Leon Bailey is a weird one. He has gone from being a sub under Emery, behind Diaby in the pecking order to the other way round. Looks far better than Diaby who was everyone's fav here
He looked phenomenal in the Bundesliga as a young player and then never really took that next step in his development. When he came over to the EPL, it seemed like he had completely stalled out and was going to always be one of those players capable of a spectacular moment here and there but never consistently top class. However, this season he has looked back to his best. If we could get that type of performance out of him consistently, he'd be perfect depth behind Saka but I'd worry about the fits and starts in his career personally. Seems like he shows bursts of form followed by periods of malaise.
Players like Bailey need to be looked at as players who would be doubled or tripled up on against deep blocks vs players who regularly find themselves 1v1 as he has at Villa. Same goes for Watkins.
Being a winger here is much more of a nuanced skill.
Players I like are ones who have breakout qualities. Something that really sets them apart. Speed, strength, tackling etc. When I look at all the guys in the market right now, the chap who most speaks to me on this front is Musiala.
PSG, Liverpool, United, City will have the financial wherewithal to go after him this summer. Amongst that group, I think only City tell a better story than us. And maybe they’re in FFP trouble
Claudius When I look at all the guys in the market right now, the chap who most speaks to me on this front is Musiala.
Musiala feels like more of an in between the lines smart player.
I thought you would have been thinking of Kvarat
Musiala is clearly a top level player and will cost top level money. Someone like Bailey would cost big money and I'm not convinced he'd be worth it. Good scouting would find as good a player for a lot less than Villa would want.
Qwiss Right, you don't want to buy a player of Bailey's caliber from Aston Villa. He might be very good for us but he's not the top-end talent like Rice or Havertz that justifies the PL tax.
Qwiss problem is so many clubs are awake and the market is so efficient that a player of Bailey’s quality and consistency isn’t out there waiting to be discovered. If you want Bailey, you have to pay. Or you take a risk on undeveloped player like a Moukouko, Orban, Sesko, Ferguson etc. and even these well-known kids will cost a bundle, despite their present limitations.
Claudius Bailey isn't consistent though. He's having a decent season this year but he's not consistent. I don't think he's better than Trossard for instance, or Jesus when used wide so a major outlay on a guy like that would be an inefficient use of our resources.
Interesting Arteta & Alonso rate him.
JazzG Interesting Arteta & Alonso rate him.
they're mates so probably shared notes
Yeah can’t see it fully with him, but then again he may be able to play the role Jorginho currently plays.
Kimmich, and Luiz may be on our list
lorddulaarsenal Yeah can’t see it fully with him, but then again he may be able to play the role Jorginho currently plays.
Same here, though the reason I can't see it is because I don't see him having the passing abilities to play the Jorginho role. From what I've seen of him he's too safe a passer for me and we'll end up going side to side against deep defences rather than penetrating them.
Ok gents. Pick one from each of these groups
1) Isak, Gyokeres, Toney, Zirkzee
2) Neto, Nico Williams, Raphinha
3) Zubimendi, Luiz, Kimmich
lorddulaarsenal I’d rather get 2CMs and one forward. Can I do that?
lorddulaarsenal Gyokeres, Williams, Kimmich. Easy
lorddulaarsenal
Isak, Williams, Luiz
But Isak can't stay fit so probably take a punt in Zirkzee
Gyokeres, Williams + Kimmich
Toney = no pace, has peaked and is a cunt Isak = too injury prone Neto = see above Rahphina= that ship has sailed and think he may have peaked too
Not sure who Luiz is though….
lorddulaarsenal Isak, Neto, Zubimendi
lorddulaarsenal can I take zubimendi and 2 from the top group instead.
For me it's Nico Williams and Kimmich (I'd also take Douglas Luiz) and then wait to see if there's a market opportunity at striker. I like the look of Gyokeres but his question marks around age, productivity in tha subpar league and lack of production historically do make him pretty risky. I'd be quite happy if we ended up with Williams and Kimmich/Luiz at the end of the summer, with maybe a market opportunity play at Diomande from Sporting.
Big Willie yep and he’s not a physical monster either. Would seem like a drop off from what we currently have if Jorginho or Partey depart
Clrnc we are better off setting money alight than buying Gyokeres. A few concerns..
It points to a player who is not intrinsically good, but being elevated by a beastly attack in a 2nd tier league. I wonder what we are drawn to if we are genuinely interested. Cos it looks very risky
I’d take Nico Williams and Zubimendi. And be done.
Douglas Luiz.
QuincyAbeyie Smarter to go back in for the guy from the lesser Premier League club, the one who's already doing it and would be thrilled to be here. I'm a fan of Zubimendi's stature and class, but Luiz is probably the one who works out.
QuincyAbeyie he's good but he's closer to Rice in style than Jorginho/Party so I'm not that enthusiastic on him.
