hope it’s ok I wrote that. I’m making fun of Burnley’s extreme whiteness, for those who don’t get it.
3 Likes
Did he play as a forward in the youth system? I seem to recall he broke into the team as a full back and only signed a new contract when they agreed to let him play as a forward?
1 Like
I still can’t believe no one has come in for him. You would have thought even if the big four had reason not too, then those in the next tier of clubs or closely chasing them would have been interested.
4 Likes
Weren’t Villa sniffing around at some point? Not a massive step up, granted.
Same here he’s just another fast english winger who will never understand the tactical side of the game imo. (That’s from whatching him with England (couldn’t believe he got to start and yesterdays Arse Vs Plastics match (where he wasn’t helped but didn’t help himself in a team with despondant body language)).
We stretched our wage limit structure to extend all those contracts recently but these are still peanuts to what Mbappe and Haaland would cost.
Reports in Germany today say Raiola wants €50m a year in wages for Haaland + €40m sign on fee.
Foolish to think that Nike would help us getting those kind of players. Covid did the rest and we can be happy that we were able to buy Thiago, Jota and Konate.
2 Likes
If those figures are accurate, there is only three maybe four clubs capable or stupid enough to pay that sort of money to a player. It also says something about the players footballing ambitions, as he seems to be only interested in the highest bidder.
2 Likes
Haaland got Raiola to secure him the move to Dortmund on much reduced wages, so the kid does have his head right. That might be what he is asking for, but for the “right” club is that what he agrees to?
1 Like
Yeah my impression is it’s not an accurate image of him, if people think he’s following the money they’re wrong. Very much focused on development, being at the right club for him. Both he and his father, by the way.
1 Like
Please do explain why Raiola is his agent then?
2 Likes