Marc Cucurella

[citytill1die84]

That’s because we played on Saturday don’t over think it

And?

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I think one of the best things about the club now is that we can use our reputation to turn player's heads, and use that to prize them from their clubs. I've no issue with that: it's a dog eat dog world in football and I want the best for City.

As Barcelona and Real did for years, as Bayern does with the entire Bundesliga, as United did when they prised away Rooney from Everton, as Liverpool did when they prised away John Barnes from Watford. It happens. But actually, I don't find the expression “turning a player's head” very useful. It sounds as though we've slipped something in their drink. Like date rape or something.

It's just this: you're a good athlete, at a respectable, but middling, club. They're doing well, you're doing well. The club that has been champions for four seasons out of five (and second in the other one), who have been in CL football for the past decade, and will be for the foreseeable future, comes in for you, offering you double (or triple) what you're currently earning, to play alongside the best midfielder in the country (possibly in Europe) — nobody else in the entire squad is shabby, either — under the coaching of one of the best coaches — if not the best — that the game has seen, at least since Cruyff, his mentor.
The club you're at: they've been good to you, you've been good for them. You didn't grow up with them, you're not a boyhood fan, your dad probably knew nothing about them before they recruited you, you don't even come from their country.
You're no Steven Gerrard. You're no Pep Guardiola.
You would in fact have to be blind drunk not to want this deal to go through. No-one's head has been turned.
The only issue I have with BHA fans on this and their own forum talking about City's bid “unsettling” Cucurella: no bid has “unsettled” him. He was already unsettled. Like his agent.

 

[jimharri]

We seem to have become a popular talking shop with our friends from Sussex. That's nice.

 

[pudge]

That’s because we played on Saturday don’t over think it

So you've an entirely new squad from Saturday then?..

 

[Jack74]

Cucurella not in Brighton’s squad for friendly today

Tbf I looked at the team sheet and they have loads of first team players not playing or on the bench

 

[paulchapo]

Totally agree, but you will get hammered for saying the truth, some on here have very short memories.

We haven't got short memories just that we are a totally different proposition now. We got our half decent players sold to a bigger more successful club, now we are that club. Such is life.

 

[DMA's]

So you've an entirely new squad from Saturday then?..

Yeah they do tbf. Most their usual starting eleven aren’t playing

 

[Goatmeal]

Shocked to learn that we (along with everyone else) speak to players under contract with other clubs.

Yes, my point is pretty much, why have a tapping up rule at all if nobody abides by it.

 

[FantasyIreland]

We haven't got short memories just that we are a totally different proposition now. We got our half decent players sold to a bigger more successful club, now we are that club. Such is life.

Spot on.

And given the welcome and hospitality Brighton have greeted us with in recent seasons....fuck em.

 

[citizen_maine]

Yes, my point is pretty much, why have a tapping up rule at all if nobody abides by it.

I'm pretty sure it's only tapping up if you don't have the clubs permission to speak to the player