Emi Buendia

[Smithy]

I think it's the work ethic that makes him stand out.  He works SO hard, pressing, hassling, winning headers he has no right to win, going full throttle for 50/50 tackles, that when things aren't going his way, you're more likely to forgive.  But when things ARE going for him, and you get the effort too, it's a sight to behold.  Whether it's competition, or feeling like he's had a second chance after his injury nightmare, I don't know, but he's certainly grabbing his chance with both hands.

He's 29 next month, so in his peak really, and really I'm glad his latter peak years are now coinciding with a run of fitness and form, when he's had such a rough couple of years.

[andyh]

Never been his biggest fan, but more than happy to eat humble pie.
He has been excellent this season.

His movement, tenacity, energy and now his goals have deservedly cemented his place in the team, and he has probably saved the club £50m looking for exactly the type of player he now is.

[eye digress]

Humble pie here too, I was a big fan pre injury but thought he was a busted flush after last season.

On top of the goals, he has recently become less wasteful in possession (one or two small transgressions today notwithstanding). Where earlier in the season, our play seemed to frequently break up at his feet (too often looking for the threaded pass, and at other times just plain mistakes), he seems to have cut out a good portion of the errors and his judgement in forward passing is better.

It’s a great redemption story.

[ldavfc4eva]

MOTM for me today, ran the show at times and his constant running was something else

Free kick was up there with CR7’s “knuckle ball” efforts

[john2710]

I'd seen enough over the last 3 seasons to believe he wasn't good enough to play in an Emery team. Well I'm happy to say he is proving myself and a lot of others wrong.

A fantastic performance today & that free kick did look like he just chipped it. Unbelievable technique.

[LeeB]

I'd go as far to say he's been the key to our resurgence, not just in how he's played but his attitude, instead of moping about FFP over the summer this lad has not given up when was almost out of the door and he's now absolutely part of our best 11.

Never give up, nobody is out of the picture if they knuckle down. Top man.

[ChicagoLion]

Outstanding today, we have been pretty awful with direct shots from free kicks for a while now. What a pleasure to think we might now be dangerous from those situations.
Brilliant technique.

[eamonn]

Knuckle seems to be the key word.

[PaulTheVillan]

I'd seen enough over the last 3 seasons to believe he wasn't good enough to play in an Emery team. Well I'm happy to say he is proving myself and a lot of others wrong.

A fantastic performance today & that free kick did look like he just chipped it. Unbelievable technique.

At the time, I wouldn't have been unhappy if we shipped him out in the summer. It would have been disappointing as we've never really seen the best of him due to that injury.
But this season it's like having a brand new player, a top class one who is not only quality but works his socks off.

Really happy for Little Emi. His attitude seems spot. Really hope it continues.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'd seen enough over the last 3 seasons to believe he wasn't good enough to play in an Emery team. Well I'm happy to say he is proving myself and a lot of others wrong.

Weird. I remember it differently

Season 1 - Decent start under Emery.
Season 2 - Looked great pre-season having had time with El Maestro honing his positioning etc, then injured for 12+ months
Season 3 - Struggled to get games following injury.  Pretty sure when he went on loan Emery said it was to gain fitness rather than to put him in the shop window. 

I think Emery likes him, as he fits perfectly into his box midfield.  And when he's played he's generally made a positive impact, admittedly for his energy rather than his quality, yet still managed to score a few. 

I can see why we would jettison the Elliot deal as investing time in Buendia could save us £30m+

[Crown Hill]

I think Unai likes him because he follows instructions. I remember him praising him for it at Monaco. Same with Guessand. Elliott the opposite. Did Elliott ever play again after Sunderland?

[Dave]

I think Unai likes him because he follows instructions. I remember him praising him for it at Monaco. Same with Guessand. Elliott the opposite. Did Elliott ever play again after Sunderland?

Last few minutes against Feyenoord was his last time on the pitch for us.

[LeeB]

I think Unai likes him because he follows instructions. I remember him praising him for it at Monaco. Same with Guessand. Elliott the opposite. Did Elliott ever play again after Sunderland?

I think it was that Monaco game when he was hopelessly bad when he came on as well, at that point I could not see any way he'd be part of our team going forward.

[eye digress]

The team put in a hopelessly lethargic performance that day. In particular, Big Jhon had gone rogue in ways that only Emery can see. I think him talking up Buendia was all about talking Big Jhon down, diplomatically.

[Crown Hill]

I think Unai likes him because he follows instructions. I remember him praising him for it at Monaco. Same with Guessand. Elliott the opposite. Did Elliott ever play again after Sunderland?

I think it was that Monaco game when he was hopelessly bad when he came on as well, at that point I could not see any way he'd be part of our team going forward.

He started that game and was our best player admittedly with not much competition.

It seemed he was ubnlucky to out on loan afterwards but I think Unai said he had to build up his fitness.