In Guillem Balague's book he reports that '"there is no other coach who would turn a player's supposed weakness into their motivation for signing them", Roberto Olabe admits. it was as though he identified with their flaws and sought to coach them whilst harnessing their strengths.'
When I read that, I immediately thought of Guessand and wondered what weakness it was that Emery sought to improve.
To Pat's earlier post, I agree that he sees the non-core players as open to selling, and he seems to constantly be seeking to improve.
A fascinating character.
Quite. Maybe this fast trial-by-error turnover is just what’s required to get the next Rogers through the door? Up the right, he’s been burning through candidates at pace - Diaby, Bailey, Philogene, Guessand, even Malen… I mean, Emery identifies the base characteristics, but the alchemy of transforming potential into stardom is something not even he has a proper handle on. Hence the (apparently sincere) attempts to turn Philogene and Guessand - flying in the face of all evidence - into gold. And equally the acceptance that after 3/4 months (for the young pros) and a year (for the established) with inconclusive results, it’s time to cut and run.
