Cobwebcat said:
We paid what...£17 million? If someone offered us half that do you think we would sell? I know I might have been a little unfair on the lad so I'm curious as to his valuation for those that can see more positives in his play than I can.
I think Pelle has already sold him once.
I'd like to think we'd be more astute than that. He's had one stop start season, playing next to unsuitable partners in supposedly a dressing room in turmoil. He's young, has leadership qualities, has the physical attributes and seems to be hardworking and just quite a nice guy.
Right now 10m might be an attractive offer, I admit.
But we probably couldn't actually get a much better replacement with that fee. Plus how many players of his age an experience would be happy to be 4/5th choice CM at a club.
From what I can see he has one weakness - PACE. Every single criticism stems from that.
Yeah he's slow but he had no preseason and speed isnt a pre requisite for his position.
Imo he's a good DM playing in a tactical set up and squad last year that massively exaggerated his only real weakness.
Couple that with BMs rabid need to find a player to laugh at and he's been unlucky. When I watch him play I see him intelligently mark space, make interceptions, win every bloody header and organise those around him.
Help him out with a bit of speedy cover and he'll justify his fee.