Jack Grealish

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

What if this is the scenario. We want Martial as plan A but if we get him Grealish needs to be signed for HG quote. If we can't get Martial then Zaha will be signed, meaning the signing of Grealish for HG quote isn't needed and we can invest that money on a target Pochettino prefers in midfield. Just a thought but we could be pulling strings on multiple opportunities waiting for one to either drop or not.

This could tie into the ITK we had about certain things dropping to let others drop etc from a few days back.

 

[aussie spur]

Appreciate the info. My take would be that if true, it's only because there is doubt about shifting players like Toby, dembele, sissoko and llorente. If 3 of these stayed then we can only get one HG player in and include all senior players in the CL squad? If 2 stayed then we can only get one import and one HG. So, signing grealish could mean no chance at someone like zaha if we aren't willing or able to shift CL squad players out?

 

[ebzrascal]

ITK now saying Grealish may not be a first choice which is why the deal has not completed. It seems Levy really messes everyone about and now understand why some players were very unhappy with the experience of thinking they were a target and then being dropped for someone else. While it might save a few quid not sure it helps our reputation

 

[carpediem991]

What if this is the scenario. We want Martial as plan A but if we get him Grealish needs to be signed for HG quote. If we can't get Martial then Zaha will be signed, meaning the signing of Grealish for HG quote isn't needed and we can invest that money on a target Pochettino prefers in midfield. Just a thought but we could be pulling strings on multiple opportunities waiting for one to either drop or not.

This could tie into the ITK we had about certain things dropping to let others drop etc from a few days back.

Personally I don't agree with the thought these important positions NEED to be HG and willing to take less quality.
Why in the world do we carry 3 non HG Goalkeepers around if this is an issue?

 

[allatsea]

ITK now saying Grealish may not be a first choice which is why the deal has not completed. It seems Levy really messes everyone about and now understand why some players were very unhappy with the experience of thinking they were a target and then being dropped for someone else. While it might save a few quid not sure it helps our reputation

Levy is running a business for profit not a football version of the Mothers Union.

 

[Guntz]

I'd prefer it if we bought Zaha as our HG player - then it would free up a space to purchase a quality foreign midfielder e.g. Ndombele or Kovacic.

Grealish would be a nice added bonus, and could come in with no pressure - rather than being our main CM signing and expecting to perform straight away.

Whether we spend the required money for that though is another matter.

 

[Legacy]

ITK now saying Grealish may not be a first choice which is why the deal has not completed. It seems Levy really messes everyone about and now understand why some players were very unhappy with the experience of thinking they were a target and then being dropped for someone else. While it might save a few quid not sure it helps our reputation

How do you know it was Levy messing everybody about it? When we went in for Grealish, Villa were in dire straits and looked like they were desperate to sell. Since then, they've sorted out a lot of their financial issues and are apparently holding out for a larger fee. They could well have agreed an initial fee with Levy a few weeks ago and then increased the fee at a later date.

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

Personally I don't agree with the thought these important positions NEED to be HG and willing to take less quality.
Why in the world do we carry 3 non HG Goalkeepers around if this is an issue?

It's not so much about the HG (well it is) but our ability to register non-home grown players, especially in the Champions League.

We currently have 20 non home grown players and are only allowed to register 17. At this point we already have 3 that can't play in Europe for us so will have to be sold or not registered. I make the ones at the bottom of the pile at present Nkoudou, Janssen & Llorente.

If we were to sign other non home grown players, let's just say 2 for arguments sake we would have to not register a further 2, probably Sissoko and Foyth which would leave us very weak if we don't bring any new signings in and if injury hits.

In theory to make the most of the squad numbers over the course of not just this season but others coming up we really do need a somewhat competitive homegrown player in our ranks somewhere as we are already at our non home grown maximum and then some.

Dream scenario for me would be to take our non homegrown quota down from 20 to 14 moving on Nkoudou, Janssen, Llorente, Sissoko, Dembele & Alderweireld (if he's still being a bit of a contract rebel) and use the 3 remaining non homegrown slots on Martial, Kovacic & De Ligt.

Grealish would come in because we'd have lost two central midfielders in Dembele & Sissoko and would have to add one more to make up the numbers. One good quality homegrown player is important for squad depth and competition healthiness overall, as well as our ability to not have our hands tied with having to buy a shit homegrown defender or WF/ AM to make up the numbers, just because he's homegrown etc

 

[Clamour_Kid]

Agree with this. IMO we need a CM and an Eriksen rotation option more than another attacking player.

Maybe it's just me, but I see Lamela as an Eriksen rotation option. Lamela is not a winger, he is a no. 10 (ish)/Eriksen type that can fill that hole, work hard and produce the odd flash of brilliance.

Question is... Do we ignore that and get an even better Eriksen rotational player, or give Lamela his chance seeing as he has had a good pre-season and looks sharp?

Personally, I would want to sign Grealish and a WF like Martial or Zaha who will scare the crap out of defenders when they run at them.

That's just me though.

 

[carpediem991]

It's not so much about the HG (well it is) but our ability to register non-home grown players, especially in the Champions League.

We currently have 20 non home grown players and are only allowed to register 17. At this point we already have 3 that can't play in Europe for us so will have to be sold or not registered. I make the ones at the bottom of the pile at present Nkoudou, Janssen & Llorente.

If we were to sign other non home grown players, let's just say 2 for arguments sake we would have to not register a further 2, probably Sissoko and Foyth which would leave us very weak if we don't bring any new signings in and if injury hits.

In theory to make the most of the squad numbers over the course of not just this season but others coming up we really do need a somewhat competitive homegrown player in our ranks somewhere as we are already at our non home grown maximum and then some.

Dream scenario for me would be to take our non homegrown quota down from 20 to 14 moving on Nkoudou, Janssen, Llorente, Sissoko, Dembele & Alderweireld (if he's still being a bit of a contract rebel) and use the 3 remaining non homegrown slots on Martial, Kovacic & De Ligt.

Grealish would come in because we'd have lost two central midfielders in Dembele & Sissoko and would have to add one more to make up the numbers. One good quality homegrown player is important for squad depth and competition healthiness overall, as well as our ability to not have our hands tied with having to buy a shit homegrown defender or WF/ AM to make up the numbers, just because he's homegrown etc

Still doesn't change my key question....why are three of these spots occupied by keepers then?
Vorm was a good servant but having this worry I would think of replacing him with a keeper that does not need one of the 17 spots.

 

[Colonel Dax]

Maybe it's just me, but I see Lamela as an Eriksen rotation option. Lamela is not a winger, he is a no. 10 (ish)/Eriksen type that can fill that hole, work hard and produce the odd flash of brilliance.

Question is... Do we ignore that and get an even better Eriksen rotational player, or give Lamela his chance seeing as he has had a good pre-season and looks sharp?

Personally, I would want to sign Grealish and a WF like Martial or Zaha who will scare the crap out of defenders when they run at them.

That's just me though.

You make some good points. I keep forgetting about Lamela - hopefully he can push on this season.

 

[james Stock]

Lamela needs to play more centrally, he has an eye for a pass and he has produced some decent finishes. Needs to be in loved more.

 

[dagraham]

Agree that Lamela is best centrally. Had that opinion from his very first season, although I’m not totally convinced by him.

Imo we still need more than just him and Eriksen in the squad as far as ball playing midfielders go. Which is why I’d still like for us to sign Grealish and another playmaker if possible if Dembele is off.

 

[Univarn]

I was talking with my buddy yesterday about why Grealish keeps playing friendly's of it is so close and we came to a similar conclusion as Trix's contact. It doesn't mean we don't rate Grealish or that we won't ultimately get him, just that the club have other targets, probably for other positions, which are more complicated that they want to work out the feasibility and cost of first. I hate the term get our ducks in a row because every time we use it someone seems to come along and shoot one of them, but I think that is what Poch was referring to when he said we are not making any rash decisions. I know we as fans always want to do the first deal first but that doesn't always make it the best deal.

 

[Ben1]

Maybe it's just me, but I see Lamela as an Eriksen rotation option. Lamela is not a winger, he is a no. 10 (ish)/Eriksen type that can fill that hole, work hard and produce the odd flash of brilliance.

Question is... Do we ignore that and get an even better Eriksen rotational player, or give Lamela his chance seeing as he has had a good pre-season and looks sharp?

Personally, I would want to sign Grealish and a WF like Martial or Zaha who will scare the crap out of defenders when they run at them.

That's just me though.

Tbh I can see how Grealish, a WF forward and a CM could be overkill. Even with Sissoko, Dembele and Llorente out, we would still be left with 5 for 2 mid roles and 7 for 4 front roles, not including Onomah.

 

[Goobers]

Coco is definitely a ten. Would really like to see him there.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I'm easy with Grealish going to the wire. I wanted him on the plane for the US tour. Now the difference is marginal between this being completed now or on deadline day in terms of squad integration and preparation time. If he signs now he'll have to impress in training and domestic cups, especially with Lucas and Lamela doing well in preseason.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Tbh I can see how Grealish, a WF forward and a CM could be overkill. Even with Sissoko, Dembele and Llorente out, we would still be left with 5 for 2 mid roles and 7 for 4 front roles, not including Onomah.

Get the fuck out

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

I was talking with my buddy yesterday about why Grealish keeps playing friendly's of it is so close and we came to a similar conclusion as Trix's contact. It doesn't mean we don't rate Grealish or that we won't ultimately get him, just that the club have other targets, probably for other positions, which are more complicated that they want to work out the feasibility and cost of first. I hate the term get our ducks in a row because every time we use it someone seems to come along and shoot one of them, but I think that is what Poch was referring to when he said we are not making any rash decisions. I know we as fans always want to do the first deal first but that doesn't always make it the best deal.

I’m sitting in a field by a stream with my five year old boy, and this post just rounded the circle for me. You well balanced, thoughtful swine

 

[smallsnc]

Coco is definitely a ten. Would really like to see him there.

Really see him competing more with Dele for playing time than with Eriksen. Lamela either has to play a one touch to someone within 5 yards, run with the ball or have lots of time on the ball. He really does not seem to have the vision or the technique to really control the tempo of a match and to consistently change the point of attack. A useful player but not a replacement for Eriksen. I think we will see Lucas get more playing time than Lamela this year though both will have their uses in the team.