2 minutes ago, RMCM said:

Are we allowed to take in loan players if the ban is upheld or is that not allowed either? Haven't been keeping up to date much with the arbitrary laws of UEFA

We aren't, some people think we can keep Higuain, most think we can't keep Kovacic. 

2 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

We’re not allowed to register new players. 

So we could theoretically sign new players but we cannot register them to play for us until the ban is over. 

So, no, we cannot sign players on loan either but we can use our own players returning from loan at other clubs such as Zouma and Tammy Abraham. 

Cheers, was in the dark on whether the term 'transfer ban' was about registering or just signing outright new players

1 hour ago, MANoWAR said:

 

Nah, their most reliable reporter has said so - others saying similar 

Is it a clause or what?  He just renewed his contract last summer and after the season he has had plus the inflated market, I find that price to be shocking.

On 05/05/2019 at 19:01, Slojo said:

He's nowhere near one of the worst to ever play for us and you know it. 

You're doing it again !!
Where did i say he was 'one of the worst'...??
I said, and i stand by it that he contributes nothing to our team or club and should be shipped back to RM ASAP.
Please stop misquoting me, it's annoying.

On 07/05/2019 at 08:51, dansubrosa said:

I’d keep Kovacic as a squad player. He’s only 25, there’s still room for improvement.

If he doesn’t make any improvements then he’s still a decent squad player. I think it’s a miminal risk signing and it would avoid us signing another Bakayoko or Drinkwater.

I can also imagine him flourishing when we get our footballing style right. He has all the tools, great at dribbling & carrying the ball, and he’s pretty good at passing too. Capable of defence splitting passes.

I don’t see the harm if he’s involved in Hazard deal. £100m + Kovacic.

I have to disagree with this part I find this team with Kante and Kovacic playing together is missing that defence splitting pass.  Neither player has the vision needed.  I can recall numerous times our forwards have made runs which an early pass would give them a chance in behind/on goal only for them to take an extra touch and miss the opportunity.  We need a creative midfielder who can unlock defences and not pick the easy sideways option.  In my opinion until we sort this out most strikers will struggle in this team and signing Kovacic is only going to prolong this issue.

Another game goes by and I'm left wondering what kovacic brings to the table. 

A few reports around yesterday that we could sign him even if the ban is in place because we would use the date of his original registration with us, not sure how true that is. If we cant sign anyone, then I guess it wouldn't be the worse idea to keep him. 

If we can sign players though, I wouldn't want him here next season, we have been linked with Rabiot who is available on a free transfer. He has had contract disputes with PSG so maybe his off field baggage could be an issue, however I think he would be a better fit for the squad. He has drive, energy, can dribble of out tight spaces, can play a killer pass, makes a lot of tackles and interceptions, and adds height and physicality. 

First half i thought he was good apart from some sloppy passes. Second half and extra time though i forgot he was still playing.

Still don't get what's the point of playing him in this team? He's got good passing, but not the playmaker, not a real DM, not offering anything in the final third, got good energy but no comparison to Kante. I don't see the point of signing him, really don't

My missus loves a kitchen gadget. She has had this metal thingy out on the worktop since before Christmas. It's like a lever type press with a small head. Apparently it was quite expensive but It never moves from its position on the worktop and I have no idea what it does.

I call it the Kovacic.

2 hours ago, just said:

My missus loves a kitchen gadget. She has had this metal thingy out on the worktop since before Christmas. It's like a lever type press with a small head. Apparently it was quite expensive but It never moves from its position on the worktop and I have no idea what it does.

I call it the Kovacic.

Hopefully she's kept the receipt 

With James (who can play midfield very well) Ampadu and Mount we really have no reason to keep Kovacic.

 

Is like keeping Higuain, why waste the money? Why waste it giving Giroud a new deal. Tammy certainly would be no worse than them.

7 hours ago, jack_super_class said:

First half i thought he was good apart from some sloppy passes. Second half and extra time though i forgot he was still playing.

That's exactly what i came on to post.. Did he actually touch the ball in extra time ?, we played with ten for a huge part of that game.
How anyone can defend him after last night is really beyond me..

 

4 hours ago, big blue said:

Hopefully she's kept the receipt 

Quite understandable, but I think she's forgotten the Kovacic is still there.

He started pretty well, made a fine long pass and good dribble but then faded badly, as he always does.  From the second half he was the worst player on the pitch.  He's been given way more playing time than he's deserved and sadly, unlike Jorginho, he's shown zero improvement in any part of his game. He offers nothing positive to the team and i wouldn't even take him on a free transfer. Much better to give one of our young players a chance and also save on the wages. 

Edited May 10, 20197 yr by Dixons

He doesn't have a role in the team for me. He is not Jorginho or Ruben or can't do what Kante does. I have no idea what he is. If he had any input in scoring I think we should try and keep him but it seems he has a giant gorilla in his back. 

With the ban upheld I think he goes back to Real anyway. 

We have already lost Cesc and now if Kovacic goes we need replacements. Mount and Bakayoko are the best shouts. This midfield-scenario for me is the most alarming thing in terms of the ban. 

50 minutes ago, evissy said:

He doesn't have a role in the team for me. He is not Jorginho or Ruben or can't do what Kante does. I have no idea what he is. If he had any input in scoring I think we should try and keep him but it seems he has a giant gorilla in his back. 

With the ban upheld I think he goes back to Real anyway. 

We have already lost Cesc and now if Kovacic goes we need replacements. Mount and Bakayoko are the best shouts. This midfield-scenario for me is the most alarming thing in terms of the ban. 

Not necessarily. He's already registered with us, so even if the ban is upheld, we can still sign him permanently.

Im not agains't buying him permanently as long as the fee isn't high.

3 hours ago, evissy said:

. This midfield-scenario for me is the most alarming thing in terms of the ban. 

Always going to be striker for me. I’m content with a first 3 of Ruben, Kante, Jorginho with Mount and Barkley in the reserves (and Luiz for that matter), but Higuain, Giroud, Bats, Abraham? That scares the crap out of me. 

I’d be content with any of the four being the #2, but we desperately need a #1 next season.

I'm really conflicted on keeping Kovacic, I really don't see what we would gain from signing him on a permanent deal.

I feel like Real would be robbing us whatever we would pay for him.

 

He doesn’t offer anything, don’t sign.

I am genuinely wondering if Kovacic is the most pointless player we've ever had.

4 hours ago, JMaher94 said:

I am genuinely wondering if Kovacic is the most pointless player we've ever had.

Mineiro. 

Cannot help but feel the holdup on the sale of Hazard is us waiting on CAS to suspend our ban and allow a swap deal for Kova and cash for Eden...which would make the deal even worse.

I don't think he excels at anything so is never going to nail down a place in the team. 

There isn't any one position where you feel you'll get the best out of him. 

Would prefer us to bring in a more specialised player, such as a more suited replacement for Jorginho. 

7 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Mineiro. 

Maniche?