Nicklas Helenius

[supertom]

Looking forward to going through a similar saga next summer with Helenius.

I would hope he has a bit more sense about him. I don't really expect him to hit anything like the Benteke heights, because that would be very unlikely.
He definitely seems to have some ability about him. He's a touch of the Crouch/Flo about him as mentioned. He kind of looks a little gangly and awkward but has a great touch. I know some may expect him to play the role Benteke did but he'll have his own style. Just like Crouchy, he's gonna be a nightmare to defend against at times. He won't rough the defenders up I shouldn't think, but I think because he's not exactly a brick shit house he'll win a lot of freekick's. Crouchy at his best, because of how awkward he is, wins a lot of frees.
If we're lucky we'll have unearthed the new Ibrahimavich. If he turns out to be the next Tore Andre, at 1 mill that'll still work out as decent value.

[ozzjim]

Looking at the comments of his agent on twitter, there is no chance of him doing what Benteke has if he has an amazing season.

[Percy McCarthy]

Hopefully we don't bend over and allow Spurs and Benteke to smash our back doors in this summer, then next year clubs, agents and players will think twice about trying it on again.

[Dante Lavelli]

Weird how Crouch never filled out.  He never seemed to grow into his body.  As a result of his gangliness he used to give away shed loads of free kicks.  Imbrahimovic on the other hand is a brute.

Helenius needs to try and follow Imbrahimovic's lead as crouch with some muscle would have been a great player.

[dekko]

Looking at the comments of his agent on twitter, there is no chance of him doing what Benteke has if he has an amazing season.

Any chance you can post them here?  I cant seem to find any

[Dave]

I don't think that Helenius is going to be as good as Benteke, but I do think he'll be showing up in a fair few of those 'bargain of the season' lists that journalists do around March.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm going to stick my neck on the line and say I think The Gladiator will turn out to be a very very good player for us.

[supertom]

If you look at the Flo comparisons, Tore played something like 160 games for Chelsea, but came off the bench for 60 or so of those. His goal record was pretty decent as such, given how much he played. I think if Helenius has anything like the same sort of impact, assuming he'll be used a fair bit as an impact player then we'll have ourselves a bargain.

10-15 goals this season from the big Dane and we'll be able to tick off another great piece of business from Lambo.

[john e]

I can see the comparisons to Crouch because of his shape and size, I was always a big fan of Crouchy because I thought he was more than a beanpole who headed a few goals

Crouch had a good first touch, but was not blessed with speed, and I never saw him going around players in the box taking them on and dribbling the ball past them like that you tube video of Helenius

I reckon he has far more skill and technique than Crouch, and like I say I was a big fan of his,
 I realise you tube vids will only show the best bits, but even so you cant make it up when he is going round players with ease and showing close control of the ball, even in whatever league he was playing in

I've got high hopes for this fella, I hope he becomes more than just an impact player,
 but whatever happens if he plays well and starts getting among the goals Lambert will play him, he doesn't stand with any preconceived ideas, or bothers about how much a player cost, if you are worth your place judging on performance, you will play

[paul_e]

I can see the comparisons to Crouch because of his shape and size, I was always a big fan of Crouchy because I thought he was more than a beanpole who headed a few goals

Crouch had a good first touch, but was not blessed with speed, and I never saw him going around players in the box taking them on and dribbling the ball past them like that you tube video of Helenius

I reckon he has far more skill and technique than Crouch, and like I say I was a big fan of his,
 I realise you tube vids will only show the best bits, but even so you cant make it up when he is going round players with ease and showing close control of the ball, even in whatever league he was playing in

I've got high hopes for this fella, I hope he becomes more than just an impact player,
 but whatever happens if he plays well and starts getting among the goals Lambert will play him, he doesn't stand with any preconceived ideas, or bothers about how much a player cost, if you are worth your place judging on performance, you will play

The thing about youtube is important, so long as you know what to look for in the videos they can be important.  For example don't get drawn in by someone firing in a 30yard screamer, anyone who plays regularly can hit one of those, it means little.  But good first touch under pressure and good movement are universal skills that translate well to anywhere.  The videos of Helenius show both of those and have a genuine wonder goal that's all about technique rather than hit and hope, the bergkamp-esque one that a few have mentioned is superb.

[supertom]

Helenius has a turn of pace for a big fella too. He wouldn't catch Benteke in a race granted, but he's still quick.

[OCD]

I'm going to stick my neck on the line and say I think The Gladiator will turn out to be a very very good player for us.

With what we've seen from Lambert signings, I'm not sure it's sticking your neck out.

[john e]

I can see the comparisons to Crouch because of his shape and size, I was always a big fan of Crouchy because I thought he was more than a beanpole who headed a few goals

Crouch had a good first touch, but was not blessed with speed, and I never saw him going around players in the box taking them on and dribbling the ball past them like that you tube video of Helenius

I reckon he has far more skill and technique than Crouch, and like I say I was a big fan of his,
 I realise you tube vids will only show the best bits, but even so you cant make it up when he is going round players with ease and showing close control of the ball, even in whatever league he was playing in

I've got high hopes for this fella, I hope he becomes more than just an impact player,
 but whatever happens if he plays well and starts getting among the goals Lambert will play him, he doesn't stand with any preconceived ideas, or bothers about how much a player cost, if you are worth your place judging on performance, you will play

The thing about youtube is important, so long as you know what to look for in the videos they can be important.  For example don't get drawn in by someone firing in a 30yard screamer, anyone who plays regularly can hit one of those, it means little.  But good first touch under pressure and good movement are universal skills that translate well to anywhere.  The videos of Helenius show both of those and have a genuine wonder goal that's all about technique rather than hit and hope, the bergkamp-esque one that a few have mentioned is superb.

yep agree entirely with that, its sort of what I wanted to say but you put it far better

[edgysatsuma89]

I'm going to place a bet that he'll score 15 or more goals ... in the league. Maybe incredibly stupid (I'll only whack on a Pavarotti), but I want it covered. It will also mean I won't be as disappointed if alien ears leaves. Win win for my mood then (until he gets 14).

[paul_e]

Probably a fair bet because what you're actually betting on is how much he plays.  he's got the technique and confidence to do well in the premier league, I think he'll get double figures if he plays as much as I expect.