Summer transfer, gossip, speculation and the usual butter ollocks thread

[Dave]

I expect I'll be completely on my own with this one, but for someone to add cover up front - Andre Ayew.

Wouldn't be demanding to start every game, can play central or out wide, scored 18 for Swansea last season and (as far as I can tell) got on with Championship life without complaining while every other asset that Swansea had was being flogged off.

Still only 31 despite having seemingly been around for two decades but would add some useful experience to a pretty youthful squad.

[Steve67]

I know what you mean Dave but I don't see Villa breaking from their transfer policy of getting players at the right age.  Unless they are on a free of course and low risk.

[The Edge]

I expect I'll be completely on my own with this one, but for someone to add cover up front - Andre Ayew.

Wouldn't be demanding to start every game, can play central or out wide, scored 18 for Swansea last season and (as far as I can tell) got on with Championship life without complaining while every other asset that Swansea had was being flogged off.

Still only 31 despite having seemingly been around for two decades but would add some useful experience to a pretty youthful squad.

You're correct sir.
You are on your own with that one 😉
Seriously though it appears that the club have a strategy of acquiring young promising players nowadays. Barkley could be said to break that mould but he's only 26 and has still got great potential to play at the highest level in my view. If he does that he would cost a kings ransom which I'd be happy to see the club pay to get him on a permanent deal. If he doesn't make it he goes back to Chelsea so win win for us really.

[RamboandBruno]

Seen Dawson (the current Watford, ex WBA centre half) linked with Burnleh for less than £5 million this week.

Must admit I haven’t followed his career all that closely at Watford and maybe his game has fallen off the edge of a cliff.

But at that price I’d bite.

Experienced centre half cover but still illustrates we have faith in the current CB pairing.

A player in his prime coming in for £10 million plus will be expecting first team football.

Possible but been relegated with Albion and Watford in 2 out of the last 3 seasons. Obviously not all his fault but lower end prem, top half championship player, not sure he’s any better than hause or Engels.

[cdbearsfan]

I expect I'll be completely on my own with this one, but for someone to add cover up front - Andre Ayew.

Wouldn't be demanding to start every game, can play central or out wide, scored 18 for Swansea last season and (as far as I can tell) got on with Championship life without complaining while every other asset that Swansea had was being flogged off.

Still only 31 despite having seemingly been around for two decades but would add some useful experience to a pretty youthful squad.

You're correct sir.
You are on your own with that one 😉
Seriously though it appears that the club have a strategy of acquiring young promising players nowadays. Barkley could be said to break that mould but he's only 26 and has still got great potential to play at the highest level in my view. If he does that he would cost a kings ransom which I'd be happy to see the club pay to get him on a permanent deal. If he doesn't make it he goes back to Chelsea so win win for us really.

Nothing wrong with bringing in a player like that for a year. It is giving them three or four year deals as we have tended to do that's the problem.

[Clampy]

I expect I'll be completely on my own with this one, but for someone to add cover up front - Andre Ayew.

Wouldn't be demanding to start every game, can play central or out wide, scored 18 for Swansea last season and (as far as I can tell) got on with Championship life without complaining while every other asset that Swansea had was being flogged off.

Still only 31 despite having seemingly been around for two decades but would add some useful experience to a pretty youthful squad.

That's not the worst idea i've heard to be honest.

[eamonn]

I've always thought the non-Jordan brother flatters to deceive - even more than the frowny one although he has become a useful player to Palace. Are a lot Andre's goals penalties/consolations (surprised there isn't some xG-like stat yet that denotes the 'pure value of a goal)?

Is Benteke involved at Palace at all yet this season? Think he got a 3 match ban for his sending-off at Villa Park in July.

[cdbearsfan]

He was injured for the start of the season. Has played eight minutes since returning.

[CT]

I expect I'll be completely on my own with this one, but for someone to add cover up front - Andre Ayew.

Wouldn't be demanding to start every game, can play central or out wide, scored 18 for Swansea last season and (as far as I can tell) got on with Championship life without complaining while every other asset that Swansea had was being flogged off.

Still only 31 despite having seemingly been around for two decades but would add some useful experience to a pretty youthful squad.

You're correct sir.
You are on your own with that one 😉
Seriously though it appears that the club have a strategy of acquiring young promising players nowadays. Barkley could be said to break that mould but he's only 26 and has still got great potential to play at the highest level in my view. If he does that he would cost a kings ransom which I'd be happy to see the club pay to get him on a permanent deal. If he doesn't make it he goes back to Chelsea so win win for us really.

Nothing wrong with bringing in a player like that for a year. It is giving them three or four year deals as we have tended to do that's the problem.

Exactly. Having an experienced head there for a year is fine. Signing a 29yr old McCormack on a four year deal are the things of the past, hopefully.

[Damo70]

Dawson has struggled in the last couple of seasons (obviously Watford's struggles haven't helped). My heart always says yes to a Benteke return but his form his been pretty ropey for the majority of his time at Palace. As for Ayew I think he could give us a decent year or two. As Dave posted Ayew has got his head down and done a good job for Swansea in the Championship.

[tomd2103]

I know what you mean Dave but I don't see Villa breaking from their transfer policy of getting players at the right age.  Unless they are on a free of course and low risk.

Might be a coincidence, but thought it was quite noticeable on that the team on Sunday had a distinctly domestic make up about it, with seven English players and one from north of the border. 

[eamonn]

Yeah, getting more than a whiff of Gregory's Graduate autumn 1998 from it. For Konsa, Mings, Grealish, Barkley, Watkins read Barry, Southgate, Hendrie...erm Alan Thompson and Jules Joachim.

12 game unbeaten start? Why not?

[ADVILLAFAN]

Think Joachim is still playing

[eamonn]

Darlington or Boston last I heard but must have been a decade ago.

Edit: Blimey, he is! On the books at Bourne Town in Lincolnshire. He must be as ripped as his Villa forebear Tony Daley.

[Rotterdam]

Josh King for me.