I think that we should definitely consider bringing him back in the summer, for a variety of reasons. Our homegrown and club-grown numbers are pathetic and limit our options badly. He might be available relatively cheaply if they go down, too.
And this is where Conte's approach about needing ready-made players is starting to become utterly ****ing maddening While it is fair to say that, while Poch created a HG core, his mishandling of talent coming through the academy meant we weren't able to maintain that - and there's no denying that having the likes of of KWP, Madueke or Edwards would at the very least have squad places this season if handled correctly On the other hand, Conte's requirement for ready-made players means our CG numbers are basically just Kane, Skipp and Austin at this point, while our HG numbers are reliant on Sessegnon and Forster/Hart/whoever our backup keeper is that season since the only HG player we were linked with was Maddison...and Conte turned that suggestion down This is why it's likely Alfie Devine won't be getting a loan this season, as if we keep him at the club for the remainder of the season he qualifies as CG for European competition this summer (which is also why Troy Parrott was kept at the club for so long), all because we're behind the curve on creating our own HG numbers
How would they have done that? Sporting can hold us to ransom as is currently being proven. If you've got a billion of dirty money then you can do that sort of thing.
I wouldn’t say no but not sure he’d want to return without a guarantee of being a regular starter and that wouldn’t be the case if Porro gets done by tomorrow’s deadline. Not sure where it’d leave Spence either, we’d probably have to sell him, though I think the player would actually favour that anyway.
Spence is joining Rennes on loan, apparently. Currently 5th in Ligue 1 and facing Shakhtar in the Europa League knockout round. Might enjoy playing with Rodon, though not at Spurs.
Beat me to it. If he’s the only target then £45million is worth paying (it’s silly money but not in modern football terms)
I’m glad it’s only a loan. Conte is gone in the summer and the club can then bring back the likes of Gil and Spence and hopefully they’ll impress and be given plenty of game time.
Pretty timely loan that, as they recently started playing 3ATB (which also got Rodon back into the starting xi)
I really think this one hinges on how likely it is that Conte will be at the club come August. Let's not forget, Paratici is almost certainly gone and he was instrumental in coaxing Conte here in the first place. It makes little sense to me to spend £40m on a player who plays a specialist role in a very specific system that could be completely obsolete within 5 months. We've suffered enough in recent years from signing players who didn't work in the subsequent manager's system. Mourinho had no use for Ndombele and Lo Celso, Nuno had no use for Sessegnon, Conte has no use for Royal or Doherty etc. It has led to a bloated, patchwork squad. If Conte is gone, I don't expect us to sign Porro after all this grief, especially as a more progressive manager better at coaching could well turn Spence into a £40m player by the end of next season.
I actually have a feeling Conte won't be gone. Unless we suffer drastic results between now and the summer, I can see him penning an extension, albeit probably a short one. I do find the two loans we've sanctioned to be quite weird though and again makes me wonder if there's genuine planning going on over the development of our players. Gil is again heading back to a league he's already proven in, he'll play half a season there and probably come back in no better position in the pecking order. Bournemouth supposedly made a late offer to take him for the season and I feel that would've made far more sense, Conte could've seen how Gil fared against Premier League opposition and gained an idea if he can trust him more upon his return. Likewise with Spence, Ligue 1's a decent league but it's not the Premier League, if he impresses there does he come back in any better position in Conte's viewing? Not sure. There were rumoured to be a number of Premier League clubs willing to take him too.
The thing with Porro is that, unless we rehire Jacques Santini, pretty much any manager would use him For example, 2-3 weeks ago I saw a brief mention (but just the one) suggesting Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini, and if he were a managerial target he would absolutely use Porro given their system is based on Maehle and Hateboer bombing down both flanks, and it has to be said I'd love if our passmaps started looking like theirs did, not least because our back three and front three can very easily play those roles (indeed, the Dier/Romero/Davies back three plays almost exactly the same, just slower) and a Bentancur/Skipp pivot would also work perfectly for the sort of football they play
Kyle Walker wanted by Fenerbahce as Turkish giants plan to test Man City's resolve with tiny transfer bid | The Sun Now I know its the Sun and with Cancelo already gone I can't imagine that they would sanction Walker leaving too (unless Porro is incoming!), but anyone here taking Walker for £7m?
Am I the only one imagining Levy and Conte sitting at a table.... Levy: Sign the contract extension and I'll sign Porro... Conte: No, you sign Porro and I'll sign the extension... Levy, Antonio baby, I just need you to show a bit more commitment and we've got a gentleman's agreement to get you whatever you want.....{whispers}...subject to the usual terms and conditions... Conte: Sign Porro... Levy: Sure thing, Antonio...just as soon as you sign the extension, I'll ring Sir Alan and get us a fax machine and we'll do our best for you...
Would absolutely take him back...still very good and has a couple of seasons left in him and is light years ahead of those he'd replace.
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