To say I am absolutely devastated by today’s news is an understatement, but I can’t thank Rafa enough for his efforts over the past three years.
He was more than just a manager, the best thing that happened to use since Sir Bobby and the one reason we believed the good times could return.
That’s what makes his exit all the more unbearable, and absolutely unforgivable that Mike Ashley made no real effort to keep him.
He saw our potential, he gave us hope and he fought for change, but he clearly couldn’t win against a man who only saw pound signs. He constantly fought a losing battle, but he never gave up on us.
This genuinely feels worse than the two moments we were relegated. Why? Because Rafa leaving means all hope dies with him for as long as Mike Ashley remains. It’s the hope that kills you – and Rafa brought us so much, even in this torturous Mike Ashley era.
He stayed with us when we went down, he got us back up, he kept us up, he finally created a strong defence, he signed incredibly on such limited resources, he improved average player, he reconnected a divided fanbase, he challenged Mike Ashley and he made us believe that the good times may just be around the corner.
He wasn’t just a brilliant tactician, father figure for players and inspirational football manager, he was a man who ‘got it’, understood us fans and lived up to his position at the centre of the Newcastle community.
I hope to see him back the day new owners finally release us from the chains Mike Ashley attached to NUFC 12 years ago.
Sadly, Newcastle United isn’t a football club to Mike Ashley. It’s a business and a cash cow he’ll milk for all it’s worth. He treats it like a business and won’t change for no one – even if he drives out a world class manager and hurts fans in the process.
One man isn’t bigger than Newcastle United, but this club will remain dormant until he (Ashley) has gone, with the fans being the only thing ready to erupt at this stage.
Thank you for everything Rafa, you will be missed – it’s just an absolute travesty that the only person who couldn’t see that was Mike Ashley.
https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1145611879806582784?s=19
kimtoon(Quote)
No Surprise. Rafa wanted ambition, Jabba doesn’t. Can anyone explain to me what the end game is for all this financial frugality and transfer policy? What is he actually hoping to achieve?
Stuart79(Quote)
Just pounds dropping into his till Stuart. It’s all he cares about and the only reason he bought the Toon.
georgio(Quote)
Are those SD signs back on SJP? anyone knows?
funrafa(Quote)
I think he will realise pretty soon that he’s about to kiss goodbye to quite a lot of that. I genuinely think this time there will be serious protests and a lot of apathy which will result in sub 40,000 attendances. Relegation will follow inevitably unless he sells up.
Stuart79(Quote)
So Rafa is off to China for £12m a year – I guess it’s hard to negotiate with that like ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Read someone tweeted there was a queue outside SD for the shirt this morning 🙄
Fans don’t help themselves really, it’s a minging top as well and the most expensive.
They’ll all be there come the season opener, like lemmings heading for the cliff that is Ashley’s tenure of NUFC.
Just to round my day off, Joselu is mr July on the Toon calendar 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/rafa-benitez-i-lost-trust-at-newcastle-if-those-in-charge-had-my-ambition-i-would-still-be-there-5m98wk0cz
So not only did they offer him more money at first and then reduce it second time they also wanted him to have less control over transfers. Jesus Christ! Is there still anybody who doesn’t think Mike Ashley is utterly thick as two short planks when it comes to football?
Stuart79(Quote)
Can’t blame Rafa, huge money is that, but it would have certainly made things close to impossible to negotiate a new contract.
I’m now of a mind set that managers come and go, and Rafa has went. I wish him well, but he’s gone for the dollar.
I now want us to set a deadline on this takeover and if it doesn’t happen, get moving on bringing in a new manager and getting him some new players.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://www.transfermarkt.com/dalian-aerbin/startseite/verein/33304
This is the squad of players that Rafa will be working with.
Let me make it clear, Mike Ashley is an ar$ehole of the highest order. I can’t stand the man, and the sooner he is out of our club the better.
But anyone tells me that this is ‘ambition’ on Rafas part certainly isn’t convincing me like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Have you read his interview? He said he wanted to stay and it wasn’t about money. They offered him less control and weren’t ambitious. Why has he gone for the money? Or are you saying he’s lying and Ashley and the club have been stitched up?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – no, the club were never in a position to stitch him up coz his contract was expiring.
Yes he said he wanted to stay, he also said he wanted to manage in England to stay closer to his family.
He also said he had ambition – yet he’s a World Class manager that could have managed anywhere in Europe – but has gone to China for £12m a year – to manage a squad of players who barring 2 players are valued less than our U21 squad.
Are you telling me he’s not gone to China for the money? If you are, please tell me why he’s going over there?
His £6m a year contract only ran out yesterday. I don’t know his financial situation, but I’d hazard a guess he could have got by another few weeks to see which clubs round Europe came in, don’t you think?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
One article I did find interesting this week was Pochettino
https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11675/11751098/tottenham-boss-mauricio-pochettino-says-he-doesnt-have-final-say-on-transfers
Basically saying that other than City and Lpool, every other club operates where the manager does not get the final say in transfers. As he works in that industry and speaks with other managers regularly – and no other manager has came out and corrected him – I have no reason to doubt what he says.
We may not agree with the conditions offered to Rafa, but maybe they aren’t that different to what every other manager is work with.
Now that said .. and it’s a huge NOW THAT SAID. I would quickly add that Daniel Levy and the likes are head and shoulders above our little penfold when it comes to player transfers and getting deals done.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Maybe after 3 years of total headache and slog at times under Jabba, Rafa has decided on an easy gig with a nice retirement nest egg. Don’t blame him one bit, you’re a long time dead, as they say.
Good luck Rafa.
kimtoon(Quote)
Me neither Kim – but it does go against what he’s been saying though ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – There are no available jobs in Europe. They’ve all been filled. He could have left last year for Roma but he didn’t. The reality is that his new contract offer from NUFC was taking control off him. So he wouldn’t have the final say. Although as the interview says it wasn’t about money it was about doing the right things. The club don’t do that so he decided he wouldn’t accept the offer because the club wanted to go back to a failed model that has resulted in two relegations.
He knew he was leaving 10 days ago. He got an offer from a China and it was outrageous money. He was absolutely right to take the job. He was unemployed.
Still shocked you are backing the club on this one and seem to be saying that Rafa was always going to turn down Ashley whatever he offered him. That’s the complete opposite of what Rafa has said. Who’s lying?
Stuart79(Quote)
He wasn’t unemployed, he was still under contract until yesterday.
I’m not backing the club, his contract should have been sorted long ago.
There may not be any European jobs at present, but we all know it’s only a matter of time before they is one. He could have had the Celtic job, which would have shown more ambition than China.
But actions speak louder than words, and moving to China is NOT ambition.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Celtic ?
But using semantics about his contract is bizarre. He knew he was out of a job 10 days ago. Having a go at him for taking a job where he was offered crazy money is odd in the extreme.
Do you believe he would have taken the job in China if Ashley hadn’t have changed the terms of his employment in a new contract he was offered?
Anyway, why does Man Utd think Longstaff (who is a very promising midfielder in the shape of Carrick)is only worth £25m but a promising right back is worth £50m?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – the Scottish League is about the same standard as the Chinese league – but at least with Celtic he’d get CL football. What level of football is he getting in China – none.
He went for money mate and it was the day after his contract expired. He’s went to China for money – I’m not having a go at him, just want to be honest about it.
It explains why NUFC put the statement out on Monday rather than waiting til the 30th – they knew what his intentions were.
But putting that aside. I agree 100% with you about Longstaff, and hope the club do too. Paper talk saying they are after McGinn from Villa for £50m – I wouldn’t take less than £40m for Longstaff – especially after paying £50m for the right back.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Compared to Ashley’s NU, Da Lian Yi Fang is very ambitious. They want to be the leader of the league, and they have been spending and looking for a good manager for it. Plus the big money offer, why not?!
funrafa(Quote)
It’s a $hit league though!!
I don’t know where in the world you are, but here in the UK I’ve never seen one Chinese game televised – nor have I when I’ve been to various parts of the World on holiday.
They may want to be top of their league, but it’s hardly the biggest stage of World football is it?!.
You compare only NUFC and this Chinese club – but again there are hundreds of European clubs he could have held out for.
He went for the money.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think it is slightly more complex than just the money. He wants to stay in England for Family reasons, but failing that then if he has to move he takes the money. However, Rafa is what he has always been, a control freak. Every club he has been to he has fallen out with the management because he wants total control of the club. Every club has said the same, every year he wants more and more control, and nobody is prepared to meet those demands, less so now than ever.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – i agree with your points mate. But if he wanted to stay in England, why not sit tight and wait for a job to come up in England – there is bound to be a sacking in England before Xmas, and I can’t imagine Rafa doesn’t have a nest egg to see him by til then.
He left for China the very next day after his contract expired – it certainly wasn’t for footballing reasons.
Sharpy17(Quote)
My take on it:
Rafa either knew new owners are incoming and dont want him, ir more likely knows the takeover wont happen and so wanted to stay and have control of the management of the club. Club said no.
Rafa looked around and decided his ideal management role amd project at a club that actually has the potential to win things was not going to happens- as almost every club out there goes with the head coach model now.
So, he decided if you cant ‘beat them’, may as well join them. So he took the China job as it sets his kids and future generations of his family up for life.
Shamrock(Quote)
I will always admire Rafa for the way he conducted himself. A complete contrast to Ashley who I hope is on his way out. However in spite of what Rafa achieved with a poor squad I always had some nagging doubts about his choice of players who he sometimes seemed to pick because he liked them as persons rather than on their playing ability. He showed no inclination to encourage the youngsters. Longstaff in my view only got into the side because no one else was available because of injuries. Mbabu was allowed to go even though when he played against Chelsea he had Hazard in his pocket. Just about every fan at that game could see Mbabu’s potential. Why couldn’t Rafa? Rafa stuck by Joselu and Kenedy. Why? Surely Sorensen would have been worth ten minutes in place of Joselu. I think you can only see the true potential of young players when they play with the more experienced players. These are the nagging doubts I have had about Rafa but we should nevertheless be thankful that he kept us in the Premiership.
Groucho(Quote)
I’m surprised and a little disappointed he’s gone to China and in all probability has been planning it for a while. It also looks like the takeover isn’t happening. If by some chance it is, then it must be plain to Rafa that the new guys don’t want him. What a mess!! Which decent manager is going to come to this? Probably only the serial losers like Hughes, Moyes or Pulis or some rookie starter. Oh Joy!!
georgio(Quote)
Sharpy – You are accusing Rafa of lying. Why? You are also being disingenous about making statements like saying it was the day after his contract expired. He knew 10 days before that he wouldn’t be staying at NUFC. Or are you saying he should never have held talks until his contract actually expired regardless? Would you be happy if the club didn’t look at replacements for him until after his contract expired?
You are also asking a man who is obsessed with football to refuse a job and wait around for a few months on the off chance a half decent job comes along in Europe. Forgetting he might not even be wanted by a club that does need a manager. Why should he? H e had a job offer and he took it. There has to be an incentive to go to China to make up for where it is and the standard or the football. What’s wrong with that?
I am staggered, Sharpy that you believe he should have done one of the following:
1 – Stay at NUFC under new, inferior terms.
2- Remain out of work on the off chance he might get an offer from a European club.
Why should he do either?
Stuart79(Quote)
I agree with Sharpy. It’s easy to back out of a less than desirable contract negotiation when you already know you have a cashed up plan b. His people leaked the deal in preparation for leaving. Raffa has sugar coated his leaving with all the right words. All the fans lap that **** up. He knows it. I don’t blame him for leaving but it’s not as one sided as it has been portrayed tho. He has taken a massive step back imo. He will fail because he is not in touch with the culture of the players. Many good foreign coaches fail because they don’t know how to motivate the players. Next…
Aussie Mag(Quote)
Stu – I don’t know what you’re missing mate. He joined a new club the day after his contract officially expired – that’s just fact.
He would have known the terms of his new contract long before the 10 days you refer to – he would have known months ago that he wouldn’t be staying based on the terms offered.
What I’m saying is what he’s done contradicts what he’s said – that is also fact.
Now circumstances change, I accept that. He may not have had the China offer when saying he wanted to manage in England – and let’s be right, if a £12m job comes along, who wouldn’t reassess what they’ve said for an offer like that.
I’m just saying let’s be honest about this. He’s said one thing and done another – which is likely due to the huge wages he’ll get. No criticism of the bloke at all – but he certainly hasn’t been forced into it – and I agree with Aussie – he’s gone backwards – which is hardly ambition.
Sharpy17(Quote)
For reference to anybody saying Rafa went for the money then remember he could have left when we got relegated as he was offered £10m a year from a China.
Stuart79(Quote)
You need to read his interview in the times. Then you will see what you’re saying is wrong completely.
Stuart79(Quote)
Raffa is a pro politician.. He has come out of this holier than thou. He knows his audience well..
I seriously hope this take over happens.. we need a distraction from the Raffa meltdown everyone seems to be having . I’ve said before.. I was more pissed off when Sir Bobby was sacked..
Aussie Mag(Quote)
Stu – I’ve read it, it warmed me mate.
But actions speak louder than words.
People are annoyed that he left coz the club didn’t give him terms in his contract that Poch has said – other than City and Lpool – no other club operates that way.
Rafa is smart enough to know that he was never going to get greater control – he knew that.
Good luck to him out in China, genuinely I am grateful for what he did for us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The riches are extraordinary, but there is a bit more to Benítez’s departure than simple, hard cash. During his three years at Newcastle United, when he led the club back into the Premier League and then kept them there twice, he dismissed the notion of moving to China, speaking of his desire to stay close to his family on Merseyside, to compete in the Champions League again. Nothing has changed, aside from his circumstances.
Benítez has won just about everything — La Liga and the Uefa Cup at Valencia, the FA Cup and Champions League with Liverpool, the Italian Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup at Inter Milan, the Europa League at Chelsea and the Italian Cup and Super Cup at Napoli — but he has not been pursued by the top clubs this summer. And waiting for sacking season is only likely to bring options in the bottom half of the Premier League.
“It was three years ago I said no, but you have to think about you and your staff and the opportunities,” Benítez says, talking exclusively to The Times. “After Newcastle, it makes no sense to be fighting again at the bottom of the table. I don’t think you can find a team in the the bottom ten bigger than Newcastle in terms of potential and structure and everything. Why do I have to wait for that when I have a chance to build something?
“You have to consider the situation. It’s not about saying ‘I’ll stay in England and wait and dream about the right club at the right time’. I’m just really pleased and really excited that someone was really keen to get me, to give me the opportunity to develop a project and at the same time, with a really good economic proposal. You want to do something, build something, leave something behind. At the same time, you cannot be lying; it’s good money.”
Stuart79(Quote)
After the slow erosion of trust at Newcastle, Dalian have chased Benítez. They have made him feel wanted. After 15 games played, they are tenth in the Super League, but they have big plans. They are backed by Wang Jianlin, the fourth richest man in China, who is worth £17.2 billion, according to Forbes. Jianlin’s Wanda Group is a multinational conglomerate, which sold a 17 per cent stake in Atletico Madrid last year.
Dalian are in the process of building a 22 hectare training ground and academy, at a cost of $290 million (about £230 million), with 23 pitches, six of them floodlit, two with undersoil heating, two indoors and with a 5,000-seater stand, servicing its first, reserve, youth and women’s teams. There will be accommodation on-site, areas for teaching and rehabilitation, with conference facilities. It is due to open in December. Does that sound ambitious enough?
“The group is one of the biggest companies in the world,” Benítez says. “The project is about developing the whole football club, to organise it from the academy at the bottom to the very top.
“And then to be sure that we have a methodology, an idea about football and then especially to develop the local players because Dalian is a place where they’re really proud about their history as a football club. They want to use the resources they have to guarantee that the club will be stronger and stronger, using local players as much as they can but also competing in the international market.
Stuart79(Quote)
Certainly doesn’t like a backward step
Stuart79(Quote)
“I said no in the past, but we don’t have many good options around and this is an opportunity. It’s with people who really, really want you and with someone who really wants to build something. And at the same time, it’s an exciting experience of another culture, another country where everything is different. It’s another challenge: can we adapt, what we can learn from them? And can I leave a legacy?”
Stuart79(Quote)
Benítez wants and needs to work; it is how he is wired. “I’ve had the experience of staying at home, waiting,” he says. “It’s so frustrating for you to see teams struggling and think ‘I could do this, I could do that’ when you are at home. No chance. I want to make sure that I have a job and perform at the level that I can perform, anywhere.
“I like to train, to coach. I did the same with my daughter’s team at her school. I can’t just be sitting and waiting. My wife would just tell me to go away, anyway. It’s better if I get a job and if it’s a good job with a good project and good money then I’m happy with that
Stuart79(Quote)
It’s a $hit league though!!
I don’t know where in the world you are, but here in the UK I’ve never seen one Chinese game televised – nor have I when I’ve been to various parts of the World on holiday.
They may want to be top of their league, but it’s hardly the biggest stage of World football is it?!.
You compare only NUFC and this Chinese club – but again there are hundreds of European clubs he could have held out for.
He went for the money.
That is not fair Sharpy. NUFC was in **** too 3 years ago when it was about to drop to lower league. Rafa did not think it was **** and avoid it. He saw something he can build so he came. The same logic applies to DALIAN.
funrafa(Quote)
Agree with Stu and Funrafa on this.
kimtoon(Quote)
“People talk about power, money and control, but it wasn’t about that,” he says. “It was about doing things right. At Newcastle, we didn’t have the money the top sides had, so the first or second choice targets were really important because the third or fourth ones would be worse and worse and then you lose something. You work so hard to prepare for your signings and then you have to move quickly to get them. Sometimes we weren’t doing that.”- Rafa
kimtoon(Quote)
He’s gone to a club that has so much more ambition than the club he was at previously. Their ground holds 61,000 and they’re building a new training ground. Their record signing is more than ours. It comes down to this: Does anybody think if Jabba has nudged a bit and allowed him to have a more flexible transfer policy and improved the training ground like every other club would he have left?
Stuart79(Quote)
It’s hard to figure this out (how I feel now about it all) but £12m a year after tax. That’s a £30m contract. Enjoy the chopsticks Rafa.
Arteta (he’s either for Arsenal or Pep’s successor) or Martinez for me. Neither might fancy working for MA.
georgio(Quote)
No Stuart, he would not have left had he been given the level of control that he wanted. However, Every club he has managed before has stated that he always wanted more control than he had. Newcastle admittedly gave him less than others, but he tolerated it for 3 years. Why not 4. I stated before he came that he was not my 1st choice, Bielsa was. My complaint about Rafa at that time was that a was a control freak who was never satisfied, but mainly because clubs do not significantly progress in his tenure. Yes we did well by him but are we better off now than 3 years ago? perhaps, but not by much. Having said that I would much rather he had stayed.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Previous to Rafa we were in a relegation battle for most of the 5 previous seasons and we did actually get relegated so I’d say yes we are a lot better off than before him. Especially when you consider he spent a gargantuan £11m during his three years.
Stuart79(Quote)
I don’t think we’re any better off. It’ll be another relegation battle.
Having said that if Rafa had stayed and just spent the £50m he was offered we would definitely be better off.
georgio(Quote)
Georgia finishing 10th and 14th is better than we had done in the previous seasons. We’re better off.
Stuart79(Quote)
3 seasons before the relegation season we finished 16th, 10th and 15th. Bout the same to me
PremAndUp(Quote)
Have any of you see a match in the Chinese league? I lived in China 6 years. I’ve seen several. The stadium at Dalien is 60,000 seater, and there are over a billion Chinese and football is huge there. The quality of the football in the super league is very good and extremely entertaining. The owner of Rafa’s new team is 4th richest man in China worth in excess of £17billion and he is building a massive new complex for his team costing over £250million.
I think there is plenty to suggest a project is ongoing. Rafa will always have my utmost respect. If he had been given any sort of decent contract at the Toon, he would have signed and would still be with us. He is the sort of person that needs to work and footy is in his blood, who in there right mind would not go to a project such as Dalien?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Perhaps you need to go to China before you say something like this…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Eh? We had a last match escape in the season before Rafa arrived and finished 17th. We weren’t safe until 2 games to go in the season before that. In both Rafa’s PL seasons we have been safe qwith at least 7 games to go. That’s progress.
Stuart79(Quote)
DubaiToon, to clarify that was not my words. I can’t quote so I copied and pasted Sharpy’s and my reply to him was at the bottom of the thread. I personally is not able to say something like that.
funrafa(Quote)
Dubai – my comments are based on World Football and where the Chinese League ranks.
Ultimately though, I’m passed caring. My opinion remains the same.
All I’m wanting now is some sort of movement with this takeover, a new manager and the recruiting of new players.
Rafa has gone now, and we know he isn’t coming back even with new owners – good luck to him ??♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sorry Funrafa, misunderstanding…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
No problem DT 🙂
funrafa(Quote)
Ayoze Perez to Leicester?
Shamrock(Quote)
England making so many mistakes in this game
Shamrock(Quote)
Insisting on playing out from the back constantly and losing possession in dangerous areas. Need a bit of common sense in those areas.
Shamrock(Quote)
Oh dear. Terrible penalty!
Shamrock(Quote)
Millie Bright. Studs up. Straight red that.
Shamrock(Quote)
Oh well, nice while it lasted.
Awful pen, such a shame.
good effort girls, better luck next time.
USA are very good.
kimtoon(Quote)
Mr Geoff Peters
✔
@mrgeoffpeters
UPDATE: Ayoze Pérez has been in Leicester today with his agent meeting #lcfc officials which suggests they and #nufc have already agreed a fee for the Spaniard.
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s England … it was always gonna end in Semi Final defeat wasn’t it?!.
It was a very good game though. Feel for Steph coz she had to wait ages to take that penalty – and it was awful.
White was so narrowly offside as well – so they had their chances. They can certainly hold their heads high – but it’ll hurt tonight like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – the noises Perez has made even before Rafa left, I think it was inevitable he was out the door this summer – it will be interesting to see what fee though.
I expected him, Gayle and Hayden to definitely leave this summer.
I remain hopeful Longstaff isn’t sold, but if Man Utd sink their teeth in, I fear it may only be a matter of time – and that one would be most disappointing- infact, it would probably be the final straw for me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Keith Downie
@SkySports_Keith
BREAKING: Newcastle agree a deal with Leicester to sell Ayoze Perez for £30m. Player needs to have a medical and agree personal terms. #NUFC
kimtoon(Quote)
Almost done with the club now
kimtoon(Quote)
So we are now selling players without a manager. Doesn’t that say everything about what control the new manager will have? Why on earth would anybody take this job? Why on earth would anybody stay at this club?
Oh and we can put a big fat line through that takeover.
Stuart79(Quote)
Roberto Martinez is the choice according to the papers… 😯 Why would he?
Stuart79(Quote)
So that is both last seasons top scorers gone. Considering our issues in recent years have been around steugglimg to score enough goals…. Now what?
Going to be a long, hard season I think. Takeover is dragging on too long now surely. Season starts soon and we have no manager, no goalscorers and no ambition.
If new owners came in, in say a fortnigjt, that would not leave much time to make positive chsnges and get things integrated.. Not that it is lookimg likely at the momemt? Need a statement from. BZG to clarify their intentions and progress.
Failing that we are left with MA and surely any decent player will not want to come to NUFC given the shambolic state of affairs and fair chance of relegation – like 70/30 odds in favor of going down I’d say? Not looking good.
Shamrock(Quote)
The club is losing its valuable assets. I don’t think a new owner would allow it if a takeover is happening. Relegation is not the worst. Stuck with Ashley is. I actually see relegation a good thing for NUFC. It is the start of getting rid of Ashely. I know it is painful, but unfortunately I see it is the only way for NUFC to revive.
funrafa(Quote)
I have no idea what is going on now. Rafa to China was the last straw for me trying to predict anything to do with NUFC. I thought it was all made-up press nonsense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s ok having the money in the bank from selling him but he needs replaced. Along with Rondon. Given how hard we find it to buy players due to our bizarre obsession with the perfect deal and saving a million here and therer I am calling it right now. We will get to the end of the window and we will have yet another woefully short squad and they will say they didn’t have time.
Stuart79(Quote)
Unless Leicester are selling Maddison, Perez will go there as a bench player imo.
I think £30m is a good fee for him coz for the last 2 seasons hasn’t really turned up until the 2nd half of the season – during which he was brilliant – but the 1st half he did very little.
However, whilst it’s a good fee, we HAVE to reinvest it into the squad – and that’s very rare under Ashley.
If we sold Perez for £30m and Gayle for £20m – then bought Maupay from Brentford for £20m and Rondon for £15m – I actually think we’d be better and still have £15m in the bank … but we won’t do that.
Of the names being touted for manager, Martinez was the one I was most keen on.
He’s worked with some world class players with the Belgian national side, but has experience with the PL and bottom half competition prior to that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, Perez has been our top scorer for the last two seasons and he’s not an out and out striker. How much will it cost to replace him? Considering Maddison cost £22m and Perez scored 10 more goals than him it will cost more than £30m. Plus we have to replace Rondon. How much will that be and there’s no guarantee any of the players will be as good or perfom as good immediately. It’s just a shambles. From Feb onwards everybody was waxing lyrical about our front three and now only one is left.
theze ****** find it impoossible to do transfer squickly so the reality is we have no chance at all or having a better squad this season than last. Add into the mix a far inferior manager and it’s relegation. Lets hope there’s only 25,000 there to watch it unfold.
Stuart79(Quote)
The problem as ever is that we don’t need to just make a tweak here or there. We have too much to do and the money will need to be spread too thinly to make an impact. It’s almost like Rafa knew what he was doing and Ashley and Charnley dont…
Stuart79(Quote)