Turkish Delight All Gone?
Well its looking like the first departure of the close season has taken place with official notification on Fenerbahce’s website that they have agreed a fee with Newcastle United over the sale of Emre.
Emre is one of the big earners but has never really justified it. Yes for all the skills he could have been a legend in the Black and White colours as most Geordies took him to their hearts. The odd glimpse often making you think what if?
With it well known Ashley wanting to cut the wage bill it seems fringe players who have not performed are the ones looking certain to depart. Less expensive players with more to prove may be the answer. Certainly our past blueprint for success has not worked.
If Emre does go I would wish him all the best but just wish he had done it more on the pitch for us - he was certainly capable.
June 1st, 2008 at 3:11 am
Pity, I always wanted to see what he could do with a run in the team… However if he can’t put in a decent run in three seasons he never will. I’ve always been suspicious of his constant injury problems too, especially this season. Either way, we’re paying a lot of money each week for very little return, so he was always a prime target to go.
I think we’ll see the likes of Duff, Ameobi, Rozehnal, maybe Cacapa and/or Smith follow suit in the next week or so (depending on whether anyone wants them). None of them add greatly to the squad and could be more than replaced by a younger, fresher player brought in for a similar sum to that that we’ll receive for them. Added to two or three top quality signings (the standard of Modric for instance) this will vastly strengthen the squad.
Things are looking up!
June 1st, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I’ll only think things are looking up once we see what is coming in the other way. Im just a bit wary at the moment.
June 1st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
That’s fair enough. I’ve had a look on the Teamtalk pages a few times and people really aren’t happy, they seem to think that Ashley is going to try to bleed the club dry (then again, when was Teamtalk full of sense?). I think we’ll see pretty sensible spending, but the squad will certainly be improved. If nothing else, I definitely feel that there’s a big ruthless streak being instilled, which is good to see.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I think my prediction of Arteta is starting to look good
I think he is a KK type player through and through. I like what is going about at present with Arteta, Shorey and Crouch. I think all 3 of those players would improve our squad and are potentially attainable. Don’t get me wrong Crouch aint everyones cup of tea but he scores goals and has good touch for tall lad. I think Owen and Crouch would be a good idea especially with regards to the England setup. It might make both happy. We still need some more players though and i’ll be happy when we see the first one in.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:21 am
I think Emre going is a good thing, however i hope the rumour of Milner to Villa is not! i hope for our sake it is just a rumour, i know he has been injured the last couple of games, but Milner is one of our brightest prospects, and he really works his socks off.. back to Emre, he always seemed to get injured, and then right before the international games for turkey he seemed to be fine to play? I’m dissapointed to see him go as well, because when he was fit, he looked as if he could be quite a good attacking mid. On the arteta link, i dont think he’ll come here, why would we, we cant offer him more than what everton have, as they have europe next season, all that we can offer is maybe bigger wages, and with MA’s new wage structuring, it doesnt look likely… if we do get him, by some small chance, it’d would be a real big feather in KK’s cap.
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I dont agree entirely Snick. Yes Everton have Europe but I think if you look at the bigger picture Newcastle is a bigger club but unfortunately they aint showing it at present. Obviously that could change over the next 3 seasons and Arteta could be a big part of that. I think hes KK’s type of player and he’d shine under him. I still think Newcastle will be playing a good attractive style of football in front of 52000 which may be tempting and throw in possibly a bit more cash than what Everton can afford to pay him and he may just decide Newcastle might be worth a punt. Hes been at Everton for a while now. He seems as though he’d like to move at the moment. He’d be a very good addition to our squad with proven EPL experience. Its less risky. On Milner I know where you are coming from but the lad cannot cross a ball on a regular basis with quality. His final ball/decision making is poor. Hopefully if KK keeps him he can work on it but its defo a problem. May seem a bit of an odd one but Milner might be alright to try in the central area as a box to box who knows. I just dont think hes KK’s type of winger if you know what I mean. I think if we could get £10million we could get a more finished article which in all honesty is what we need. On Emre you are spot on though. I loved Emre thought he had bags of skill just simply from a business point of view it didnt work. His wages couldnt be justified to games and I think this is going to be something MA will look at carefully and too right. I would be doing the same if it was my business. Apparently the deal could be worth up to £8million which if it is - well amazing business. These guys aint muppets but it would be good to see a signing statement shortly to ease fans.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I think that was the final straw for me too, the way Emre always seemed to get fit for Turkey, but would go missing for months over here with a sprained toe… I think you’re both right regarding Milner, I like the lad and he works incredibly hard, and I’d like to see him stay, but his crossing must improve. Did he not play in the middle at times for Leeds? It might get him into positions where he can have a few long-range shots, which when he’s on form and confident have flown in a few times. Either way he’s got a shot like a rocket.
As for Arteta, I really can’t see it, sorry. We might be a bigger club, but I’d have thought a bigger club than Everton WITH European football would come in for him if he were available? Yes he’d do brilliantly under Keegan and the fans would love him, but if I’m being totally unbiased I think he’ll think he has better options. Again though, I’d love to see it happen and I fully expect to see one or two player like him join over summer.
As for easing the fans, an early signing would be nice, but I’m not bothered either way. The main advantage for me of getting a big early signing is as a statement of intent, to show other potential signings that we’re going places. I know you’re not for a second suggesting that we make an early signing just to appease the fans Toon, but at the moment I’m happy to let the fans who are getting impatient be impatient, the days of us making trophy signings “for the fans” thankfully left SJP with Fat Freddy.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
…and as you say, if we’ve got anything like £8m for Emre I’ll be over the moon. I’d have taken half that amount.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Its not for the a signing for the fans but to send a message to other players. We need to be able to attract them by saying look at what our ambition is…
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Duffs house ? http://www.sandersonyoung.co.uk/buy/view.aspx?pr=9054
I think some of the impatience is down to some jitters over how well Wise & Co will be able to perform. You’re right of course , I don’t want trophy signings but it’s just that ‘fingers crossed’ thing that they do a decent job in the summer. Especially with some senior players looking like they are on their way out we can ill afford to not get some ins. Even if they aren’t big names but solid performers. We did well in the last half a dozen games to pick up the points but we will struggle again over the course of a season without some fresh faces.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Yeah I dont think it will do the morale of the players well to see no faces in nor will it help getting big players like MO to commit. Even he was saying i’ll be happy if we add to the squad some quality players to challenge for europe even higher if they the right players.