1 hour ago, Remodez said:

Most talented youth I've probably seen was one of our own, Charly Musonda. At least Ganso had a good career.  

I used to love watching the youth cup in the years we had Boga, RLC, Solanke and Musonda. 

Musonda was so naturally talented but always thought he had a Ronaldo-esque ego. Injuries sadly killed him as he looked a real talent. Now 27, playing in Cyprud with 63 senior appearances and 2 goals to his name.... ouch.

3 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I used to love watching the youth cup in the years we had Boga, RLC, Solanke and Musonda. 

Musonda was so naturally talented but always thought he had a Ronaldo-esque ego. Injuries sadly killed him as he looked a real talent. Now 27, playing in Cyprud with 63 senior appearances and 2 goals to his name.... ouch.

I remember hearing how desperate Musonda was to make it here with us. Maybe he lost his drive when that dream died.

On 21/05/2024 at 00:20, nonotnowjim said:

How often do these wonderkids ever turn out to be the real deal?

I recall the likes of Ganso, Denilson (Arsenals version), Our own Kenedy, Kerrison, Kerlon (an ex champ manager favourit), Alex Teixeira,  Gabigol (was it barbosa?), Our own Lucas Piazon, Alipio, Lulinha...Not to mention our current batch (Washington, Angelo, Santos - who all struggled this year.... the list goes on and on....

For every 1 Neymar, there are 50 other flash in the pans.

For some reason I always have to think of Robinho when I see an article about him. 
 

On 22/05/2024 at 14:09, Scott Harris said:

I remember hearing how desperate Musonda was to make it here with us. Maybe he lost his drive when that dream died.

I remember an interview when he had finally got back to playing, the look of delight in his face as amazing. Sadly it wasnt he just had lost too much to carry on at this level, real shame it went this way.

According to Frabrizio has his manager confirmed the move.

I guess it must be close to official then. 

3 hours ago, dkw said:

I remember an interview when he had finally got back to playing, the look of delight in his face as amazing. Sadly it wasnt he just had lost too much to carry on at this level, real shame it went this way.

Going to be interesting to see if W.Fofana is the same after his 2 year lay off. That £80m investment is going to be questioned for years to come. 

1 hour ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Going to be interesting to see if W.Fofana is the same after his 2 year lay off. That £80m investment is going to be questioned for years to come. 

It seems like longer, but it is actually only just under a year since he last played ... 45 minutes vs Newcastle on 28th May 2023

20 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

It seems like longer, but it is actually only just under a year since he last played ... 45 minutes vs Newcastle on 28th May 2023

I'm writing that first season with us off too because he missed 5 months of it, the year before with Leicester too. That's just a handful of appearances in 3 years now. Surely that's got to take a toll on a player so young. 

17 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I'm writing that first season with us off too because he missed 5 months of it, the year before with Leicester too. That's just a handful of appearances in 3 years now. Surely that's got to take a toll on a player so young. 

Yep, I think so too. I've mentioned before that I get Paul Elliott vibes with him. Great potential but will probably never reach it. It genuinely would not surprise me to read that he ends up retiring early due to persistent injuries.

What finally happened here.. did we get a here we go ?

up in the air? Probably not.
 

 

both left footed. dunno why it surprises me. Esteavo if he is the one on the right or screen and more in the foreground has an incredibly good first touch receiving the ball. I've watched this video a few times and it's only now I'm appreciating just how good that first touch is. And the more I watch that video the more impressed I am. I know footballl is about character and pace, positional play, and keeping your head when its time to finish but good ball skills won't hurt.

Edited June 8, 20242 yr by ozboy

I’d still try him out at LW

Romano reports medical completed. 

On 08/06/2024 at 09:08, ozboy said:

up in the air? Probably not.
 

 

That'll be a lot of use on a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke

5 hours ago, Gordon Bennett said:

That'll be a lot of use on a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke

Not that I disagree with that statement, but might as well bring in Rory Delap out of retirement by that logic 😅

 

‘Little Messi’ is set to become the most expensive South American teenage signing in history.  . . so IF he doesn’t become the new God of Football, we shall be the laughing stock of World Football. So, nothing that we are not used to. . .

initial £29.5million. The deal could rise to more than £51m.

Gael Kakuta was supposed to be the next big thing. Freddy Adu was going to be the world's best player. Countless others have been hyped to the moon, only to crash land in Stoke.

I'm very wary of signing these high profile youngsters for so much money.

Edited June 17, 20242 yr by Zeta

I wonder if we have any say on his development now whilst he is still at Palmeiras? 

Should play half of his matches at LW/LF. 

 

30 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I wonder if we have any say on his development now whilst he is still at Palmeiras? 

Should play half of his matches at LW/LF. 

 

I thought it was mandatory that every signing first had to play LB.  Unless you are a qualified LB, then you get to play LW. 

Quote

🇧🇷 Branco, former World Cup winner & now official youth co-ordinator of Brazilian football: “Estevao, for me, with all due respect to the others -

This is something serious, that I’ve never said & I’m going to say -

Since Neymar, he is the best Brazilian born player I’ve seen!” pic.twitter.com/bHXDCQRUvW

 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

 

I think most fans are in for a treat in the 2025 season with him & Paez. He has stepped it up since Endrick left for Madrid, 1 goal and 2 assists in the last 2 games.

Of course the standard of defending will no doubt be the same when he gets here.

Broja could look decent against these types of defences.

10 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Of course the standard of defending will no doubt be the same when he gets here.

Broja could look decent against these types of defences.

Why did they stand still as soon as he passed them....! Lol

3 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Of course the standard of defending will no doubt be the same when he gets here.

Broja could look decent against these types of defences.

Haha - that defending reminds me of the old NES 8-bit football games when you'd change controlled player.  I mean they just stopped.  What if all this bad defending is an export conspiracy in South America!!

There was a podcast on London is Blue regarding Estevao.  So much optimism about his ability from the analysts and from the youth team coach.  They know he needs to bulk up, and made some good comparisons on the benefit Kendry has had from 12 months of first team football.

It's all rather exciting.  I still hope Angelo comes good - his technical play is really good.