In a nutshellDepends on what the realistic ambition and budget is next season.
Doubt Lopetegui has come in with dreams of battling for 10th-17th however, and while Costa works in a makeshift sense right now to knit everything together (better than Raul has unfortunately), I can't see him being a serious option next season.
We need forwards who score goals with some regularity: to assess whether Sasa and Fabio can realistically do that and also add to the forward line with a proper striker option to compliment Cunha imo
It's Mendes, I don't think we get involved in negotiating with his clientsHis agent is an absolute magician. Think he was on 30k a week in Brazil, doesn't play for 6 months with zero interest and he gets him a 20k bump.
Agreed and to put it in context isn't that 40% of a Trincao ?I’d be happy with him making 10 min cameos next season. He’s certainly helped the squad morale after Lage gutted it of winners. Not sure about 50k p/w though.
Pretty much exactly what I said and where I am, tbh. Sasa is still an unknown in terms of quality at this level and fitness. We don't know where Fabio's head is at. And we don't know how much money is (or will be) available due to how much we've spent this season. If (or when) Raul leaves, it creates a space for Costa for another year. We need characters like him in the dressing room - especially after Lage stripped it of all the similar profiles.Depends on what the realistic ambition and budget is next season.
Doubt Lopetegui has come in with dreams of battling for 10th-17th however, and while Costa works in a makeshift sense right now to knit everything together (better than Raul has unfortunately), I can't see him being a serious option next season.
We need forwards who score goals with some regularity: to assess whether Sasa and Fabio can realistically do that and also add to the forward line with a proper striker option to compliment Cunha imo
That's assuming Lop doesn't have his own targets for that forward role. Which he likely will.Pretty much exactly what I said and where I am, tbh. Sasa is still an unknown in terms of quality at this level and fitness. We don't know where Fabio's head is at. And we don't know how much money is (or will be) available due to how much we've spent this season. If (or when) Raul leaves, it creates a space for Costa for another year. We need characters like him in the dressing room - especially after Lage stripped it of all the similar profiles.
That's assuming Lop doesn't have his own targets for that forward role. Which he likely will.
Yep. But we all know how much we'd have to spend to bring in a top centre forward - let alone two. I just don't see us spending that much, but none of us know with any certainty so it's guesswork at this point.That's assuming Lop doesn't have his own targets for that forward role. Which he likely will.
Doubt we'll sign 2 strikers, I'd be surprised if Lopetegui has come here without some confirmation of funds if we stay up.Yep. But we all know how much we'd have to spend to bring in a top centre forward - let alone two. I just don't see us spending that much, but none of us know with any certainty so it's guesswork at this point.
I also predict that Cunha is going to be a really good signing for us in the medium/long term - we always look better with him in the side, but as our 'goals for' total has shown for far too long now, we're never going to see the best of him without a decent centre forward playing with him.
He's something we've not had for a while though - someone who can create, someone who can link the midfield and attack. I like him.
I'm pleased with the players Lop has brought in since his arrival - I don't think we'd be as high in the table without these signings, and I think he'll be able to attract even better players in the summer (assuming we stay up, which we damn well should do now!)
The highest priority should be getting in a goalscorer who can compliment Cunha and I'd be very surprised if the club think differently!
Jeff Shi... Hold my beer