Well, no point discussing it. You're 'coup' is clearly a few levels below what I would consider one.
I think he is a level above Lewandowski while we are at it.
I would be surprised if we even reach a signing of his level.
Pretty sure Cazorla would be considered a bigger coup.
In terms of potential I think there are a lot of people in football who would say that Jovetic has the potential to become one of the top 15 players in the world at some point. In terms of achievements he hasn't done anything special, and in terms of quality right now I think it is difficult to say he could be considered a 'big signing'.
Podolski was a pretty big signing. Bigger name than Jovetic imo, with that extra letter.
Same number of letters if you count their first names though.
In terms of difficult to get and more expensive?
Podolski had no suitors.
Because we acted quick and he really wanted to come here.
That's like saying Cesc had no suitors except Barcelona.
Clrnc wrote: Podolski had no suitors.
....that you are aware of based on second/third hand information.
A player with a year on his contract of Podolski's ability would have had plenty of clubs willing to take a chance on him across Europe. We actually wanted to sign him in January so it's fair to assume that we may well have approached him around 18 months ago.
Dortmund wanted him, and Utd too apparently.
There wasn't a real fight for him, there was no other credible links other than us at that time.
Podolski turned down Dortmund twice; that is a fact.
Allegedly turned down Milan because he wanted to play in England too.
And Lazio.
Links please.
Put it this way
Is getting Jovetic harder than Podolski and Cazorla? Will it be more expensive with much more competition? If so, he is a bigger signing.
No. 'Big' signings are name brand players, household names that even your missus will know about should we sign them. Blokes who have done it in europe, in international tournaments etc.
23 year olds from Fiorentina do not even get a look in.
He's a biggish signing though.
I guess you'd call surez, bale, and falcao big signings
Clrnc wrote: Links please. Put it this way Is getting Jovetic harder than Podolski and Cazorla? Will it be more expensive with much more competition? If so, he is a bigger signing.
Was Sol Campbell a big signing? If so, you need to reevaluate your criteria.
Jovetic is a big name talent, I'll give you that. He's an extraordinary footballer. He'd be one of the first names on my wish list if I were given unlimited funds to build a team. But there's a difference between being a big talent and big player. He hasn't set Serie A on fire so far since he returned from injury. He's a very good footballer who seems stuck in second gear a bit too often. To raise his level and become one of the best footballers around he probably needs to leave Fiorentina.
pires wasn't a "big" signing either by some people's criteria here, which is fine. but there's a difference between guys who are not big signings because they lack the talent, versus guys who have the talent but just haven't shown it yet. jovetic might be in the latter category, who knows? podolski and cazorla are in the former for me - neither will ever have a chance of being player of the year here.
