The Skipper

Personally don’t think “killer instinct” is that coachable - you either have it or you don’t. Morata isn’t really that young for him to develop it either. Like I said before - I have my criticisms on Morata but wouldn’t sell unless we got in a top replacement, such as Icardi as you mentioned. If we could get a top striker like that in I wouldn’t mind selling him at all. Inter failed to qualify for the CL so who knows? Especially if we got a fellow Italian like Sarri in?

Think it might work in Sarri’s system tbh if we got him as the next manager for example. If we can sell Morata for let’s say 75m, I’d consider it can’t lie. On Morata - if he’s itching for a move back to Italy instead of wanting to stay here; his head ain’t here - he’s not going to look forward to being here next season, and when mentality is the biggest question about him atm... Will he put in that extra effort? Or will he continue to sulk even further next season?

Would only sell if we can get a truly good replacement.

Mount is more talented/interesting than Pasalic tbh. But no reason why Pasalic couldn’t have been used instead of buying Drinkwater this season for example. Also, based on our history, no matter what manager - they seem to be under too much pressure to play the youth. Don’t see that changing personally so not even thinking about it.

My problem with Morata is that whilst he is a good footballer, he seems to lack that killer striker mentality guys like Costa and Drogba (who are arguably worse footballers on pure talent) had, which is what ultimately makes or breaks a top striker imo. Finishing wise he seems to be extremely average. As a striker, finishing is extremely important. He has one goal in the PL in 2018. People have a right to be reserved about him.

I’ve always personally been a Morata critic but I don’t see what is wrong with people pointing out how average he has been this season and that he needs to up his game? That seems to be the general narrative around here, there’s only one or two posters who are being a bit over the top no?

I disagree - think he’s good enough to play week in week out at a good club overseas. He won’t be moulded well enough here, you know what we’re like with our youth. I don’t understand how people forget that very key point.

Agreed - hence why I want Mason to essentially prove to the club that he clearly belongs to a level above the Championship (which is essentially what the Eredivisie is anyway).

Did you not read my previous posts? Obviously I meant week in week out at a good club in Germany or France. Talking about next season...

I would rather him play week in week out tbh.

Problem here is that most of the time the club doesn’t find the right club for these guys.

There are lots of more interesting strikers than Auba out there. Plus he doesn’t really suit our system. Batshuayi scores 9 goals in 14 appearances for Dortmund before his injury - extrapolate that and he’d easily hit 20+. Even if you look at his CFC numbers, extrapolating them over a full season as a first choice striker - he’d score 20+. I’m not trying to defend Morata at all, My main point is that Auba wouldn’t be a great buy. Not the sort of player that’d take us to the next level. Not going to get better either. He’s also pretty much in the same tier as Morata as a striker imo.

It has nothing to do with Morata, he isn’t the benchmark for strikers at all is he? I literally gave you an example of our very own Batshuayi - he could score 40 in that system. Aubamayang is just a system player. I’m one of Morata’s biggest critics on here but honestly Aubameyang isn’t much better.

Aubamayang and Morata are literally in the same class/tier. He’s not really that good. Look at how Michy was scoring at BVB for example - more to do with the system than anything. He isn’t that good of a striker. Plus, once his speed is gone, he’ll be extremely average.

These facts are worse than I imagined. Jesus.

To be fair, the crop of youth before this current crop coming through right now were not as talented (no disrespect to guys like Chalobah, Baker etc. because some of their age mates like Christensen or even RLC to a certain extent have broken through/still have a chance). I’m more optimistic for some of the guys I mentioned above tbh. They are more talented in general, thus will probably shine more. Look at Jay Dasilva winning POTY at Charlton, and Mason Mount himself winning FPOTY at Vitesse. They are clearly too good for those sort of teams. Only thing we can really do is hope that now Abramovich seems to be less trigger happy, a more fostered culture will be developed at the club where young guys like the above have a better opportunity to showcase their talents.

See last page re: RLC pal. We’ve got plenty of top talents though. Jay Dasilva, Mason Mount, Hudson-Odoi, RLC, Ampadu, Dujon Sterling just to name a few are all players that should at least be close to the first team squad but there’s literally no gateway/path from academy to first team. It’s one of the biggest problems at the club.

Exception to the rule, not the norm. Culture here at CFC with youth is completely different - Ali probably would’ve never made it here.

Yeah, they got loans at good clubs in good leagues. That’s why I’m saying Mason needs more game time to develop more. I can’t see a new manager coming in and taking a chance on Mount straight away. The Dutch league is incredibly weak, take it from someone who has watched its decline over the years. Whilst a 19 year old who didn’t even start at the start of the season has truly grown and finished the season very strongly; I wouldn’t come to conclusions like that just yet - I’d rather him play week in, week out at a good club than be a bench warmer or squad player here - we’re notoriously bad at promoting youth. Regarding RLC... Biggest thing he’s lacking in is stamina, that I agree on. But apart from that, he’s actually been pretty good at Palace. Hodgson thinks he’s a proper proper talent and wants to buy him. I agree with your assessment in general though - he has potential to be a good player for us if he connects a few things - but will those connect? He needs a top manager that believes in him. My main point with the RLC comparison is that RLC is more ready than Mount because he’s played at a higher level. Even got capped for England (Southgate is a big fan). Mount needs a loan like RLC is having now for me.

It’s not about what I think. It’s about what the manager thinks of him, and whether he’ll get enough playing time. Would you be happy to have Mason play Drinkwater’s minutes or play week in week out at the right club, in the right league to aid his development?

It’s only the Eredivisie, wouldn’t get too excited if I was you. Mount is talented, but not ready for us yet. RLC has played at a higher level and has had a good season at Palace. He’s way more ready for us, and even then, I’d arguably have him out on loan again rather than sitting on the bench. Mount needs as many games as he can get so he should go out on loan to a stronger league. Maybe a good team in Germany or France.

Nope. Qualify for EL which we are already qualified for.

Conte’s fault this. His time here is definitely up even if he wins the cup. Should’ve started Eden. Should’ve possibly started Courtois. Should’ve started Giroud even possibly.

A small club battling for PL survival, what else are they gonna do? This should’ve been expected.

This the Willian you guys love? We desperately need better forward talent. Pedro and Willian are not good enough.