looking at this transfer in isolation, £50m is a lot to pay for a centerback outside the elite tier. but if this guy ends up at one of the big 4 clubs, we're not getting him unless he flops, and if he flops, why would we want him? EPL experience does matter, especially for younger players. he wont need an adjustment period. for the fee, he should be a nailed on starter from day 1. fine.
if this is part of a larger reconciliation at centerback, and there are other moves coming, fine. if we can sell holding for £20m, then cool. im sure a fellow mid table team would value an experienced english centerback who can slot in. if we were paying £30m for white (£50m - holding for £20m going out), people would say its a great price and a great piece of business. if white comes in, no one leaves, and this is our big signing of the window, then you have to say its a step in the wrong direction.
i keep harping on it, but we will be playing one game per week for most of the season, if not the entire season. the kids will play in the tinpot cup, and they dont factor into the starting XI or the second XI even. one game per week. we need 4 centerbacks. we'd have two right footed CBs in white and saliba, and two leftfooted CBs in gabriel and mari. we are sorted there. holding is surplus. there is no reason to keep him, and there is no reason to sell saliba. none.
the way we put a squad together is baffling. seriously baffling.
