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I think he's shy of a few cheeseburgers a day from reaching Adriano's power tho. 😆

He's on a 4 year deal until he's 24, then if he does not sign a new deal walks on a free. Yes, it's a long time still, but technically they have less than 3 years to increase his valuation and sell him. They may have already tried to extend/renew and player and agent refused. Just speculating -- don't have the info. I could be wrong too... just thought he looked really good on the ball aside from being a good finisher; there are a number of different aspects that can limit a player from reaching that elite level.

Eyeballs only here, but for me Duran is a lot better than Toney. He's just a better overall footballer with more potential to become an elite striker. Toney looks more like a competent dedicated goal scorer and that's about it.

That makes sense, but the striker market is so competitive and overpriced that it's hard to believe all clubs are missing out on this elite Lille player. No, it's not unheard of, but unlikely in my view. Remember folks talking about Vardy at some point in the past, and while I always respected the player, never thought he was a player for Chelsea, for ex.

If he'd be available for 20m, or any value under 50m, either all top clubs in the world are wrong, or you are. I presume most clubs have access to the same data, likely a lot more--not to mention multiple professional analysts looking at that data in a daily basis. The window isn't shut yet, so he might still move, but it looks like clubs are waiting to get him on a free. He's 24yo Lille player, which suggests that he's a good striker, but not Elite, which matches the "backup" statement earlier. BTW, eyeballs also think he's backup or rotation at best.

Oh interesting... that corroborates the point about mentality. Practice sessions remove the competition aspect from the game.

While I agree that he lacks football IQ, and mental aspects in general (determination, work rate), I don't think that is all. It's subtle, but his first touch isn't great. No, I'm not talking Lukaku, much less Bakayoko bad, but it's just not at the level one would expect from an Elite PL winger.

Yes and I’d also add that it’s quite obvious that when you play with a CM pair, they are extremely! Dependent on their immediate teammates. Take a snapshot of any football match and you will see how many players roam in midfield at a time… a lot more than 2. So, it’s not surprising they played better once Neto replaced Mudryk on the left, for example. so, it’s just adjustments in a new system with much higher lines. Do not get too surprised if it does not work so well in a different match; it will take time.

Looks like we are missing a few goals in 😆 Wolves 2-0 Chelsea

Heh I honestly did not learn anything new from Madueke today: he had great games last season too, scoring goals and all. He's a really good shot with power and usually on goal. The game just allowed him the spaces he needs, and he thrived. All he did was run and shoot, but he's definitely a handful considering his pace and power. Towards the end of last season he faced tighter defenses in a low block and he struggled. He also stupidly fouled Wolves player just outside of the box, and we conceded from that.

Yup similar to lukaku. Get Mudryk in a counter attacking side so he will keep making runs and look great like lukaku did.

Considering he missed the entire last season, I’d rather see him on the pitch than explanations of why he isn’t.

Agreed and I’d not take too much from this match given the openness. On the other hand the attacking options this season is night and day compared to last. The difference between Neto and Mudryk alone is worth noticing. Felix can play anywhere in attack. there were a bit of worrying signs esp first half, but the most important was the win and this was a must away win given the opposition weakness. They will need to improve a lot to remain in the PL.

He's great, but opposition is dogshit. This was Miguel Monsalve (20yo Colombian) assisting Martin Braithwaite the other weekend.

And yet, none of us would have to think long about which one to sign given the opportunity. I always respect accomplishments, but I'm not a fan. I'm also not a fan of Toney. I just happen to think that big club players demand a bit more than that. I'd rather let Jackson play than acquiring either one for ex; Jackson's biggest shortcoming IMO is mentality, and he's young enough to improve on that. No, he's never going to be a Giroud in the air, that's not him, but he's a good footballer who could still improve and become a great striker, but he's not there yet, IMO.

That’s your opinion, and I don’t agree that he has… at least not yet. the mere fact you mention Watkins suggests we may be using different standards here.

False 9 doesn’t work when you are chasing a goal and the entire opposition sits in their box. Neither does Jackson in that scenario. we don’t have that player atm. I’m not saying DCL is the answer obviously given he’s pretty poor overall player, but we need someone in that mould.

I don’t disagree… have my doubts Jackson will make it at this level. just thinking from the clubs perspective in case they trust Jackson is indeed the answer. idk about Toney tho.

He’s poor yeah, but it’d make sense if the club has faith in Jackson. Calvert is excellent in the air (and nothing else), which is a big jackson weakness. he’d be signed as a Giroud type.

Little chance whoever buys them will take over 100% of the wages. So, we will have to chip in until their deals run out. Still better than nothing.

I'd also keep him because we need direct players in the squad. Mudryk is direct too, but he's simply nowhere good enough. I disagree he can become a top player tho; he does not have skill for that.

Agreed. That's a difficult take and also the right one when analyzing outgoing players who failed to deliver at the club. We also make an assumption that they will be the same under (often) completely different circumstances. They are all good footballers. Sterling in particular has accomplished quite a bit in his career, and it's actual pretty likely he will deliver good performances for Villa.

You've answered above. The answer is evidently, no. Not only Atletico did not want to retain his services, but there was hardly any interest from other top clubs. Honestly, it feels that the deal was only made so that Conor could leave, which was important for FFP reasons.

true on the other hand, compared to Nkunku, Fofana, Lavia, and James, he played plenty in the 23/24 season. Heh, could also add Chilwell to the list... hardly ever fit enough to help out.

Well, Sterling, and his agent, were the ones who brought it to the public eye. It's just a strategy; players can sit on contracts and there is little the club can do other than remove them from the squad. This strategy is also giving a message to other clubs that these players are fair game, and a deal may be facilitated.