And that’s why these stats are pointless...Traore has a massively bigger impact on a game when he comes on than Trezuget.
I don't really care how quick he is or isn't, it's how effective he is or isn't. And for most of the season he was ineffective. Traore was like lightning when with us but produced nothing. Defenders learned they could just let him run himself off the pitch. I can't think of any of the goals Trezeguet ended up scoring being down to being quick - more right place right time, put it away.
His instinctive finishing helped us avoid relegation. I can't think of many other contributions he's made coming from deeper or out wide with the ball. No crosses that turn the defence and invite someone to get a toe or head on them (in fact very few crosses that beat the first man at all from what I recall), no killer through balls that I can remember, few if any vital interceptions, very little creative interplay with other forwards to open up a defence. When he has been played in thanks to his pace he puts his head down and blasts his shot straight at the keeper at chest height - he did exactly this at both Arsenal and Spurs away. In contrast, as well as a few important goals I can recall several inviting crosses and a fair amount of good interplay with Grealish etc. from AEG - and I don't think he's good enough either. There may be something there with Trezeguet that will improve with good coaching and adjusting to the intensity of the PL, but we're not renowned for improving players, he's no youngster, and we can't wait around for him to adjust and improve enough to make it worth it.
I think we'll cash in on him given he upped his value in last few weeks and seems he's still well thought of in Turkey. Keep AEG as a squad option.
Quote from: SoccerHQ on August 01, 2020, 11:19:42 PMI think we'll cash in on him given he upped his value in last few weeks and seems he's still well thought of in Turkey. Keep AEG as a squad option.I'd cash in while his stock is high. I think we're stuck with AEG, I can't see anybody interested to part with money for him. He'll probably spend the rest of his contract sitting on the bench until January then out on loan in Europe.
What we do not know for sure is if Benrahma is actually an upgrade until he plays consistenly at the PL level. We all know it's one thing looking great against Championship level defenders but another to make that leap to the top level. Not saying he's not able to make that jump but it's still a risk to splash out what could be 20M plus on a player that just isn't proven against the best defenders in English football.
Quote from: Toronto Villa on August 02, 2020, 04:05:59 PMWhat we do not know for sure is if Benrahma is actually an upgrade until he plays consistenly at the PL level. We all know it's one thing looking great against Championship level defenders but another to make that leap to the top level. Not saying he's not able to make that jump but it's still a risk to splash out what could be 20M plus on a player that just isn't proven against the best defenders in English football.Like with Grealish, I don't think there's much doubt that he can cut it at a level above. I fear we should've bought him last year as there'll be bigger fish ahead of us who'll want him.