Souza off!?

[CaptainMorgans]

Need to keep pushing that fee up.

Even though it was only thrown in for fun, I hope we try to negotiate a swap for Vaclav Cerny.

Did really well at Rangers on loan last season, surplus to requirements at Wolfsburg and would be an excellent wide attacking option at this level.
Definitely worth exploring.

If not, I hope we can squeeze a little bit more out of them for Souza and hopefully have our replacement ready for when the sale goes through. The Prince was pretty good at that in fairness to him.

 

[S64 Blade]

I’d rather we kept him, however I won’t be sad if he goes.

 

[Teddybear]

Sky Sports Germany reporting it now

Interesting take, no mention of fee agreed, negotiations still ongoing, actual fee maybe higher ? Or am I too positive ? Also may alert other clubs to his availability ?

 

[Cheeky Blade]

The fee of £13m if accurate is disappointing.

I’d say it’s realistic.

 

[NateDogg]

Interesting take, no mention of fee agreed, negotiations still ongoing, actual fee maybe higher ? Or am I too positive ? Also may alert other clubs to his availability ?

Does it not say fee of 'up to' 15m euros? Id say we'll be lucky to get that by the sounds of it.

 

[Bladesman]

Interesting take, no mention of fee agreed, negotiations still ongoing, actual fee maybe higher ? Or am I too positive ? Also may alert other clubs to his availability ?

We might be trying to create a bidding war if other clubs are interested in him.

 

[bertieblade]

Am I correct in saying that Bettis is quoted that we paid £7m for him?

We can only sell for what people are prepared to pay, the current market value him at an apparent £13m, if others think he worth more they can easily do so, if not we have sold him for market value

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

First test for the new manager and board re fee negotiating and replacement timings/strategy.

Will be a great indicator.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

First test for the new manager and board re fee negotiating and replacement timings/strategy.

Will be a great indicator.

Out of interest, and of course I’m loading the question, but how much would you value him if he doesn’t want to stay, the manager doesn’t want him and he needs to generate funds to build his team?
I’m just interested in what the acceptable lower price is because for me £10-13m would be it in those circumstances.

 

[Darren William]

Im surprised the club aren't leaking this information to more journos.

You'd think we would want a bidding war but maybe Wolfsburg have offer the full cash up front?

Out of interest, and of course I’m loading the question, but how much would you value him if he doesn’t want to stay, the manager doesn’t want him and he needs to generate funds to build his team?
I’m just interested in what the acceptable lower price is because for me £10-13m would be it in those circumstances.

I'd like to know if it's the first offer we've jumped at instead of playing hardball like under the Prince! ,unless the player says he wants to go

 

[Blade83]

Out of interest, and of course I’m loading the question, but how much would you value him if he doesn’t want to stay, the manager doesn’t want him and he needs to generate funds to build his team?
I’m just interested in what the acceptable lower price is because for me £10-13m would be it in those circumstances.

I'd add that Souza is 26 now and so whoever buys him next is very unlikely to see any increase in value once he's been there 2/3 years, especially as at lot of his value comes from his strength / speed.

Personal view is that anything above £10m for Souza would represent a sensible deal for the club (much as it is a shame, as he is a good player at this level).

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I'd like to know if it's the first offer we've jumped at instead of playing hardball like under the Prince! ,unless the player says he wants to go

We have the same guy in the same role overseeing our negotiations.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Out of interest, and of course I’m loading the question, but how much would you value him if he doesn’t want to stay, the manager doesn’t want him and he needs to generate funds to build his team?
I’m just interested in what the acceptable lower price is because for me £10-13m would be it in those circumstances.

Think £13m would be a great fee for one that wouldn’t make it in the PL and is injury prone/ not a full 90 mins performer. If replaced by an upgrade.

My biggest question is what we plan to do recruitment wise this summer.

What will the manager do if he’s backed heavily for his first time?

What will the board sanction/can afford now their man is in place for their first pre season?

When asked for my opinion on both manager and owners I cannot answer until the above questions begin to be answered!

 

[Houso]

Fee seems fair to me. He's got tremendous upside, but he's looked poor at the top level when he's had a chance. He also struggles fitness wise which isn't great for his position.

Sad to see him go, but reasonable figure.

 

[TJ blade]

Am I correct in saying that Bettis is quoted that we paid £7m for him?

We can only sell for what people are prepared to pay, the current market value him at an apparent £13m, if others think he worth more they can easily do so, if not we have sold him for market value

I heard £9m

 

[Pintor75]

If he doesn't want to stay then let him go if we can get £13/4m for him, hopefully with sell on fees included. Not going to be a Brazilian genius, especially now he's 26, but a decent player on his day, use the money to get Alzate or Rothwell in, glttl

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

It's a World Cup year, he's made no secret of the fact he thinks he can force his way into the Brazil squad, he's certainly going to have a better chance of doing that in the Bundesliga than in the Championship.

While I think his WC dream is doomed we can't begrudge the guy for trying, and so long as we get our money back or better I don't see any issue with letting him move on. He's very good for this level but has already proved he has no stomach for a PL relegation fight.

 

[Torrix1889]

Bellingham, a player that's not played at premier level or set the championship alight.

Just let that sink in....they got TWICE what we're reportedly getting for Vini.

If only Vini's second name was Bellingham....

 

[Champagneblade]

It feels players like Souza and Ahmedhodzic, we already have an idea of their ceiling.

So I can understand the acceptance of moving them on.

He probably couldn’t have had a worse final game. Him not getting out of the way gave the ref the opportunity to disallow what would have probably been the winner and then late on, he was covering Anel and let the winner creep in!

I’m not sure we need an out and out defensive midfielder at this level. I think we need everyone to commit to attack and not have players whose goal is almost exclusively supporting the defence.

I’d rather a few box to box types than a sitter at this level.

Different ball game if you go up of course unless you have very top level intelligent box to box players.

 

[Tarqs]

This thread is comical.

People complain about going backwards, selling better players and replacing them with inferior.....

Then I see this post littered with :

Souza overrated, unfit, doesn't play enough, now 26, didn't make it in the prem (with one of the worst prem teams on record)....

Replace with

Alzate whos:

a) Older than Souza
b) inferior to Souza
c) Didn't make it in the Prem with a much better team
d) Has played considerably less football than souza over his career.

 

[MayorOJC]

This thread is comical.

People complain about going backwards, selling better players and replacing them with inferior.....

Then I see this post littered with :

Souza overrated, unfit, doesn't play enough, now 26, didn't make it in the prem (with one of the worst prem teams on record)....

Replace with

Alzate whos:

a) Older than Souza
b) inferior to Souza
c) Didn't make it in the Prem with a much better team
d) Has played considerably less football than souza over his career.

Suppose it depends on where the money goes. You could probably upgrade 3 positions with that money if it's spent right.

Think you'd be pleasantly surprised if we do get Alzate though. He's a very capable player.

 

[Tarqs]

Suppose it depends on where the money goes. You could probably upgrade 3 positions with that money if it's spent right.

Think you'd be pleasantly surprised if we do get Alzate though. He's a very capable player.

That's the problem, our last expensive outlay was on Cannon!

 

[alcoblade]

Souza was excellent against Leeds.
Our standout player.

Against Burnley, he went off injured at HT (home fixture).
I think he was pretty good at Turf Moor though.

He wasn't always good, but I don't remember many stinkers.
He was just far less effective after the second hamstring injury. When fully fit, he was brilliant.



I'd be absolutely gobsmacked if Coventry attained £15m+ for Rudoni.

Hamer, a much better player, was sold by them for £15m.

Rudoni doesn't play DM, so not sure he'd be a suitable Souza replacement. He'd be an interesting Hamer or O'Hare replacement maybe.

It isn't the same people making all those points though - you've strung them together for a story.

Most people think Souza is a big asset for us overall. When listing his negatives, it tends to be in the discussion about if £13m is too low. Bearing in mind that £13m represents an excellent championship player, and there's not many arguing he's worth less than that.

 

[Balham]

That's the problem, our last expensive outlay was on Cannon!

...and the reason for that outlay is no longer at the club. The two facts may or may not be connected.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Honestly with this sale money Selles already had we can spend on positions needed and a fitness regime that will see us eclipse Leeds last year.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Interesting take, no mention of fee agreed, negotiations still ongoing, actual fee maybe higher ? Or am I too positive ? Also may alert other clubs to his availability ?

It's says up to 15 million euros.
So i take that has the maximum we would get, which sounds like less actual fee then topped up to 15 million with add ons.
I think they might be having our pants down.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Think £13m would be a great fee for one that wouldn’t make it in the PL and is injury prone/ not a full 90 mins performer. If replaced by an upgrade.

My biggest question is what we plan to do recruitment wise this summer.

What will the manager do if he’s backed heavily for his first time?

What will the board sanction/can afford now their man is in place for their first pre season?

When asked for my opinion on both manager and owners I cannot answer until the above questions begin to be answered!

Great reply - thanks.

 

[alcoblade]

It isn't the same people making all those points though - you've strung them together for a story.

Most people think Souza is a big asset for us overall. When listing his negatives, it tends to be in the discussion about if £13m is too low. Bearing in mind that £13m represents an excellent championship player, and there's not many arguing he's worth less than that.

Sorry CaptainMorgans I replied to your post and yet it was intended for Tarqs post just above. Age is a wonderful thing

 

[EddieColquhoun]

I won't miss him going down injured and going off for treatment as we face a set-piece and I don't think I'll ever forgive him for turning his back for the Sunderland winner.

 

[Tarqs]

Sorry CaptainMorgans I replied to your post and yet it was intended for Tarqs post just above. Age is a wonderful thing

Sure my post implies that it's across the board - ie posts littered with, doesn't suggest it's a single point of view.

Edit: That said, you're right that I'm more guilty of focusing on the negative points of view.