Souza off!?

[ReeceofBDTBL]

Brilliant thread.

Proof positive a VERY high percentage of our armchair experts know the square root of fuck all about what goes on out there on the grass.

If the fee is anything like that stated, it’s an embarrassment to the negotiating skills of them behind the fancy glass doors.

VS is, or should I say most likely now, was, our Rodri. It’s that simple.

When a team like City miss one player in the way Rodri was missed last year, god only knows what impact this loss could have for us.

Accept that RS doesn’t necessarily use a proper CDM - I don’t know otherwise - maybe he does maybe he doesn’t.

As inevitable as I always expected this to be, it’s a massive hole to fill.

Massive.

UTB

Souza is a phenomenal athlete but on the ball he’s not even a championship version of Rodri.

He’s neat and tidy at this level but doesn’t control the pace or direction of the game, doesn’t drive with the ball or play decisive balls and certainly doesn’t score.

But as an athlete, at times last season he was like a man playing against boys. But there’s still big holes and limitations in his game.

Not the end of the world losing Vini

 

[metalblade]

£13m seems a few million short to me but we are making a profit on him, if we are bringing Alzate in as a replacement it might not be a bad deal. Sad to see him go there was a good player in there but also a few weaknesses. It could be for the best if we are changing playing style to a more attacking one do we really then need a midfielder to hold the CB's hands?

 

[Blades Glory Owls Down]

He turned himself around this season after a poor first season, albeit in a team that suffered and underperformed (maybe Hamer apart) and capitulated in the prem.
He showed this season that with a bit of confidence and a better balanced team, what he has to offer.
When on his game, he is a monster of a player, who reads the game well and makes some amazing interceptions and breaks up other teams attacks whilst showing glimpses of attacking play.
He also has some negatives in that when he is off his game, he is anonymous for someone of his stature and (again like a few others) seems to gas out after 70 minutes.
In the current market, is 13 Million enough? maybe not, but we werent going to get much more (maybe another 2-3).
As others have pointed out, would he have been part of Selles's plans if a change of style/formation is coming?
Now the question is about whether the money is enough to bring in a replacement to fit the supposed new system.
I liked him for this season as he appears to be a good guy who enjoys his football. We have made a bit of profit on him and he gets to test himself in a new league.
GLTTL

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

His attributes speak for themselves. Great physical presence, leader, unflappable, never shies away, loves a tackle, absolute unit (looks like a man against boys, often), athlete.

Really loved him last season. Was a huge, huge miss when out injured. That spine of Cooper, Anel, Souttar, Blaster and Souza looked so impeccably solid. I felt confident to invite other sides on to us, without any fear that we'd concede.

£13m is nowhere near enough for that IMO. To replace his skillset and presence will require a lot of money.

We are a championship team that will need money to cover losses. Souza was bought for £12m ish & since then he had a stinker of a season in the premiership & a decent championship season.

He’s also 2/3 years older than when he arrived. I’m not sure why people think we’d get big money for that return. I get your point he’s hard to replace but he was probably a luxury to have in this division and he struggled with the amount of games I think he damaged his hamstring 3 or 4 times

 

[Melbourne Blade]

I'm not heartbroken if he goes tbh. He seems a big personality amongst the players on the training ground but not on the pitch. If he showed leadership and captain material he would be a big miss, and probably off to a premier league team.. But he doesn't. He disappears often and is prone to injury. I'd wish him the best if we got 15m and it would fund 2-3 players for Ruben. Anything less and I'd be "slightly" pissed off.

 

[UddersBlade]

Sadly because he’s being transferred into Europe and not inside the over-hyped inflated English market …. £13 million is as much as we can expect for him.

But as others have said - he’s no world beater / game changer - so if it helps us balance the books - fair enough.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Jobe is 19. One of the best players, if not the best player, in a team that just got promoted to the top flight. He's also English.

You seriously think Souza is the better prospect?

Not what I said. I said value not potential.

Jobe May well turn out to be an inspired signing IF his development progresses.

Today, in 2025, it’s not even a close call. VS all the way and at 26, arguably coming in to his prime years.

If I’d got £30m to spend on a CM I’d by getting VS for £13m and budgeting the rest elsewhere on the squad.

At £13m, they have stolen him tbh.

UTB

 

[Pollingtonblade]

This is where we will see if the owners differ from previous regimes.

It is ok to sell players if you replace them with equal of better players.

The reason we've won fuck all for 100 years is because we very very rarely do so.

 

[Blade56]

I'm not heartbroken if he goes tbh. He seems a big personality amongst the players on the training ground but not on the pitch. If he showed leadership and captain material he would be a big miss, and probably off to a premier league team.. But he doesn't. He disappears often and is prone to injury. I'd wish him the best if we got 15m and it would fund 2-3 players for Ruben. Anything less and I'd be "slightly" pissed off.

Similar to Brewster, always great to have around but doesn’t transfer to performances.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Not what I said. I said value not potential.

Jobe May well turn out to be an inspired signing IF his development progresses.

Today, in 2025, it’s not even a close call. VS all the way and at 26, arguably coming in to his prime years.

If I’d got £30m to spend on a CM I’d by getting VS for £13m and budgeting the rest elsewhere on the squad.

At £13m, they have stolen him tbh.

UTB

26 year old midfielder who struggled in the Premiership and didn’t well in the championship (so he should), but pulled his hamstring 3/4 times in that season. I’m not sure they’ve stolen him, I’d probably say they’ve got him maybe £2m cheaper than id expect.

If anyone’s suggesting he’s £20m plus player aren’t in the real world. He’s so far only proved he’s a decent championship footballer & he’s 26

 

[Sharp as a blade]

This is where we will see if the owners differ from previous regimes.

It is ok to sell players if you replace them with equal of better players.

The reason we've won fuck all for 100 years is because we very very rarely do so.

On the contrary, I think this is harsh looking back over the last 5 or 10 years.

For example:

• Selling DCL etc to fund a league one promotion
• Selling Brooks to fund our championship promotion
• Selling Ramsdale to keep us competitive (going up the season after)
• Selling Lee Evans and Leonard and bringing in Norwood

There's also players such as Bogle etc who you could argue was a bad thing as Leeds went up and we didn't, but one thing we've been good at over the least 5 or so years is competing at the top end of the championship whilst selling players to fund it.

You don't have to look very far to see what happens when you're a club who doesnt sell players to increase turnover.

 

[Torrix1889]

I like Championship Vini, not sure he will ever be much better though, having said that, I could see him doing OK at somewhere like Palace.

If we get our money back, plus a £1m or two and can reinvest sensibly then im fine with it. If it means we have a chance of keeping Hamer im all for it!

 

[DronnieBlade]

26 year old midfielder who struggled in the Premiership and didn’t well in the championship (so he should), but pulled his hamstring 3/4 times in that season. I’m not sure they’ve stolen him, I’d probably say they’ve got him maybe £2m cheaper than id expect.

If anyone’s suggesting he’s £20m plus player aren’t in the real world. He’s so far only proved he’s a decent championship footballer & he’s 26

Then it’s me that’s suggesting exactly that. £20m +.

And I would pay that all day long and be super confident it was money well spent.

You and many many others won’t agree and that’s fine. It’s my opinion and only that.

But I fully expect him to shine at Wolfsburg, if stays healthy and played correctly in his TRUE cdm roll that so many of our fans confuse with the deep lying playmaker role (fundamentally different btw).

Kinda expecting a bigger club to come in and gazzump Wolfsburg at the 11th hour.

UTB

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Then it’s me that’s suggesting exactly that. £20m +.

And I would pay that all day long and be super confident it was money well spent.

You and many many others won’t agree and that’s fine. It’s my opinion and only that.

But I fully expect him to shine at Wolfsburg, if stays healthy and played correctly in his TRUE cdm roll that so many of our fans confuse with the deep lying playmaker role (fundamentally different btw).

Kinda expecting a bigger club to come in and gazzump Wolfsburg at the 11th hour.

UTB

I’m not disagreeing with you on what he could end up being, I think he’ll do well at Wolfsburg. Oli Burkes made a career over there so Souza should smash it up.

I just don’t think he’s a £20m player for a club in the championship at 26. Dortmund had to over pay for Bellingham because Sunderland were promoted, we wasn’t and that’s why you see players go for these prices. Like when we signed Hamer from Coventry.

 

[Bergen Blade]

26 year old midfielder who struggled in the Premiership and didn’t well in the championship (so he should), but pulled his hamstring 3/4 times in that season. I’m not sure they’ve stolen him, I’d probably say they’ve got him maybe £2m cheaper than id expect.

If anyone’s suggesting he’s £20m plus player aren’t in the real world. He’s so far only proved he’s a decent championship footballer & he’s 26

Souza was most often used in the wrong role in his first season, playing as a 8 in front of the ageing but still trusted Norwood. I think Souza would also look out of place in the Championship playing that role.

When he was asked to do what he's good at he was great. I would not rule out him doing that role well at a higher level.

If Selles plans to set us up in a way that does not accommodate a defensive midfielder of his type, it is probably better to cash in, rather than shoehorning him into a role he can't do once again.

Shame about his injury last season, as it took him some time to get his fitness and form back.

 

[alcoblade]

His attributes speak for themselves. Great physical presence, leader, unflappable, never shies away, loves a tackle, absolute unit (looks like a man against boys, often), athlete.

Really loved him last season. Was a huge, huge miss when out injured. That spine of Cooper, Anel, Souttar, Blaster and Souza looked so impeccably solid. I felt confident to invite other sides on to us, without any fear that we'd concede.

£13m is nowhere near enough for that IMO. To replace his skillset and presence will require a lot of money.

He'll be a big miss, but "leader" definitely isn't one of his attributes.

 

[Bell4]

Players come and go - let`s crack on

 

[Striker]

Aye
But receiving double what we paid?!?

And about half of what Sunderland got for Bellingham

 

[DronnieBlade]

I’m not disagreeing with you on what he could end up being, I think he’ll do well at Wolfsburg. Oli Burkes made a career over there so Souza should smash it up.

I just don’t think he’s a £20m player for a club in the championship at 26. Dortmund had to over pay for Bellingham because Sunderland were promoted, we wasn’t and that’s why you see players go for these prices. Like when we signed Hamer from Coventry.

There may be a release clause for all we know which distorts the picture somewhat.

Just feels like a cheap fee to me.

He, more than any other player in the squad, is the one I fully expected to be going. Sadly.

But not for £13m !

UTB

 

[GrunkyPeep]

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?

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

And about half of what Sunderland got for Bellingham

Aye for a totally different player

 

[blAdes96]

13M is ridiculous, we are in a position where we don’t need to sell - he has two years of a contract left. He’s worth more than that.

Also, he is a key player on the pitch & in that role - protecting the defence, carrying the ball and breaking opposition attacks - and not worth losing.

 

[Striker]

Aye for a totally different player

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.

 

[Frank the tank]

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.

They obviously think they will get more profit on him and I think they are right

 

[PrestwichBlade]

I'm a bit split on Souza. When near on fully fit, he was pretty epic and I like the fact he plays the game with a smile on his face, pretty rare these days. However, he was rarely fully fit and if playing could often disappear a bit or look to be struggling. As others have suggested, if Sellés doesn't typically play with a Souza type player anyway, then let's get the money in and replace with someone who fits the type of role Sellés wants. Hopefully gone are the days of square pegs round holes!

 

[alcoblade]

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.

And yet Souza has played in the premier league, as part of a team that was humiliated on a weekly basis. Perhaps the removal of any doubt isn't a strong selling point?

 

[tincan]

26 year old midfielder who struggled in the Premiership and didn’t well in the championship (so he should), but pulled his hamstring 3/4 times in that season. I’m not sure they’ve stolen him, I’d probably say they’ve got him maybe £2m cheaper than id expect.

If anyone’s suggesting he’s £20m plus player aren’t in the real world. He’s so far only proved he’s a decent championship footballer & he’s 26

He didn't struggle, he was the 2nd best tackler in the PL that season, the number 1 Palhinha went to Bayern for £47m. Thats why HRH put a £35m price tag for him. He was poor as we were garbage and were had a poor manager for the PL.

 

[robbiez666]

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.

Vini who was made to look slow and clumsy in the Premier league and then didn't bother trying? That increases his fee, does it?

Bellingham is 19. He is English. He has played almost every game this season, often out of position.

Named Championship young player of the year. Played well over 100 Championship games at the age of 19.

Gone to Dortmund where he has already scored for them. Straight into the squad/team.

 

[Need4speed]

I love Vini's defensive qualities but he is too ponderous once he has the ball. I don't get the idea of midfield players just been good either defensively or going forwards with the ball. I want midfield players who can do both things. No point winning the ball back if you just give it away or knock it backwards and side ways. in their prime Coutts Norwood Fleck and even Basham were more all round midfield players I think Blaster can be also.

 

[GeorgeDonis1889]

Can't complain at that price. He was very good this year but I think thats just because of the drop in level. I dont think hes good enough for the Premier League even in a better team. He's not worth anymore than £13m for me.