Being linked in French media with Lyon. Apparently we rejected their initial approaches but they are continuing to push for him.
At 30 plus must be nearer the end of his spell at the top end so surprised Lyon would want him. For us a key player so like to keep him.
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2019/lyon-in-talks-to-sign-watford-midfielder-etienne-capoue/ Even says it's pretty much a 'no go' in this report. Capoue wanted to stay last summer and was delighted with his 4-year deal.
I haven’t argued your point. Well, I wasn’t trying to. I’m just factoring in the opportunity for a 30+ French player to play back home for a team that gets in the CL is bound to be attractive when compared to the situation we are in. Which is why I wouldn’t go as far as saying ‘non-starter’ just yet, that’s all.
Even if they're actually interested, there's no way he'd be allowed to leave unless he starts being disruptive and actively agitating for a move. He's been a key performer over the last few years.
I agree. I’ll only happen if he wants it which I doubt - or the fee on offer is too good for a player of his age...Pearson may think Chalobah or someone else is capable of replacing him. As someone mentioned on another thread, I can see us being in for a few Leicester players (past and present) - Morgan, Fuchs, Drinkwater.
I don't think anyone will want to touch Drinkwater. Failed at Chelsea and Burnley, with a number of off the pitch problems as well.
While I do agree on the main - a decent player who has lost his way, is attainable, good age and crucially perhaps...is very well known (and very probably) liked by Pearson. Just saying it’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.
Agreed. I think that Pearson is going to have a lot more influence on signings or transfers out than previous managers.
Yes, I agree that seems likely. Wouldn't say no to Morgan, would likely be excellent for us. I think he's out of contract at the end of the season, too, so not completely ridiculous when you consider he's also 35 and we seem to collect old defenders. Not sure Leicester would want to offload him though, in all honesty, and even less sure he'd be interested in moving to us. I think he's pally with Deeney, though, isn't he?
Capoue was outstanding today. Lost count of the number of times he switched play. Were lucky to have someone like him at Watford. Important we keep him
I'd rather we kept both. Sure, I agree that Capoue is overall the slightly better player and more important to our team, but he's also 31 whereas Doucoure is 27. I'd be surprised if Etienne can keep up the same level of heroic performances at this level for more than another couple of seasons, whereas Doucoure still has loads left in the tank and also further room to improve.
Javi Gracia's Valencia linked with Capoue to replace Yangel Herrera. https://twitter.com/Carlos_bosch/status/1296508039814623233 https://www.superdeporte.es/valencia/2020/08/20/etienne-capoue-recambio-yangel-herrera/467726.html Very unlikely due to the state of Valencia right now. Even their supporters are dismissing it as BS.
Capoue did come into his own under Gracia I guess but thought they had no money and were having to sell players first?
They couldn’t afford him, they’re broke af. He may well go somewhere but I doubt it will be Valencia.
Read the first bit of this thread and was very encouraged, until I saw Pearson mentioned and I realised it was from January! Seeing that it's Valencia who are in for him doesn't scare me though with everything that's going on there, they can have Kiko and be grateful for him! Naturally, we need to do what we can to keep our best players, although we have to be prepared to someone else to take over from him for parts of the season. Is Chalobah up to that? Dele-Bashiru perhaps?
I think the difference between going back up or not could depend on whether we keep Capoue or not. Etienne is the type of player that can get his foot on the ball and dictate the tempo of games and he should be able to do this fairly comfortably in The Championship. I also think it is important that we do not let all of our players with leadership leave having let vice-captain Mariappa go already and Troy potentially going. Yes having young players is fantastic and exciting but there needs to be a balance of experience players as well.
I hope capoue stays, he should be absolutely imperious in the championship. Working alongside Hughes the two of them might be the best midfield 2 in the division.
Totally agree with this and I think having this quality behind Quina would bring the best out of him as well.
Wreaks of lazy journalism. Valencia are going through a financial crisis. The last thing they want to do is spend upwards of 20 million on a 32 year old midfielder. LOL
I’d say Capoue is a senior player - not so sure about ‘leadership qualities’. Think he’s been handed the armband by default in the past and that probably says more about the rest of the squad than it does for him.
