10 hours ago, Mod said:

Why do many people quote Saudi, did they offer him big money in the past or something? I know they cleared us out of players during the dressing room blitz but they took all the Muslim players, Sterling isn't Muslim!

He would do well at Villa or someone, not sure why it has to be Saudi or Chelsea!

Would he be up for converting???

Charity FC at it again. Doing social service by signing a luxury expensive player nobody else wants and giving him employment and a paycheck for the next 6 years. Do we get extra points for this community service ?

Just now, Nick05 said:

Charity FC at it again. Doing social service by signing a luxury expensive player nobody else wants and giving him employment and a paycheck for the next 6 years. Do we get extra points for this community service ?

We will all go to heaven. Isn't it a wonderful prospect to have the BlueCo people around us for all eternity!

9 minutes ago, Nick05 said:

Charity FC at it again. Doing social service by signing a luxury expensive player nobody else wants and giving him employment and a paycheck for the next 6 years. Do we get extra points for this community service ?

I don’t think I have ever seen a situation where an agent offers you a player, and another player of his in the same position. I bet he is involved in trying to find a club that will take Sterling off us.

I can only think there is something else about this player swap that is not transparent yet, get the feeling this might open the way for Kepa to go though not sure where. All caught up in Spanish club to club favours etc. 

 

 

I didn't watch any of Felix at Barca last year, so was happy to take the general concencous on here that he didn't do much for them. But then this has come across my feed on twitter. Now I know a highlight reel can make anyone look good, but can you seriously watch this and think he isn't going to give us something this year?
 

 

Edited August 20, 20241 yr by Niall1905

3 minutes ago, Niall1905 said:

I didn't watch any of Felix at Barca last year, so was happy to take the general concencous on here that he didn't do much for them. But then this has come across my feed on twitter. Now I know a highlight reel can make anyone look good, but can you seriously watch this and think he isn't going to give us something this year?

 

Will be interesting to see how well he links up with Guiu, seeing as they must surely have done a lot of work on the Barcelona training ground together ... 

I like Felix. Ignoring how crazy our spending is (and other areas that we need to strengthen), I would much rather see Felix starting than Mudryk or Sterling. I think his biggest issue when he was here last was that he was trying to function as the creator and the finisher. If he has Nukunku and Palmer playing with him, maybe we'll get the creative spark minus the dodgy finishing? 

Edited August 20, 20241 yr by Hessleboink

36 minutes ago, Niall1905 said:

I didn't watch any of Felix at Barca last year, so was happy to take the general concencous on here that he didn't do much for them. But then this has come across my feed on twitter. Now I know a highlight reel can make anyone look good, but can you seriously watch this and think he isn't going to give us something this year?
 

 

Barca were a mess on- and off-field last season. Hard to judge.

1 minute ago, Hessleboink said:

I like Felix. Ignoring how crazy our spending is (and other areas that we need to strengthen), I would much rather see Felix starting than Mudryk or Sterling. I think his biggest issue when he was here last was that he was trying to function as the creator and the finisher. If he has Nukunku and Palmer playing with him, maybe we'll get the creative spark minus the dodgy finishing? 

There is that possibility. I don't know how many times he hit the woodwork. A concern is that he does nothing defensively. Nor does Neto for that matter.

Just now, dermott said:

There is that possibility. I don't know how many times he hit the woodwork. A concern is that he does nothing defensively. Nor does Neto for that matter.

That's very true. I think that's an issue with most of our attackers though to be honest. I'm not sure Palmer, Nkunku, Madueke or Mudryk offer much defensively (another reason I don't want Enzo playing as a number 10). I guess it'll be down to Maresca to coach this into the players and find the right balance. We can probably afford to carry one of those attackers, so let's see who's putting up the best numbers.

Madueke and Mudryk seem to have the best physical attributes to put in a defensive shift from wide areas, but they are the most inconsistent performers of the lot. 

We were able to carry Hazard's lack of defensive ability/effort because we had Willian/Pedro on the other side, and Hazard was completely unplayable in attack. A Willian type seems to be what we're missing though (he was a frustrating player, but with hindsight you can see why he got picked so regularly). 

Neto/Mudryk as LW options.
Palmer/Madueke as RW options.
Nkuku/Felix as AM options.

Bin Sterling. Loan out Chuk.

Ideally then bin Mudryk next season as well, cos he's sh*t. But one thing at a time.

1 hour ago, Niall1905 said:

I didn't watch any of Felix at Barca last year, so was happy to take the general concencous on here that he didn't do much for them. But then this has come across my feed on twitter. Now I know a highlight reel can make anyone look good, but can you seriously watch this and think he isn't going to give us something this year?
 

 

He's a Chelsea player now so got to look at the positives.  Similar to you I saw a video of his 17 goal contribution last season which made me feel a little better about the transfer.  Think it was at the point he scored that lovely goal with the outside of his boot I started to come round to the idea.  

Look if he can match the 17 goal involvements of last year I think that would be a great contribution to the team.  He's never going to be scoring 20 plus goals he's not that kind of player.  But he can be that flair player that makes things happen around him like Zola or a Bergkamp none of which where know for golden boots both where massively influential.   Long way to go but hopefully he finds a home here and it brings out the best of him.  

There's not doubt there's a talent there, its just applying it to the pitch and using it to influence the games.  In the end it seemed like it was him or Samu,  I think we choose wisely give the alternative.

 

53 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Neto/Mudryk as LW options.
Palmer/Madueke as RW options.
Nkuku/Felix as AM options.

Bin Sterling. Loan out Chuk.

Ideally then bin Mudryk next season as well, cos he's sh*t. But one thing at a time.

Same sh*t again next season when Paez and Willian arrive.

28 minutes ago, DarkMata said:

He's a Chelsea player now so got to look at the positives.  Similar to you I saw a video of his 17 goal contribution last season which made me feel a little better about the transfer.  Think it was at the point he scored that lovely goal with the outside of his boot I started to come round to the idea.  

Look if he can match the 17 goal involvements of last year I think that would be a great contribution to the team.  He's never going to be scoring 20 plus goals he's not that kind of player.  But he can be that flair player that makes things happen around him like Zola or a Bergkamp none of which where know for golden boots both where massively influential.   Long way to go but hopefully he finds a home here and it brings out the best of him.  

There's not doubt there's a talent there, its just applying it to the pitch and using it to influence the games.  In the end it seemed like it was him or Samu,  I think we choose wisely give the alternative.

 

I agree completely. I also think back to when he was here and how crazy that end to the season was. It was 100% more chaotic than what we are experiencing right now. Im intrigued and almost excited to see how he will do this time. 

1 hour ago, dermott said:

There is that possibility. I don't know how many times he hit the woodwork. A concern is that he does nothing defensively. Nor does Neto for that matter.

You can largely add Palmer, Nkunku, Madueke and Sterling to that list tbh. Its only Jackson really that might track back to put a defensive shift in. I am concerned that it may be our glass actually. We might look great going forward but be dreadfully exposed on transition.

13 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

You can largely add Palmer, Nkunku, Madueke and Sterling to that list tbh. Its only Jackson really that might track back to put a defensive shift in. I am concerned that it may be our glass actually. We might look great going forward but be dreadfully exposed on transition.

They make an effort. Neither Felix nor Neto do.

This + Nkunku and Palmer are players who like to play in confined space and could potentially form a fluid trio. I don't know...I have to dig up some positives. 

Potter's dire one goal a game (if we were lucky) stuff was partly why Felix wasn't setting the world on fire last time he was here. So let's hope the new Maresca tactics don't again stifle all this potential attacking flair we now have !

Going to take some time to find the combination that works best up front. Almost too many options ... 

I certainly don't see how Mudryk and Madueke are going to get many minutes ahead of Palmer, Felix, Nkunku, and Neto. Sterling and Carney I consider as good as gone already.

Busy 10 days ahead for further outgoings I suspect ... 

 

I'm all for this and trying to stay positive.  If we can't make a front three of Neto, Nkunku, Palmer and Felix (in some combination) work then something is seriously wrong.  We've bought kids, yet Neto, Nkunku and Felix should be entering the prime of their careers.  Rarely are all available at the same time.  Also think Felix has something a little different about him that we have not seen since the Hazard days (not a direct comparison at all).

It doesn't say much for Sterling, Mudryk and perhaps Noni, although I expect the latter to be part of the squad. 

 

31 minutes ago, PhilH930 said:

I'm all for this and trying to stay positive.  If we can't make a front three of Neto, Nkunku, Palmer and Felix (in some combination) work then something is seriously wrong.  We've bought kids, yet Neto, Nkunku and Felix should be entering the prime of their careers.  Rarely are all available at the same time.  Also think Felix has something a little different about him that we have not seen since the Hazard days (not a direct comparison at all).

It doesn't say much for Sterling, Mudryk and perhaps Noni, although I expect the latter to be part of the squad. 

 

You have written the correct answer by accident. Congratulations 🎉 

6 hours ago, Hessleboink said:

I like Felix. Ignoring how crazy our spending is (and other areas that we need to strengthen), I would much rather see Felix starting than Mudryk or Sterling. I think his biggest issue when he was here last was that he was trying to function as the creator and the finisher. If he has Nukunku and Palmer playing with him, maybe we'll get the creative spark minus the dodgy finishing? 

Totally agree. If he has other players alongside him who can help carry the creative load and can actually finish he could do well. Players like N'kunku and Palmer. Not you Jackson, sit down.

That said would rather Carney was given the chance. He has looked a proper number 10 to me. Inventive, great touch and control in tight areas and also has a physical presence.

I can see the logic here. We offload a player, Gallagher, deemed surplus to our needs, and bank pure profit for the year’s accounts. Bring in Felix, a huge but largely unfulfilled talent coming into his prime, spreading the fee over several years of his contract. We pass on Omorodian because we have faith in Guiu to develop as a back up striker. And we try for Osimhen in the final days of the window. If we can get Sterling off the books, all the better as that can go toward Osimhen instead. If the Board can pull all that off, I think it’s smart business. 

Felix in the Atletico system is similar to CG in Maresca.. misfit. If odegard gad the effect he has had.. Felix is twice the player. Let’s c though!!

7 hours ago, Niall1905 said:

I didn't watch any of Felix at Barca last year, so was happy to take the general concencous on here that he didn't do much for them. But then this has come across my feed on twitter. Now I know a highlight reel can make anyone look good, but can you seriously watch this and think he isn't going to give us something this year?
 

 

I did.

He had a really bright first few months, but then started to fade. He reminds me of James Rodriguez. Every time that guy went to a new club, he would start on fire and you would think he is going to be one of the best players around, then a few months pass and he fades and you can't put your finger on why. Like they get bored of the same routine or something.