Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: SoccerHQ on January 02, 2025, 11:14:15 AM
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Perhaps time to start an individual thread about him?
This story popped up in the Heil the other day and in the last hour David Ornstein and Percy are both reporting our interest, apparently opening bid of 20m euros rejected but talks remain ongoing.
I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
Think he was also at Arsenal in their youth team when Emery was there.
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Never heard of him but if he is in the mould of diaby im happy
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Surely we only do individual ones when we actually sign them or is it as good as done. Until then it is all speculation and could collapse easily.
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Bit early this isn't it.
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Surely we only do individual ones when we actually sign them or is it as good as done. Until then it is all speculation and could collapse easily.
The Maatsen and Digne threads just below this one started with agreement or advanced talks. I suspect this one isn't too far from that, just got to settle on the price but clear Dortmund want to move him on.
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Aston Villa in talks to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen
By David Ornstein
23m ago
12
Aston Villa are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over a potential deal to sign Donyell Malen.
Villa have made an offer for the forward worth around €18million (£14.9m, $18.6m) plus add-ons, which falls short of Dortmund’s valuation but negotiations continue between the clubs.
The Premier League side are looking to strengthen their squad with a versatile attacker and Malen is high among multiple candidates.
The 25-year-old Dutch international, who is contracted until 2026, has started six of his team’s 15 Bundesliga games so far this season and scored five goals across all competitions — including twice in the Champions League.
Malen made four appearances for the Netherlands at Euro 2024, finding the net twice in their round of 16 victory over Romania and starting the semi-final defeat against England.
He joined Dortmund from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2021 — scoring 39 goals in 131 appearances and featuring eight times for Dortmund during a run to the 2024 Champions League final, where he was a second-half substitute in the 2-0 defeat by Real Madrid.
Villa are ninth in the English top-flight and next play at home to Leicester City on January 4.
Analysis from Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell
Villa have been open to signing a multi-faceted forward in January for some time, having been short of an option across the front line since Moussa Diaby’s departure in the summer.
Malen would suit the criteria of a forward, like Diaby, who can operate across several positions such as a second forward and wide player and share the goal scoring burden on Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins, in turn replacing the goals lost from Diaby and Douglas Luiz last season, as well as Leon Bailey, who has struggled for form this term.
There has always been an internal acknowledgment, however, that any moves will be dependent on the conditions of the deal and if they remain within the club’s financial parameters.
Malen’s career has blown hot and cold
Analysis from German football correspondent Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Malen’s Dortmund career has been a riddle. Despite more than three years at the club, a consensus has never really been reached on his value. And that’s not a measure of his talent, but his consistency. Malen’s form has always been volatile, with hot streaks melting away as quickly as they appeared.
Over the past year, when it became an open secret that he would prefer to continue his career elsewhere, the relationship between him and the Dortmund fans has been tricky. It’s a further complication to a career that has never really been one thing nor the other, rather a strange blend of the good and bad.
He’s talented and he’s shown that he can be a game-changer at the highest level, just never with enough regularity. The caveat there, though, is that the teams he has played for in Dortmund have often been flawed or in transition — he never had the privilege of working with a coach as permanent as Jurgen Klopp or as ideologically commanding as Thomas Tuchel — so a rebirth in the Midlands is hardly out of the question.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6031589/2025/01/02/donyell-malen-aston-villa-transfer/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6031589/2025/01/02/donyell-malen-aston-villa-transfer/)
Sound like consistency is his biggest issue. Bit of a red flag to me
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I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
A very unscientific observation, but I reckon that wide-ish attacking players who do pretty well in the Bundlesliga must be up there with the highest cross-over success rate to the Premier League.
He's the same age as Cunha for example and he's done better for Dortmund than Cunha did at either Leipzig or Hertha.
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I thought he was nearer 30 as well so that's a bonus, though I do think I mix him up in my head a bit with Memphis Depay.
I believe paul_e was very keen on us bringing him in a few years back.
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I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
A very unscientific observation, but I reckon that wide-ish attacking players who do pretty well in the Bundlesliga must be up there with the highest cross-over success rate to the Premier League.
He's the same age as Cunha for example and he's done better for Dortmund than Cunha did at either Leipzig or Hertha.
Yeah and t be fair Bailey and Diaby have done well. I think the biggest issue with players like this is they are inconsitent - bar the few world class ones. I think Bailey benefited hugely last season from being able to play himself into form while Diaby started.
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I thought he was nearer 30 as well so that's a bonus, though I do think I mix him up in my head a bit with Memphis Depay.
I believe paul_e was very keen on us bringing him in a few years back.
Yep, I thought he was perfect for us when we were looking to stabilise into a midtable side. Since then we've improved a lot quicker than he has but he's got serious pace, is a good finisher and can play a few different positions. I'd say he's pretty similar to Diaby but a bit more robust so might not struggle so much with the physical side of the English game.
If something around £20-22m is possible then I think he'd be good value for that.
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I thought he was nearer 30 as well so that's a bonus, though I do think I mix him up in my head a bit with Memphis Depay.
I believe paul_e was very keen on us bringing him in a few years back.
Yep, I thought he was perfect for us when we were looking to stabilise into a midtable side. Since then we've improved a lot quicker than he has but he's got serious pace, is a good finisher and can play a few different positions. I'd say he's pretty similar to Diaby but a bit more robust so might not struggle so much with the physical side of the English game.
If something around £20-22m is possible then I think he'd be good value for that.
Agreed - will give us a much needed injection of pace in the wide areas and create space for Rogers in particular. And the fee doesn’t present a huge risk, so would be happy with it.
I’d argue we’ve missed Diaby more than we have missed Luiz this season (which I was NOT expecting in August) and he would go some way to filling that gap in the squad.
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
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Good mates with maatsen too apparently so can see the logic in this as maatsen will be first choice left back in future you would imagine
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
And the next two season in theory as well as Barry's 7-8mil stays on the books for three seasons doesn't it?
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Thanks for the info on him paul e. Feeling a bit more optimistic about him then the article i posted
If he has pace thats great as we desperately need that
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
And the next two season in theory as well as Barry's 7-8mil stays on the books for three seasons doesn't it?
Nope I think it’s only booked for the financial year it falls in. But I’m no accountant so…..
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
And the next two season in theory as well as Barry's 7-8mil stays on the books for three seasons doesn't it?
Nope I think it’s only booked for the financial year it falls in. But I’m no accountant so…..
Yes the receipt is credited to its Financial year, the outgoing is amortised over the length of the contract.
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Thanks for the info on him paul e. Feeling a bit more optimistic about him then the article i posted
If he has pace thats great as we desperately need that
Probably not quite as fast as Diaby but not far off, however I think he's quicker over 5yards accelerating away from a player. It's worth taking a look a few highlight reels on Youtube for him.
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
And the next two season in theory as well as Barry's 7-8mil stays on the books for three seasons doesn't it?
Nope I think it’s only booked for the financial year it falls in. But I’m no accountant so…..
Yes the receipt is credited to its Financial year, the outgoing is amortised over the length of the contract.
See the whole Chelsea situation as an example, in that they are fine as long as they can keep getting £150m per summer for the next few years like they did for Maatsen / Gallagher / Hall / Hutchinson this summer. Then Mount / Ampadu / Loftus-Cheek the summer before.
If we can turn our academy into something generating that sort of money instead of between £10m - £30m per season we can also go out and buy a whole new team each year.
Unpleasant and unsporting though that it.
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
And the next two season in theory as well as Barry's 7-8mil stays on the books for three seasons doesn't it?
Nope I think it’s only booked for the financial year it falls in. But I’m no accountant so…..
I was thinking that for PSR purposes, Barry's example £8mil would stay on for three years. Malen's example £4mil would be that on the books the first year, 8mil the second and 12mil the third.
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
And the next two season in theory as well as Barry's 7-8mil stays on the books for three seasons doesn't it?
Nope I think it’s only booked for the financial year it falls in. But I’m no accountant so…..
Yes the receipt is credited to its Financial year, the outgoing is amortised over the length of the contract.
See the whole Chelsea situation as an example, in that they are fine as long as they can keep getting £150m per summer for the next few years like they did for Maatsen / Gallagher / Hall / Hutchinson this summer. Then Mount / Ampadu / Loftus-Cheek the summer before.
If we can turn our academy into something generating that sort of money instead of between £10m - £30m per season we can also go out and buy a whole new team each year.
Unpleasant and unsporting though that it.
If only we could spend what we wanted for a few years to put it all in place.
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I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
A very unscientific observation, but I reckon that wide-ish attacking players who do pretty well in the Bundlesliga must be up there with the highest cross-over success rate to the Premier League.
He's the same age as Cunha for example and he's done better for Dortmund than Cunha did at either Leipzig or Hertha.
It interesting as I haven't watched Bundesliga weekly for five years now but my impression has always been its a league with ridiculously high lines so wide players should be staying onside and hitting decent numbers for goals and assists.
A game that always sticks in my mind was Augsburg being 3-1 up at home to Dortmund and still parking their defence on the halfway line so Dortmund pinged a few balls over the top for Sancho and Haaland to run through and they still won the game.
I was thinking that type of game scenario would never happen in the prem but of course know you have the bottom teams trying and failing to play out from the back and gifting goals when leading/drawing that way.
My impression is I don't think he's an amazing player but we never replaced Diaby properly in the summer and he seems to have a similar profile so for 20m or so can't be too sniffy about these deals.
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Yep a £20-£25m fee on a five year contract is only about £4-5m for amortisation so if we can get some funds together to remain PSR compliant then all well and good.
If we're selling Barry as suggested then him going for £7-8m covers the cost of this for 24/25.
And the next two season in theory as well as Barry's 7-8mil stays on the books for three seasons doesn't it?
Nope I think it’s only booked for the financial year it falls in. But I’m no accountant so…..
Yes the receipt is credited to its Financial year, the outgoing is amortised over the length of the contract.
See the whole Chelsea situation as an example, in that they are fine as long as they can keep getting £150m per summer for the next few years like they did for Maatsen / Gallagher / Hall / Hutchinson this summer. Then Mount / Ampadu / Loftus-Cheek the summer before.
If we can turn our academy into something generating that sort of money instead of between £10m - £30m per season we can also go out and buy a whole new team each year.
Unpleasant and unsporting though that it.
If only we could spend what we wanted for a few years to put it all in place.
Ive always said Chelsea's success was because when roman came in there was no other individal billionaire owners. If ours were around back then along with various other clubs chelsea wouldnt be the club are now
They have had a massive head start over most other clubs
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Malen's highlights reel is impressive. Great pace, excellent control and can finish. Basically a replacement for Diaby.
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His scoring record is really good for a wide player. Given we lack goals and pace, he seems to fit the bill for a realistic signing.
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Never heard of him but in Unai and Monchi we trust!!
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Sounds decent. Even if we don't get him, at least our interest would seem to indicate that we have spotted our failings at the wing position.
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I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
A very unscientific observation, but I reckon that wide-ish attacking players who do pretty well in the Bundlesliga must be up there with the highest cross-over success rate to the Premier League.
He's the same age as Cunha for example and he's done better for Dortmund than Cunha did at either Leipzig or Hertha.
It interesting as I haven't watched Bundesliga weekly for five years now but my impression has always been its a league with ridiculously high lines so wide players should be staying onside and hitting decent numbers for goals and assists.
A game that always sticks in my mind was Augsburg being 3-1 up at home to Dortmund and still parking their defence on the halfway line so Dortmund pinged a few balls over the top for Sancho and Haaland to run through and they still won the game.
I was thinking that type of game scenario would never happen in the prem but of course know you have the bottom teams trying and failing to play out from the back and gifting goals when leading/drawing that way.
Given your point though, forward players should turn up and bomb here given the reduced amount of space to run into - but while there are those who haven't had the same success (Sancho? Werner? Haller? Podolski?), the list of players who have adapted really well is (I would guess) better than any other league.
Just off the top of my head - Aubameyang, Son, Firmino, Berbatov, Dzeko, Haaland, De Bruyne plus those mentioned above.
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Sounds decent. Even if we don't get him, at least our interest would seem to indicate that we have spotted our failings at the wing position.
Also, I can’t see it being an ‘ell-eggs-in-one-basket’ signing. I think we must be after getting a defender in as well.
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His scoring record is really good for a wide player. Given we lack goals and pace, he seems to fit the bill for a realistic signing.
Think it's only at Dortmund he's moved wide - he mainly played centrally at PSV. Not that his Dortmund record is shabby or anything.
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His scoring record is really good for a wide player. Given we lack goals and pace, he seems to fit the bill for a realistic signing.
Think it's only at Dortmund he's moved wide - he mainly played centrally at PSV. Not that his Dortmund record is shabby or anything.
That was only really true for his last season at PSV. Every other season he's been used pretty equally across left wing, right wing and up front. It's one of the main reasons I like him because he can play anywhere and is always pretty effective.
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Never been particularly impressed whenever I’ve seen him play for Holland tbh.
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Never heard of him but if he is in the mould of diaby im happy
There's a Donegal songster who now wishes he'd been christened Donyell instead of Daniel.
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If it's what Unai wants I'm all for it.
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Never been particularly impressed whenever I’ve seen him play for Holland tbh.
He had a good World Cup to be fair.
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With Emery in charge I’m much less concerned by potential new signings being labelled inconsistent - I back our coaching staff to build a defined role for him within our system and create that consistent output - we have a track record of doing that for players with Rogers being a great recent example.
Where “can be inconsistent” used to be a red flag for me when previous managers didn’t improve players whatsoever, nowadays it represents an opportunity if the player in question has the raw talent, which Malen clearly does. And his G/A stats/underlying numbers aren’t bad at all, it’s a high floor.
Very excited to see a Diaby-like player back up next to Watkins as that was when he performed best for us last year.
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@FabrizioRomano
🟣🔵 Aston Villa remain in talks with Borussia Dortmund for Donyell Malen, as negotiations continue.
Initial proposal rejected but Malen’s keen on the move as he wants Premier League football.
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@FabrizioRomano
🟣🔵 Aston Villa remain in talks with Borussia Dortmund for Donyell Malen, as negotiations continue.
Initial proposal rejected but Malen’s keen on the move as he wants Premier League football.
Ah fuck, forgotten about him. Let's hope we can put together a package as we've convinced the 1999 Dutch international, only wants Villa.
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Can he play right back? 🫤
*Donny, NOT Fab!
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I think the lack of an effective (pacy) wide right has also significantly contributed to our defensive issues. Teams can pressure us with relatively little fear of play being stretched, pace and width completely change that. It’s clearly not the only issue, but I think it’s quite an important part.
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I think the lack of an effective (pacy) wide right has also significantly contributed to our defensive issues. Teams can pressure us with relatively little fear of play being stretched, pace and width completely change that. It’s clearly not the only issue, but I think it’s quite an important part.
Spot on.
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Malen's highlights reel is impressive. Great pace, excellent control and can finish. Basically a replacement for Diaby.
Pretty sure someone posted on here the same thing about Charles N’Zogbia.
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Malen's highlights reel is impressive. Great pace, excellent control and can finish. Basically a replacement for Diaby.
Pretty sure someone posted on here the same thing about Charles N’Zogbia.
N'Zogbia was a replacement for Diaby?
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Malen's highlights reel is impressive. Great pace, excellent control and can finish. Basically a replacement for Diaby.
Pretty sure someone posted on here the same thing about Charles N’Zogbia.
N'Zogbia was a replacement for Diaby?
That was a really shocking bit of scouting.
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We were given a big warning re Charles. When TSM was in charge at Small Heath, he wanted to sign N'zogbia. Apparently, he told his agent to ask for more money than had been offered, so the move broke down. A year later, McLeish was here and was straight in for CN'Z for an inflated fee and big wages on a five year contract. Oh dear!!
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I think the lack of an effective (pacy) wide right has also significantly contributed to our defensive issues. Teams can pressure us with relatively little fear of play being stretched, pace and width completely change that. It’s clearly not the only issue, but I think it’s quite an important part.
Spot on.
Absolutely. When we had Diaby there was always a threat with both him and Watkins. Now there's just one and bailey just doesn't seem able to go full pelt (presumably because he's not completely recovered from his muscle issues).
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We were given a big warning re Charles. When TSM was in charge at Small Heath, he wanted to sign N'zogbia. Apparently, he told his agent to ask for more money than had been offered, so the move broke down. A year later, McLeish was here and was straight in for CN'Z for an inflated fee and big wages on a five year contract. Oh dear!!
Give Shay Given a 5 year deal on his Citeh wages while you're at it even though he's on the wane.
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Well I’m glad that this is the area we’re looking at, as I think this is top priority, then I’d really want a top class right centre back and then if I’m being greedy and decent right back to cover or replace Cash.
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This particular red flag is worrying:
Malen’s form has always been volatile, with hot streaks melting away as quickly as they appeared.
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This particular red flag is worrying: Malen’s form has always been volatile, with hot streaks melting away as quickly as they appeared.
That’s why he’s costing about £20m not £50m+. I’ve no idea whether he’s good but he’s played in a series of inconsistent Dortmund teams with a long list of managers. I doubt he’s had a coach like emery and the relative stability we currently offer.
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This particular red flag is worrying: Malen’s form has always been volatile, with hot streaks melting away as quickly as they appeared.
Yeah i said this a few pages back. But under a world class coach like unai maybe he can get him to play better consistently
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From a Dutch friend: "he is fast, unpredictable but always aiming for the goal and he has gained good experience in Germany, much more stable than in his psv days".
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Get the impression that Malen's got the ability, but needs the right environment and ciach to help him realise his talent.
Unai's got a track record of improving players, and was in charge at Arsenal when Malen was there as s youth, so he could know about him.
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Perhaps time to start an individual thread about him?
This story popped up in the Heil the other day and in the last hour David Ornstein and Percy are both reporting our interest, apparently opening bid of 20m euros rejected but talks remain ongoing.
I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
Think he was also at Arsenal in their youth team when Emery was there.
I hope he’s a lot better than Diaby.
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Wingers are erratic by nature, aren't they? Inconsistent like no other fvcker on earth.
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This particular red flag is worrying: Malen’s form has always been volatile, with hot streaks melting away as quickly as they appeared.
He'll fit right in with Bailey 2.0 and Watkins
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If he scores as many goals as Watkins and gets as many assists he’ll be an incredible signing.
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Malen would be a top signing. Wanted him a few years ago.
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Wingers are erratic by nature, aren't they? Inconsistent like no other fvcker on earth.
The really good ones aren’t which is what makes them really good. Salah, Saka, etc. Unlikely we’ll unearth one like that very easily and Malen isn’t that.
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From The Athletic
ASTON VILLA IN TALKS TO SIGN BORUSSIA DORTMUND FORWARD DONYELL MALEN
David Ornstein
Aston Villa are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over a potential deal to sign Donyell Malen.
Villa have made an offer for the forward worth around €18million (£14.9m, $18.6m) plus add-ons, which falls short of Dortmund’s valuation but negotiations continue between the clubs.
The Premier League side are looking to strengthen their squad with a versatile attacker and Malen is high among multiple candidates.
The 25-year-old Dutch international, who is contracted until 2026, has started six of his team’s 15 Bundesliga games so far this season and scored five goals across all competitions — including twice in the Champions League.
Malen made four appearances for the Netherlands at Euro 2024, finding the net twice in their round of 16 victory over Romania and starting the semi-final defeat against England.
He joined Dortmund from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2021 — scoring 39 goals in 131 appearances and featuring eight times for Dortmund during a run to the 2024 Champions League final, where he was a second-half substitute in the 2-0 defeat by Real Madrid.
Villa are ninth in the English top-flight and next play at home to Leicester City on January 4.
Malen would fit Villa’s missing profile - Analysis from Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell
Villa have been open to signing a multi-faceted forward in January for some time, having been short of an option across the front line since Moussa Diaby’s departure in the summer.
Malen would suit the criteria of a forward, like Diaby, who can operate across several positions such as a second forward and wide player and share the goal scoring burden on Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins, in turn replacing the goals lost from Diaby and Douglas Luiz last season, as well as Leon Bailey, who has struggled for form this term.
There has always been an internal acknowledgment, however, that any moves will be dependent on the conditions of the deal and if they remain within the club’s financial parameters.
Malen’s career has blown hot and cold - Analysis from German football correspondent Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Malen’s Dortmund career has been a riddle. Despite more than three years at the club, a consensus has never really been reached on his value. And that’s not a measure of his talent, but his consistency. Malen’s form has always been volatile, with hot streaks melting away as quickly as they appeared.
Over the past year, when it became an open secret that he would prefer to continue his career elsewhere, the relationship between him and the Dortmund fans has been tricky. It’s a further complication to a career that has never really been one thing nor the other, rather a strange blend of the good and bad.
He’s talented and he’s shown that he can be a game-changer at the highest level, just never with enough regularity. The caveat there, though, is that the teams he has played for in Dortmund have often been flawed or in transition — he never had the privilege of working with a coach as permanent as Jurgen Klopp or as ideologically commanding as Thomas Tuchel — so a rebirth in the Midlands is hardly out of the question.
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If Unai wants him, I do as well.
(Ooooh)
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Yep, me too. I’ve been missing Diaby and with Bailey out of sorts we really need some kind of wing wizard. Footballs not football without one.
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I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
A very unscientific observation, but I reckon that wide-ish attacking players who do pretty well in the Bundlesliga must be up there with the highest cross-over success rate to the Premier League.
He's the same age as Cunha for example and he's done better for Dortmund than Cunha did at either Leipzig or Hertha.
It interesting as I haven't watched Bundesliga weekly for five years now but my impression has always been its a league with ridiculously high lines so wide players should be staying onside and hitting decent numbers for goals and assists.
A game that always sticks in my mind was Augsburg being 3-1 up at home to Dortmund and still parking their defence on the halfway line so Dortmund pinged a few balls over the top for Sancho and Haaland to run through and they still won the game.
I was thinking that type of game scenario would never happen in the prem but of course know you have the bottom teams trying and failing to play out from the back and gifting goals when leading/drawing that way.
Given your point though, forward players should turn up and bomb here given the reduced amount of space to run into - but while there are those who haven't had the same success (Sancho? Werner? Haller? Podolski?), the list of players who have adapted really well is (I would guess) better than any other league.
Just off the top of my head - Aubameyang, Son, Firmino, Berbatov, Dzeko, Haaland, De Bruyne plus those mentioned above.
Werner and Sancho were the exact two I were thinking of. Huge number of assists in Bundesliga but less impact in tighter spaces here. Diaby was also hit and miss here although we rarely played him out wide and I think he'd have kicked on if he'd stayed.
The others listed are CFs or in De Bruyne's case someone who was moved into central midfield.
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Perhaps time to start an individual thread about him?
This story popped up in the Heil the other day and in the last hour David Ornstein and Percy are both reporting our interest, apparently opening bid of 20m euros rejected but talks remain ongoing.
I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
Think he was also at Arsenal in their youth team when Emery was there.
I hope he’s a lot better than Diaby.
Diaby wasn't hopeless. Still scored 10 goals across the competitions and 7-8 assists I think.
Started and finished well but was hopeless during the winter period. We should've played him far more out wide rather than inside forward but Bailey was great for months.
I think he'd have improved if he stayed but we couldn't really turn down the Saudi bid.
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Perhaps time to start an individual thread about him?
This story popped up in the Heil the other day and in the last hour David Ornstein and Percy are both reporting our interest, apparently opening bid of 20m euros rejected but talks remain ongoing.
I can't say I've been wowed by what I've seen of him in the past. My gut instinct is that he isn't as good as Diaby. However he scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga last season so for potentially 20m we can't turn our noses up at that especially as we badly need another option on the right.
Think he was also at Arsenal in their youth team when Emery was there.
I hope he’s a lot better than Diaby.
If he’s as good as Diaby they’ll do for me.
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If he scores as many goals as Watkins and gets as many assists he’ll be an incredible signing.
I look forward to him being called a wanker. 🫠
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Aren't most wingers either various shades of inconsistent or priced well outside what we can pay?
Dont know owt about him but from the description he's what we desperately need.
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Aren't most wingers either various shades of inconsistent or priced well outside what we can pay?
Dont know owt about him but from the description he's what we desperately need.
Got to admit that I don't know much about him at all, but watching the various highlight clips, he's playing in a more central role in all of them.
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If we sign him, he can play for us in the UEFA ECL froom the round of 16 onwards and won't be cup-tied.
He's appeared in 5 games for Dortmund in the ECL this season. 2 goals scored
•46.01: As of the round of 16, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 2 February 2024 (24.00CET) at the latest. This deadline cannot be extended.
•46.02: Any or all of the players from the above quota of three may have been fielded for another club in the qualifying phase, play-offs or group stage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.
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If we sign him, he can play for us in the UEFA ECL froom the round of 16 onwards and won't be cup-tied.
He's appeared in 5 games for Dortmund in the ECL this season. 2 goals scored
•46.01: As of the round of 16, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 2 February 2024 (24.00CET) at the latest. This deadline cannot be extended.
•46.02: Any or all of the players from the above quota of three may have been fielded for another club in the qualifying phase, play-offs or group stage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.
Players aren't cup-tied in European competitions any more? Wow. That's quite a big change, and I suspect it's a move that will make January transfer windows a bit busier moving forward.
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If we sign him, he can play for us in the UEFA ECL froom the round of 16 onwards and won't be cup-tied.
He's appeared in 5 games for Dortmund in the ECL this season. 2 goals scored
•46.01: As of the round of 16, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 2 February 2024 (24.00CET) at the latest. This deadline cannot be extended.
•46.02: Any or all of the players from the above quota of three may have been fielded for another club in the qualifying phase, play-offs or group stage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.
Players aren't cup-tied in European competitions any more? Wow. That's quite a big change, and I suspect it's a move that will make January transfer windows a bit busier moving forward.
It was removed from the 18/19 season. Guess we've just not had to pay attention to that fact until quite recently.
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Werner and Sancho were the exact two I were thinking of. Huge number of assists in Bundesliga but less impact in tighter spaces here. Diaby was also hit and miss here although we rarely played him out wide and I think he'd have kicked on if he'd stayed.
The others listed are CFs or in De Bruyne's case someone who was moved into central midfield.
Not quite sure what your point is here.
Are you saying that the players I listed didn't adapt well to the Premier League? Or that there are other leagues with a better success rate than the Bundesliga for forwards (or probably any players, come to think of it) moving to the Premier League?
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Seems to be a PSR half way house signing, but of pedigree, fits a lot of what we need without costing what others might. In today's market under £20m is very little and we are desperate for pace in behind to stretch sides. Diaby gave us a fear factor if nothing else at times, which saw us through a fair few games when sides pushed onto us when we were in the lead. If Malen can be be slightly better with decision making than Diaby, happy days. Philogene has been abysmally bad in pushing Bailey so competition there is a must.
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Agree ozz
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If we sign him, he can play for us in the UEFA ECL froom the round of 16 onwards and won't be cup-tied.
He's appeared in 5 games for Dortmund in the ECL this season. 2 goals scored
•46.01: As of the round of 16, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 2 February 2024 (24.00CET) at the latest. This deadline cannot be extended.
•46.02: Any or all of the players from the above quota of three may have been fielded for another club in the qualifying phase, play-offs or group stage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.
Players aren't cup-tied in European competitions any more? Wow. That's quite a big change, and I suspect it's a move that will make January transfer windows a bit busier moving forward.
Although you can only make a couple of changes to the squad I believe. (but that might be if you have a full squad anyway, I think ours is four short.)
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Although you can only make a couple of changes to the squad I believe. (but that might be if you have a full squad anyway, I think ours is four short.)
Isn't ours only short though because we haven't got enough club-developed players to fill those mandatory spots - only Ramsey and Philogene?
Unless we're signing Chukwuemeka, Grealish or Archer back we're probably not going to fill those spaces.
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No idea, just know we have
21 edit 23 listed in the A squad out of 25. But in that case we are back to swaps aren't we and we would have to take someone out for Malen if we signed him who isn't Philogene or Ramsey. Maybe Buendia?
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/
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Yup, Buendia definitely looks to be the fall-guy if we bring a new attacker in.
Bigger issue is who drops out if we do sign a new right-sided defender - presumably Diego Carlos?
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Werner and Sancho were the exact two I were thinking of. Huge number of assists in Bundesliga but less impact in tighter spaces here. Diaby was also hit and miss here although we rarely played him out wide and I think he'd have kicked on if he'd stayed.
The others listed are CFs or in De Bruyne's case someone who was moved into central midfield.
Not quite sure what your point is here.
Are you saying that the players I listed didn't adapt well to the Premier League? Or that there are other leagues with a better success rate than the Bundesliga for forwards (or probably any players, come to think of it) moving to the Premier League?
Just Werner and Sancho. Both looked top level in the Bundesliga first time, both massively flopped in premier league for the clubs that signed them. Sancho looks better at Chelsea but still not quite his dominant Bundesliga self.
As said I think in Bundesliga around 2018/19 you had even bottom half teams parking their defences on halfway line so that gave half a pitch for Sancho or Werner to run into to score or assist.
Less so in prem so if you're a wide player facing a low block you need a bit more to your game. It has changed now with the endless passing from the back so wide players can get chances that wide.
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Yup, Buendia definitely looks to be the fall-guy if we bring a new attacker in.
Bigger issue is who drops out if we do sign a new right-sided defender - presumably Diego Carlos?
Or drop one of the other two A list keepers and keep our fingers crossed a kid could step up.
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Werner and Sancho were the exact two I were thinking of. Huge number of assists in Bundesliga but less impact in tighter spaces here. Diaby was also hit and miss here although we rarely played him out wide and I think he'd have kicked on if he'd stayed.
The others listed are CFs or in De Bruyne's case someone who was moved into central midfield.
Not quite sure what your point is here.
Are you saying that the players I listed didn't adapt well to the Premier League? Or that there are other leagues with a better success rate than the Bundesliga for forwards (or probably any players, come to think of it) moving to the Premier League?
Just Werner and Sancho. Both looked top level in the Bundesliga first time, both massively flopped in premier league for the clubs that signed them. Sancho looks better at Chelsea but still not quite his dominant Bundesliga self.
As said I think in Bundesliga around 2018/19 you had even bottom half teams parking their defences on halfway line so that gave half a pitch for Sancho or Werner to run into to score or assist.
Less so in prem so if you're a wide player facing a low block you need a bit more to your game. It has changed now with the endless passing from the back so wide players can get chances that wide.
Sure, but I wasn't suggesting that every single transfer from the Bundlesliga was a success. Just that the hit rate is probably higher than from any other comparable league.
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Yup, Buendia definitely looks to be the fall-guy if we bring a new attacker in.
Bigger issue is who drops out if we do sign a new right-sided defender - presumably Diego Carlos?
Or drop one of the other two A list keepers and keep our fingers crossed a kid could step up.
Not a bad shout. Presumably there's not that much difference between Gauci and Zwych being sub keeper if Emi is out.
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I think he would be a good signing. He seems fairly quick, stronger than Diaby or Bailey and a bit more direct. Being Romanian born, watched him at the euros and he tormented us on our weaker defensive side.
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If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great. I've never heard of him.
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If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great. I've never heard of him.
Although had you heard of Bailey or Diaby before we were linked with them?
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If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great. I've never heard of him.
Although had you heard of Bailey or Diaby before we were linked with them?
Nope. I'm quite the ignoramus about other clubs players, especially when they play in other countries.
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If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great. I've never heard of him.
Bailey has shown he can be very good - I still maintain I don’t think he’s great if he’s the “main man” I think competition/support might help release him a bit. Might be wrong, but it’s such a marked difference in terms of performance either side of Diaby being here. It could be he just got on with him well, but I think this will help him.
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No idea, just know we have 21 edit 23 listed in the A squad out of 25. But in that case we are back to swaps aren't we and we would have to take someone out for Malen if we signed him who isn't Philogene or Ramsey. Maybe Buendia?
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/ (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/)
Yes, 23 is the limit for us because of the 'club-trained' element that is reserved for 4 places.
Additionally we can only make 3 changes in total (not technically true but you need to sell 5 players to get a 4th spot and 7 to get a 5th).
The club-trained bit is what is really going to hurt us because we keep selling the players who could 'fill a gap'.
From that list the 2 that stand out as options to remove are Buendia and Ned, neither of which really offer us much based on how they've bene used so far. Both of them being replaced would help, especially if the Ned replacement is someone who can play CB and RB. If Torres hadn't been injured I'd have said replace Carlos as well but I don't think that's an option now.
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Malen IN and Philogene (loan) and Buendia OUT improves the composition of the squad and probably balances the looks. Ultimately seems a very logical and PSR inspired move.
I’d prefer a try before you buy loan deal as I’d go big for this position in the summer whereas this deal may block that option.
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BVB director Sebastian Kehl on Malen and Premier League clubs keen: “Donny is an important player for us, it’s no surprise to me that his qualities are attracting interest on the market. But he has great value for us”, told DPA.
🟣🔵 Aston Villa keep working on it.
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Malen IN and Philogene (loan) and Buendia OUT improves the composition of the squad and probably balances the looks. Ultimately seems a very logical and PSR inspired move.
I’d prefer a try before you buy loan deal as I’d go big for this position in the summer whereas this deal may block that option.
Always important to balance the looks. Too pretty and we become like liverpool in the mid 90s, too ugly and we become like my family
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Malen IN and Philogene (loan) and Buendia OUT improves the composition of the squad and probably balances the looks. Ultimately seems a very logical and PSR inspired move.
I’d prefer a try before you buy loan deal as I’d go big for this position in the summer whereas this deal may block that option.
Always important to balance the looks. Too pretty and we become like liverpool in the mid 90s, too ugly and we become like my family
It's a fair point.
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We were given a big warning re Charles. When TSM was in charge at Small Heath, he wanted to sign N'zogbia. Apparently, he told his agent to ask for more money than had been offered, so the move broke down. A year later, McLeish was here and was straight in for CN'Z for an inflated fee and big wages on a five year contract. Oh dear!!
The predictable vanity signing of TSM ... didn't end well, other than for Charles.
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Dortmund want €30m for Donyell Malen.
@cfbayern
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That's basically what they paid PSV for him, and his record is probably about par for that price.
So if we want him, it's probably fair enough.
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Well he'll certainly sort out the lack of pace in the team.
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If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great. I've never heard of him.
Bailey has shown he can be very good - I still maintain I don’t think he’s great if he’s the “main man” I think competition/support might help release him a bit. Might be wrong, but it’s such a marked difference in terms of performance either side of Diaby being here. It could be he just got on with him well, but I think this will help him.
I think Bailey’s biggest problem is he has to be absolutely 100% fit and completely match sharp to be at his best. That hasn’t happened nearly enough at VP. His form rather dovetailed with Diaby’s rather than aligned to be honest.
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Possibly, but I’m not sure any of us can know that for sure. He looks like confidence is a big issue at the mo, although there have been little signs of it coming back in recent games (albeit fleeting).
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I thought Brighton was the first time Bailey looked like Bailey for much of the game. Having some genuine pacey competition pushed him to a whole different level last season. Getting that Bailey for 3 months could see us become very handy again. Plus a defender or two.
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He looks like confidence is a big issue at the mo, although there have been little signs of it coming back in recent games (albeit fleeting).
This for me is absolutely it, Bailey is the dictionary definition of a confidence player, IMO.
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He looks like confidence is a big issue at the mo, although there have been little signs of it coming back in recent games (albeit fleeting).
This for me is absolutely it, Bailey is the dictionary definition of a confidence player, IMO.
Agreed. He was bandaged up for most of last season but his performances were exceptional.
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it's not JPercy or Fabrizio but https://x.com/SamC_reports/status/1876041887888580868
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Work for
@UnitedStandMUFC
&
@ThatsFootballTV
. News aggregator for Football - Breaking information for a living. DM for enquiries/promotion. Instagram: Sam_c345_
Well if you can't trust Sam C on this one I don't know who you can trust.
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Work for
@UnitedStandMUFC
&
@ThatsFootballTV
. News aggregator for Football - Breaking information for a living. DM for enquiries/promotion. Instagram: Sam_c345_
Well if you can't trust Sam C on this one I don't know who you can trust.
145k followers which is a decent amount, so probably more than Kevin G.
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Work for
@UnitedStandMUFC
&
@ThatsFootballTV
. News aggregator for Football - Breaking information for a living. DM for enquiries/promotion. Instagram: Sam_c345_
Well if you can't trust Sam C on this one I don't know who you can trust.
What is this about?
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Be great if we can get him on for next leage game to give the team abit of a boost
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Work for
@UnitedStandMUFC
&
@ThatsFootballTV
. News aggregator for Football - Breaking information for a living. DM for enquiries/promotion. Instagram: Sam_c345_
Well if you can't trust Sam C on this one I don't know who you can trust.
What is this about?
Kev has copied the Twitter profile down to show Sam C "works" for a couple of sites but no one massive. He could have put it in some format to show it was copied from elsewhere though. But you also just post random stuff from other sites with no info on what is posted and no delineation of which bit is the post and which is your take, so I'm surprised you were asking.
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It might be true, but I always think saying a player has agreed terms but the clubs still need to is one of those things that’s unlikely to be proven wrong whether the move materialises or not.
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He'll be good competition for Leon Bailey on that right side of the forward line.
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Donyell Malen has reached a personal agreement with Aston Villa.
@VI_nl
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Lots of noise about this today but no idea if it's all feeding itself on the back of 1-2 people rushing a story out.
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I hope he's quick. We massively need pace going forward.
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I think the signing is inevitable given the relatively low fee - would be ideal for us to get it done by the end of the week and hopefully he’ll be in the squad for the next league game.
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These days players agree terms before a fee is agreed anyway so it's perfectly credible.
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Townley
“Donyell Malen has reportedly agreed terms with Aston Villa, who remain in talks with Borussia Dortmund over a deal to sign the Dutch international.”
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I hope he's quick. We massively need pace going forward.
Obviously highlight reels might not be representative of actual player. Seems to have some pace over a short distance. Also doesn't get shrugged of the ball easily either.
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I hope he's quick. We massively need pace going forward.
Obviously highlight reels might not be representative of actual player. Seems to have some pace over a short distance. Also doesn't get shrugged of the ball easily either.
He looks very decent from that and very much what we need.
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It might be true, but I always think saying a player has agreed terms but the clubs still need to is one of those things that’s unlikely to be proven wrong whether the move materialises or not.
Exactly.
It's just a couple of daft herberts taking what's already out there (we've bid and had the bid rejected) and adding their own guff to generate hits.
Next he'll be spotted viewing properties in Curdworth.
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It might be true, but I always think saying a player has agreed terms but the clubs still need to is one of those things that’s unlikely to be proven wrong whether the move materialises or not.
Exactly.
It's just a couple of daft herberts taking what's already out there (we've bid and had the bid rejected) and adding their own guff to generate hits.
It's also probably right though - given that these days bids tend to only happen once you've got the green light from the player / his agent that he's happy with the move / what he'd be getting paid.
So he's probably not sitting there with a contract from us in front him, but if we've bid it's probably in the knowledge that he'll come if we agree the price with his club.
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It might be true, but I always think saying a player has agreed terms but the clubs still need to is one of those things that’s unlikely to be proven wrong whether the move materialises or not.
Exactly.
It's just a couple of daft herberts taking what's already out there (we've bid and had the bid rejected) and adding their own guff to generate hits.
Next he'll be spotted viewing properties in Curdworth.
I've just seen him in the White Horse having a pint with Monchi.
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A lot of the clips on his showreel are him playing quite centrally or on the left? Is he actually a right winger?
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Yes mostly RW, but he can play across the front. If you want to see how he does as a right-winger, look at the highlights of the Real V Dortmund (https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/champions-league/2024-2025/real-madrid-5-2-dortmund-uefa-champions-league-highlights-as-vinicius-jr-stars-with-hat-trick-in-stunning-comeback-win_vid2258759/video.shtml) where he scored and then setup.
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I hope he's quick. We massively need pace going forward.
Obviously highlight reels might not be representative of actual player. Seems to have some pace over a short distance. Also doesn't get shrugged of the ball easily either.
He looks very decent from that and very much what we need.
I have a bank of videos of me aged from 13 to about 23. The memory bank is of a superb but very much underrated player.
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A lot of the clips on his showreel are him playing quite centrally or on the left? Is he actually a right winger?
He's spent time across the front three, mainly depending on who else he was playing with. He started as a winger, but in his second season in the first team at PSV they started playing him centrally as their striker (Mitroglou, once of Fulham) was being rubbish.
In his last season as PSV he was their main striker, with Gakpo (now Liverpool) and Madueke (now Chelsea) either side of him and he pinged 27 goals in.
Dortmund then bought him as back-up / eventual replacement for Haaland, but they had about four or five other players all competing for that role, so didn't get much of a look in, and was in and out of the team for 18 months. Since then, he's found his niche playing on the wide right of three with a big striker in the middle.
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It might be true, but I always think saying a player has agreed terms but the clubs still need to is one of those things that’s unlikely to be proven wrong whether the move materialises or not.
Exactly.
It's just a couple of daft herberts taking what's already out there (we've bid and had the bid rejected) and adding their own guff to generate hits.
Next he'll be spotted viewing properties in Curdworth.
Good, I’ll invite him round for a coffee.
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Until I read a credible report of him buying Findus Crispy Pancakes and a cake of lard from Asda Minworth I won't believe a word of this story.
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I hope he's quick. We massively need pace going forward.
Obviously highlight reels might not be representative of actual player. Seems to have some pace over a short distance. Also doesn't get shrugged of the ball easily either.
2:34 of that clip and he definitely has the ability to ghost in at the far post!
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I hope he's quick. We massively need pace going forward.
Obviously highlight reels might not be representative of actual player. Seems to have some pace over a short distance. Also doesn't get shrugged of the ball easily either.
2:34 of that clip and he definitely has the ability to ghost in at the far post!
Our Trez was a master of the far post ghost
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Me likey - make it so
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Im getting exciting about him and that oscar player from spain , both fast and both play in dofferent positions.
Please make it so Villa.
Imagine those two with duran and Morgan back for everton.. tasty
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Can he play right back :)
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Seems a very talented player who hasn't really delivered consistently on his potential. He's going to be a stronger option in the squad for the second half of the season than Philogene anyway and also a bit of pressure/competition on Bailey. McGinn's recurrent injury puts a bit of pressure on us to get the deal done too.
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A lot of the clips on his showreel are him playing quite centrally or on the left? Is he actually a right winger?
He's spent time across the front three, mainly depending on who else he was playing with. He started as a winger, but in his second season in the first team at PSV they started playing him centrally as their striker (Mitroglou, once of Fulham) was being rubbish.
In his last season as PSV he was their main striker, with Gakpo (now Liverpool) and Madueke (now Chelsea) either side of him and he pinged 27 goals in.
Dortmund then bought him as back-up / eventual replacement for Haaland, but they had about four or five other players all competing for that role, so didn't get much of a look in, and was in and out of the team for 18 months. Since then, he's found his niche playing on the wide right of three with a big striker in the middle.
Good summary, the only thing you've missed out is he's very feast or famine. If we really are interested Unai obviously sees something in him that he can work with. Dortmund will be delighted if they can get their money back on him as it really hasn't worked out for him there.
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I’ve obviously not watched a lot of Dortmund but he’s still averaged a goal every 3 games hasn’t he? If it hasn’t worked out for him that’s still pretty decent.
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Getting a player of his quality with CL and a full international for 20m odd i think is good business especially in janaury
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I’ve obviously not watched a lot of Dortmund but he’s still averaged a goal every 3 games hasn’t he? If it hasn’t worked out for him that’s still pretty decent.
He was good for 3 seasons, getting a decent amount of starts and with a solid record for goals and assists (roughly 1 in 2 across the 3 years). He's struggled for game time this year though because they have Adeyemi and Gittens that they're leaning on a lot more (probably because getting younger players up in value to sell on is their business model).
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Ah interesting thanks, so would suit all parties probably.
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Interestingly, it looks like he spent a couple of years in the Arsenal youth system. Obviously never got close to their first team, but it's not like the demands of the English game will be new to him.
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It seems it took him quite a while to settle at Dortmund. If he comes, hopefully he’ll settle quicker and have an impact this season.
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It seems it took him quite a while to settle at Dortmund. If he comes, hopefully he’ll settle quicker and have an impact this season.
He did have Haaland ahead of him in his position for the first season he was there though.
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Interestingly, it looks like he spent a couple of years in the Arsenal youth system. Obviously never got close to their first team, but it's not like the demands of the English game will be new to him.
Emery would have first come across him then, right?
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Interestingly, it looks like he spent a couple of years in the Arsenal youth system. Obviously never got close to their first team, but it's not like the demands of the English game will be new to him.
Emery would have first come across him then, right?
No, they missed each other by a year.
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Interestingly, it looks like he spent a couple of years in the Arsenal youth system. Obviously never got close to their first team, but it's not like the demands of the English game will be new to him.
Emery would have first come across him then, right?
I looked at their wiki pages (because it’s my first day back at work and I don’t want to do any) and it doesn’t look like they crossed paths.
Edit - Som, clearly as bored as I am beat me to it
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Yes mostly RW, but he can play across the front. If you want to see how he does as a right-winger, look at the highlights of the Real V Dortmund (https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/champions-league/2024-2025/real-madrid-5-2-dortmund-uefa-champions-league-highlights-as-vinicius-jr-stars-with-hat-trick-in-stunning-comeback-win_vid2258759/video.shtml) where he scored and then setup.
Cool, thanks.
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A lot of the clips on his showreel are him playing quite centrally or on the left? Is he actually a right winger?
He's spent time across the front three, mainly depending on who else he was playing with. He started as a winger, but in his second season in the first team at PSV they started playing him centrally as their striker (Mitroglou, once of Fulham) was being rubbish.
In his last season as PSV he was their main striker, with Gakpo (now Liverpool) and Madueke (now Chelsea) either side of him and he pinged 27 goals in.
Dortmund then bought him as back-up / eventual replacement for Haaland, but they had about four or five other players all competing for that role, so didn't get much of a look in, and was in and out of the team for 18 months. Since then, he's found his niche playing on the wide right of three with a big striker in the middle.
Sounds promising, cheers
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Interestingly, it looks like he spent a couple of years in the Arsenal youth system. Obviously never got close to their first team, but it's not like the demands of the English game will be new to him.
Emery would have first come across him then, right?
I looked at their wiki pages (because it’s my first day back at work and I don’t want to do any) and it doesn’t look like they crossed paths.
Edit - Som, clearly as bored as I am beat me to it
Pull yer finger out you lazyarse. Workshy oafs are a major reason this country is on its knees.
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Interestingly, it looks like he spent a couple of years in the Arsenal youth system. Obviously never got close to their first team, but it's not like the demands of the English game will be new to him.
Emery would have first come across him then, right?
I looked at their wiki pages (because it’s my first day back at work and I don’t want to do any) and it doesn’t look like they crossed paths.
Edit - Som, clearly as bored as I am beat me to it
Pull yer finger out you lazyarse. Workshy oafs are a major reason this country is on its knees.
Time of post, 4pm.
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Interestingly, it looks like he spent a couple of years in the Arsenal youth system. Obviously never got close to their first team, but it's not like the demands of the English game will be new to him.
Emery would have first come across him then, right?
I looked at their wiki pages (because it’s my first day back at work and I don’t want to do any) and it doesn’t look like they crossed paths.
Edit - Som, clearly as bored as I am beat me to it
Pull yer finger out you lazyarse. Workshy oafs are a major reason this country is on its knees.
Get back to work then, you weirdo.
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
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Do you think everyone works at the same time of day?!
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Do you think everyone works at the same time of day?!
No, some weirdos work at other times I suppose, to keep them away from the normal people.
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Can we stop all this chat about something so uncouth as labour? Some of us are doing (work)Shy January.
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It's giving weirdo vibes
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
Exactly. I deserve this.
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It's giving weirdo vibes
Indeed you am ay ya
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
Ian Olney?? What’s that about?? Please….
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Do you think everyone works at the same time of day?!
Aren't you one of the ones always on the night shift at the Rover?
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
Ian Olney?? What’s that about?? Please….
It refers to the first post in this thread from many years ago
https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=50146.0
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An agreement is expected soon between Aston Villa & Dortmund for the transfer of Donyell Malen.
@BILD_Sport
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So, looking like Malen in, Philogene out.
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An agreement is expected soon between Aston Villa & Dortmund for the transfer of Donyell Malen.
@BILD_Sport
Ah BILD, notoriously reliable
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An agreement is expected soon between Aston Villa & Dortmund for the transfer of Donyell Malen.
@BILD_Sport
Ah BILD, notoriously reliable
So what you saying, you calling BILDshit?
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Hahaha thats a good one tusc
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
Ian Olney?? What’s that about?? Please….
It refers to the first post in this thread from many years ago
https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=50146.0
Urgh I hope he's given up smoking. Filthy habit.
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
Ian Olney?? What’s that about?? Please….
It refers to the first post in this thread from many years ago
https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=50146.0
Urgh I hope he's given up smoking. Filthy habit.
He has.
Being a twat appears to be more difficult to give up.
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
Ian Olney?? What’s that about?? Please….
It refers to the first post in this thread from many years ago
https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=50146.0
Urgh I hope he's given up smoking. Filthy habit.
He has.
Being a twat appears to be more difficult to give up.
It is when you base your entire personality off it.
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
I think someone on here said he can play in the knockout rounds should we make it.
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
It doesn't, hasn't for a while.
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0290-1b97b7b96437-e304525c48c7-1000--champions-league-league-phase-squads-player-registration-/ (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0290-1b97b7b96437-e304525c48c7-1000--champions-league-league-phase-squads-player-registration-/)
Can clubs change their squads again this season?
Yes, if they get through the league phase. Ahead of the knockout phase, clubs can register a maximum of three new players by 24:00 CET on 6 February 2025.
Any or all of the players from the above quota of three may have been fielded for another club in the qualifying phase, play-offs or league phase of the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League.
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Take it mbueno is too expensive if we are looking here . Anyone with sheer pace would help
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Wonder if he would be available for play off games or just knock outs?
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Based on the date quoted above and the fact that if you lose in the play offs you get knocked out I'll hazard a guess at yes
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Wonder if he would be available for play off games or just knock outs?
Why wouldn't he be available for all of them?
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Wonder if he would be available for play off games or just knock outs?
The play-off round is part of the knock-out phase of the tournament so yes, he would be eligible for that as well.
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Wonder if he would be available for play off games or just knock outs?
Why wouldn't he be available for all of them?
Because isnt the play off round still part of the first phase as you have not qualified for next phase?
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Wonder if he would be available for play off games or just knock outs?
Why wouldn't he be available for all of them?
We'll have been knocked out before the final
-
Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Wonder if he would be available for play off games or just knock outs?
Why wouldn't he be available for all of them?
Because isnt the play off round still part of the first phase as you have not qualified for next phase?
You will have qualified for the next phase. The bottom 12 won't have.
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Has anyone checked his Insta to see whether he's recently started following Gary Newbon?
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Wonder if he would be available for play off games or just knock outs?
Why wouldn't he be available for all of them?
Because isnt the play off round still part of the first phase as you have not qualified for next phase?
So...what do you think the teams who finish from 9th and 24th will be doing in mid-February (having registered any new players on February 6th) if they haven't "qualified for the the next phase"?
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Look what you have done now, all posts since you posted this have been about Malen. Apologise and never ever divert the forum away from non-topic related discussion.
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Has anyone checked his Insta to see whether he's recently started following Gary Newbon?
No but apparently he's delighted that Kelly Cates has broken through the glass ceiling.
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Returning to topic, would Malen be able to play Champions League games for us if he signs? I can't remember if the concept of being cup-tied exists in UEFA competitions.
Look what you have done now, all posts since you posted this have been about Malen. Apologise and never ever divert the forum away from non-topic related discussion.
I've let myself and all of you down. I'm suitably contrite 🥺
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Olney could have made millions on Snapchat if his rat-video had gone viral a few years later so I think he deserves to be slothful every early January from now to 2065.
Ian Olney?? What’s that about?? Please….
It refers to the first post in this thread from many years ago
https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=50146.0
Ta\!!
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
I'd of thought Philogene wouldn't have been allowed to go unless it was already in the bag
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I always thought this thread was premature. Like with the match threads, we should have the opening post being stretching the shirt and go from there.
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I always thought this thread was premature. Like with the match threads, we should have the opening post being stretching the shirt and go from there.
Yours is the 186th reply on this thread. It appears to be something that people want to talk about.
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
I'd of thought Philogene wouldn't have been allowed to go unless it was already in the bag
We all know at the last minute that transfers can change, not saying it's happening here, but it's feasible.
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Spurs can't offer champions league football. This year or next.
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
Levy sold use of “thinking of entering the race” to his agent for £10K.
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
I'd of thought Philogene wouldn't have been allowed to go unless it was already in the bag
Yep good point
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
Levy sold use of “thinking of entering the race” to his agent for £10K.
Do they still have Josh Onomah to use as a bargaining chip?
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
Levy sold use of “thinking of entering the race” to his agent for £10K.
Do they still have Josh Onomah to use as a bargaining chip?
No but i heard he wants to offer two tea ladies and a groundsmen instead
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Spurs apparently thinking of entering the race
Hurry up and get this done villa!
So the usual bullshit leak from someone linked from the selling club to get us to up our offer due to supposed rival interest, then?
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Has anyone checked his Insta to see whether he's recently started following Gary Newbon?
You'd hope he'd be wise enough to follow Gary boom boom Newbon and Elton Welsby with or without the Villa connection.
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If the player has accepted terms we must be hagling over three or four million, it seems to be taking too long.
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If the player has accepted terms we must be hagling over three or four million, it seems to be taking too long.
Why is it taking too long?
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Too long from when? As I said before this thread jumped the gun.
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Reply #198
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Just saying that if it is a disagreement in price positions can get entrenched over time, thats if we are in discussions that is.
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Reply #198
Yeah but half are comments complaining the thread was premature, the other half could happily exist in the transfer thread.
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Transfers can sometimes be complicated and can take time. Just chill out and stop worrying.
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If the player has accepted terms we must be hagling over three or four million, it seems to be taking too long.
Why is it taking too long?
Apparently Newcastle have put a bid in for him too.
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If the player has accepted terms we must be hagling over three or four million, it seems to be taking too long.
Why is it taking too long?
Apparently Newcastle have put a bid in for him too.
Where you heard this? If thats the case he will go there ffs
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If the player has accepted terms we must be hagling over three or four million, it seems to be taking too long.
Why is it taking too long?
Apparently Newcastle have put a bid in for him too.
Where you heard this? If thats the case he will go there ffs
How come?
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If the player has accepted terms we must be hagling over three or four million, it seems to be taking too long.
Why is it taking too long?
Apparently Newcastle have put a bid in for him too.
Where you heard this? If thats the case he will go there ffs
How come?
Money unfortunately. They can blow us out of water on wages and signing on fees (im no expert on their ffp position so i could be totally wrong)
We could offer CL this hear but they can for next season you would imagine. So its all on what he sees as a more attractive option
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Money unfortunately. They can blow us out of water on wages and signing on fees (im no expert on their ffp position so i could be totally wrong)
Based on what?
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Money unfortunately. They can blow us out of water on wages and signing on fees (im no expert on their ffp position so i could be totally wrong)
Based on what?
Ive answered that in the post
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If the player has accepted terms we must be hagling over three or four million, it seems to be taking too long.
Why is it taking too long?
Apparently Newcastle have put a bid in for him too.
Where you heard this? If thats the case he will go there ffs
Various on line sports news outlets.
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Money unfortunately. They can blow us out of water on wages and signing on fees (im no expert on their ffp position so i could be totally wrong)
Based on what?
Ive answered that in the post
They are up against it more than us on PSR.
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Money unfortunately. They can blow us out of water on wages and signing on fees (im no expert on their ffp position so i could be totally wrong)
Based on what?
Ive answered that in the post
No you haven't. Why do you think Newcastle, with their history of paying lower salaries than us and having greater PSR problems than us would "blow us out of the water"?
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To Demitri’s defence he did say “he knows nothing”😂
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If he chooses to go their then so be it, it seems to me recently that we get to know our transfer targets well in advance of them potentially signing for us.
I seem to remember that a few years ago, we would just sign players without everyone and his dog knowing.
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I wouldnt have thought Newcastle were in need of a wide forward ??
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I wouldnt have thought Newcastle were in need of a wide forward ??
Although a second-choice centre-forward who is also comfortable out wide does sound like something that wouldn't hurt them.
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Money unfortunately. They can blow us out of water on wages and signing on fees (im no expert on their ffp position so i could be totally wrong)
Based on what?
Ive answered that in the post
No you haven't. Why do you think Newcastle, with their history of paying lower salaries than us and having greater PSR problems than us would "blow us out of the water"?
You must have missed the part where i said i "am no expert on their ffp position" whoch to brwak down means i do not now for sure thats just my opinion.
None of us now what their ffp position compared to ours. Its just what we read in the press.
Unless any accountants out there that can compare our figures to theirs?
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Have you ever thought about checking up or reading on a subject before offering your opinions?
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Have you ever thought about checking up or reading on a subject before offering your opinions?
Never catch on.
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Have you ever thought about checking up or reading on a subject before offering your opinions?
Shouldnt all posters do this? I mean with all due respect do you ?
I mean saying i think newcastle would be a more attractive option because they are performing better than us this year and have more money than you dont need to check that. That's facts. They are more in form, higher than us in the league, (better team in my opinion) and in a cup final probably. All we have is CL this year which we dont know if we will be part of next season yet.
People have opinions on all kinds of things without providing data so not sure why i have to be any different unless ive made a factual point that needs data. E.g i make a statement unemployment has gone up last year compared to 2023. Thats where you would provide data to support your argument.
Not to just feel that newcastle is a more attractive option for him than us based on my own opinion. Not trying to argue just stating my side of the point
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Not much good have more money if you cannot spend it.
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You make posts that state things as fact, and taking the worst case scenario, then adding your own spin. And then your posts get challenged and you don't like it.
Though to be fair, you did, after stating something as fact, then say you know nothing. I guess most of the time, it's everyone else pointing out to you that your posts aren't facts, and that you're wrong. Tough place though. you state a fact, then that you know nothing, and everyone still piles on! We're a tough crowd when the Villa aren't winning every week.
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We experienced this temporary anxiety when we were negotiating a fee for Diaby. Relax.
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
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This is what happens when kids play FIFA or Football Manager. Deals are done in seconds. That’s not how employee contracts work. Especially in sport where there are multiple parties involved in coming to an agreement on a deal. And in football every club, especially in January is now looking to balance decisions for their squad with the financial complexities of FFP. One mistake or oversight and they could be fucked with their own domestic football association or UEFA.
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
Depends on the motivation of the player I suppose. London is a draw for some of them. But stability and manager count.
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
And arguably the one bit of their squad that isn't a complete bin-fire is the "wide-attacker who can also fill in up front" part.
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
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Malen is from quite a small, quiet place in the Netherlands. Maybe he's not that arsed about living somewhere like London, for all we know he's like some Dutch Vinnie Jones with a thirst for fishing and the great outdoors.
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
Especially if they are trading in lire
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
I imagine that for a guy in your mid-20s earning several million pounds a year it's probably a lot more tolerable.
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Remember when we were linked/interested in Joa Felix last window, seemed to drag on for weeks then nothing at the end
Hope this isn’t another one of those
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Remember when we were linked/interested in Joa Felix last window, seemed to drag on for weeks then nothing at the end
Hope this isn’t another one of those
He'd be in the 'wants to be in London' category.
-
Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
I imagine that for a guy in your mid-20s earning several million pounds a year it's probably a lot more tolerable.
Yep very true sadly
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Remember when we were linked/interested in Joa Felix last window, seemed to drag on for weeks then nothing at the end
Hope this isn’t another one of those
If we end up with another Morgan Rogers at the end of the window though i wouldn't mind
-
Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
I imagine that for a guy in your mid-20s earning several million pounds a year it's probably a lot more tolerable.
Yep very true sadly
It's not so much London is glamorous as Birmingham is perceived as less glamorous than most places.
I was in rural Egypt in the runup to Christmas visiting farms near Sadat City, and got talking to a farmers son who had done his masters degree at Aston University. When I told him I was from Birmingham he spent 10 minutes complaining about what a horrible place it was. He moved to London to do his medical training and loved it there.
That is what we are up against. Even people from rural Egypt think Birmingham is a dump. It wont be that he was in a poor area either, his father has a 200Ha strawberry farm and will be worth a few million.
Anyway, I am sure we will sign a couple of players soon.
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I was in rural Egypt in the runup to Christmas visiting farms near Sadat City, and got talking to a farmers son who had done his masters degree at Aston University. When I told him I was from Birmingham he spent 10 minutes complaining about what a horrible place it was. He moved to London to do his medical training and loved it there.
That is what we are up against. Even people from rural Egypt think Birmingham is a dump.
When you disagreed, did he add that you were in denial?
*Sorry.
-
Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
Always a laugh when people are dying to tell everybody how awful a place London is to live. It’s fine mate. Lived here for 20 years. Loads to do, eat and see, some decent housing stock and lots of options for work.
Even better when somebody from Bloxwich or Scunthorpe or wherever is all too ready to ask ‘how on earth do you live in London?’ To which the stock response is a standard ‘right back at you and also nobody was asking.’
Some sort of reverse snobbery.
-
Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
I imagine that for a guy in your mid-20s earning several million pounds a year it's probably a lot more tolerable.
Although if being in London was his motivation I wouldn’t want him anyway and more importantly I don’t think Unai would either.
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I was in rural Egypt in the runup to Christmas visiting farms near Sadat City, and got talking to a farmers son who had done his masters degree at Aston University. When I told him I was from Birmingham he spent 10 minutes complaining about what a horrible place it was. He moved to London to do his medical training and loved it there.
That is what we are up against. Even people from rural Egypt think Birmingham is a dump.
When you disagreed, did he add that you were in denial?
*Sorry.
He's entitled to his opinion I guess. I'm not a fan of cities in general, they are all too busy and hectic for me - that's why I live on a farm in the UK, and in a Village in the Netherlands. But I definitely prefer Birmingham to London by some considerable margin. If I were a footballer I'd be looking at the rural areas near Brum and thinking it was a much better option than commuting into that horrible crime ridden dump.
Brum definitely has an image problem.
-
I was in rural Egypt in the runup to Christmas visiting farms near Sadat City, and got talking to a farmers son who had done his masters degree at Aston University. When I told him I was from Birmingham he spent 10 minutes complaining about what a horrible place it was. He moved to London to do his medical training and loved it there.
That is what we are up against. Even people from rural Egypt think Birmingham is a dump.
When you disagreed, did he add that you were in denial?
*Sorry.
Oh giza break, that's what his mummy said.
-
I was in rural Egypt in the runup to Christmas visiting farms near Sadat City, and got talking to a farmers son who had done his masters degree at Aston University. When I told him I was from Birmingham he spent 10 minutes complaining about what a horrible place it was. He moved to London to do his medical training and loved it there.
That is what we are up against. Even people from rural Egypt think Birmingham is a dump.
When you disagreed, did he add that you were in denial?
*Sorry.
Oh giza break, that's what his mummy said.
Tut Tut....
-
I was in rural Egypt in the runup to Christmas visiting farms near Sadat City, and got talking to a farmers son who had done his masters degree at Aston University. When I told him I was from Birmingham he spent 10 minutes complaining about what a horrible place it was. He moved to London to do his medical training and loved it there.
That is what we are up against. Even people from rural Egypt think Birmingham is a dump.
When you disagreed, did he add that you were in denial?
*Sorry.
He's entitled to his opinion I guess. I'm not a fan of cities in general, they are all too busy and hectic for me - that's why I live on a farm in the UK, and in a Village in the Netherlands. But I definitely prefer Birmingham to London by some considerable margin. If I were a footballer I'd be looking at the rural areas near Brum and thinking it was a much better option than commuting into that horrible crime ridden dump.
Brum definitely has an image problem.
There's no scientific basis for this other than we seem to have a fairly settled squad, but I would argue that Villa are actually in a pretty good spot to attract a certain type of high-level player (Emi Martinez being the prime example). It's a Champions League club in the Premier League, wages are better than anywhere but a handful of places, playing for one of the world's recognised top coaches, but you can be outside of the circus than comes with playing in London or for certain other teams. If you have a young family and are dedicated as a professional it's a good place to play.
Plus, regardless of what you think of Birmingham (and I think it's ace), as a multi-millionaire there are plenty of nice places to live in this part of the world.
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Birmingham’s grand. It’s just down to the individual and their family and how they like to live. I think some footy players would pick Spurs, some Villa, largely down to the £££s on offer.
-
Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
Always a laugh when people are dying to tell everybody how awful a place London is to live. It’s fine mate. Lived here for 20 years. Loads to do, eat and see, some decent housing stock and lots of options for work.
Even better when somebody from Bloxwich or Scunthorpe or wherever is all too ready to ask ‘how on earth do you live in London?’ To which the stock response is a standard ‘right back at you and also nobody was asking.’
Some sort of reverse snobbery.
Yeah ive lived here all my life as well mate. Although im in Hertfordshire now its literally london as within 5 mins im in london.
Yeah it has its pros and cons but when i compare how london was in the 90s i hate it now. Its not safe place to live anymore and everything is so expensive here.
Yeah we have good aspects like the tube, variety of restaurants and alot to do as you correctly say - but i think the crime is what makes me really not like it anymore.
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I get more offended by unfavourable comparisons to Manchester - now that really is a fur coat no knickers hovel.
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The attraction of London for foreign players has traditionally been that you're just a face in the crowd there.
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Spurs considering a bid.
If they do I imagine the lure of London could mean he goes there.
Do you think so? They’re in the bottom half of the table, can’t offer European football and are likely to be sacking their manager in the not too distant future.
They still are a big club as much as it pains me to say it. The lire of london is real but dont know why its a horrible place to live
Always a laugh when people are dying to tell everybody how awful a place London is to live. It’s fine mate. Lived here for 20 years. Loads to do, eat and see, some decent housing stock and lots of options for work.
Even better when somebody from Bloxwich or Scunthorpe or wherever is all too ready to ask ‘how on earth do you live in London?’ To which the stock response is a standard ‘right back at you and also nobody was asking.’
Some sort of reverse snobbery.
Yeah ive lived here all my life as well mate. Although im in Hertfordshire now its literally london as within 5 mins im in london.
Yeah it has its pros and cons but when i compare how london was in the 90s i hate it now. Its not safe place to live anymore and everything is so expensive here.
Yeah we have good aspects like the tube, variety of restaurants and alot to do as you correctly say - but i think the crime is what makes me really not like it anymore.
£4.50 a pint of Guinness in my local Irish pub and never been a victim of crime in London. Sorry you have.
Now, Hertfordshire a duller yah yah hole I’m yet to come across 🤣
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Duller but i love it mate 😂
Was out up Central during xmas two cocktails over £20 😑
I get more offended by unfavourable comparisons to Manchester - now that really is a fur coat no knickers hovel.
Ive only been once but piccadily was noce but the other places i went were a absolute dump (sorry to my manchester villians who live there)
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I mean, if I actively wanted to pay over £10 for a cocktail I could. But same as anywhere you don’t have to go in a place because it’s there and particularly if it’s offering things for more than you want to pay. I wouldn’t dismiss a whole city if I’d decided to do that in any case.
Anyway hope he fancies some Brum time and we get the player. He looks decent.
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Aston Villa are growing more confident that they can land a deal for Borussia Dortmund star Donyell Malen, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that a “great fee” is set to be agreed with Dortmund which means Villa will not have to sell anybody to compensate.
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He's already apparently agreed terms and the clubs are just ironing out the fee and structure I'd guess. That leaves a window for these bullshit sites to come up with "Team x are goiung to swoop in" etc. because it each of the mouth breathers that follow said club will click immediately.
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Aston Villa are growing more confident that they can land a deal for Borussia Dortmund star Donyell Malen, sources have told Football Insider.
Yeah, course they have.
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Sources inside Football Insider's head.
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It is all a bit aggressive round these parts lately. Was all so friendly in 2005 and that is when we had DO'L.
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He's already apparently agreed terms and the clubs are just ironing out the fee and structure I'd guess. That leaves a window for these bullshit sites to come up with "Team x are goiung to swoop in" etc. because it each of the mouth breathers that follow said club will click immediately.
Was listening to Jacob Tanswell on Bardell’s podcast earlier and he said we’d been in for Malen the last few windows so him agreeing terms wasn’t an issue.
Pretty good listen altogether and worth seeking out.
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Increased bid to £21m apparently, Dortmund want £25m
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On the bench for Dortmund tonight.
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Increased bid to £21m apparently, Dortmund want £25m
We shoudl do it quick before the pound devalues more.
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Increased bid to £21m apparently, Dortmund want £25m
Ffs just go 2em and be done with it
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I thought the price was in € not £
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On the bench for Dortmund tonight.
Not close then.
We're going to be very short of wide players for Everton if Bailey picks up a knock tonight.
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At least being on bench he isnt see how crap we have been tonight
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At least being on bench he isnt see how crap we have been tonight
Dortmund are losing 1-3 at home to Leverkusen tonight. He's probably watching something far worse.
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At least being on bench he isnt see how crap we have been tonight
Dortmund are losing 1-3 at home to Leverkusen tonight. He's probably watching something far worse.
Thanks for the update 👍
At least they are losing toa decent team we havent even had a shot against a awful west ham side at home !
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Came on 78th min.
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On the bench for Dortmund tonight.
Not close then.
We're going to be very short of wide players for Everton if Bailey picks up a knock tonight.
Who was the guy we were about to sign and get rid of Digne? It was a done deal to the point Digne was on a plane to France nearly, and they still played him and he got injured, so it fell through.
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On the bench for Dortmund tonight.
Not close then.
We're going to be very short of wide players for Everton if Bailey picks up a knock tonight.
Who was the guy we were about to sign and get rid of Digne? It was a done deal to the point Digne was on a plane to France nearly, and they still played him and he got injured, so it fell through.
Was it Mario Hermosa?
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Acuna from Sevilla
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On the bench for Dortmund tonight.
Not close then.
We're going to be very short of wide players for Everton if Bailey picks up a knock tonight.
Who was the guy we were about to sign and get rid of Digne? It was a done deal to the point Digne was on a plane to France nearly, and they still played him and he got injured, so it fell through.
An Argentinian playing at Seville? Marcos Acuña I reckon. It appears he’s now at River Plate, so it’s hasn’t turned out too bad for him.
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On the bench for Dortmund tonight.
Not close then.
We're going to be very short of wide players for Everton if Bailey picks up a knock tonight.
Who was the guy we were about to sign and get rid of Digne? It was a done deal to the point Digne was on a plane to France nearly, and they still played him and he got injured, so it fell through.
An Argentinian playing at Seville? Marcos Acuña I reckon. It appears he’s now at River Plate, so it’s hasn’t turned out too bad for him.
Yeah, that's him. I only mention him in reply to the idea Malen being on the bench last night means we're nowhere near a deal.
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Not necessarily, from the bit I watched the commentators were saying there were a number of Dortmund kids making their debuts as they were so short of players, so it might have been a case of needs must.
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We’ve apparently offered 21m now, they want 25m - doesn’t sounds like we’re too far away.
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We’ve apparently offered 21m now, they want 25m - doesn’t sounds like we’re too far away.
Germany is miles away.
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We’ve apparently offered 21m now, they want 25m - doesn’t sounds like we’re too far away.
Germany is miles away.
He’s here all week, folks.
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We’ve apparently offered 21m now, they want 25m - doesn’t sounds like we’re too far away.
Germany is miles away.
Depends where you are.
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I’d imagine we’re waiting to close the Philogene deal to ensure we stay PSR compliant before committing the spend on Malen
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Players shouldn't get their own thread until they're officially signed, IMO. Everything until then is speculation and we already have a thread for that.
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Players shouldn't get their own thread until they're officially signed, IMO. Everything until then is speculation and we already have a thread for that.
I agree with this. It was always the way but we've let it slip of late.
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I don’t mind it if a deal is agreed. But this, and others, have been premature of late.
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He is already a legend with 19 Pages 😳😃
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Suffered from that ever since I was old enough to order a Kay’s catalogue from freefone.
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Suffered from that ever since I was old enough to order a Kay’s catalogue from freefone.
Fuck me you’re old
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Players shouldn't get their own thread until they're officially signed, IMO. Everything until then is speculation and we already have a thread for that.
In full agreement here.
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He is already a legend with 19 Pages 😳😃
12 of those pages are people saying he shouldn't have his own thread.
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He is already a legend with 19 Pages 😳😃
12 of those pages are people saying he shouldn't have his own thread.
He definitely shouldn’t. Not yet.
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Players shouldn't get their own thread until they're officially signed, IMO. Everything until then is speculation and we already have a thread for that.
I agree with this. It was always the way but we've let it slip of late.
No, it absolutely wasn't.
If you really want the history, we never used to have transfer threads. There was then a summer (possibly O'Neill's first) when there was an epidemic of new threads of "we should sign this player" and "who could we sign as our next striker?" and it was decided that all that stuff should just be put into one thread.
It was never meant as a catch-all, "anything to do with all transfers, right up to the point we sign somebody" thread, because that would be mental. We signed Bailey nearly 300 posts into his thread. Why mix those 300 posts about a player we are obviously trying to sign with all the nonsense?
On this one, there's a big distinction between "I saw this guy Malen play the other day, he's pretty good, we should sign him" posts and "a large number of reputable sources say Villa are trying to sign Malen" ones.
And if we don't sign him, who gives a toss? It's not the end of the world if a Malen thread drops down the pages of the forum like all the others.
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On this one, there's a big distinction between "I saw this guy Malen play the other day, he's pretty good, we should sign him" posts and "a large number of reputable sources say Villa are trying to sign Malen" ones.
Agree with this, Sam C has already confirmed that we've agreed personal terms with Malen.
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An Argentinian playing at Seville? Marcos Acuña I reckon. It appears he’s now at River Plate, so it’s hasn’t turned out too bad for him.
They call him "The Egg" in Argentina cos he's chubby and wobbles. One to steer clear of if we're doing the "Snog, Marry, Avoid" game in transfers.
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The Unsworth thread would have been rather interesting if we’d had one back in the day.
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Good five or so minutes on Malen / why he's leaving Dortmund / how good he could be at Villa, from 3 mins 50 here.
https://shows.acast.com/on-the-continent/episodes/ask-otc-the-transfer-window-opens-enzo-le-fee-trades-rome-fo
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With the player having, reportedly, agreed in principal to the move we have entered the final haggling stages. I know it's say so but suggested we are only 4m euros apart between the offer and the club valuation. Surely just a matter of time.
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An Argentinian playing at Seville? Marcos Acuña I reckon. It appears he’s now at River Plate, so it’s hasn’t turned out too bad for him.
They call him "The Egg" in Argentina cos he's chubby and wobbles. One to steer clear of if we're doing the "Snog, Marry, Avoid" game in transfers.
Another Sammy Lee? “He’s fat, he’s round, his arse is on the ground…”
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There is no such thing as jinxes when someone starts a new thread based on reputable journalists reporting something is happening. People who actually have a stake in getting these stories correct. So what Joe Fucking Bryan snubbed us and joined Fulham. It had nothing to do with a thread starting early. The vast majority of times whenever a thread is started, by whoever it is started by it is based on a local football journalist reporting it, or Romano, Percy etc. there is a good chance it’s going to happen at some stage in the following few weeks.
For this one Jacob Tanswell for example has said he fully expects it happen, the player terms aren’t an issue. Just the two clubs finding numbers that work with all of the financial complexities the clubs need to manage and abide by today.
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Remember Joe Bryan running away from Bruce at the Belfry after ‘nipping off to the toilet.’
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There is no such thing as jinxes when someone starts a new thread based on reputable journalists reporting something is happening. People who actually have a stake in getting these stories correct. So what Joe Fucking Bryan snubbed us and joined Fulham. It had nothing to do with a thread starting early. The vast majority of times whenever a thread is started, by whoever it is started by it is based on a local football journalist reporting it, or Romano, Percy etc. there is a good chance it’s going to happen at some stage in the following few weeks.
For this one Jacob Tanswell for example has said he fully expects it happen, the player teams aren’t an issue. Just the two clubs finding numbers that work with all of the financial complexities the clubs need to manage and abide by today.
Bet you think it’s ok to walk over 3 drains on the way to the game and think it’s ok as well
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There is no such thing as jinxes when someone starts a new thread based on reputable journalists reporting something is happening. People who actually have a stake in getting these stories correct. So what Joe Fucking Bryan snubbed us and joined Fulham. It had nothing to do with a thread starting early. The vast majority of times whenever a thread is started, by whoever it is started by it is based on a local football journalist reporting it, or Romano, Percy etc. there is a good chance it’s going to happen at some stage in the following few weeks.
For this one Jacob Tanswell for example has said he fully expects it happen, the player teams aren’t an issue. Just the two clubs finding numbers that work with all of the financial complexities the clubs need to manage and abide by today.
Bet you think it’s ok to walk over 3 drains on the way to the game and think it’s ok as well
I do. And walk under ladders and cross paths with black cats. And when I’m in a real mood I open all my umbrellas indoors.
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There is no such thing as jinxes when someone starts a new thread based on reputable journalists reporting something is happening. People who actually have a stake in getting these stories correct. So what Joe Fucking Bryan snubbed us and joined Fulham. It had nothing to do with a thread starting early. The vast majority of times whenever a thread is started, by whoever it is started by it is based on a local football journalist reporting it, or Romano, Percy etc. there is a good chance it’s going to happen at some stage in the following few weeks.
For this one Jacob Tanswell for example has said he fully expects it happen, the player teams aren’t an issue. Just the two clubs finding numbers that work with all of the financial complexities the clubs need to manage and abide by today.
Bet you think it’s ok to walk over 3 drains on the way to the game and think it’s ok as well
I do. And walk under ladders and cross paths with black cats. And when I’m in a real mood I open all my umbrellas indoors.
if you see an ambulance hold your collar until you see a 4 legged animal just to be on the safe side
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Players shouldn't get their own thread until they're officially signed, IMO. Everything until then is speculation and we already have a thread for that.
I agree with this. It was always the way but we've let it slip of late.
No, it absolutely wasn't.
If you really want the history, we never used to have transfer threads. There was then a summer (possibly O'Neill's first) when there was an epidemic of new threads of "we should sign this player" and "who could we sign as our next striker?" and it was decided that all that stuff should just be put into one thread.
It was never meant as a catch-all, "anything to do with all transfers, right up to the point we sign somebody" thread, because that would be mental. We signed Bailey nearly 300 posts into his thread. Why mix those 300 posts about a player we are obviously trying to sign with all the nonsense?
On this one, there's a big distinction between "I saw this guy Malen play the other day, he's pretty good, we should sign him" posts and "a large number of reputable sources say Villa are trying to sign Malen" ones.
And if we don't sign him, who gives a toss? It's not the end of the world if a Malen thread drops down the pages of the forum like all the others.
You always come out with this but it's still rubbish, mate. There is no reason to give someone their own thread before they sign.
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Joe Bryan got what he deserved, Milwall.
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This is a forum where we should be free to discuss thing that might happen. Why should we only discuss things when they have happened? How fucking boring would that be. Half the fun is speculating and discussing the who we might sell or sign. There is an entire industry built around it.
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This is a forum where we should be free to discuss thing that might happen. Why should we only discuss things when they have happened? How fucking boring would that be. Half the fun is speculating and discussing the who we might sell or sign. There is an entire industry built around it.
And we have the thread for that already. All people are stating here is that Malen thread feels premature and most of the discussion could have been in the speculation thread.
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This is a forum where we should be free to discuss thing that might happen. Why should we only discuss things when they have happened? How fucking boring would that be. Half the fun is speculating and discussing the who we might sell or sign. There is an entire industry built around it.
And we have the thread for that already. All people are stating here is that Malen thread feels premature and most of the discussion could have been in the speculation thread.
The thread was started 10 days ago. People are going on like it’s been months. It’s laughable.
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This is a forum where we should be free to discuss thing that might happen. Why should we only discuss things when they have happened? How fucking boring would that be. Half the fun is speculating and discussing the who we might sell or sign. There is an entire industry built around it.
And we have the thread for that already. All people are stating here is that Malen thread feels premature and most of the discussion could have been in the speculation thread.
The thread was started 10 days ago. People are going on like it’s been months. It’s laughable.
The interest in him back 10 days ago was the same as mentioned for two to three other players since. Yet we haven't had threads for them because it is still speculatury.
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There hasn’t been one report presented with as much authority as the one for Malen. Everything else has been a link.
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Players shouldn't get their own thread until they're officially signed, IMO. Everything until then is speculation and we already have a thread for that.
I agree with this. It was always the way but we've let it slip of late.
No, it absolutely wasn't.
If you really want the history, we never used to have transfer threads. There was then a summer (possibly O'Neill's first) when there was an epidemic of new threads of "we should sign this player" and "who could we sign as our next striker?" and it was decided that all that stuff should just be put into one thread.
It was never meant as a catch-all, "anything to do with all transfers, right up to the point we sign somebody" thread, because that would be mental. We signed Bailey nearly 300 posts into his thread. Why mix those 300 posts about a player we are obviously trying to sign with all the nonsense?
On this one, there's a big distinction between "I saw this guy Malen play the other day, he's pretty good, we should sign him" posts and "a large number of reputable sources say Villa are trying to sign Malen" ones.
And if we don't sign him, who gives a toss? It's not the end of the world if a Malen thread drops down the pages of the forum like all the others.
You always come out with this but it's still rubbish, mate. There is no reason to give someone their own thread before they sign.
Stick to the threads you do want to post on then.
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Is he actually any good?
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Is he actually any good?
Stop trying to clog up this thread with distractions like relevant facts!
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Is he actually any good?
🤷
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Is he actually any good?
I've no idea.
If only people had the opportunity to opine on that in some specific part of the site, like, say a 21 page thread, thus rendering opinions on him easier to find.
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Is he actually any good?
I've no idea.
If only people had the opportunity to opine on that in some specific part of the site, like, say a 21 page thread, thus rendering opinions on him easier to find.
I tried but someone started going on about drains. In need of Footy Villas insight.
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Is he actually any good?
I've no idea.
If only people had the opportunity to opine on that in some specific part of the site, like, say a 21 page thread, thus rendering opinions on him easier to find.
I tried but someone started going on about drains. In need of Footy Villas insight.
You mock the power of the 3 drains at your own peril matey
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Is he actually any good?
I've no idea.
If only people had the opportunity to opine on that in some specific part of the site, like, say a 21 page thread, thus rendering opinions on him easier to find.
I tried but someone started going on about drains. In need of Footy Villas insight.
Not even in jest.
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This is a forum where we should be free to discuss thing that might happen. Why should we only discuss things when they have happened? How fucking boring would that be. Half the fun is speculating and discussing the who we might sell or sign. There is an entire industry built around it.
And we have the thread for that already. All people are stating here is that Malen thread feels premature and most of the discussion could have been in the speculation thread.
The thread was started 10 days ago. People are going on like it’s been months. It’s laughable.
Ten days, so obviously nowhere near a done deal. We don't need hundreds of threads for every player we get linked with, we have a transfer thread for speculation. What's wrong with using that?
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We always start player threads when the myriad of speculative links from the likes of Footy Insider are presented with greater conviction from established journalists. What’s wrong with that? If you don’t want to participate when a thread is started you don’t have to and can stick to the rumours thread. We have a long history of doing it this way and not just starting a thread when a player actually signs.
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I know you always do, and I think it's always bollocks. Until they sign, it's speculation. So, again, why not use the speculation thread?
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Aston Villa increased their bid for Donyell Malen at the weekend & the clubs are no longer far apart — but there is still no agreement.
@BILD
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Aston Villa increased their bid for Donyell Malen at the weekend & the clubs are no longer far apart — but there is still no agreement.
@BILD
When does the window close, 31. Jan? They still have nearly three weeks to negotiate then.
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Aston Villa increased their bid for Donyell Malen at the weekend & the clubs are no longer far apart — but there is still no agreement.
@BILD
When does the window close, 31. Jan? They still have nearly three weeks to negotiate then.
2nd Feb I think. Maybe 3rd as it’s a Monday.
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11pm, February 3rd.
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Indeed, convention is the new players get their own thread and everything else goes as speculation. It’s really not that complicated.
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Indeed, convention is the new players get their own thread and everything else goes as speculation. It’s really not that complicated.
No it isn't. And never has been.
If it's causing you that much emotional anxiety, just ignore this thread.
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It should be, though.
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You could take this argument off this thread and have a new thread for little things that make life oh so f*cking annoying?
Or as Dave said, just ignore this one until he’s signed and if he doesn’t sign, it will disappear down the list.
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I don't approve of jinxing and will keep moaning about it, thanks. Nobody has yet said why there is any reason we can't discuss players that haven't signed in the speculation thread, where they belong. 🤷♂️
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How will we know he’s signed. Usually you can look out for a thread with a players name on it but you’ve pissed on those chips.
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Exactly. I get excited when I see a new player thread, it's shit when you realise it's just because someone has seen a name mentioned in the paper or online. Get it in the speculation thread.
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It's edited to add "signed" to the title. Same as has happened for years now.
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Well I guess there’s nothing stopping a thread being created so there’s no point discussing Malen on the speculation thread as he has his own.
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And still no reason why a thread should exist before that happens. We aren't allowed a stickied thread for the women but can have a load of threads every time anybody suggests we might be signing someone.
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In the case of Malen I would have thought there's plenty to discuss. His feast or famine form to begin with. Unai appears to be taking a massive risk considering we don't have much money to play with, he obviously thinks he can fix him. I hope he's right.
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Yep, plenty to discuss, in the transfer speculation thread.
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It's edited to add "signed" to the title. Same as has happened for years now.
I bet you're out of the moderating game now ;D
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Getting Pythonesque this thread..
"Is this a 5 minute argument or the full half hour"
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If only we had another thread for transfer speculation. I could argue on that one, too. 🙂
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And still no reason why a thread should exist before that happens. We aren't allowed a stickied thread for the women but can have a load of threads every time anybody suggests we might be signing someone.
I don't really care quite frankly. It's not my forum. Someone started this thread, it seems like a perfectly sound thread given we're trying to sign this bloke. And people who just assume that the transfer thread is full of irrelevant shit and so never go in there, might be interested in a player we're trying to sign, even if we don't sign him. Which is probably why (until you decided that it should it's actually better served as the place that you're leaving your H&V Yelp review) it was a place with a good discussion about the player.
One thing I've liked about this place is that it's pretty ramshackle and freewheeling. It doesn't actually matter if a thread deviates into all sorts of places where it wasn't meant to. We don't need to get red ink out and demand that you talk about the right thing in the right place. And you know what? If a thread about a player that we want to sign exists and we don't sign that player? The sun will still rise tomorrow.
But I'm not fussed. I explained the logic of why this thread exists. You've now decided that this thread should actually be a pulpit about how the forum isn't being tailored to your precise requirements and how it's not being doing well enough, so I think I'm more or less done with it. Sorry it's been such a disappointment.
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There's a lot of words there, that don't explain why transfer speculation shouldn't just be in the transfer speculation thread. You obviously do care, and are just sticking with this system, despite perfectly reasonable opposition, out of stubbornness.
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It's edited to add "signed" to the title. Same as has happened for years now.
All very well and good except for one thing, that’s bollocks.
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It's edited to add "signed" to the title. Same as has happened for years now.
All very well and good except for one thing, that’s bollocks.
Even though it isn't.
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There's four players threads on the front page at the moment, none of them have "signed" in the name.
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Maybe they did and it has been edited back since, to be fair.
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They are usually edited again after a while as everyone knows they signed. I used to do the editing so it's not like i'm making it up.
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Okay, thanks. Still no need for there to be a thread before they've signed though. Shall I start a poll?
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Check the title change on the SJM thread and maybe that will stop some of the petty shite
https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=58835.45
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I’m sure nearly every player, or all maybe all of them we’ve signed in the last 15 years have had their own thread way before they actually signed.
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Aye, and I whinge like fuck every time. 🙂
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As the song goes, he's only happy when he whines.
:P
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Arguing about the format of potential player signing threads.
Peak H&V.
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Where's Footy these days?
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He was chased off the forum, we've generally been much worse since.
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We’ve been lots better without the Footy conglomerate monopolizing every single thread with mindless shit.
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He was chased off the forum, we've generally been much worse since.
Yes.
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We’ve been lots better without the Footy conglomerate monopolizing every single thread with mindless shit.
This is absolutely incorrect. We were on a nine match unbeaten run including seven wins when he left the site. We won one of the next nine after the bullies got their way and he stopped posting.
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We’ve been lots better without the Footy conglomerate monopolizing every single thread with mindless shit.
Indeed.
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Though I'd have no issue if he had one dedicated thread to all his scouting trips in Costa Rica and his lukewarm takes on whatever Football Insider have cobbled together.
For people who are into that sort of thing. As some of you clearly are.
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this is brilliant
absolute and total nonsensical thread discussion about nothing of any importance is what I’ve been on here for the last 20 years for
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We’ve been lots better without the Footy conglomerate monopolizing every single thread with mindless shit.
This is absolutely incorrect. We were on a nine match unbeaten run including seven wins when he left the site. We won one of the next nine after the bullies got their way and he stopped posting.
Emery employed someone to read his posts on here and glean a deep insight in to things most minds miss. Maybe a statto could go through all the breaks footy has taken from the site and work out our win loss ratio with and without him. I think he's more important than Kamara.
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All I know is that opposition managers are always much more confident when the xFV is 0.
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All I know is that opposition managers are always much more confident when the xFV is 0.
I don't like to proselytize, but if these fucking heathens don't start recognising the gods I'm going to be enacting some painful forced conversions.
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where did Footy go ? am i right in thinking he has sabbaticals now and then ?
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where did Footy go ? am i right in thinking he has sabbaticals now and then ?
Our Premier League rivals have paid him not to post on here any more.
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He said he was taking a break until the New Year. Hopefully he'll be back soon.
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Im glad there is no red ink probably one of the most irritating things
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Footy and BE, come back home.
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Mot just them two, Risso has gone missing of late as well.
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Mot just them two, Risso has gone missing of late as well.
You not bothered about your European travel partner though?
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Aha yes …NO.
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Has young Donyell joined us, yet?
I haven’t seen anything on X, Insta or the BBC.
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According to a report I’ve just ready his bags are packed.
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Sky reporting a deal has been agreed
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I think you'll find my whinging about the thread has been the clincher.
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I think you'll find my whinging about the thread has been the clincher.
I've never ever heard you whinge before CD.
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Donyell Malen to Aston Villa — total agreement reached! Fee is €25m + €5m add-ons. DONE
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GhK9_buWUAAuOcz?format=jpg&name=large)
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Sky reporting a deal has been agreed
wait for the Stretch !!! :)
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Lovely. Quite excited about this one. A buddy for Maatsen, someone to push Bailey a bit harder and a genuine third option at centre-forward if we need one.
What's not to like?
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Lovely. Quite excited about this one. A buddy for Maatsen, someone to push Bailey a bit harder and a genuine third option at centre-forward if we need one.
What's not to like?
And surely a clear upgrade on Philogene
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Donyell Malen to Aston Villa — total agreement reached! Fee is €25m + €5m add-ons. DONE
Tap-in merchant Romano reporting it as €23m plus €3m add-ons fee. Which seems like good value to me.
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Aston Villa agree deal to sign Donyell Malen from BVB, here we go!
Agreement reached with Borussia Dortmund for €23m plus €3m add-ons fee.
Medical and formal steps to follow soon to seal the deal.
Total agreement also with player, as
@Plettigoal
@SkySportDE
report.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GhK_dONWEAAVEc6?format=jpg&name=small)
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Percy (not me) reckons £18m + add ons. That seems less than €25m, though I haven’t checked exchange rates.
Need to get business done quickly I reckon, as I’m predicting a run on the pound soon.
EDIT: just seen the €23m posts above. That’s obviously closer to Percy’s view.
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Donyell Malen to Aston Villa — total agreement reached! Fee is €25m + €5m add-ons. DONE
Tap-in merchant Romano reporting it as €23m plus €3m add-ons fee. Which seems like good value to me.
Maybe he's quoting in GBP?
Edit, just seen Percy say that Percy says it's £18m GBP
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Sky reporting a deal has been agreed
wait for the Stretch !!! :)
ISONTP used to be a principle on here ;). Anyway if that happens, hoping he can be a real asset to us, as I get it Emery seems to have wanted him for some time and also seems to be held in high regard by the Dutch with his involvement in the national team so - yes, I belive. About his involvement in the national team last international championship (last summer?) to me he didnt look to get the chance to shine - that was a very dire and tactical Dutch team under the former defender Koman.
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Percy (not me) reckons £18m + add ons. That seems less than €25m, though I haven’t checked exchange rates.
Need to get business done quickly I reckon, as I’m predicting a run on the pound soon.
EDIT: just seen the €23m posts above. That’s obviously closer to Percy’s view.
It is, £21 Million at today's rate €1.19/£. If we got it done early Jan we'd have saved nearly a million!
-
Donyell Malen to Aston Villa — total agreement reached! Fee is €25m + €5m add-ons. DONE
Tap-in merchant Romano reporting it as €23m plus €3m add-ons fee. Which seems like good value to me.
Maybe he's quoting in GBP?
Edit, just seen Percy say that Percy says it's £18m GBP
Apologies for the confusion mate.
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Percy (not me) reckons £18m + add ons. That seems less than €25m, though I haven’t checked exchange rates.
Need to get business done quickly I reckon, as I’m predicting a run on the pound soon.
EDIT: just seen the €23m posts above. That’s obviously closer to Percy’s view.
It is, £21 Million at today's rate €1.19/£. If we got it done early Jan we'd have saved nearly a million!
So the run (on the pound) has started already?
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Great news !
You would imagine will make his debut against former club arsenal 👀
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If we sign him for actual millions of pounds less than Ipswich are giving us for Philogene that feels slightly ridiculous.
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According to a report I’ve just ready his bags are packed.
Sky reporting a deal has been agreed
I think you'll find my whinging about the thread has been the clincher.
I've never ever heard you whinge before CD.
Lovely. Quite excited about this one. A buddy for Maatsen, someone to push Bailey a bit harder and a genuine third option at centre-forward if we need one.
What's not to like?
Hurray!!!
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Aston Villa agree deal to sign Donyell Malen from BVB, here we go!
Agreement reached with Borussia Dortmund for €23m plus €3m add-ons fee.
Medical and formal steps to follow soon to seal the deal.
Total agreement also with player, as
@Plettigoal
@SkySportDE
report.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GhK_dONWEAAVEc6?format=jpg&name=small)
Looking good in the shirt; listening for his song.
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If we sign him for actual millions of pounds less than Ipswich are giving us for Philogene that feels slightly ridiculous.
Indeed - would show the insanity of the “Premier League tax”, albeit at least we’re benefiting.
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Yeah seems a brilliant deal.
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"Premier League Tax" might be playing a part but it's also the difference between Malen having 18months left on his contract compared to 4 1/2 years for Philogene.
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judging by Utube ( I KNOW) looks like he plays across the front a lot more than Bailey and looks a lot stronger
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(https://i.ibb.co/nRZpbPQ/Screenshot-20250113-121823.png) (https://ibb.co/nRZpbPQ)
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I’m just glad we had this thread set up nice and early.
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Me too.
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I’m just glad we had this thread set up nice and early.
Hehe
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Percy (not me) reckons £18m + add ons. That seems less than €25m, though I haven’t checked exchange rates.
Need to get business done quickly I reckon, as I’m predicting a run on the pound soon.
EDIT: just seen the €23m posts above. That’s obviously closer to Percy’s view.
It is, £21 Million at today's rate €1.19/£. If we got it done early Jan we'd have saved nearly a million!
So the run (on the pound) has started already?
Not really. It's been €1.19/£ for the last 4 months or so. Back end of December it rose as high as €1.21 for a week or so. Now it's back at €1.19.
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If he’s more capable of playing across the front 3, is he more similar in style to Diaby? How do those two compare in terms of quality?
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I’m just glad we had this thread set up nice and early.
Yeah, sometimes we should baulk at speculation, tempt fate and run with your gut feeling. Bravo to the author.
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Percy (not me) reckons £18m + add ons. That seems less than €25m, though I haven’t checked exchange rates.
Need to get business done quickly I reckon, as I’m predicting a run on the pound soon.
EDIT: just seen the €23m posts above. That’s obviously closer to Percy’s view.
It is, £21 Million at today's rate €1.19/£. If we got it done early Jan we'd have saved nearly a million!
So the run (on the pound) has started already?
Not really. It's been €1.19/£ for the last 4 months or so. Back end of December it rose as high as €1.21 for a week or so. Now it's back at €1.19.
I would imagine the club have ways of manging currency changes
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We pay our transfer fees with gold doubloons to avoid exchange rate fluctuation.
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Excellent. Too soon for his own thread?
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judging by Utube ( I KNOW) looks like he plays across the front a lot more than Bailey and looks a lot stronger
I think Bailey went down four times on Friday night in the first half...he tests the patience.
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Percy (not me) reckons £18m + add ons. That seems less than €25m, though I haven’t checked exchange rates.
Need to get business done quickly I reckon, as I’m predicting a run on the pound soon.
EDIT: just seen the €23m posts above. That’s obviously closer to Percy’s view.
It is, £21 Million at today's rate €1.19/£. If we got it done early Jan we'd have saved nearly a million!
So the pun (on the pound) has started already?
Sterling work but I've FTFY.
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We pay our transfer fees with gold doubloons to avoid exchange rate fluctuation.
I wonder what we store them in.
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judging by Utube ( I KNOW) looks like he plays across the front a lot more than Bailey and looks a lot stronger
I think Bailey went down four times on Friday night in the first half...he tests the patience.
You just wonder how robust he is . I want him on a calcium and protein drip , not sure how he survives out there
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We pay our transfer fees with gold doubloons to avoid exchange rate fluctuation.
I wonder what we store them in.
It's probably Eagle shaped so we can drop the bullion off as we swoop in.
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"Premier League Tax" might be playing a part but it's also the difference between Malen having 18months left on his contract compared to 4 1/2 years for Philogene.
To be honest I would expect there being an inverse impact on value when you’ve got that long left on your deal - if the club clearly aren’t desperate to keep you.
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"Premier League Tax" might be playing a part but it's also the difference between Malen having 18months left on his contract compared to 4 1/2 years for Philogene.
To be honest I would expect there being an inverse impact on value when you’ve got that long left on your deal - if the club clearly aren’t desperate to keep you.
I don't think we're desperate to sell him either and the same team were offering only a couple of million less in the summer. That said I was mostly commenting in the fact that this is the last window where Dortmund can really hold out for a decent fee. If he was playing every game they might decide to hold out and get what they can in the summer but if they're trying to get any value out of him then this is their last realistic chance.
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Villa v dortmund quarters will be good
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Fabrizio saying it’s all done bar the medical. Clubs have agreed and player has agreed.
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Fabrizio saying it’s all done bar the medical. Clubs have agreed and player has agreed.
Squad for Saturday I guess
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An inconsistently brilliant winger, apparently. Par for the course with most wingers TBF.
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
Makes me even more confident that he'll be decent.
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I'm amazed anyone would give a fuck what they think.
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I'm amazed anyone would give a fuck what they think.
why are they referenced ?
Is it because they are generally very knowledgeable about Football along with being funny ?
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
Makes me even more confident that he'll be decent.
What is RAWK ?
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Is that a Liverpool forum? Why would they care?
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We pay our transfer fees with gold doubloons to avoid exchange rate fluctuation.
I wonder what we store them in.
I heard they're in a big wooden chest with brass hinges, in a wrecked galleon at the bottom of Chasewater.
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We pay our transfer fees with gold doubloons to avoid exchange rate fluctuation.
I wonder what we store them in.
I heard they're in a big wooden chest with brass hinges, in a wrecked galleon at the bottom of Chasewater.
A ... war chest?
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I'm amazed anyone would give a fuck what they think.
why are they referenced ?
Is it because they are generally very knowledgeable about Football along with being funny ?
Exactly that. Justice for the very knowledgeable and funny people of Liverpooool.
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nice debut goal against his old team at the weekend will be nice. get down the bookies
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We pay our transfer fees with gold doubloons to avoid exchange rate fluctuation.
I wonder what we store them in.
I heard they're in a big wooden chest with brass hinges, in a wrecked galleon at the bottom of Chasewater.
A ... war chest?
Precisely.
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
Exactly what a lot of social media warriors would have said about Salah when he arrived at Liverpool after his time at Chelsea…he hasn’t done too bad :-)
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Is that a Liverpool forum? Why would they care?
They’ve probably got an ‘other football’ section or thread like us or see us as rivals so follow our every move!
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If we sign him for actual millions of pounds less than Ipswich are giving us for Philogene that feels slightly ridiculous.
Indeed - would show the insanity of the “Premier League tax”, albeit at least we’re benefiting.
Indeed. The sad thing these days a player like Malen would never consider a club like Ipswich.
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I'm amazed anyone would give a fuck what they think.
why are they referenced ?
Is it because they are generally very knowledgeable about Football along with being funny ?
BV keeps a pulse on what rival club forums say about us. It's appreciated but as the late 2010s terrace-chant nearly went "I don't care about Liverpool, they don't care about me. All I care about is AVFC".
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
Exactly what a lot of social media warriors would have said about Salah when he arrived at Liverpool after his time at Chelsea…he hasn’t done too bad :-)
shouldnt they be more worried about Mohamed Salah probably wants move to the Saudi Pro League this summer, or did they want Malen .
we only seem to talk about other players on here when they might have done a job here for us , not the shit ones.
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The fee is cheap enough for it to be in the “risky” category of signings. The upside is, therefore, pretty massive if Emery can add consistency to his game.
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Fully agree on that, Dante. Unai obviously wants him, he'll also be aware of the player's strengths and weaknesses with ideally a plan to get him to be the player we'll love. This time last year who was Rogers?
I love a calculated risk.
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In the context of football transfers this seems like a good deal for us. Pace and versatility are hugely important to the way we play.
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It could be a twofer if it lights a fire under Bailey too.
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Fully agree on that, Dante. Unai obviously wants him, he'll also be aware of the player's strengths and weaknesses with ideally a plan to get him to be the player we'll love. This time last year who was Rogers?
I love a calculated risk.
Morgz was a lot younger, built like an ox and plenty of experience of English football.
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It will be interesting how we play him. Rogers seems to be the free roaming second striker. The plus point with Malen seems to be he can play either wing (although preferably the right), but I do wonder how much of not getting to the byline enough is Bailey's lack of whatever and how much seems to be orders.
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It will be interesting how we play him. Rogers seems to be the free roaming second striker. The plus point with Malen seems to be he can play either wing (although preferably the right), but I do wonder how much of not getting to the byline enough is Bailey's lack of whatever and how much seems to be orders.
I think the issue with Bailey are threefold; 1) he needs to be 100% fit and he’s had loads of niggles this year 2) he’s a confidence player and. 1) has impacted that and 3) our tactics basically use the right wing to allow us to create an overload on the left. That’s not conducive for any winger.
Malen might not suffer from 1) and 2) but I think he will be stifled by 3) unless we improve and use both flanks better.
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It will be interesting how we play him. Rogers seems to be the free roaming second striker. The plus point with Malen seems to be he can play either wing (although preferably the right), but I do wonder how much of not getting to the byline enough is Bailey's lack of whatever and how much seems to be orders.
Bailey himself said Emery was trying to encourage him to hit he byline more. This happens when he’s confident, but cuts back inside more often when he’s doubting himself/his body.
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In terms of pace is this Guy fast like Diaby
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In terms of pace is this Guy fast like Diaby
I've posted it a few times now but, in my opinion, he's quicker than diaby over 5yards but doesn't have the flat out pace in a longer sprint. He's also a lot stronger and far less likely to be eased out by a defender leaning on him.
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An inconsistently brilliant winger, apparently. Par for the course with most wingers TBF.
I'll readily admit that I don't know an awful lot about him, but can't see him being a regular starter to begin with. We are crying out for a squad option who can come on and inject real pace into games.
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If he comes in, provides a real option of pace in transition and something different in tight games, all good.
-
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I knew nothing about him. Watched a you tube vid of him scoring goals, good goals and good interplay. Then more goals. I actually got fed up of watching his goals, can you imagine?
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It will be interesting how we play him. Rogers seems to be the free roaming second striker. The plus point with Malen seems to be he can play either wing (although preferably the right), but I do wonder how much of not getting to the byline enough is Bailey's lack of whatever and how much seems to be orders.
I think the issue with Bailey are threefold; 1) he needs to be 100% fit and he’s had loads of niggles this year 2) he’s a confidence player and. 1) has impacted that and 3) our tactics basically use the right wing to allow us to create an overload on the left. That’s not conducive for any winger.
Malen might not suffer from 1) and 2) but I think he will be stifled by 3) unless we improve and use both flanks better.
On Bailey I’d add needs to actually put some studs in his boots as his performance on Friday of hitting the deck constantly was pretty embarrassing.
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I knew nothing about him. Watched a you tube vid of him scoring goals, good goals and good interplay. Then more goals. I actually got fed up of watching his goals, can you imagine?
I do that with every YT clip of players we get interested in. Once you’ve seen what they look like and a couple go goals/tackles what the point in carrying on?
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Interesting that they're talking about him as a forward as I assumed he would play on the right as competition for Bailey.
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Interesting that they're talking about him as a forward as I assumed he would play on the right as competition for Bailey.
Aye it slightly comes across that they believed he might be Dortmunds next Aubameyang. I think he will interchange between the right and behind the striker until he the boss finds the best system for himself and Rogers to wreak havoc.
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
I imagine they're all posting about how shite Zubimendi is now he's off to Arsenal.
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
I imagine they're all posting about how shite Zubimendi is now he's off to Arsenal.
Not really.
- "Jorginho almost definitely and Partey perhaps leaving in the summer, we can say what we want but it's a great signing for them for the summer. A pivot of Rice and Zubimendi for them, allowing Rice to be the 8 rather than the 6 will free him up and will make them better. "
- "I think it's a perfect signing for them, especially with Partey and Jorginho leaving. They obviously have other issues, but that sorts their midfield, they can now concentrate on wingers and forwards."
- "All things considered that’s a really good signing."
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
I imagine they're all posting about how shite Zubimendi is now he's off to Arsenal.
Not really.
- "Jorginho almost definitely and Partey perhaps leaving in the summer, we can say what we want but it's a great signing for them for the summer. A pivot of Rice and Zubimendi for them, allowing Rice to be the 8 rather than the 6 will free him up and will make them better. "
- "I think it's a perfect signing for them, especially with Partey and Jorginho leaving. They obviously have other issues, but that sorts their midfield, they can now concentrate on wingers and forwards."
- "All things considered that’s a really good signing."
2 faced bastards.
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Unai Emery confirms Donyell Malen is close to joining, with Jaden Philogene departing: "In case he (Malen) signs for us, it’s close, one player has to leave and the player close to leaving is Jaden Philogene."
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Unai Emery confirms Donyell Malen is close to joining, with Jaden Philogene departing: "In case he (Malen) signs for us, it’s close, one player has to leave and the player close to leaving is Jaden Philogene."
With all due respect jayden please leave. Thank you
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Who’s Jayden?😂
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Who’s Jayden?😂
Probably mates with mbuelo
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Sounds like business will be limited if we're still in the 1 in 1 out world though. Assume any rb/rcb is dependent on Carlos leaving too, which some reports suggested that was on shaky ground now
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Sounds like business will be limited if we're still in the 1 in 1 out world though. Assume any rb/rcb is dependent on Carlos leaving too, which some reports suggested that was on shaky ground now
For sure. only those players heavily linked will come in if carlos and philogene go
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The question is, are we limited to 1in 1out because of finances or because of squad space. I suspect it's both but I do wonder if Barry might be kept around to cover for the latter.
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Barry couldn't be any worse than Philogene has been.
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Barry couldn't be any worse than Philogene has been.
This.
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Philogene hasn't worked out in the way we'd hope, Barry is unlikely to be good enough for the Premier League yet, he's had a good few months at League One level and that's it so far.
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He’s signed
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GhRQWVTW4AA0EyM?format=jpg)
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Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Dutch international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.
The 25-year-old forward, who has over 100 career club goals, joins from the German giants for an undisclosed fee.
Malen helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final last season and netted 13 Bundesliga goals.
With nine goals in 41 international appearances, Malen is a key player for the Netherlands and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2024.
He came through the ranks at PSV Eindhoven and scored 40 goals in 80 appearances before signing for Dortmund.
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H we
(https://i.ibb.co/ctWm2Tp/IMG-0694.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ctWm2Tp)
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Welcome donyell!
(https://i.ibb.co/7C5yYWW/Screenshot-20250114-171708-Instagram.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7C5yYWW)
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Signed. Now I want to know if he's any good ;D
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Signed. Now I want to know if he's any good ;D
Why hasn't the thread title been updated? *fuming here*
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Nice action.
Scored goals at the highest level and a v healthy 1 in 3 record for a wide forward.
Looks like a canny bit of business.
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Signed. Now I want to know if he's any good ;D
Why hasn't the thread title been updated? *fuming here*
I'm angry this thread exists at all to be honest.
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Hurrah, I like wingers. Be brilliant, please.
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Looking forward to seeing him in action, hopefully he'll help spark our season into life.
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Great news. Good to hear we’ve been interested in him for two or three windows.
Centre-half next please Monchi.
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We should sell him.
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Maybe ready for Arsenal?
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We should sell him.
Good luck trying to find anybody interested.
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Give him his thread.
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Work hard, be your best, do those 2 things, then Villa Park will adore you
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Maybe ready for Arsenal?
I think he'll be eligible for Everton, as that's tomorrow, but with games on tonight he may not be I suppose?
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We should sell him.
It's all part of the plan.
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On Jan. 29th, can we troll the Celtic fans with...
Donyell Malen was his name
He brought some great skills to the game
When he was the boss at Villa Park
He taught the Bhoys how to play football.
He made Villa the greatest of them all...
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He is not eligible tomorrow but can play at Arsenal on Saturday.
He was part of Arsenal’s academy for two years so does that help with the registering players for European competition?
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Good stuff, be good Donyell.
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Welcome Donyell.
Please be brilliant.
No pressure.
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Get in! Never heard of him.
Please be magnificent.
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He was part of Arsenal’s academy for two years so does that help with the registering players for European competition?
Don't think so - you need three years between the ages of 15 - 21 and he was there for two years.
Although we're not short of English system-trained players to fill the four necessary spaces anyway.
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Pravda interview. https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1879238301825335700
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
The same RAWK that were banging on about what a bargain they got in Chiesa.
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He was part of Arsenal’s academy for two years so does that help with the registering players for European competition?
Don't think so - you need three years between the ages of 15 - 21 and he was there for two years.
Although we're not short of English system-trained players to fill the four necessary spaces anyway.
Or the 8 home-grown spots for the premier league. It's the club-trained ones we struggle with and that's also why selling 1-2 academy players for PSR clearance every summer isn't a long-term solution.
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According to RAWK he's absolutely shite, it's a crazy fee, and they can't see what the thinking is to use PSR headroom on him.
Makes me hope he succeeds more than ever now, so that it bears testament to Unai's genius.
The same RAWK that were banging on about what a bargain they got in Chiesa.
Were they? I generally only look at their 'Non-Liverpool Transfer Thread' (if we're linked to or have signed someone).
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Welcome me old China. All the best.
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This one has gone down well so it sounds promising. Welcome and be good.
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Please be as brilliant as Bailey on the odd occasion he is brilliant.
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This piece makes him sound very Aston Villa
Donyell Malen is a Rubik’s Cube of a footballer – Aston Villa’s challenge is to work him out
Who is Donyell Malen, Aston Villa’s new signing?
That depends on who you ask. At different times in his career, Malen has been a star in the making, but also a drifting, latent talent. A prodigy at Arsenal, a thrillingly effective forward at PSV and a source of goals, but also a great frustration at Borussia Dortmund.
Which player are Villa getting? All of them.
The best season of Malen’s career happened when nobody was there to see it. In the 2020-21 season, Dutch football was still in a post-pandemic wilderness, with Malen and PSV playing in empty stadiums.
But he played extraordinarily well. His 27 goals in 45 games across all competitions were the headline, but Malen — playing at the top of Roger Schmidt’s 4-2-2-2 formation alongside Eran Zahavi — performed with tremendous range and great class, scoring goals with either foot, beating defenders and scoring from range, or arriving late and finishing moves from under the crossbar.
His partnership with Zahavi was often a delight — check out their beautiful combination against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena below — and, combined with his own attacking versatility, helped make Malen one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
It was a future he was long expected to have. Malen grew up idolising Ronaldinho and trying to mimic his gallery of skills. He joined Ajax’s academy when he was seven and was coached at under-10 level by Dennis Bergkamp. By 14, he was represented by Mino Raiola, the late superagent, when such a relationship seemed a guarantee of future stardom.
Raiola was rarely bashful about his clients. In 2017, two years after Malen had left Amsterdam for Arsenal, Raiola was being especially hawkish in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“Gianluigi Donnarumma is already in the national team at 17, Moise Kean is doing very well at Juventus, but I am most looking forward to a player who is already under contract with a Premier League club: Donyell Malen from Arsenal,” he said.
At the time, Malen was heading for his first senior tour with Arsenal as they travelled to Australia. He made his senior debut during the trip, coming on with Eddie Nketiah as a second-half substitute against Sydney FC, in what seemed a significant step towards the first team.
In reality, it was one of his final acts. Malen left Arsenal for PSV a month later, moving back to the Eredivisie for around £500,000 ($600,000 at current rates).
Steve Morrow was Arsenal’s head of youth development between 2014 and 2019.
“When I think about bringing Donyell into Arsenal, we invested a lot of time in him and profiled him for quite a while,” says Morrow. “Not a lot of players do this, but at first, he wanted to just come over for a week: not to train, but to wander around the training ground and meet people. Donyell massively impressed me. Arsene (Wenger, Arsenal’s manager at the time) met him and was impressed with him, too.
“Every club was interested and we did a good job of selling the club to him. The expectation was that he would progress very quickly to the first team.”
That never happened. That Malen departed so abruptly when he seemed on the cusp of a breakthrough still seems strange.
“He had a quite difficult start to life in England,” Morrow says. “I’m not sure he ever settled in this country or in Hertfordshire, with his parents having to come over from the Netherlands to see him, and he maybe wasn’t progressing as quickly as he wanted to or as quickly as his agent wanted him to, and that was an issue.
“I was very against him leaving because I was convinced he would have made it to the first team. Everyone saw the quality of his speed, his intelligence, his movement and his finishing.
“I always found him very respectful, too. He sometimes needed an arm around his shoulder, but he was one of the best young strikers I’d seen in quite a while.”
Stefan Coerts is the executive editor-in-chief at Footballco, a football media company. During Malen’s formative years, he covered the Eredivisie for Goal.com and witnessed what made the Netherlands international so successful upon his arrival in Eindhoven.
“He was one of the country’s biggest talents when he left Ajax for Arsenal as a youngster and it’s fair to say they were not happy,” Coerts tells The Athletic. “They lost Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Javairo Dilrosun and Mink Peeters the year before to big foreign clubs and that meant four of their hottest prospects were gone in a little over a year.
“Things didn’t quite work out for him at Arsenal as it’s simply very difficult to break into the first team at a major Premier League club unless you’re truly special, like Bukayo Saka. Malen wasn’t at quite that level, but it was clear the talent was there and PSV were the perfect club for him at that stage.
“They gave him the time and support he needed to adapt to senior football, slowly preparing him for the first team by giving him playing time with Jong PSV (the club’s youth team). When Steven Bergwijn and Hirving Lozano left, Malen was ready and wasted no time taking his chance.”
Malen made his Eredivisie debut in February 2018, replacing Luuk de Jong as a late substitute in a 4-0 win over PEC Zwolle. In the autumn of 2019, Malen made his debut for the Netherlands’ national team, coming off the bench to score in a 4-2 win over Germany in Hamburg. By the start of that 2020-21 season, with Lozano and Bergwijn both having left PSV, Malen was a force in Dutch football and his departure to a higher level of the game was inevitable.
Juventus, owing to their relationship with Raiola, were among the favourites to sign him but — ultimately — it was Dortmund who spent €30m in the summer of 2021, making him their biggest signing of a cautious summer.
This is when his career became more complicated.
Malen could cover all three attacking positions — centre-forward and both winger roles — but his greatest success had come through the middle. His most prolific season saw him work in combination with Zahavi — a goalscorer who could also drop deep, disrupt the defensive line and create — but in front of Mario Gotze and Cody Gakpo.
Multiplied by PSV’s natural strength in their domestic league, the environment was perfect for Malen. He was supported by players who could create opportunities for him but who could also contort opposing defences in a way that opened space.
For a skilful, direct goalscorer, it was an optimal environment — and one which has never been fully replicated at Dortmund, where he was nearly always played in support of a single forward, be it Erling Haaland, Sebastien Haller, Niclas Fullkrug or, most recently, Serhou Guirassy.
A further complicating factor was the departure of Jadon Sancho. The English winger was sold to Manchester United the same summer that Malen arrived. Notionally — and in the media — it made him the replacement for a player to whom he was not that similar.
Still, Dortmund admired his technical ability and reasoned that the imperfections in his game — a lack of defensive contribution and wavering intensity — were age-related issues that would be cured in time and helped by a change in environment. Internally, Malen was seen as having become a big fish in a small pond and as needing more competition to develop further. When he arrived at the Westfalenstadion, the squad he joined included self-starting young players Jude Bellingham and Haaland and he was presumed to be on a similar trajectory.
Three and half years later, that progress has never materialised. Malen has been a good player for Dortmund. He has even been a difference-maker in important games. In their difficult 2023-24 season, when Dortmund limped to fifth place in the Bundesliga despite reaching the Champions League final, he was his side’s joint top-scorer with 15 goals from 38 appearances.
Nevertheless, long periods of anonymity have been just as frequent and that duality of form has never gone away.
Jurgen Koers covers Borussia Dortmund for newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten (RN). He tells The Athletic that Malen’s time at the club has been a “rollercoaster, with lots of ups and downs”.
“He has shown his potential to be a very good forward on many occasions,” says Koers. “At the same time, he’s been a disappointment for long periods as well. When he had his good form, he was one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga, but he also had weeks and even months when he didn’t score at all and could not be found anywhere on the pitch.
“He has had struggles with defending and has frustrated his coaches, but his biggest problem is that he’s quite one-dimensional. He has a very fast first five steps. He can accelerate so quickly and he can turn and shoot really fast, but he tries to shoot from everywhere. When he’s close to the box, he won’t pass to anyone. He’ll always shoot, shoot, shoot, but that’s really all he has to offer, so his set of skills is not very balanced and that has stopped his development.
“I’m pretty sure he can compete in the Premier League, but for Dortmund, it’s also a disappointment because there were times when his value was up to €40m-€45m (roughly £36m or $43m) and now they’ll be happy just to get back what they invested.”
In October 2024, journalist Kevin Pinnow, one of Koers’ colleagues at RN, described Malen as “consistently inconsistent: just like Borussia Dortmund over recent years. Malen is the perfect symbol of the BVB crisis”.
Therein lies important context: Dortmund’s identity on the pitch — all intensity and bombast — has weakened significantly over the past decade. Malen shared a pitch with Bellingham and Haaland, Marco Reus, Mats Hummels and Julian Brandt, but the surrounding systems have never been as strong as they were under Thomas Tuchel or Jurgen Klopp.
In the years since, under Lucien Favre, Marco Rose, Peter Bosz and Edin Terzic, very few players — Sancho, Bellingham and Haaland are the exceptions — who have come through Dortmund have evolved significantly.
So, while Malen’s development plateaued, it’s difficult to know where the club’s culpability for that ends and his responsibility begins.
Many of the criticisms that he has received — about attitude, application and perceived entitlement — have been aimed at many other players, too. At the time of last month’s winter break, the team were running for a collective average of 114.5 kilometres per game, only the 14th-highest distance per team in the Bundesliga. They are not athletically dominant.
Beyond disappointing performances, Malen attracts more criticism for a variety of reasons — some reasonable, some less so. He can be quite introverted. He’s not as demonstrative as some of his Dortmund team-mates, past and present, and that does not play well with a crowd who like their footballers to be emotional.
His desire to leave Dortmund has been public for at least a year, too, and that has strained local relations. Since the end of 2023, he has changed agents twice in 18 months to get the move he wanted, leaving Rafaela Pimenta to join the Sports Entertainment Group, before then moving on to Wasserman, which still represents him.
That a buyer has been elusive describes the uncertainty surrounding Malen — particularly concerning what he contributes off the ball. Concerns about his defensive work rate and his low number of sprints per game have been noted by the mainstream media. Malen averaged around 19 high-intensity sprints per 90 minutes this season before his sale. During the same period, Jamie Gittens averaged just over 34 and Guirassy, the Guinean centre-forward, managed 27.
Perhaps that is symptomatic of a player who needs a new challenge. It’s possible, but Malen is habitually a rocks or diamonds footballer whose form can change with the wind.
His final starting appearance for the club typified his career in Germany. He was terrific in the first half against Wolfsburg in December. He menaced them down the right side, scored the game’s first goal with a beautifully cushioned volley, then contributed to the move that ended with BVB’s third goal. And then, in the second half, he vanished from the game. Seven touches in 20 minutes later, he was substituted off, having taken no more shots and attempted no more dribbles.
Have Aston Villa signed a talented player? Absolutely. But Donyell Malen is one of European football’s Rubik’s Cubes. Even now, at 25, nobody has quite worked him out. Unai Emery will be the next to try.
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Great news. Good to hear we’ve been interested in him for two or three windows.
Missed that, where’s that been reported?
Not saying he will be a success but there does appear to be joined up, strategic, thinking about who we buy and sell. I don’t think I’ve ever thought that before.
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In short:
"Donyell Malen, Aston Villa’s new signing, is a complex and inconsistent footballer whose career has seen moments of brilliance and frustration. Initially a prodigy at Arsenal, Malen struggled to break into the first team and moved to PSV, where he thrived, scoring 27 goals in the 2020-21 season. His performances made him one of Europe’s most sought-after talents, leading to a €30 million move to Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
At Dortmund, Malen's form was erratic. While he showed flashes of brilliance, including joint-top scorer for the club in the 2023-24 season, he also had prolonged periods of poor performances, characterized by a lack of defensive contribution and one-dimensional play. Critics noted his inconsistency, especially in terms of his off-the-ball work and defensive efforts.
Malen’s career at Dortmund was overshadowed by systemic issues at the club, with many players failing to develop as expected, including Malen. His introverted personality and desire to leave the club added to the tension. Despite these struggles, he remains a talented player, and Aston Villa now faces the challenge of unlocking his full potential. Unai Emery will be the next manager to try to solve the Rubik's Cube of Malen’s talents."
To be honest this isn't massively positive.
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That’s a good article by the athletic.
Let’s face it, if there weren’t deficiencies in his game we wouldn’t be signing him at all, let alone for £20m.
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They've just lost to the German version of Southampton without him, so he must be good.
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To be honest it’s a load of AI cock spew.
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They've just lost to the German version of Southampton without him, so he must be good.
Good at home, crap away, can't defend, occasionally brilliant. They seem to be the German version of us.
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There's little chance Emery would sign a winger who can't be arsed to track back if he didn't think he could get him performing as he'd want.
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The write ups make him sound like Bailey, all that inconsistency and has runs of games without doing much
I’ve never seen it but I’m sure Baileys show real is unbelievable as well
I’m not trying to be super negative I actually like the fact we’ve gone for a wide forward player And obviously with the elite coaching we have i’m hoping he’s going to find his home here
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To be honest it’s a load of AI cock spew.
It might be cock spew, but it isn't AI.
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Bailey's best performances came when he had competition with Diaby so maybe having Malen and Bailey competing with eachother, whoever's in form can play.
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The write ups make him sound like Bailey, all that inconsistency and has runs of games without doing much
That does describe pretty much every winger in the world that isn't Mo Salah though.
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Bailey's best performances came when he had competition with Diaby so maybe having Malen and Bailey competing with eachother, whoever's in form can play.
Will be intriguing to see if it actually lifts Bailey’s form.
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If he was a player that hits 8 out of 10 performances every week, you are not paying £20 ish million.
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Welcome to Villa, Donyell. Please don't be shit.
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The write ups make him sound like Bailey, all that inconsistency and has runs of games without doing much
That does describe pretty much every winger in the world that isn't Mo Salah though.
Yeah well I’m hoping he’s not going to be like pretty much every winger in the world and buck the trend
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Looking forward to seeing him play. I do hope he’s an adequate replacement or upgrade on Diaby and cover for Bailey if necessary. We’ve really lacked in this department all season and no surprise that’s what we’ve looked at fixing first.
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Welcome DM to the Villa. please be Tony Daley .
expect Leon to score tomorrow now.
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To be honest it’s a load of AI cock spew.
It might be cock spew, but it isn't AI.
Good lord, it makes it worse!
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Interesting article, that.
John Carew came to us as somewhat of a mercurial player; a record that suggested talent was there but that he struggled to put it together for an extended period of time.
Different sort of forward to this lad, I know. But sometimes it clicks at the right club at the right time.
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Welcome DM to the Villa. please be Tony Daley .
expect Leon to score tomorrow now.
I would be happy for Leon to stand up abit more
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Sounds a bit erratic, hopefully UE can work his magic and transform him .
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The important question is does he shave his head by choice or out of necessity?
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If he was a player that hits 8 out of 10 performances every week, you are not paying £20 ish million.
For twenty quid I’d accept 4/10
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The important question is does he shave his head by choice or out of necessity?
Why would it be necessary?
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The important question is does he shave his head by choice or out of necessity?
Why would it be necessary?
Aerodynamics.
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He reminds be a bit of Rick James, without the cavalier wig.
And that's a good thing.
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The important question is does he shave his head by choice or out of necessity?
Why would it be necessary?
Well, looking like a monk is shit when you're 25, that's obviously what he means. I know from experience.
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The important question is does he shave his head by choice or out of necessity?
He shaves his head because he wants to look sexy.
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The important question is does he shave his head by choice or out of necessity?
He shaves his head because he wants to look sexy.
Necessity then.
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I don’t want to go into this with massively high expectations. He cost 40% of what we got for Diaby. Given our recruitment track record, and Unai’s ability to get a tune out of players, I expect him to be 40% better than Diaby.
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So he's lazy - doesn't track back; and selfish - shoots on sight, never passes where he think can get a shot off.
Great.
And his shaved head doesn't make him look sexy.
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Just read that we have signed Malen - hopefully he will be brilliant, however the folk who sit around me, will give him 10 minutes and then decide that he is shit as soon as he either gives the ball away or does not track back!
Best of luck Donyell, hope that you enjoy your time at the best football club in the world!!
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He cant be worse than philiogene was so im optimistic
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From The Athletic, pretty lengthy, but in depth
DONYELL MALEN IS A RUBIK'S CUBE OF A PLAYER- ASTON VILLA’S CHALLENGE IS TO WIRK HIM OUT.
Who is Donyell Malen, Aston Villa’s new signing?
That depends on who you ask. At different times in his career, Malen has been a star in the making, but also a drifting, latent talent. A prodigy at Arsenal, a thrillingly effective forward at PSV and a source of goals, but also a great frustration at Borussia Dortmund.
Which player are Villa getting? All of them.
The best season of Malen’s career happened when nobody was there to see it. In the 2020-21 season, Dutch football was still in a post-pandemic wilderness, with Malen and PSV playing in empty stadiums.
But he played extraordinarily well. His 27 goals in 45 games across all competitions were the headline, but Malen — playing at the top of Roger Schmidt’s 4-2-2-2 formation alongside Eran Zahavi — performed with tremendous range and great class, scoring goals with either foot, beating defenders and scoring from range, or arriving late and finishing moves from under the crossbar.
His partnership with Zahavi was often a delight — check out their beautiful combination against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena below — and, combined with his own attacking versatility, helped make Malen one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
It was a future he was long expected to have. Malen grew up idolising Ronaldinho and trying to mimic his gallery of skills. He joined Ajax’s academy when he was seven and was coached at under-10 level by Dennis Bergkamp. By 14, he was represented by Mino Raiola, the late superagent, when such a relationship seemed a guarantee of future stardom.
Raiola was rarely bashful about his clients. In 2017, two years after Malen had left Amsterdam for Arsenal, Raiola was being especially hawkish in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“Gianluigi Donnarumma is already in the national team at 17, Moise Kean is doing very well at Juventus, but I am most looking forward to a player who is already under contract with a Premier League club: Donyell Malen from Arsenal,” he said.
At the time, Malen was heading for his first senior tour with Arsenal as they travelled to Australia. He made his senior debut during the trip, coming on with Eddie Nketiah as a second-half substitute against Sydney FC, in what seemed a significant step towards the first team.
In reality, it was one of his final acts. Malen left Arsenal for PSV a month later, moving back to the Eredivisie for around £500,000 ($600,000 at current rates).
Steve Morrow was Arsenal’s head of youth development between 2014 and 2019.
“When I think about bringing Donyell into Arsenal, we invested a lot of time in him and profiled him for quite a while,” says Morrow. “Not a lot of players do this, but at first, he wanted to just come over for a week: not to train, but to wander around the training ground and meet people. Donyell massively impressed me. Arsene (Wenger, Arsenal’s manager at the time) met him and was impressed with him, too.
“Every club was interested and we did a good job of selling the club to him. The expectation was that he would progress very quickly to the first team.”
That never happened. That Malen departed so abruptly when he seemed on the cusp of a breakthrough still seems strange.
“He had a quite difficult start to life in England,” Morrow says. “I’m not sure he ever settled in this country or in Hertfordshire, with his parents having to come over from the Netherlands to see him, and he maybe wasn’t progressing as quickly as he wanted to or as quickly as his agent wanted him to, and that was an issue.
“I was very against him leaving because I was convinced he would have made it to the first team. Everyone saw the quality of his speed, his intelligence, his movement and his finishing.
“I always found him very respectful, too. He sometimes needed an arm around his shoulder, but he was one of the best young strikers I’d seen in quite a while.”
Stefan Coerts is the executive editor-in-chief at Footballco, a football media company. During Malen’s formative years, he covered the Eredivisie for Goal.com and witnessed what made the Netherlands international so successful upon his arrival in Eindhoven.
“He was one of the country’s biggest talents when he left Ajax for Arsenal as a youngster and it’s fair to say they were not happy,” Coerts tells The Athletic. “They lost Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Javairo Dilrosun and Mink Peeters the year before to big foreign clubs and that meant four of their hottest prospects were gone in a little over a year.
“Things didn’t quite work out for him at Arsenal as it’s simply very difficult to break into the first team at a major Premier League club unless you’re truly special, like Bukayo Saka. Malen wasn’t at quite that level, but it was clear the talent was there and PSV were the perfect club for him at that stage.
“They gave him the time and support he needed to adapt to senior football, slowly preparing him for the first team by giving him playing time with Jong PSV (the club’s youth team). When Steven Bergwijn and Hirving Lozano left, Malen was ready and wasted no time taking his chance.”
Malen made his Eredivisie debut in February 2018, replacing Luuk de Jong as a late substitute in a 4-0 win over PEC Zwolle. In the autumn of 2019, Malen made his debut for the Netherlands’ national team, coming off the bench to score in a 4-2 win over Germany in Hamburg. By the start of that 2020-21 season, with Lozano and Bergwijn both having left PSV, Malen was a force in Dutch football and his departure to a higher level of the game was inevitable.
Juventus, owing to their relationship with Raiola, were among the favourites to sign him but — ultimately — it was Dortmund who spent €30m in the summer of 2021, making him their biggest signing of a cautious summer.
This is when his career became more complicated.
Malen could cover all three attacking positions — centre-forward and both winger roles — but his greatest success had come through the middle. His most prolific season saw him work in combination with Zahavi — a goalscorer who could also drop deep, disrupt the defensive line and create — but in front of Mario Gotze and Cody Gakpo.
Multiplied by PSV’s natural strength in their domestic league, the environment was perfect for Malen. He was supported by players who could create opportunities for him but who could also contort opposing defences in a way that opened space.
For a skilful, direct goalscorer, it was an optimal environment — and one which has never been fully replicated at Dortmund, where he was nearly always played in support of a single forward, be it Erling Haaland, Sebastien Haller, Niclas Fullkrug or, most recently, Serhou Guirassy.
A further complicating factor was the departure of Jadon Sancho. The English winger was sold to Manchester United the same summer that Malen arrived. Notionally — and in the media — it made him the replacement for a player to whom he was not that similar.
Still, Dortmund admired his technical ability and reasoned that the imperfections in his game — a lack of defensive contribution and wavering intensity — were age-related issues that would be cured in time and helped by a change in environment. Internally, Malen was seen as having become a big fish in a small pond and as needing more competition to develop further. When he arrived at the Westfalenstadion, the squad he joined included self-starting young players Jude Bellingham and Haaland and he was presumed to be on a similar trajectory.
Three and half years later, that progress has never materialised. Malen has been a good player for Dortmund. He has even been a difference-maker in important games. In their difficult 2023-24 season, when Dortmund limped to fifth place in the Bundesliga despite reaching the Champions League final, he was his side’s joint top-scorer with 15 goals from 38 appearances.
Nevertheless, long periods of anonymity have been just as frequent and that duality of form has never gone away.
Jurgen Koers covers Borussia Dortmund for newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten (RN). He tells The Athletic that Malen’s time at the club has been a “rollercoaster, with lots of ups and downs”.
“He has shown his potential to be a very good forward on many occasions,” says Koers. “At the same time, he’s been a disappointment for long periods as well. When he had his good form, he was one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga, but he also had weeks and even months when he didn’t score at all and could not be found anywhere on the pitch.
“He has had struggles with defending and has frustrated his coaches, but his biggest problem is that he’s quite one-dimensional. He has a very fast first five steps. He can accelerate so quickly and he can turn and shoot really fast, but he tries to shoot from everywhere. When he’s close to the box, he won’t pass to anyone. He’ll always shoot, shoot, shoot, but that’s really all he has to offer, so his set of skills is not very balanced and that has stopped his development.
“I’m pretty sure he can compete in the Premier League, but for Dortmund, it’s also a disappointment because there were times when his value was up to €40m-€45m (roughly £36m or $43m) and now they’ll be happy just to get back what they invested.”
In October 2024, journalist Kevin Pinnow, one of Koers’ colleagues at RN, described Malen as “consistently inconsistent: just like Borussia Dortmund over recent years. Malen is the perfect symbol of the BVB crisis”.
Therein lies important context: Dortmund’s identity on the pitch — all intensity and bombast — has weakened significantly over the past decade. Malen shared a pitch with Bellingham and Haaland, Marco Reus, Mats Hummels and Julian Brandt, but the surrounding systems have never been as strong as they were under Thomas Tuchel or Jurgen Klopp.
In the years since, under Lucien Favre, Marco Rose, Peter Bosz and Edin Terzic, very few players — Sancho, Bellingham and Haaland are the exceptions — who have come through Dortmund have evolved significantly.
So, while Malen’s development plateaued, it’s difficult to know where the club’s culpability for that ends and his responsibility begins.
Many of the criticisms that he has received — about attitude, application and perceived entitlement — have been aimed at many other players, too. At the time of last month’s winter break, the team were running for a collective average of 114.5 kilometres per game, only the 14th-highest distance per team in the Bundesliga. They are not athletically dominant.
Beyond disappointing performances, Malen attracts more criticism for a variety of reasons — some reasonable, some less so. He can be quite introverted. He’s not as demonstrative as some of his Dortmund team-mates, past and present, and that does not play well with a crowd who like their footballers to be emotional.
His desire to leave Dortmund has been public for at least a year, too, and that has strained local relations. Since the end of 2023, he has changed agents twice in 18 months to get the move he wanted, leaving Rafaela Pimenta to join the Sports Entertainment Group, before then moving on to Wasserman, which still represents him.
That a buyer has been elusive describes the uncertainty surrounding Malen — particularly concerning what he contributes off the ball. Concerns about his defensive work rate and his low number of sprints per game have been noted by the mainstream media. Malen averaged around 19 high-intensity sprints per 90 minutes this season before his sale. During the same period, Jamie Gittens averaged just over 34 and Guirassy, the Guinean centre-forward, managed 27.
Perhaps that is symptomatic of a player who needs a new challenge. It’s possible, but Malen is habitually a rocks or diamonds footballer whose form can change with the wind.
His final starting appearance for the club typified his career in Germany. He was terrific in the first half against Wolfsburg in December. He menaced them down the right side, scored the game’s first goal with a beautifully cushioned volley, then contributed to the move that ended with BVB’s third goal. And then, in the second half, he vanished from the game. Seven touches in 20 minutes later, he was substituted off, having taken no more shots and attempted no more dribbles.
Have Aston Villa signed a talented player? Absolutely. But Donyell Malen is one of European football’s Rubik’s Cubes. Even now, at 25, nobody has quite worked him out. Unai Emery will be the next to try.
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None of us knew about rogers before unai signed him. Look at him now. I think emery will make him a superstar
You dont play for dortmund if your shit
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None of us knew about rogers before unai signed him. Look at him now. I think emery will make him a superstar
You dont play for dortmund if your shit
And you don't join Aston Villa under Unai Emery unless you are prepared to graft. I am sure he knows this and wish him the best.
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In Unai we trust.
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Sounds a bit like Traore.
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There will be more analysis than ever around the purchase. He'll bring something to the squad we don't currently have. At its worst, will he be £3m better than Philogene?
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This site always goes through a cycle when signing players.
People pleased to post rumours as fact, then become an expert using a very short youtube highlights reel, post unsubstantiated reports the signing is done well before the fact, moan how loan its taking, sign the player (sometimes), feel deflated about the likely skillset of said player.
We like the chase but not the catch.
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There will be more analysis than ever around the purchase. He'll bring something to the squad we don't currently have. At its worst, will he be £3m better than Philogene?
Even if he gets a assist he has done better than philiogene did. He had zero goals and assists.
Im feeling confident he will do well
Sounds a bit like Traore.
The inconsistent side yeah thats probably accurate. But he seems to have more pace. The problem i had with traore was half the time he looked like he couldn't be arsed
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An upgrade over Philogene for very little outlay - Can't complain about that...
Don't think he was registered in time to play against Everton, but as a past recruit of their youth team, I wouldn't bet against him terrorising Arsenal on Saturday! We seem to have a habit of polishing up their rough diamonds lately.... cough, cough, Emi Martinez!
COME ON DONNY!
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How do you pronounce his names?
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I think the "capable of brilliance" while also "capable of being anonymous" is probably the pool we're shopping in right now, and we have to trust Monchi and Unai to have done their homework and to know they can mould him into a useful first-team player.
As others have said, they saw something in Rogers that had been missed by almost everyone else, and we can only hope it's the same here. It's big money, but it's not huge money, so I think we have to temper expectations a bit, but if he can go on to have an impact somewhere close to Diaby's first six months, then I'll be delighted.
Even from the bench, it will be nice to have an option of someone with genuine pace to come on against tiring defenders.
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Yes Smithy.
Pace up front forces defences to sit deeper, and that plays to our strengths and helps to resolve our weaknesses.
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Is he the replacement for Diaby, we have been missing?
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How do you pronounce his names?
I think Donyell is pronounced much like Daniel, but in a D4 accent.
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Apparently his most succesful area of the pitch is playing up top, I imagine in the numer 10. Obviously though if we are moving Philogene on as part of this he will be expected to provide depth on the right.
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How do you pronounce his names?
I think Donyell is pronounced much like Daniel, but in a D4 accent.
My thinking too. No elaboration needed.
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How do you pronounce his names?
Steve McClaren can help you.
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Just read that we have signed Malen - hopefully he will be brilliant, however the folk who sit around me, will give him 10 minutes and then decide that he is shit as soon as he either gives the ball away or does not track back!
Best of luck Donyell, hope that you enjoy your time at the best football club in the world!!
10 minutes! That’s obviously giving him the benefit of the doubt.
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Am I right in assuming he and Maatsen will have been together at Dortmund for the second half of last season? I wonder if he was asked his opinion.
I know professionals have to move and settle quickly, but I guess having a fellow countryman and former teammate at Bodymoor might make that process a bit easier?
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Am I right in assuming he and Maatsen will have been together at Dortmund for the second half of last season? I wonder if he was asked his opinion.
I know professionals have to move and settle quickly, but I guess having a fellow countryman and former teammate at Bodymoor might make that process a bit easier?
There was a video of one of them (I think it was Malen) saying how nice it was at Dortmund last season because they had a Dutch buddy to hang out with.
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Malen also said in his interview on the OS that they had been messaging during negotiations and he was impressed by what Maatsen said about the club.
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Malen also said in his interview on the OS that they had been messaging during negotiations and he was impressed by what Maatsen said about the club.
"And for just £150 a ticket you eat as many hot dogs and fries as possible, in an old prison cell!"
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Behind the scenes...
https://www.avfc.co.uk/video/bcbf8369-e871-41c7-afba-24bc0d2cd6f9
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Apparently his most succesful area of the pitch is playing up top, I imagine in the numer 10. Obviously though if we are moving Philogene on as part of this he will be expected to provide depth on the right.
Yep, I think he'll be seen as an option in both those positions.
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Behind the scenes...
https://www.avfc.co.uk/video/bcbf8369-e871-41c7-afba-24bc0d2cd6f9 (https://www.avfc.co.uk/video/bcbf8369-e871-41c7-afba-24bc0d2cd6f9)
The bit that sold that for me is when they're in the room to do the photos of the signing and they get him to change into the shirt. There's a little smile there which reminds me of when you realise you've made a really good decision and just get that moment of joy about it.
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Seems like a quiet guy.
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Seems like a quiet guy.
Reading up on him he was from a quiet little town growing up, so he's probably a bit of a naive bumpkin at heart, like Sexual Ealing.
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Malen also said in his interview on the OS that they had been messaging during negotiations and he was impressed by what Maatsen said about the club.
Welcome Donyell!
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Seems like a quiet guy.
Reading up on him he was from a quiet little town growing up, so he's probably a bit of a naive bumpkin at heart, like Sexual Ealing.
He knows he has the body of a weak and feeble winger; but he has the heart and stomach of a lad who works on the roads filling in potholes, and delivers for the village Chinese takeaway at weekends.
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Malen also said in his interview on the OS that they had been messaging during negotiations and he was impressed by what Maatsen said about the club.
"And for just £150 a ticket you eat as many hot dogs and fries as possible, in an old prison cell!"
Very good.
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So on the bench for tonight? Just going on them eating breakfast in the video so we much have signed him before 12 yesterday, or was Monday the cut-off.
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I was scared he was going to do his ligaments coming down those stairs at the end.
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So on the bench for tomorrow? Just going on them eating breakfast in the video so we much have signed him before 12 yesterday, or was Monday the cut-off.
It'll be just him on the bench if it's tomorrow.
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So on the bench for tomorrow? Just going on them eating breakfast in the video so we much have signed him before 12 yesterday, or was Monday the cut-off.
It'll be just him on the bench if it's tomorrow.
Doh, I was going to post that Emery mentioned about "the videos for tomorrow" and then decided to leave that bit out but that part was still on my mind.
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Love the part where Unai is about to pass Donny by without realising it's him. And then saying "Ok! Ok!" multiple times with a couple of slaps to the man boobs/Villa crest. That Emery, what a character!
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Love the part where Unai is about to pass Donny by without realising it's him. And then saying "Ok! Ok!" multiple times with a couple of slaps to the man boobs/Villa crest. That Emery, what a character!
If that had been Paqueta getting a slap to the chest, he would have dropped to the floor faster than a sack of potatoes.
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It's actually mad that real-life introductory meet and greets with new colleagues is recorded and shared these days. Not sure how the lads, particularly our new signing, really feel about that. The parts recording close-ups of his fitness check feels particularly invasive!
I wonder how Dalian welcomed Dariusz Kubicki back in the day. A wedgie and a wet sock across the mush? With the club archivist trying in vain to capture it all on a handi-cam that weighed a few kilos.
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Seems like a quiet guy.
Reading up on him he was from a quiet little town growing up, so he's probably a bit of a naive bumpkin at heart, like Sexual Ealing.
He knows he has the body of a weak and feeble winger; but he has the heart and stomach of a lad who works on the roads filling in potholes, and delivers for the village Chinese takeaway at weekends.
That has made me titter.
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Bit worried about the footwear he was carrying. Less grip than the slippers Bailey has taken to wearing.
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Bit worried about the footwear he was carrying. Less grip than the slippers Bailey has taken to wearing.
As long as he wasn't carrying it in a plastic bag. The last guy who did that didn't work out that great.
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Malen also said in his interview on the OS that they had been messaging during negotiations and he was impressed by what Maatsen said about the club.
Good to think Maatsen is bigging us up even while he's not getting a whole lot of playing time.
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So is Duran going to be sold?
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No
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SJM “Maatsen says you’re a good guy”.
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Bit worried about the footwear he was carrying. Less grip than the slippers Bailey has taken to wearing.
I was more concerned that he was wearing the R/Lg sock on his left foot. I did like his black jacket though, very smart.
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The 1874 podcast did a feature on him today which is worth a listen.
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I think tonight showed the need for a bit of fresh sharpness in attack. Hopefully he'll play well with Ollie or Jhon, or both
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I'm glad we have signed him.
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Nice to see him watching on last night at Goodison!
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I'm excited we signed Dutch Malen.
Will add much-needed speed to the attack. He can also play all forward roles even as central striker, and I believe he will score 8 or more goals in all competitions by the conclusion of the season.
An astute signing and seems a methodical , quiet and studious type and will learn well as a student of Emery.
Malen will be looking to be ultra consistent. Its the next step from a good to great player.
I think the signing is much needed given Bailey has only scored once and Diaby left and Ramsey injured.
And on general goals no one in midfield has replaced the majestic Douglas Luiz. There's a poor return of goals to starting games by Tielemans and McGinn. Neither have scored in the league.
Onana 2 and Barkley 3 goals.
Now with Malen he is eligible to participate in the Champions League once registered, therefore this is not an issue that he has already played for Dortmund this season.
Welcome Donyell.
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When he scores Do hell!
Ironically he's actually a very quiet man!
Looking forward to seeing him in action.
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Sorry, I don't understand
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Sorry, I don't understand
I think he meant to type 'When he scores, Do yell!'
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Thank you. I did.
Van Malen isn't available for todays tie for those wondering . Ineligible till the knock out rounds.
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I don't think anyone was.
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I don't think anyone was.
I think so and that's why I post such inclusive and insight.
We are all here to help inform each other.
Can new signings play in the play-off round?
Thank you. I did.
Van Malen isn't available for todays tie for those wondering . Ineligible till the knock out rounds.
Thank you.
On to West Ham.
Let's hope to see Malen have minutes in that one.
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How was Malen? He had a shot after coming on but then it just seemed to be all Spam.
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How was Malen? He had a shot after coming on but then it just seemed to be all Spam.
He was fine, but we were in our "keep it away from the forwards" mode for a lot of the second half.
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How was Malen? He had a shot after coming on but then it just seemed to be all Spam.
He was okay. One tame effort on target, went down under one challenge and got straight back up. Haven’t seen that for a while. About as useful at defending when needed as Bailey.
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How was Malen? He had a shot after coming on but then it just seemed to be all Spam.
Needs to be working a hell of a lot harder out of possession. Just ball watching in build up to their goal.
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How was Malen? He had a shot after coming on but then it just seemed to be all Spam.
Needs to be working a hell of a lot harder out of possession. Just ball watching in build up to their goal.
There is a few who need to work harder on that press I think
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How was Malen? He had a shot after coming on but then it just seemed to be all Spam.
Needs to be working a hell of a lot harder out of possession. Just ball watching in build up to their goal.
Yep that was really poor and surprising.
As soon as we conceded Cash gestured to Malen as to where on earth he was given it was their LB who scored.
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How was Malen? He had a shot after coming on but then it just seemed to be all Spam.
Needs to be working a hell of a lot harder out of possession. Just ball watching in build up to their goal.
Yep that was really poor and surprising.
As soon as we conceded Cash gestured to Malen as to where on earth he was given it was their LB who scored.
Yep that is going to need some work.
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He might have been watching Bailey beforehand?
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He might have been watching Bailey beforehand?
Thought Bailey worked quite hard today. Wouldn't have taken him off before Rogers anyway.
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He might have been watching Bailey beforehand?
I actually think Bailey works quite hard. It’s not always effective and sometimes a bit powder puff but I suspect we will question Malen’s work rate a lot more.
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Why McGinn and not Malen on the right to help Cash and prevent the goal?
Malen's weakest part of his play is his defensive side, he's essentially an attacker and would have been better deployed in support of Duran and McGinn wide.
Maybe without Emery on the sidelines, the call for the switch wasn't forthcoming like it would be if he was on the touchline. McGinn was central he's put there to winning the ball back high up the pitch.
I get that, but Cash wasn't supported, and also Cash himself did not demand to tell Malen to get the heck back and help defend.I would rather not see Malen having to track back at all, but he needed to be told either by Pako, Cash, or Captain McGinn.
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Why McGinn and not Malen on the right to help Cash and prevent the goal?
Malen's weakest part of his play is his defensive side, he's essentially an attacker and would have been better deployed in support of Duran and McGinn wide.
Maybe without Emery on the sidelines, the call for the switch wasn't forthcoming like it would be if he was on the touchline. McGinn was central he's put there to winning the ball back high up the pitch.
I get that, but Cash wasn't supported, and also Cash himself did not demand to tell Malen to get the heck back and help defend.I would rather not see Malen having to track back at all, but he needed to be told either by Pako, Cash, or Captain McGinn.
McGinn looked as if he was in Dublin during the week. Going to be a few games before SJM is back at his best.
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Why McGinn and not Malen on the right to help Cash and prevent the goal?
Malen's weakest part of his play is his defensive side, he's essentially an attacker and would have been better deployed in support of Duran and McGinn wide.
Maybe without Emery on the sidelines, the call for the switch wasn't forthcoming like it would be if he was on the touchline. McGinn was central he's put there to winning the ball back high up the pitch.
I get that, but Cash wasn't supported, and also Cash himself did not demand to tell Malen to get the heck back and help defend.I would rather not see Malen having to track back at all, but he needed to be told either by Pako, Cash, or Captain McGinn.
McGinn looked as if he was in Dublin during the week. Going to be a few games before SJM is back at his best.
Not again! What's he going to Dublin for during busy period.
He should have been in Monaco or resting as even a short flight can cause havoc to a recovery even if spacious seats - it's the sitting and positioning.
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Whoosh!
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Why McGinn and not Malen on the right to help Cash and prevent the goal?
Malen's weakest part of his play is his defensive side, he's essentially an attacker and would have been better deployed in support of Duran and McGinn wide.
Maybe without Emery on the sidelines, the call for the switch wasn't forthcoming like it would be if he was on the touchline. McGinn was central he's put there to winning the ball back high up the pitch.
I get that, but Cash wasn't supported, and also Cash himself did not demand to tell Malen to get the heck back and help defend.I would rather not see Malen having to track back at all, but he needed to be told either by Pako, Cash, or Captain McGinn.
McGinn looked as if he was in Dublin during the week. Going to be a few games before SJM is back at his best.
Not again! What's he going to Dublin for during busy period.
He should have been in Monaco or resting as even a short flight can cause havoc to a recovery even if spacious seats - it's the sitting and positioning.
You must surely know about the supply issues of Guinness here? If you want to be sure of getting a few tasty ones and plenty of it there's no better place.
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Malen’s thread was three pages down so given the Durán events today we need to bump him up and talk about whether he can fill the hole
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Malen’s thread was three pages down so given the Durán events today we need to bump him up and talk about whether he can fill the hole
Mick McCarthy incoming
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Malen’s thread was three pages down so given the Durán events today we need to bump him up and talk about whether he can fill the hole
And? Can he?
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SJM “Maatsen says you’re a good guy”.
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I thought he looked promising was robbed of a goal. Only thing is he was playing up front but jept drifting out of position and dropping back. But looked promising
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Out on his own in our team yesterday by actually looking like a professional footballer.
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Goal absolutely thieved off him.
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He looked 'busy', I liked the look of him but he didn't really look like he could play Watkins role on the shoulder of the last man. More a kind of latter day Steve Claridge.
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The goal that he scored - that was ruled out for something to do with Rogers in the build up, was a bit "fox in the box" ish - something we dont have much of in our squad.
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He looked 'busy', I liked the look of him but he didn't really look like he could play Watkins role on the shoulder of the last man. More a kind of latter day Steve Claridge.
Definitely didn't look a guy comfortable playing with his back to goal. Looked better in the left channel, robbed of a goal and forced a save. Now we have Rashford, Asensio, Malen maybe Emery is thinking of switching back to 433, which was a disaster under SG.
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His goal should have been allowed so angry with the officials.
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On another day he gets two goals yesterday.
Unlucky with the offside but showed his poacher instinct if the cross is good enough.
Also liked the run he made across their CBs for the late chance. Shame he couldn't lift it over Sa but that's exactly the run you need to make if playing central.
Think he could be a good player for us but why is it taking so long to actually start him in games. He should've been in from the start yesterday as we're not talking about a 19 year old kid.
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Think he could be a good player for us but why is it taking so long to actually start him in games. He should've been in from the start yesterday as we're not talking about a 19 year old kid.
Probably because we started Garcia; and would have had 2 new players on the right side.
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Impressive EPL debut, deserved his goal. I think he looks like has the attributes to be useful in the Prem.
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I’m very pleased we’ve got him.
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Impressive EPL debut, deserved his goal. I think he looks like has the attributes to be useful in the Prem.
Yes, I enjoyed his performance.
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Think he could be a good player for us but why is it taking so long to actually start him in games. He should've been in from the start yesterday as we're not talking about a 19 year old kid.
Probably because we started Garcia; and would have had 2 new players on the right side.
What about West Ham when we had Cash around.
A big problem this season has been the lack of trust for most of the new signings we've made.
Emery only really seems to trust a core of 12-13 players to start regularly. We keep on playing them every three days and then wonder why they keep on chucking in terrible first halves.
I think the season might've been better if we'd rotated a bit more in the early months so the new players would've felt part of some of our good victories instead of being asked to try to turn the season around when others are low on confidence.
Malen been playing for a top club for years and also one of the better national teams so he really shouldn't be taking months to learn Emery's system.
It becomes harder to justify given our average level of performance for most of this season. At least last year you could understand Tielemans taking a while to get a run of starts because Luiz-Kamara was brilliant between September-December.
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I don't get the 'why is it taking so long for Malen to start games' comment. You're making it sound like he's been here months. He's only been available for selection for two games and he played in both.
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I liked the look of him when he came on
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I liked the look of him when he came on
Me too mate.
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As I said before he joined, he's really sharp over 5-10m and I think that was clear on Saturday. As everyone gets used to playing together and we get a functional defence back in place I think he'll be a big asset.
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He looked good in my opinion. Only thing is he kept drifting out of position
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I don't get the 'why is it taking so long for Malen to start games' comment. You're making it sound like he's been here months. He's only been available for selection for two games and he played in both.
Well Bailey is playing terribly and we're looking tired which is understandable given it's the same core of players starting 3-4 days currently.
O.K for Wolves I can understand it due to Garcia also new and playing but we really should've started the West Ham game given how bad that quickly became.
Not involved in CL so he's had full weeks of training at Bodymoor to get up to speed with our system.
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I don't get the 'why is it taking so long for Malen to start games' comment. You're making it sound like he's been here months. He's only been available for selection for two games and he played in both.
I think in general new signings are eased in. Some exceptions with the likes of Torres when Mings was injured. Garcia with the entire back line injured.
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As I said before he joined, he's really sharp over 5-10m and I think that was clear on Saturday. As everyone gets used to playing together and we get a functional defence back in place I think he'll be a big asset.
That being the case - and I agree with what you've said - why are we trying so hard to bring in Asensio (and potentially hang on to Bailey)? 2 wide right players should be enough, and Rashford can also play out there too.
The single focus right now should be on a CB; instead, all the focus seems to be on Asensio ...
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He's like a good version of Danny Ings.
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From the Athletic article shared by TV this bit is about signing Donny Malen (selling Jaden)
"Quickly, Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen was Villa’s preference for the latter position, having been of interest in the previous two windows. Malen changed representation last September and was keen on the Midlands, with those close to the Dutch international noting how forwards like him have peaked under Emery.
An opening proposal worth around €18m (£14.9m, $18.6m) plus add-ons fell short of the German club’s valuation. Villa eventually paid €23m (£19.4m, $23.5m) plus €3m in add-ons.
Extra financial manoeuvering was permitted by the sale of Jaden Philogene to Ipswich Town, worth £20m plus £3m in add-ons. The intention had been to loan Philogene, who was keen for further game-time to regain momentum in his career, but a permanent transfer was eventually authorised"
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He was excellent today - worked incredibly hard and had real quality with it. Also that’s some response to the Champions League news, very impressed.
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I agree, his control is good and a couple of times when he turned their defenders was class.
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Probably won't be scoring many with his head, but he is strong and hard to knock off the ball.
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He looks a real player to me. He also looks like he could do with more self-belief, but I obviously don't know the man so I'm almost certainly talking bollocks.
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He was excellent today - worked incredibly hard and had real quality with it. Also that’s some response to the Champions League news, very impressed.
Really? Missed a few chances and control let him down a few times.
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Same accusations could be leveled at Rogers and JJ. But he ran around, dropped back when needed and was also very tenacious once on the ball.
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I thought he had a really good game
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I like the look of him, it’s great that he can deputise for Ollie or cover either flank. Hopefully he can be an important utility forward for us like a Jota at Liverpool or Trossard at Arsenal.
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I have been impressed so far - looks more than capable of the physicality of the league and his movement looks good.
He could have scored today - was unlucky at wolves - lots like a threat and full of running. def upgrade on the version of jayden we saw.
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I have been impressed so far - looks more than capable of the physicality of the league and his movement looks good.
He could have scored today - was unlucky at wolves - lots like a threat and full of running. def upgrade on the version of jayden we saw.
I think he slots in seamlessly into the Watkins position. Duran scored thundercrackers but lots of cogs needed to adjust to suit his game, this feels more natural.
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I have been impressed so far - looks more than capable of the physicality of the league and his movement looks good.
He could have scored today - was unlucky at wolves - lots like a threat and full of running. def upgrade on the version of jayden we saw.
I think he slots in seamlessly into the Watkins position. Duran scored thundercrackers but lots of cogs needed to adjust to suit his game, this feels more natural.
Yeah did pretty well today. Good to know that he can play in the lone striker position and do a job there.
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Reminded me of Vassell in ways.. The way when he was in a tight situation he manged to use his lower centre of gravity and wriggle about shift the ball and get a shot off,
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Really happy with how we played. Pressed fine and good in the counters. The goals will come.
Only thing that disappointed me was that chance he had end of first half.
All he has to do is quickly look up and see Ramsey unmarked at the back post. Instead he tries to score from a very acute angle and hits the side netting.
I've mentioned it elsewhere but as much as Man. City are incredibly boring to watch most of the time they still score more goals than us as in a situation like that one of theirs would know instantly to roll it across the box rather than trying to score from low percentage change.
We should've scored four or five tonight so just annoying we mess up so many three on twos with individualism rather than seeing someone completely unmarked wating for a tap in.
Asensio had it right with pretty much the last kick but annoyingly no one was there to score.
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Also really pleased with the movement and work-rate - you can tell he's a good player and has a good pedigree - really good alternative to Watkins, that like Watkins, will put in a good shift for the team. Well pleased.
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Looked solid in that position didn't he, and more disciplined than that former footballer we had last month, can't recall his name though.
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Its early days but I can see a case where we can accept a large bid for Watkins in the summer and Malen and a rejuvenated Rashford replace him.
Another thing with Malen was his acceleration, there were a couple of times where I thought a ball to him was a bit short but he is rapid.
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Its early days but I can see a case where we can accept a large bid for Watkins in the summer and Malen and a rejuvenated Rashford replace him.
Another thing with Malen was his acceleration, there were a couple of times where I thought a ball to him was a bit short but he is rapid.
Yesterday's rumour was Watkins and Ramsey to Arsenal. So that would pay for it, and more.
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Its early days but I can see a case where we can accept a large bid for Watkins in the summer and Malen and a rejuvenated Rashford replace him.
Another thing with Malen was his acceleration, there were a couple of times where I thought a ball to him was a bit short but he is rapid.
Yesterday's rumour was Watkins and Ramsey to Arsenal. So that would pay for it, and more.
No thanks.
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They can fuck off with Ramsey.
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Its early days but I can see a case where we can accept a large bid for Watkins in the summer and Malen and a rejuvenated Rashford replace him.
Another thing with Malen was his acceleration, there were a couple of times where I thought a ball to him was a bit short but he is rapid.
Yesterday's rumour was Watkins and Ramsey to Arsenal. So that would pay for it, and more.
No thanks.
I agree.
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Its early days but I can see a case where we can accept a large bid for Watkins in the summer and Malen and a rejuvenated Rashford replace him.
Another thing with Malen was his acceleration, there were a couple of times where I thought a ball to him was a bit short but he is rapid.
Yesterday's rumour was Watkins and Ramsey to Arsenal. So that would pay for it, and more.
I'm not sure Arsenal have £250m to spend?
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Its early days but I can see a case where we can accept a large bid for Watkins in the summer and Malen and a rejuvenated Rashford replace him.
Another thing with Malen was his acceleration, there were a couple of times where I thought a ball to him was a bit short but he is rapid.
Problem you’ve got with Watkins is he doesn’t like competition, and he certainly doesn’t play well with another striker i.e. Ings or Duran
He wants to be the recognised number one with his place guaranteed every week, and up until now that’s how we’ve got the best out of him
Well he’s gonna have to get used to a bit of competition now we’ve got loads of them upfront who can do a job at scoring goals, maybe not absolute number 9’s but that’s not necessarily essential anymore with forwards and wide players scoring just as many goals on centre forwards nowadays
The options we have upfront are the best I’ve ever known supporting Villa, it’s going to be interesting to see how it all plays out from game to game and obviously during the game
Exciting times I think
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Is it "competition" he doesn't like, or just having to change his game to play with the partner. He didn't seem to mind playing with Rogers or Diaby as supporting forwards for example, but both Ings and Duran were more the main forward with Watkins having to change his game to support them.
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Good to see that Malen didn’t let missing out on the CL squad affect his attitude yesterday, he played really well.
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I thought Malen had a brilliant game.
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He was a bit lonely in their half during the opening minutes of the second, but I suspect we might have bottled up a bit to analyse the changes they made and the push they would probably do. Once that was weathered we started supporting him more and got the second.
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Someone on here said that he wasn't a particularly fast sprinter at full pelt but he was very fast over the first five yards, blimey that's true, I was really impressed. Looking forward to seeing him score a few with that pace.
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Watch his run for the Ramsey goal. He should get half an assist.
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Watch his run for the Ramsey goal. He should get half an assist.
Yep, he draws the right centre-back all the way across till the two Spurs centrebacks were about three feet apart. Created a lovely gap for JJ to run into.
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And for the second, the way he was just running at the centre-backs was very Rogers-esque.
Possibly a bit slow on the uptake of where Bailey wanted him to go after making the run, but it all worked out well in the end.
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Nice to see the way he celebrated both our goals yesterday. However he feels about being left out of the CL squad, he seems happy to be playing the games he is.
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And for the second, the way he was just running at the centre-backs was very Rogers-esque.
Possibly a bit slow on the uptake of where Bailey wanted him to go after making the run, but it all worked out well in the end.
I saw it initially as he thought it was being played back to him, but I did wonder if Duran or Watkins would have made the run or would have had it played back.
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Nice to see the way he celebrated both our goals yesterday. However he feels about being left out of the CL squad, he seems happy to be playing the games he is.
I feel bad for him. He is our only permanent player along with garcia and they both miss out. Im pretty sure diasi would have been left put had torres and mings been fit.
Im sure thats the reasoning and hopefully he understands.
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And for the second, the way he was just running at the centre-backs was very Rogers-esque.
Possibly a bit slow on the uptake of where Bailey wanted him to go after making the run, but it all worked out well in the end.
I saw it initially as he thought it was being played back to him, but I did wonder if Duran or Watkins would have made the run or would have had it played back.
I thought it was incredibly smart play that he did something to keep the move going
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Thought he did well when he came on and very nearly won it for us right at the end.
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What I like about him is his desire to get a shot off. It may not always be the best option but he really does have a go.
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What I like about him is his desire to get a shot off. It may not always be the best option but he really does have a go.
And that's something we really lack otherwise.
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Strong on the ball too and direct.
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I like the look of him. He looks a massive upgrade on philiogene
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Stocky, Very quick and a low centre of gravity makes him very difficult to defend against.
Looking forward for the opportunity he gets where he is in a direct foot race with the defender
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Stocky, Very quick and a low centre of gravity makes him very difficult to defend against.
Looking forward for the opportunity he gets where he is in a direct foot race with the defender
Probably needs a goal to get him properly up and running (though he scored a perfectly good one at Wolves).
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Dortmund fans say he scores in streaks so when he does get one, hopefully it soon brings more.
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Hard to tell so far. Looks dynamic but i hope he's not headless chickeny.
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Looks more like a striker to me but seemingly handy on the wing too. Looks a very solid adddition.
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He seems very rapid over that first five-ten yards, which is going to be very important as we play the ball about against a team sitting in. Quick give and goes where you're confident you can get to the ball before a turning defender will be a valuable asset.
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thread brought forward in anticipation
I’d forecast Donny Van Malen starts this evening.
Could expect him to play the whole game
one of the main reasons being he’s not in the champions league squad
I wonder though if he starts at 9 or wide.
Couple of goals perfectly feasible for him given the opponents
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I think he will start and score tonight. As a 9. I really like the look of him
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I think he will start and score tonight. As a 9. I really like the look of him
I read on Reddit that he's ill so likely to miss the game tonight
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I hope he's better, because according to Emery he has been ill this week.
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I think he will start and score tonight. As a 9. I really like the look of him
I read on Reddit that he's ill so likely to miss the game tonight
think he starts, he was ill tuesday but on bench
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I think he will start and score tonight. As a 9. I really like the look of him
I read on Reddit that he's ill so likely to miss the game tonight
think he starts, he was ill tuesday but on bench
Yes I think Ollie Will be saved for CL next week
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Ah yes I have just ready UE said he was sick. So maybe he won’t then
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Cant be really sick as he was on bench so probably a little sick so hopefully he will start , cant always tell the might cardiff who is going to be fit , we need to be secret sometimes :)
Ive really liked what Ive seen of him so far. Very unlucky not to have scored already .
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Cant be really sick as he was on bench so probably a little sick so hopefully he will start , cant always tell the might cardiff who is going to be fit , we need to be secret sometimes :)
Ive really liked what Ive seen of him so far. Very unlucky not to have scored already .
Reminds me of a cross between Gabby and Defoe. Likes to shoot when he gets chance, but lacks some finesse. He looks like he’ll score in streaks I reckon.
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Cant be really sick as he was on bench so probably a little sick so hopefully he will start , cant always tell the might cardiff who is going to be fit , we need to be secret sometimes :)
Ive really liked what Ive seen of him so far. Very unlucky not to have scored already .
Ah yes I have just ready UE said he was sick. So maybe he won’t then
Well seems like may not play then ?
that’s a shame .
Wonder who will play given Champions League deemed priority.
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Cant be really sick as he was on bench so probably a little sick so hopefully he will start , cant always tell the might cardiff who is going to be fit , we need to be secret sometimes :)
I'm trying to visualise the difference between really sick and a little sick, and can't get Tommy Johnson out of my mind.
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Cant be really sick as he was on bench so probably a little sick so hopefully he will start , cant always tell the might cardiff who is going to be fit , we need to be secret sometimes :)
I'm trying to visualise the difference between really sick and a little sick,
In the first instance it's a man, in the second it's a woman.
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Nah, not happening tonight.
It's a real shame he's not in the Euro squad.
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Cant be really sick as he was on bench so probably a little sick so hopefully he will start , cant always tell the might cardiff who is going to be fit , we need to be secret sometimes :)
I'm trying to visualise the difference between really sick and a little sick, and can't get Tommy Johnson out of my mind.
That was projectile sick
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I didn't notice Malen in the training pictures / Videos. Garcia was there even though he can't play tomorrow so is Malen still sick and they want him fully over his illness before coming back?
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Silly link time. Some links saying saying spurs are interested in him. Would be ridiculous for us to sell
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Thank you, Mark E Smith!
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I really hope he gets some opportunities and does well in the next few weeks. It must be tough to come in and then have two really high profile attacking players come in shortly after. It’s probably quite unusual and unexpected.
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He looked a bit low yesterday, understandably after what he's been through from a football angle.
I'm sure his bank balance is bulging though and he's plenty of time with us yet to make his mark. All about inner resilience.
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He looked good again in his brief cameo. If Rashford doesn’t sign i would not be in a rush to sign a striker.
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What I like about him is things happen when he's on the pitch. He holds the ball up well, chases down like he really means it, something Watkins has stopped doing - he's been going through the motions but no real intent to scare the keeper or defender. Like Watkins he has some serious pace but seems to be able to play both with his back to goal and running onto balls.
Whilst Malen can play on the right cutting in I do prefer him in the centre forward role. Of course Unai will go with Watkins, the experience counts which is fine but we do need our main striker to get among the goals, whoever plays there. I can't help thinking Unai's first half tactics do nothing to playing to the strengths of Watkins. It must be really frustrating for him, running back to help out defensively or be sandwiched by two central defenders. Then there's the little support he gets from other attacking players, often he'll be isolated in the opposition box with 5 defenders in there.
From what I've seen Malen is more mobile but for either striker to deliver Unai needs to at least give them a fighting chance. Rashford is another that prefers to be facing goal rather than with his back to it, plus I'd have both Watkins and Malen ahead of Rashford as our main striker.
For Brighton I'd like to see Malen on the right, Rashford or first half the more hard working Ramsey on the left with Watkins in the middle. Bailey has had his chance this season and despite a few recent decent displays, it's not enough. Right now he's best from the bench.
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Watkins going through the motions? Come on now. I know you’re not a fan, but blimey.
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Watkins going through the motions? Come on now. I know you’re not a fan, but blimey.
Haha! It's something I've noticed over the last month or so, maybe longer. He's stopped chasing down the keeper with any real intent. He'll go there but he may as well not bother, thus the going through the motions. By his own standards he's not had the best of seasons, sometimes when it's not working out for you you just have to keep doing the little things that previously worked.
As I've said before, I think he's mentally exhausted after such a great and long season last year. It's a tough place to be and little you can do other than stick at it. Hopefully the recent break will give him a reboot to finish on a high. It's certainly within him but as I mentioned above, he can't do it all by himself.
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Next season, I think, we will create FFP headroom with a Watkins, Malen and £30m wonderkid combination.
It’ll provide the quality and depth we need for the now and options for the future, without the burden of a £200k/week wages (sorry Rashy, I think you’re great but our turnover cannot carry your wages).
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3 or so mins for Malen as a sub merely seeming because Rogers limping .
I wonder what he makes of it all with his lack of game time .
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The 10 mins of VAR does the job what a brilliant goal ! Malen finished it ! That’s just lovely stuff!
so happy for Malen as was feeling for him coming on so late !
This is just brilliant !!
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Pleased for Malen. He’ll have a big part to play next season
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I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.
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I think it would be a miracle if Rashford, Asensio, Watkins and Malen were all lining out for us again next season.
At the moment you'd want Asensio and Rashford, but realistically Malen and Watkins is more likely. I don't think that would be awful though, and we'd probably have been very happy with it a few months ago.
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I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.
You obviously rate him even higher than I do. Coming on with 3 minutes left on the clock, Unai giving him endless instructions, I really felt sorry for him. I don't think he needed that goal, I think he deserved it. Maybe he won't have to put in a transfer request afterall.
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For those worried, with his goal tonight the worst that he can now be is the new Sanson, in an upgrade from the new Berson.
He's got "the new Samatta" in his sights now. Then on to "the new Gil".
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I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.
You obviously rate him even higher than I do. Coming on with 3 minutes left on the clock, Unai giving him endless instructions, I really felt sorry for him. I don't think he needed that goal, I think he deserved it. Maybe he won't have to put in a transfer request afterall.
That was funny really. Malen was obviously getting a bit frustrated with the amount of instructions Emery was laying on him in the 87th min.
Watkins made a good run at one stage in the left channel and it seemed like Malen couldnt be arsed giving him an option for a cutback.
But that was a cracking finish. When he has been given a proper chance he has looked decent I think.
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I think it would be a miracle if Rashford, Asensio, Watkins and Malen were all lining out for us again next season.
At the moment you'd want Asensio and Rashford, but realistically Malen and Watkins is more likely. I don't think that would be awful though, and we'd probably have been very happy with it a few months ago.
I think Asensio is staying, even if only with another loan. I don't think I've ever seen a player look so at home so quickly.
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I think Asensio is staying, even if only with another loan. I don't think I've ever seen a player look so at home so quickly.
It's not just that he's settled quickly, he also looks as if he's really enjoying himself.
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I think it would be a miracle if Rashford, Asensio, Watkins and Malen were all lining out for us again next season.
At the moment you'd want Asensio and Rashford, but realistically Malen and Watkins is more likely. I don't think that would be awful though, and we'd probably have been very happy with it a few months ago.
I think Asensio is staying, even if only with another loan. I don't think I've ever seen a player look so at home so quickly.
Yup. A bit like Unai, you give them an environment where they are loved and they thrive. It made me laugh he's already worked out his goal celebration with Rogers.
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I still think a horrible English club will wave silly money at Asensio in the summer. Emery has always wanted to manage him so it might come down to how deep the bond is versus another 150k a week.
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I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.
You should say these lovely things to your wife more and more often.
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I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.
You obviously rate him even higher than I do. Coming on with 3 minutes left on the clock, Unai giving him endless instructions, I really felt sorry for him. I don't think he needed that goal, I think he deserved it. Maybe he won't have to put in a transfer request afterall.
That was funny really. Malen was obviously getting a bit frustrated with the amount of instructions Emery was laying on him in the 87th min.
Honestly, people see some mad shit. There was no sign of frustration. You think he's going to openly show the boss he is narked just before being subbed on? I know some footballers are thick, but come on.
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There was no sign of frustration. You think he's going to openly show the boss he is narked just before being subbed on? ...
I don't think it was frustration as such, more like the feeling you get when your mum is nagging you to put the rubbish out (again) - "yes, mum. I got it. YES, I'll do it. Jeez mum, I KNOWWWW."
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There was no sign of frustration. You think he's going to openly show the boss he is narked just before being subbed on? ...
I don't think it was frustration as such, more like the feeling you get when your mum is nagging you to put the rubbish out (again) - "yes, mum. I got it. YES, I'll do it. Jeez mum, I KNOWWWW."
Mum? A sad day for the forum. 😉
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Now scored as many league goals this season as Martin Odegaard, Kevin de Bruyne, Eberechi Eze and Bernardo Silva.
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I loved that goal Saturday, he's got a sharpness in the box that we've been missing.
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Now scored as many league goals this season as Martin Odegaard, Kevin de Bruyne, Eberechi Eze and Bernardo Silva.
I can't help but think of The Shamen any time I see his name in full.
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Will be a big player next season, needs to be starting all the games Bailey has this season (think it's pretty certain we'll sell him now).
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Will be a big player next season, needs to be starting all the games Bailey has this season (think it's pretty certain we'll sell him now).
I think he can play as a wide striker in a 4-3-3, not sure about him as a winger in a 4-4-2 like Bailey though. We’ll see anyway.
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Now scored as many league goals this season as Martin Odegaard, Kevin de Bruyne, Eberechi Eze and Bernardo Silva.
thats a shocker Dave , espcially the media always wan::::g about Eze for one. De Bruyne and Silva will be done at this level next season and Odegaard is also a suprise , Rogers must be worth £100 million now then,
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He's going to be a big upgrade on Bailey in that position and a good back-up no. 9 also.
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Mum? A sad day for the forum. 😉
Other words are available. Check applicable regulations in viewer locality. No correspondence will be entered into. Viewer discretion is advised.
😀
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I’m with Percy, I don’t see him as a natural RW.
However I can him being Duran’s replacement and I suspect he’ll be pushing Watkins hard for a first team spot.
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It’s not the easiest thing,” Malen said about being left out. “We [with Emery] spoke about it. For me, as a player, you have to keep going forward. We have so much to play for in the Premier League and the FA Cup.
“That’s what I told myself. Of course, you have to keep looking at the positive things.
“It’s not an easy decision for [Emery] him to make. It’s a long time ago for me. Sometimes life hits you from an angle you don’t expect, but that’s part of football, but you keep going.”
Asked if he feels he can make a difference in the Premier League and FA Cup, Malen said: “They’re the only games I can play! Even if I were playing in the Champions League, my attitude would be the same. Every game is 90 minutes. Every game you have chances.”
Malen scored his first goal for Villa last Wednesday, before making scoring in successive Premier League appearances on Saturday by doubling Villa’s lead against Nottingham Forest.
“You knew it was going to be a tough game,” Malen said of the 2-1 win. “They’re an awkward team to play against, so in the end, we won.
When you join a new club, you have to change a few things…I’m really happy to be here.
“It’s part of football, you know. You come to a club that’s going forward with a lot of good players. You know how football works, so it keeps you motivated.
“That’s what you have to do [respond]. I came here to enjoy my football and score goals. If you are forward, you want to score goals
If you look at the effort and the fight against a difficult team, every player who came on gave everything. From there, you can see we are looking up.
“It’s very competitive [Premier League]. Every team has many qualities and good players. It’s intense and physical, and I enjoy it. I play with a smile on my face.
“The coach has said that we will need everybody. We need all our players. I think we have got the players as well.
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Whilst you can understand his frustration at not making the Champions League squad it was a situation predicated by circumstance. Disasi had to be in the squad because of the injuries, Asensio walks into most squads (except PSG!?), so a straight shoot out between Dony and Rashford, so presumably Unai sees Rashford as being more able to play in that CF space.
We've seen plenty of times that Unai will not rush players into the match day 11 until he's confident they understand his requirements.
He has to start at the weekend and keep doing good things. If we continue to progress in competitions there's plenty of minutes to be played this season.
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Some promising quotes in there. Good attitude. It probably, understandably, took a month or so to come to terms with.
I like him, anyway. Think he'll do well if he has managed to keep his head with us.
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Once again, things happen when he's on the pitch. Holds the ball up well, strong and fast, not afraid to beat a player, can pass, cross and score. What's not to like..
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So no longer thought of as this seasons Sanson?
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I really like him. Holds the ball up well and always seems to want to do something positive.
He could be a big boost for us in the next month
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Doing very nicely.
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Lots of pace and clearly an eye for goal. Long term Bailey’s replacement.
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Tough on him not to start, but fair play to him. Put his head down, came on and said, “You might want to give me a run, Unai.”
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Really don't understand why we're not starting him after tough CL games.
I would be starting him v all of Newcastle, Man. City and Palace just to send a message he is valued despite the CL omission.
He is clearly confident finishing from wide positions and I also loved the run he made for the Forest goal so you're talking about top level attacker, he just hasn't had the minutes to show it yet.
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He’s looked decent every time he’s had minutes. Bodes well fir the rest of this and next season
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I think he's great and it's shame we couldn't include him in CL squad.
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We really did fantastic business in January .
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I think he's great and it's shame we couldn't include him in CL squad.
Agreed, and he's looking good value at approx 20m. Maybe we shouldn't be that surprised given his scoring record was 1 goal in 3 at Dormund, and 1 in 2 at PSV.
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Absolutely love this guy. Whatever happens with our loanees at the end of the season Malen is an absolute bargain, really confident he's gonna rack up some goals next season.
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Making a show out of Leon. I wonder will we have as many attack-minded players in the squad next season. Unlikely with the wage bill but this lad is now suckin' diesel.
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Pleased for Marlen , he's had some rough start but has show resilience. Some player we have here potentially.
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Should have started. Well played fella, keep banging them in.
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I know we needed a CB and that's why Disasi was included but I'm starting to think Malen probably could have done as good a job at RB.
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Is he any good off the ball?
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It's looking like we got the better of the Malen/Philogene "trade".
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Is he any good off the ball?
That has been his only let down in some matches.
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Answer is to play him instead of Rashford, which would hve been my call today.
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Answer is to play him instead of Rashford, which would hve been my call today.
Obviously it's all fine because we won while in third gear, but I reckon Malen in for Ramsey with Malen up top and Rashford on the left was how it should have been.
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It is odd he didn't start given he can't play midweek and it was Southampton we were playing. I can only assume he doesn't yet do everything Emery wants him to be doing? A bit like Duran, maybe. Good value for half an hour or so, not trusted to start?
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Answer is to play him instead of Rashford, which would hve been my call today.
Obviously it's all fine because we won while in third gear, but I reckon Malen in for Ramsey with Malen up top and Rashford on the left was how it should have been.
Agree with this - Rashford provides us more from the left than up top. Really clinical finish from Malen. Absolutely twatted it and gave Ramsdale no chance.
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The finish, that he has now accomplished twice, drilled across the keeper into the far corner is very repeatable if you’ve the class to do so.
He clearly has, which is great news for us.
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Really clinical finish from Malen. Absolutely twatted it and gave Ramsdale no chance.
Yeah, I preferred it to Ollie's tbh.
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Impossible to know whether he would have been as effective had he started. He started well against Forest and then faded, but then again the whole team became passive.
And with the starting line-up, I think Emery was cautious of sending the right message to the players combined with how we've struggled in away games until recently.
With how we dominated possession, mostly played in their half and at times, played walking football, you wouldn't think it would have taken much out of them.
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I can't imagine he'll do the pressing and hard running off the ball that Ollie does or that he'll be the wing-wizard Bailey was last season. But as a sub and occasional starting option, sure.
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I don’t know what he’s done wrong, but fucking hell give the guy a decent chance.
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Criminal how he's been treated since joining.
He's not some kid but mid 20s with vast top level experience and regular for the Netherlands.
Axed from CL squad but thing is he hardly ever starts any of the games either side of those games. Scored and did well v Forest, no starts since and just limited cameos in last ten minutes.
I imagine the Athletic and a few other media outlets will be digging a little over next few days as there's a story here if Bailey who's been out for weeks can get more minutes in a SF.
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Left out the CL squad for loan players, rarley starts because of loan players, usually looks decent when he's actually allowed on the pitch. If I was him i'd be very pissed off.
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He did cause a couple of goals against with not tracking back, but then so has Rogers, Bailey, and others. But with Emery also needs to look at why Rogers HAS to start every game.
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He did cause a couple of goals against with not tracking back, but then so has Rogers, Bailey, and others. But with Emery also needs to look at why Rogers HAS to start every game.
Not recently. Maybe in early Feb when he was still adapting.
Was good against Forest and benched since. Maatsen brilliant v Newcastle, benched since.
Sooner or later we need to start trusting players who can take risks and get us up the pitch quickly as what we attempted today was unacceptable.
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We need to stop fucking about and play him for the last 4 games.
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we was crying out for width today, Id have had him starting on the right today.
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Thought he looked lively when he finally came on . He needs a run now .
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Came on as sub after 72 mins last night and scored twice and made an assist.
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I get it was Malta who by the time he came on were already broken, but he really tore them a new one every time he got the ball. His assist was very good and his goals excellent, particularly the second. I really hope he gets a proper chance next year and takes it. He’s a really good player.
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From the limited bits I’ve seen of him, what I like is he has an eye for goal and he plays in quite a high risk and energetic way. Plus he has pace which is something we lack.
I would worry about his chances of being a regular starter, because I think in Unai’s style he seems like more of a game breaker type. But I might be wrong.
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Him and Youri are both up for goal of the round.
https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/video/goal-of-the-round/
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From the limited bits I’ve seen of him, what I like is he has an eye for goal and he plays in quite a high risk and energetic way. Plus he has pace which is something we lack.
I would worry about his chances of being a regular starter, because I think in Unai’s style he seems like more of a game breaker type. But I might be wrong.
When Dortmund were playing shite they weren't bothered about letting him go so my expectations for him have always been tempered. If we have to rely on him regularly from the start I'd be a bit worried.
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From the limited bits I’ve seen of him, what I like is he has an eye for goal and he plays in quite a high risk and energetic way. Plus he has pace which is something we lack.
I would worry about his chances of being a regular starter, because I think in Unai’s style he seems like more of a game breaker type. But I might be wrong.
When Dortmund were playing shite they weren't bothered about letting him go so my expectations for him have always been tempered. If we have to rely on him regularly from the start I'd be a bit worried.
Wasn't the story that they signed him from PSV as a striker but when they sold Haaland they bought X, Y, Z other strikers so he was shifted to the wing where he never really fit in.
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Yup. He started more wide at PSV then had a season in the middle in which he was really good.
Then Dortmund bought him on the strength of that and hardly used him there
It's a bit like if someone bought Watkins from us, started using him as a winger again and then couldn't work out why he wasn't as good anymore.
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I think we'll see a lot more of him next season, and I think Unai will turn him into something special.
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I also think he will only get better with us.
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From the limited bits I’ve seen of him, what I like is he has an eye for goal and he plays in quite a high risk and energetic way. Plus he has pace which is something we lack.
I would worry about his chances of being a regular starter, because I think in Unai’s style he seems like more of a game breaker type. But I might be wrong.
When Dortmund were playing shite they weren't bothered about letting him go so my expectations for him have always been tempered. If we have to rely on him regularly from the start I'd be a bit worried.
Seems a bit harsh.
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See Tielemans, Maatsen, Duran... Used sparingly until Senor is certain they understand the system (obviously Duran didn't have the patience to see the job to the end).
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Two outstanding crosses last night that led to goals. He looked sharp, quick and precise overall. He could be very important this season.
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Last season he looked better through the middle. If he can do both, then he’ll be a busy boy most games.
As a minimum that makes him a very useful squad player, and as a 2-for-1 option, keeps wages down.
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I think he was planned to start on the right to give Bailey competition, but then one of the early matches he didn't track the full back and he seemed to then be ignored in the winger position after that.
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Against West Ham, I think.
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Controversial opinion... If he played the season through the middle I think he'd score more than Watkins. That said the team would score fewer overall (losing Watkins assists/overall contribution.) A great player to have in the squad who appears to have a good attitude too. I like him.
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Controversial opinion... If he played the season through the middle I think he'd score more than Watkins. That said the team would score fewer overall (losing Watkins assists/overall contribution.) A great player to have in the squad who appears to have a good attitude too. I like him.
His scoring record as a centre forward (albeit not in the premier league) is pretty similar to Watkins so I don't think that's controversial take. He also has a decent scoring record from the right though, so I suspect we'll use him in both over the season. I think we'll add another player who can play RW/10 as well though so we've got options in all the front 4 spots.
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I wonder if there's still hope for Leon.
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About time we tried Leon on the left,
Bailey Rogers Malen
With Ollie up top and then Youri and Bouba in the middle
Not exactly a bad set up
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About time we tried Leon on the left,
Bailey Rogers Malen
With Ollie up top and then Youri and Bouba in the middle
Not exactly a bad set up
I think Leon's time is up, but on the rare occasions he has played on the left, I have liked his production far more than when he is on the right excepting his year for us. That year seems to be the exception with him, in general, so I still prefer him on the left. That said, I think we need to move on from him if at all possible.