He’s a very likable guy. But two things.
1) keep the players appropriate for the systems you’re playing
2) set an upper limit on how long it takes for players to prove themselves. If we can’t scout / develop our own players after 100 games, what chance have we unearthing gems in Serbia or Ghana somewhere?

I think people just find it difficult to assess his proper level for some reason. He was well overrated before his knee injury and now he's fairly underrated by contrast.

I'd keep him ahead of most of our squad options personally, but there's no denying he needs regular football if he's ever going to turn into a useful player. Loan him to Brighton next season and then reassess.

In all seriousness it's probably the right move to let him go. I can't see him raising his game by another couple of levels.

Klaus wrote:

I think people just find it difficult to assess his proper level for some reason. He was well overrated before his knee injury and now he's fairly underrated by contrast.

I'd keep him ahead of most of our squad options personally, but there's no denying he needs regular football if he's ever going to turn into a useful player. Loan him to Brighton next season and then reassess.

Klaus, what is your upper limit hope with Holding?

Some talk that Napoli are after Sokratis regardless of what happens re Gabriel.

Claudius wrote:

Klaus wrote:

I think people just find it difficult to assess his proper level for some reason. He was well overrated before his knee injury and now he's fairly underrated by contrast.

I'd keep him ahead of most of our squad options personally, but there's no denying he needs regular football if he's ever going to turn into a useful player. Loan him to Brighton next season and then reassess.

Klaus, what is your upper limit hope with Holding?

Who knows? The bloke is 24 and hasn't played regularly since he was 20.

Klaus wrote:

Claudius wrote:

Klaus, what is your upper limit hope with Holding?

Who knows? The bloke is 24 and hasn't played regularly since he was 20.

His reading of the game is poor defending and going forwards. When he has options he's fucked. But he has bearly played so who knows it could be rust, confidence, ability or a lack of experiance. Maybe a loan before a sale would be the best option. But I can't see a future for him hear.

Anzac wrote:

Some talk that Napoli are after Sokratis regardless of what happens re Gabriel.

Would be best for both parties, think he'd do alright in Italy.

Let's see what Napoli who just paid €50m for Osimhem are willing to pay for Sokratis. Edu and Fahmy need to start proving their value.

You are expecting a good fee for him? Just get him off our wage bill

Clrnc wrote:

You are expecting a good fee for him? Just get him off our wage bill

Any money is good money. We just committed 15m to 30m for Willian. We need to recover some of that. 

If we get £10-15mil for Sokratis we should be pleased

I think from next week we will see movement. Hopefully Lacazette, Torreira, Guendouzi et al all start departing

We signed a Sokratis arguably in his prime for £15m, not going to get anywhere near that now. I’d be happy with £5-8m

Happily take that, Goon. And send him on his way.
Holding and Chambers are the key sales. We need some of these pundits who share a single brain cell amongst them like Michael Owen and co to talk them up. And pull in £30m+ for them.

goon wrote:

We signed a Sokratis arguably in his prime for £15m, not going to get anywhere near that now. I’d be happy with £5-8m

Yeah we got £5m or so for Kos, I'd expect a similar fee.

£5m and his wages gone would be great, that would pretty much cover the Willian transfer

JazzG wrote:

Anzac wrote:

Some talk that Napoli are after Sokratis regardless of what happens re Gabriel.

Would be best for both parties, think he'd do alright in Italy.

Yeah, I think he would. Has considerable Serie A experience for Genoa and Milan.

speedy wrote:

Klaus wrote:

Who knows? The bloke is 24 and hasn't played regularly since he was 20.

His reading of the game is poor defending and going forwards. When he has options he's fucked. But he has bearly played so who knows it could be rust, confidence, ability or a lack of experiance. Maybe a loan before a sale would be the best option. But I can't see a future for him hear.

I actually think his reading is fairly good, but physically he's been a step behind for most of this season. He was pretty good in the cup final though, probably our best defender, which wasn't easy with Bellerin partnering on that side.

What'll fuck him over in the long term is probably his lack of ability on the ball. I haven't seen Saliba play yet but he seems to have better tools across the board, and Chambers offers way more too. Holding is a bit better in the air and worse at everything else.

He's a good player though and he's homegrown which, if nothing else, should command a big fee if we farm him out first and let him have some Premier League experience. I do think it's an advantage to have some centrebacks around that are native english speakers too.

Any chance we can flip Coates and Mari?