Chakvetadze’s main strength is ball carrying really which I’m not sure he can do as effectively from out wide, I also think Asprilla is better at the top of midfield though so that’s 2 out of 4 wingers that aren’t natural wide men for me. However if we say Val likes them then Sema, Asprilla, Martins & Chakve is probably sufficient with Baah & Hurtado as emergency back up wingers. Depending on Kayembe’s injury, a physical midfielder is first priority. Livermore can’t do this every week and TDB just isn’t really good at anything for me?
Agree with the last point, had hoped we might be able to convert him into a serviceable right back given I don't think he's good enough in the engine room but that experiment has been pretty much a disaster. He's quite frustrating as he shows moments of quality, particularly when getting the ball on the half turn and driving forward but then he also gets his pocket picked a lot, misplaces simple passes, has zero defensive awareness. His best run of form seemed to be playing wide in a front three at Reading and could see that might suit him. Not a conventional winger but tucking in and getting close to the striker without too much defensive responsibility.
I think that's a good move re: Chavketadze and a price I'd say is good value. There's a high quality player in there and he suit the midfield more than the wings where he was poor earlier in the Season.
I definitely don't hate him but he’s a player I like the idea of rather than the reality. Regularly scores in international football for a side punching a bit above its level, loved in his home country, was considered a potential wonderkid at one point etc. Plus trying to fight back from an injury and prove himself. Ticks a lot of boxes on paper. But I've really not seen much evidence of the 'class act' thing at all and would rank him alongside the rest of our attacking players as having some quite big flaws. Personally would rather if we're going to spend £2m on one player - which will end up being our record transfer for the season - we do it on someone who actually has a proven track record of contributing to the team. So I'd be holding fire until the summer on making his loan permanent to see if he can turn in a decent number of goals and assists and hold down a starting place. None of which he's done so far.
Yeah some people complain about us signing Rajovic for £1mil, but he's contributed more to our season than Chak - so spending £2mil on Chak doesn't sound that good.
Val brings players up a level, there are enough green shoots in Chakvetadze's play for him to be a good signing in my opinion. In March everyone was bemoaning Kone, and if you had told us that Kayembe would be one of our best players you would have been laughed of the forum. I think Chakvetadze will only get better as the season goes on. Also can we drop the 'Dave' thing we aren't Chelsea and it feels a little bit iffy.
Difference is Koné and Kayembe, whatever you think of their fees, or how well they fit our purposes when we actually bought them, are already our players
Our strategy to make sure we don't spend too much money this window seems to be to only target players who couldn't actually play for us. Either that or Gino just likes to dream of not playing by the rules
Deal has been agreed, a little less than the 2 million stated however good business nonetheless. A replacement is already lined up apparently, I will post a name as soon as I have it
Sorting 'outs' before finalising any 'ins' makes sense in a lot of ways, but our squad is painfully thin as it is and I have 0 faith in us to replace Louza/Healey with anyone who will be capable of contributing in any meaningful capacity.
I think when you say sorting outs before ins it’s not quite that simple. Just because the out happens first doesn’t mean the in hasn’t already been lined up and agreed
Deal agreed on all sides? We've seen this story before where a fee has been agreed only for the deal to fall down elsewhere!
I know it’s not as simple as working on one thing at a time, but deals can fall through even after you’ve put the leg work in. If you sign the paperwork to sell a player then try to finalise a purchase, you can be left short (but the same is true of the inverse of course).
I’ll take your Defrel and raise you it not being anyone remotely exciting (I accept Defrel fits this category)
Wait, are you arguing that Defrel is exciting, or that whoever is coming in is not Defrel and is exciting?!?
