Jack Grealish

[Mr Pink]

There will be money spent don't worry about that. As I keep saying though the value is there at the back end of the window, not now. Last couple or so weeks of the window is where we will be doing the bulk of our business.

But surely Pochettino wants the bulk of the business done for pre season, to integrate them effectively.

 

[Spursmatty87]

Having lost Sam Johnstone back to Utd, would be happy to send Gazzaniga to Villa for a year, maybe CCV too if he fails to impress Pre Season, let them soften to blow of losing the hometown boy, without them having to pay transfer fees, which they can’t afford!

Is Johnstone out of contract this summer anyway

 

[Dougal]

But surely Pochettino wants the bulk of the business done for pre season, to integrate them effectively.

I’m sure he’s aware of his limitations when dealing with Levy. The fact the purse strings are loosening is probably a big enough bonus to let Levy have his August Funtime.

 

[diamond lights]

True enough though tbh with the amount of Northern Irish players ROI have nicked from us over the years it's good to see them get a taste of their own medicine! Lol (joking kinda..)

Always found it difficult to support any International team. Mostly go for the one with the most Spurs players. Always loved Argentina too.

Struggling at this World Cup as England may have 4-5 Spurs players in the starting line up but if they get through a few rounds it'll be hard to listen to. 1966 blah, blah, blah

 

[dontcallme]

But surely Pochettino wants the bulk of the business done for pre season, to integrate them effectively.

In a perfect world yes.

Poch likes slow integration and I like to think he wants the right quality over early signings. He is not a short term thinking man.

 

[Dougal]

Always found it difficult to support any International team. Mostly go for the one with the most Spurs players. Always loved Argentina too.

Struggling at this World Cup as England may have 4-5 Spurs players in the starting line up but if they get through a few rounds it'll be hard to listen to. 1966 blah, blah, blah

I think it’s got to the point where English people are sick of hearing about 66 too.

 

[nicdic]

I’m sure he’s aware of his limitations when dealing with Levy. The fact the purse strings are loosening is probably a big enough bonus to let Levy have his August Funtime.

It's not really about dealing with Levy, it's about trying to attract the calibre of players that top teams want.

We don't have the pull of the rest of the top six, maybe with the exception of Arsenal right now. The rest can all match or better us in regard to money, and have either worldwide appeal due to their history, or recent success.

We can't do what Liverpool have done at the prices they have, because players and agents will want to see if bigger clubs come in for them. That's why we typically move later, though that doesn't mean we move more slowly.

 

[tommo84]

I think it’s got to the point where English people are sick of hearing about 66 too.

This is all I’ll say about it here as it’s the wrong thread for it, but I’d argue the usual media cycle of hype, nostalgia (66 and all that) and then scapegoating has played as big a part in the general apathy felt towards England by many fans as anything that’s happened (or hasn’t happened) on the pitch.

On Grealish, that interview with the Villa fan enthused about a versatility that few away from Villa can probably have really been aware of - you can’t really spot that based on 2 or 3 games only. Its well known that Poch likes versatile players so another player who can play as an 8 or a 10 with huge potential and available for a decent fee seems like a perfect fit with what both Poch and Levy have previously targeted in the transfer market.

I’m keen. The sooner it happens the better for numerous reasons.

 

[Jody]

I think he's a cracking little player and has a nasty attitude at times too which is good. Would welcome him.

 

[Atomic Flea]

I don’t think your two points are the only two negatives.

Many remember him going getting drunk in the middle of Villa’s relegation battle.

Some Irish feel he used them then played for England once he no longer needed them.

If a player in the second tier of other foreign leagues performed as Grealish has this season some fans would have doubts over the signing.

Let’s not go down the route of pretending we know how others have formed their opinions.

I think he got drunk at the beginning of the season and was photgraphed smashed out in Tenerife after the season was over. I'm not entirely sure he was getting drunk in the middle of a relegation battle. Also - he was 20 years old at the time. He's entitled to do whatever he wants when he isn't training or playing. It's jut unfortunate that people leak things to the press. He isn't the first and won't be the last footballer to go out and get drunk with his mates.

Also, who wouldn't want to play and compete with a better standard of players and actually play in an international football competition? The Irish fans may have been offended (I am Irish also), but we take plenty of players from Northern Ireland after they've played in their youth system so you can't have your cake and eat it also. That's the reality of International football at times and he may also identify more with the English team.

These things happened when he was 19/20 years old in his breakthrough season playing for a piss poor Villa team under Sherwood/Garde who aren't exactly the best coaches for man management. Going by Villa fans he has matured considerably which is great to hear and shows the type of character he can be. Made some mistakes, got over them and put performances on the pitch which is what matters.

 

[Trix]

But surely Pochettino wants the bulk of the business done for pre season, to integrate them effectively.

I'm sure he does. Heck in fact I'm sure all managers would want the same. Fact is though we have a limited budget and it's not as simple as just "get them now". I have posted some of the issues in other posts but I will try and explain a bit one more time.

When I refer to "the players" that can mean the players themselves, the agents, their family members, and more often than not a combination of all three.

A club like ours will compile a shortlist of players that fit the need for the club. The players are no different. They will have their own list of clubs they would like to go to.....
boyhood clubs
playing time
great manager and/or players
CL football
location
financials
etc etc.

We make our interest known to the selling club and agent, and the absolute first thing they do is look to see if they can do better elsewhere(that's their job). This might take time, for numerous reasons....

A preferred club is interested but needs to sell first,
the club has an alternative they would prefer but strings the player along just in case
Difference of opinion on the transfer fee/wages between the buying club and selling club/agent
Or like now an upcoming world cup which could change the desire in their players.

We are not top of the food chain(but we are not far off) so when we are looking at squad players it's usually a pretty easy decision from the players/agents POV, but the selling club is still going to look at maximising the transfer fee by selling elsewhere first. If the player is set on joining us and the selling club can get more elsewhere this will drag it out. Then the agent might think the other team will pay more = more delays. Then there is the players family that needs persuading etc etc.

The fact is in the early part of the window we are trying to do stuff but there are hurdles everywhere. In the last 2-3 weeks of the window the players/agents/clubs pretty much know where they stand. Other clubs are needing income to do their deals, players/agents are getting edgy and prepared to take less, and most importantly the Elite clubs aren't likely to force the prices up with their interest.

It's simple really, if we want players that none of the other teams would want it's easy. If we want our top choices then all the above has to align first and that takes time to happen.

Of course it is possible to get these deals done early ala Liverpool , but the fact is they are overpaying(quite significantly), both is Agents fee's and signing on fee's to do so. I'm sure there will be numerous posters now saying "well we should do the same". Firstly Levy does not operate like that, and secondly we have a budget, a transfer kitty a war chest call it what you will, but with everything else going on regarding stadium and pay rises it does have it's limit.

If we go down the route of greasing the wheels a deal which should cost £40 mil now costs £46. That's not just £6mil off the transfer fee of the next player. Well it's only £6mill, nothing in the grand scheme of things right? Wrong because when we come to sign player 2 his agent won't do business until he gets his Brucie bonus either. If Poch wants/needs 3 players in by the time we get to player three we can't get close to affording him and we are left short.

Now all that said I'm sure the nay sayers will come diving in with "If we hadn't wasted money on blah blah blah we wouldn't be in this position" Well maybe that's true, but our approach has been to buy lots of middle of the road(financially speaking) players with potential knowing some will work and some won't. You can't list all the flops without all the successful players either. Added to that how many of the so called flops have we actually lost money on, because they may not have performed on the pitch, but if they haven't cost us financially then they aren't really a massive problem.


Poch is very aware of how things work. If he wants his top targets sometimes it comes at a cost as far as timeline is concerned.

 

[tiger666]

I'm sure he does. Heck in fact I'm sure all managers would want the same. Fact is though we have a limited budget and it's not as simple as just "get them now". I have posted some of the issues in other posts but I will try and explain a bit one more time.

When I refer to "the players" that can mean the players themselves, the agents, their family members, and more often than not a combination of all three.

A club like ours will compile a shortlist of players that fit the need for the club. The players are no different. They will have their own list of clubs they would like to go to.....
boyhood clubs
playing time
great manager and/or players
CL football
location
financials
etc etc.

We make our interest known to the selling club and agent, and the absolute first thing they do is look to see if they can do better elsewhere(that's their job). This might take time, for numerous reasons....

A preferred club is interested but needs to sell first,
the club has an alternative they would prefer but strings the player along just in case, transfer fee,
Difference of opinion on the transfer fee/wages between the buying club and selling club/agent
Or like now an upcoming world cup which could change the desire in their players.

We are not top of the food chain(but we are not far off) so when we are looking at squad players it's usually a pretty easy decision from the players/agents POV, but the selling club is still going to look at maximising the transfer fee by selling elsewhere first. If the player is set on joining us and the selling club can get more elsewhere this will drag it out. Then the agent might think the other team will pay more = more delays. Then there is the players family that needs persuading etc etc.

The fact is in the early part of the window it's in the last 2-3 weeks of the window the players/agents/clubs pretty much know where they stand. Other clubs are needing income to do their deals, players/agents are getting edgy and prepared to take less, and most importantly the Elite clubs aren't likely to force the prices up with their interest.

It's simple really, if we want players that none of the other teams would want it's easy. If we want our top choices then all the above has to align first and that takes time to happen.

Of course it is possible to get these deals done early ala Liverpool , but the fact is they are overpaying(quite significantly), both is Agents fee's and signing on fee's to do so. I'm sure there will be numerous posters now saying "well we should do the same". Firstly Levy does not operate like that, and secondly we have a budget, a transfer kitty a war chest call it what you will, but with everything else going on regarding stadium and pay rises it does have it's limit.

If we go down the route of greasing the wheels a deal which should cost £40 mil now costs £46. That's not just £6mil off the transfer fee of the next player. Well it's only £6mill, nothing in the grand scheme of things right? Wrong because when we come to sign player 2 his agent won't do business until he gets his Brucie bonus either. If Poch wants/needs 3 players in by the time we get to player three we can't get close to affording him and we are left short.

Now all that said I'm sure the nay sayers will come diving in with "If we hadn't wasted money on blah blah blah we wouldn't be in this position" Well maybe that's true, but our approach has been to buy lots of middle of the road(financially speaking players with potential knowing some will work and some won't. You can't list all the flops without all the successful players either. Added to that how many of the so called flops have we actually lost money on, because they may not have performed on the pitch, but if they haven't cost us financially then they aren't really a massive problem.


Poch is very aware of how things work. If he wants his top targets sometimes it comes at a cost as far as timeline is concerned.

This should be stickied at the top of the transfer forum.

 

[topper]

I'm sure he does. Heck in fact I'm sure all managers would want the same. Fact is though we have a limited budget and it's not as simple as just "get them now". I have posted some of the issues in other posts but I will try and explain a bit one more time.

When I refer to "the players" that can mean the players themselves, the agents, their family members, and more often than not a combination of all three.

A club like ours will compile a shortlist of players that fit the need for the club. The players are no different. They will have their own list of clubs they would like to go to.....
boyhood clubs
playing time
great manager and/or players
CL football
location
financials
etc etc.

We make our interest known to the selling club and agent, and the absolute first thing they do is look to see if they can do better elsewhere(that's their job). This might take time, for numerous reasons....

A preferred club is interested but needs to sell first,
the club has an alternative they would prefer but strings the player along just in case
Difference of opinion on the transfer fee/wages between the buying club and selling club/agent
Or like now an upcoming world cup which could change the desire in their players.

We are not top of the food chain(but we are not far off) so when we are looking at squad players it's usually a pretty easy decision from the players/agents POV, but the selling club is still going to look at maximising the transfer fee by selling elsewhere first. If the player is set on joining us and the selling club can get more elsewhere this will drag it out. Then the agent might think the other team will pay more = more delays. Then there is the players family that needs persuading etc etc.

The fact is in the early part of the window it's in the last 2-3 weeks of the window the players/agents/clubs pretty much know where they stand. Other clubs are needing income to do their deals, players/agents are getting edgy and prepared to take less, and most importantly the Elite clubs aren't likely to force the prices up with their interest.

It's simple really, if we want players that none of the other teams would want it's easy. If we want our top choices then all the above has to align first and that takes time to happen.

Of course it is possible to get these deals done early ala Liverpool , but the fact is they are overpaying(quite significantly), both is Agents fee's and signing on fee's to do so. I'm sure there will be numerous posters now saying "well we should do the same". Firstly Levy does not operate like that, and secondly we have a budget, a transfer kitty a war chest call it what you will, but with everything else going on regarding stadium and pay rises it does have it's limit.

If we go down the route of greasing the wheels a deal which should cost £40 mil now costs £46. That's not just £6mil off the transfer fee of the next player. Well it's only £6mill, nothing in the grand scheme of things right? Wrong because when we come to sign player 2 his agent won't do business until he gets his Brucie bonus either. If Poch wants/needs 3 players in by the time we get to player three we can't get close to affording him and we are left short.

Now all that said I'm sure the nay sayers will come diving in with "If we hadn't wasted money on blah blah blah we wouldn't be in this position" Well maybe that's true, but our approach has been to buy lots of middle of the road(financially speaking) players with potential knowing some will work and some won't. You can't list all the flops without all the successful players either. Added to that how many of the so called flops have we actually lost money on, because they may not have performed on the pitch, but if they haven't cost us financially then they aren't really a massive problem.


Poch is very aware of how things work. If he wants his top targets sometimes it comes at a cost as far as timeline is concerned.

Yes, but but but.............actually you’re coming out with far too much sense to make a counter argument!

 

[Hoopspur]

Pin it or put this in the ITK. Cheers

 

[mattyspurs]

I'm sure he does. Heck in fact I'm sure all managers would want the same. Fact is though we have a limited budget and it's not as simple as just "get them now". I have posted some of the issues in other posts but I will try and explain a bit one more time.

When I refer to "the players" that can mean the players themselves, the agents, their family members, and more often than not a combination of all three.

A club like ours will compile a shortlist of players that fit the need for the club. The players are no different. They will have their own list of clubs they would like to go to.....
boyhood clubs
playing time
great manager and/or players
CL football
location
financials
etc etc.

We make our interest known to the selling club and agent, and the absolute first thing they do is look to see if they can do better elsewhere(that's their job). This might take time, for numerous reasons....

A preferred club is interested but needs to sell first,
the club has an alternative they would prefer but strings the player along just in case
Difference of opinion on the transfer fee/wages between the buying club and selling club/agent
Or like now an upcoming world cup which could change the desire in their players.

We are not top of the food chain(but we are not far off) so when we are looking at squad players it's usually a pretty easy decision from the players/agents POV, but the selling club is still going to look at maximising the transfer fee by selling elsewhere first. If the player is set on joining us and the selling club can get more elsewhere this will drag it out. Then the agent might think the other team will pay more = more delays. Then there is the players family that needs persuading etc etc.

The fact is in the early part of the window we are trying to do stuff but there are hurdles everywhere. In the last 2-3 weeks of the window the players/agents/clubs pretty much know where they stand. Other clubs are needing income to do their deals, players/agents are getting edgy and prepared to take less, and most importantly the Elite clubs aren't likely to force the prices up with their interest.

It's simple really, if we want players that none of the other teams would want it's easy. If we want our top choices then all the above has to align first and that takes time to happen.

Of course it is possible to get these deals done early ala Liverpool , but the fact is they are overpaying(quite significantly), both is Agents fee's and signing on fee's to do so. I'm sure there will be numerous posters now saying "well we should do the same". Firstly Levy does not operate like that, and secondly we have a budget, a transfer kitty a war chest call it what you will, but with everything else going on regarding stadium and pay rises it does have it's limit.

If we go down the route of greasing the wheels a deal which should cost £40 mil now costs £46. That's not just £6mil off the transfer fee of the next player. Well it's only £6mill, nothing in the grand scheme of things right? Wrong because when we come to sign player 2 his agent won't do business until he gets his Brucie bonus either. If Poch wants/needs 3 players in by the time we get to player three we can't get close to affording him and we are left short.

Now all that said I'm sure the nay sayers will come diving in with "If we hadn't wasted money on blah blah blah we wouldn't be in this position" Well maybe that's true, but our approach has been to buy lots of middle of the road(financially speaking) players with potential knowing some will work and some won't. You can't list all the flops without all the successful players either. Added to that how many of the so called flops have we actually lost money on, because they may not have performed on the pitch, but if they haven't cost us financially then they aren't really a massive problem.


Poch is very aware of how things work. If he wants his top targets sometimes it comes at a cost as far as timeline is concerned.

This is the post of all transfer windows, anyone who still doesn’t get it won’t get it, or doesn’t want to get it.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I don’t think your two points are the only two negatives.

Many remember him going getting drunk in the middle of Villa’s relegation battle.

Some Irish feel he used them then played for England once he no longer needed them.

If a player in the second tier of other foreign leagues performed as Grealish has this season some fans would have doubts over the signing.

Let’s not go down the route of pretending we know how others have formed their opinions.

19 year old got drunk? So what. We all love Woodgate and King, both of whom have drunkenly committed racially aggravated assault, Abh in Woodgate a case, common in Kings.

The Irish ‘betrayal’? What has that got to do with football?

As for the second tier of English football, only Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga and obviously the premier league are stronger leagues in Europe. Apart from 3/4 clubs, the average championship side is better than the average Ligue 1 side.

 

[dondo]

I think it’s got to the point where English people are sick of hearing about 66 too.

Definitely it’s become very embarrassing.
Commentators and pundits droning on about something that happened over 60 years ago

 

[Cel]

I'm sure he does. Heck in fact I'm sure all managers would want the same. Fact is though we have a limited budget and it's not as simple as just "get them now". I have posted some of the issues in other posts but I will try and explain a bit one more time.

When I refer to "the players" that can mean the players themselves, the agents, their family members, and more often than not a combination of all three.

A club like ours will compile a shortlist of players that fit the need for the club. The players are no different. They will have their own list of clubs they would like to go to.....
boyhood clubs
playing time
great manager and/or players
CL football
location
financials
etc etc.

We make our interest known to the selling club and agent, and the absolute first thing they do is look to see if they can do better elsewhere(that's their job). This might take time, for numerous reasons....

A preferred club is interested but needs to sell first,
the club has an alternative they would prefer but strings the player along just in case
Difference of opinion on the transfer fee/wages between the buying club and selling club/agent
Or like now an upcoming world cup which could change the desire in their players.

We are not top of the food chain(but we are not far off) so when we are looking at squad players it's usually a pretty easy decision from the players/agents POV, but the selling club is still going to look at maximising the transfer fee by selling elsewhere first. If the player is set on joining us and the selling club can get more elsewhere this will drag it out. Then the agent might think the other team will pay more = more delays. Then there is the players family that needs persuading etc etc.

The fact is in the early part of the window we are trying to do stuff but there are hurdles everywhere. In the last 2-3 weeks of the window the players/agents/clubs pretty much know where they stand. Other clubs are needing income to do their deals, players/agents are getting edgy and prepared to take less, and most importantly the Elite clubs aren't likely to force the prices up with their interest.

It's simple really, if we want players that none of the other teams would want it's easy. If we want our top choices then all the above has to align first and that takes time to happen.

Of course it is possible to get these deals done early ala Liverpool , but the fact is they are overpaying(quite significantly), both is Agents fee's and signing on fee's to do so. I'm sure there will be numerous posters now saying "well we should do the same". Firstly Levy does not operate like that, and secondly we have a budget, a transfer kitty a war chest call it what you will, but with everything else going on regarding stadium and pay rises it does have it's limit.

If we go down the route of greasing the wheels a deal which should cost £40 mil now costs £46. That's not just £6mil off the transfer fee of the next player. Well it's only £6mill, nothing in the grand scheme of things right? Wrong because when we come to sign player 2 his agent won't do business until he gets his Brucie bonus either. If Poch wants/needs 3 players in by the time we get to player three we can't get close to affording him and we are left short.

Now all that said I'm sure the nay sayers will come diving in with "If we hadn't wasted money on blah blah blah we wouldn't be in this position" Well maybe that's true, but our approach has been to buy lots of middle of the road(financially speaking) players with potential knowing some will work and some won't. You can't list all the flops without all the successful players either. Added to that how many of the so called flops have we actually lost money on, because they may not have performed on the pitch, but if they haven't cost us financially then they aren't really a massive problem.


Poch is very aware of how things work. If he wants his top targets sometimes it comes at a cost as far as timeline is concerned.

Probably the best written post I've ever seen on here - agreed, should get pinned somewhere

 

[SpartanSpur]

I'm sure he does. Heck in fact I'm sure all managers would want the same. Fact is though we have a limited budget and it's not as simple as just "get them now". I have posted some of the issues in other posts but I will try and explain a bit one more time.

When I refer to "the players" that can mean the players themselves, the agents, their family members, and more often than not a combination of all three.

A club like ours will compile a shortlist of players that fit the need for the club. The players are no different. They will have their own list of clubs they would like to go to.....
boyhood clubs
playing time
great manager and/or players
CL football
location
financials
etc etc.

We make our interest known to the selling club and agent, and the absolute first thing they do is look to see if they can do better elsewhere(that's their job). This might take time, for numerous reasons....

A preferred club is interested but needs to sell first,
the club has an alternative they would prefer but strings the player along just in case
Difference of opinion on the transfer fee/wages between the buying club and selling club/agent
Or like now an upcoming world cup which could change the desire in their players.

We are not top of the food chain(but we are not far off) so when we are looking at squad players it's usually a pretty easy decision from the players/agents POV, but the selling club is still going to look at maximising the transfer fee by selling elsewhere first. If the player is set on joining us and the selling club can get more elsewhere this will drag it out. Then the agent might think the other team will pay more = more delays. Then there is the players family that needs persuading etc etc.

The fact is in the early part of the window we are trying to do stuff but there are hurdles everywhere. In the last 2-3 weeks of the window the players/agents/clubs pretty much know where they stand. Other clubs are needing income to do their deals, players/agents are getting edgy and prepared to take less, and most importantly the Elite clubs aren't likely to force the prices up with their interest.

It's simple really, if we want players that none of the other teams would want it's easy. If we want our top choices then all the above has to align first and that takes time to happen.

Of course it is possible to get these deals done early ala Liverpool , but the fact is they are overpaying(quite significantly), both is Agents fee's and signing on fee's to do so. I'm sure there will be numerous posters now saying "well we should do the same". Firstly Levy does not operate like that, and secondly we have a budget, a transfer kitty a war chest call it what you will, but with everything else going on regarding stadium and pay rises it does have it's limit.

If we go down the route of greasing the wheels a deal which should cost £40 mil now costs £46. That's not just £6mil off the transfer fee of the next player. Well it's only £6mill, nothing in the grand scheme of things right? Wrong because when we come to sign player 2 his agent won't do business until he gets his Brucie bonus either. If Poch wants/needs 3 players in by the time we get to player three we can't get close to affording him and we are left short.

Now all that said I'm sure the nay sayers will come diving in with "If we hadn't wasted money on blah blah blah we wouldn't be in this position" Well maybe that's true, but our approach has been to buy lots of middle of the road(financially speaking) players with potential knowing some will work and some won't. You can't list all the flops without all the successful players either. Added to that how many of the so called flops have we actually lost money on, because they may not have performed on the pitch, but if they haven't cost us financially then they aren't really a massive problem.


Poch is very aware of how things work. If he wants his top targets sometimes it comes at a cost as far as timeline is concerned.

Fantastic post.

Add in the disrupted preseason due to the WC and the window closing BEFORE the season starts now and you can see why Poch would be on board with this approach.

 

[dontcallme]

I think he got drunk at the beginning of the season and was photgraphed smashed out in Tenerife after the season was over. I'm not entirely sure he was getting drunk in the middle of a relegation battle. Also - he was 20 years old at the time. He's entitled to do whatever he wants when he isn't training or playing. It's jut unfortunate that people leak things to the press. He isn't the first and won't be the last footballer to go out and get drunk with his mates.

Also, who wouldn't want to play and compete with a better standard of players and actually play in an international football competition? The Irish fans may have been offended (I am Irish also), but we take plenty of players from Northern Ireland after they've played in their youth system so you can't have your cake and eat it also. That's the reality of International football at times and he may also identify more with the English team.

These things happened when he was 19/20 years old in his breakthrough season playing for a piss poor Villa team under Sherwood/Garde who aren't exactly the best coaches for man management. Going by Villa fans he has matured considerably which is great to hear and shows the type of character he can be. Made some mistakes, got over them and put performances on the pitch which is what matters.

Once again I have not said I agree with the opinions given for some thinking he has a poor character.