Emi Buendia

[Dogtanian]

Yeah, I think he needs a proper pre-season to get back up to speed and be assessed properly by Emery and his team.

If he doesn’t see anything in that, then by all means sell him.

But on paper, Buendia offers something different to our other tens, except perhaps Asensio. So, it’s worth seeing if we can actualy harness it.

[Somniloquism]

TBH if he goes, he goes. The criticisms are valid where he can get pushed off the ball or lose it with a bad pass, but then the same criticisms were laid at Rogers a lot as well when he was 10. But Emi does also have the ability to turn and unlock a defence with a jig and pass and was definitely as unlucky as most with crossbar/post hits which wouldn't count to his assists.

[Dogtanian]

He was too weak and lost the ball too easily, and though I love him, I did get sick of seeing him sat on his arse with his hands in the air.

But the pre-season before his injury, he was stronger and holding the ball better, and was one of our best players in those games. It finally looked like we were getting the best out of him, though admittedly in pre-season.

It really was the worst timing for him to get that injury.

[sid1964]

If we can get £15 million for Buendia then Monchi is a genius

Buendia has been so poor for us considering he was at the time our record signing

[OCD]

£17m was the price I've seen in the gossip sites.

[Drummond]

I like Buendia, he works really hard and tries to force the game. I do think that Emery may not like him as a result.

As good as he is though, watching Asensio at work shows the real difference in quality and the level we need.

[Dante Lavelli]

I thought Asensio was patchy. I’d be annoyed if we signed him given the weaknesses we have in other positions (RW/RB).

[PaulWinch again]

I thought Asensio was patchy. I’d be annoyed if we signed him given the weaknesses we have in other positions (RW/RB).

I think you’d need to see the window play out. We’ve seen Asensio’s class, but it needs pace down the flank to help unlock. He was excellent against Spurs in the penultimate game.

[Toronto Villa]

Probably should change the thread title seeing as Emi is back with us. But I made a comment at the start of pre season that Emi looked way off it. Struggling to find any rhythm, losing possession, generally looking way off the pace. But the last few games he’s found something and is starting to look like that player we saw before his injury. I like him. He brings a much needed energy to our game. So knowing we still very likely have sell someone, I’m hoping after all this he is a player we are able to keep this season.

[Olneythelonely]

I think he’s one, along with Bailey, that we’ll accept any decent offer for. That’s not to say that I desperately want either to leave.

[Toronto Villa]

I won’t shed a tear if Bailey goes. He had one very good season where his play was highly influential in getting us to the CL. But the other two he’s not been good enough and no idea why his form dropped off so much last season. Buendia I would like to keep but yes a good offer for either would likely be accepted.

[VILLA MOLE]

Bailey has been frustrating from Day 1 unplayable at times but then unable to play at others

[paul_e]

Bailey has been frustrating from Day 1 unplayable at times but then unable to play at others

Buendia frustrates me more than Bailey because you get glimpses of quality but then he'll overhit a 5 yard pass or play a ball onto the weaker foot of someone wanting to take on a shot. It's not catastrophic errors but they happen far too often and and so needless. What makes it worse is that when he's having a bad day his response is to buzz around more and run himself into the ground, which should be a good thing, but because he struggles to compose himself everything becomes more and more rushed. McGinn has a similar style but he's taught himself to take a breath and pick his passes better and it's why he's gone from someone that many thought might need to be replaced as we progressed to being captain and key part oft he squad.

[Brend'Watkins]

Bailey has been frustrating from Day 1 unplayable at times but then unable to play at others

Buendia frustrates me more than Bailey because you get glimpses of quality but then he'll overhit a 5 yard pass or play a ball onto the weaker foot of someone wanting to take on a shot. It's not catastrophic errors but they happen far too often and and so needless. What makes it worse is that when he's having a bad day his response is to buzz around more and run himself into the ground, which should be a good thing, but because he struggles to compose himself everything becomes more and more rushed. McGinn has a similar style but he's taught himself to take a breath and pick his passes better and it's why he's gone from someone that many thought might need to be replaced as we progressed to being captain and key part oft he squad.

I know what you’re getting at with Buendia but many of our players are equally culpable of the same. His effort is one of his strengths he’s showed that in preseason. Emery will mould him into the best version of his footballing self.

[Dick Edwards]

Buendia has certainly had a productive pre season in terms of goals. His energy, like Watkins, also makes him a good forward presser of the opposition. I've always liked Buendia, despite his carelessness with the ball at times and I wouldn't be looking to let him go unless it was an offer to good to refuse.