40 mil? that's Drinkwater money, better be good!
Wasn't Drinkwater 40M pounds?40 mil? that's Drinkwater money, better be good!
Jesus, did you guys really pay that much for Drinkwater?! I guess coming off his Leicester form it seemed decent, but hindsight makes it look ridiculous.40 mil? that's Drinkwater money, better be good!
Getting the merch machine rolling before he's even landed, i like it.Tweet
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Hmmm.... I was always a huge fan, but I remember quite a few fans saying he was just a show pony (think Denilson). I also remember all the groans when he'd do a step over and trip on his own feet, or when the quality of his crosses were way below the level we expected. He wasn't really productive initially, and was regularly benched by another youngster called Darren Fletcher who wasn't even a winger.Nope, Ronaldo was not a punt at all. He was absolutely without a doubt an incredibly talented youngster and that was very clear to anyone with a brain on his debut. He wasnt the finished article but nobody is at 18 however he was clearly going to be a big player.
Quesresma was more highly rated as a youngster than Ronaldo. My point was mostly about the “generation talent” and people forgetting that after selling Becks and chasing Ronaldinho, signing Ronaldo was viewed as an anticlimax. Granted a good debut changed perceptions. So for me Diallo is very Ronaldo like signing, chased Sancho and now signed a youngsterHe was actually....from his debut he was obviously inconsistent but on his good days he was truely outstanding in his first season. The semi v arsenal and the final v millwall as examples. He was head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch. There are many other games too if you looked through the season. He was simply over scrutinised by the media, making his first few seasons look poor.
Wasting no time marketing him ffs!Tweet
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Shirt sales more than pay for the players fee don’t ya knowGetting the merch machine rolling before he's even landed, i like it.
The Ronaldo mathematics!Shirt sales more than pay for the players fee don’t ya know
Agree. That is why I don't think this is the usual punt for a promising youngster. I think the scouts must be really sure he is worth it.40m is a lot for a kid with not many games under his belt. Let’s hope our scouts know what they’re doing for once!
No, can't find anything anywhere. I am curious as well.Has anyone seen details on what the addons are supposedly subject to? I'm wondering whether we're ever likely to pay them if he doesn't live up to the hype. They could be the likes of Woodward's classic ballon d'or addon.
Similar to the Martial signing.Agree. That is why I don't think this is the usual punt for a promising youngster. I think the scouts must be really sure he is worth it.
I agree about luckhurt haha but Castles like to wind us up specifically? And loved us when we had Mourinho... do we think he has some connectio or has had to mourinho?Ogden's probably bitter about being demoted to ESPN. He got lucky (which he self admitted) about SAF's retirement and has been riding on that ever since. He's just not a good journalist. Castles just like to wind people up and Luckhurst writes like a fan forum poster.
He is paid by Mendes who is Mourinho's agent.I agree about luckhurt haha but Castles like to wind us up specifically? And loved us when we had Mourinho... do we think he has some connectio or has had to mourinho?
Daniel Storey today saying Diallo signing must be some record in terms of expense, this lad is going to have it very hard
It's a proven mathematical theory.The Ronaldo mathematics!
Yeah remotely !Has he trained with the team yet?
Is there any indication of what those add-ons are?If we end up paying Atalanta the full 40m then the player will have been a success.
People keep talking about the Europa. There’s a very good chance that will be just one game. A weakened team against Sociedad could easily see us knocked out.One good thing about Europa this season (he can still play for United in that competition right?) is we can watch Diallo and Mason playing in there preferred positions.
Is it single legged is it?People keep talking about the Europa. There’s a very good chance that will be just one game. A weakened team against Sociedad could easily see us knocked out.
Come on. A “weakened team” may include Telles, VDB, Matic, Greenwood, Diallo, Mata, Tuanzebe... these guys may overpower a mighty Sociedad. A weakened team against Sociedad could easily see us knocked out.
Thing is Chong never looked good on the ball.Watching all the clips the lad seems to have very good decision making. It'll be interesting to see how he does, i thought Chong would hit the first team running but his play completely stalled stepping up to big games.
This is such a dismissive response to a very solid outfit and reeks of PL bias. They're 4th in La Liga, we wouldn't play all those players against Leicester or Tottenham, if we don't treat Sociedad with a bit of respect make no mistake they will knock us out.Come on. A “weakened team” may include Telles, VDB, Matic, Greenwood, Diallo, Mata, Tuanzebe... these guys may overpower a mighty Sociedad
But why? Apart from Mata, all these guys may play against any opposition (we’ve seen Tuanzebe vs Neymar, for instance - was Ok). Diallo we of course have yet to see, but others are more than good enough.This is such a dismissive response to a very solid outfit and reeks of PL bias. They're 4th in La Liga, we wouldn't play all those players against Leicester or Tottenham, if we don't treat Sociedad with a bit of respect make no mistake they will knock us out.
Yeah there were fans who thought he was a show pony but those are the types of fans who dont like a player because of their haircut and just dont understand players with flair or why they have to be allowed to screw up. I remember him messing up lots of things, the falling over during stepovers etc. Yes he wasnt hugely productive at first, no argument but everyone could see his skill and technique and as you mention he never hid. He was brave enough to fail and screwing something up didnt frighten him off trying again. He was just a kid and lacked experience not ability.Hmmm.... I was always a huge fan, but I remember quite a few fans saying he was just a show pony (think Denilson). I also remember all the groans when he'd do a step over and trip on his own feet, or when the quality of his crosses were way below the level we expected. He wasn't really productive initially, and was regularly benched by another youngster called Darren Fletcher who wasn't even a winger.
His debut vs Bolton though ... It's etched in my memory - personally, I never felt more hopeful about any other player. I reckon it boils down to mentality. Ronnie never hid, even on bad days, he'd just get up and try again!
Totally agree....Ronaldo was always on another planet in terms of ability, SAF said from very early on he was going to be the best player in the world. You’re also correct about the type of fan who called him a show pony.Yeah there were fans who thought he was a show pony but those are the types of fans who dont like a player because of their haircut and just dont understand players with flair or why they have to be allowed to screw up. I remember him messing up lots of things, the falling over during stepovers etc. Yes he wasnt hugely productive at first, no argument but everyone could see his skill and technique and as you mention he never hid. He was brave enough to fail and screwing something up didnt frighten him off trying again. He was just a kid and lacked experience not ability.
Its the ball control, the flair, the fact he had so much control (most of the time) at pace, his first touch, his ability with either foot, his passing quality ( mostly) that meant he was never a punt. Multiple players telling Fergie we had to buy him is something you just never hear of with other players. The players knew. I am old enough to have been lucky enough to have gone to OT for 2 seasons and see Best play. Ronnie was the 1st player I had seen who made the crowd buzz whenever he got the ball since Best was with us.
I just think the idea he was a "Punt" is ludicrous, his ability and quality was visible from his first game and he was always destined for big things. A punt?? ha, give me a break.
The close control on display here