24 Feb 2021 21:26:15
Can I suggest for posters who have an interest in our club signing the lad from Dortmund they go on to European site.
Ed02 has given a very interesting summary of the situation.

Ed02 has also given a summary of any potential Tammy contract extension.

Finally, I think again from Ed02, the likely considerations surrounding Giroud and any contract extension or departure has also been explained on this site.

It will IMO definitely be interesting to see the decisions the club make and just as importantly the players themselves make.


1.) 24 Feb 2021
24 Feb 2021 22:17:40
A very interesting read - I'm presuming the Chels player that Dortmund want in part-exchange for Haaland (but would have to wait a year for) is Charlie Webster. Would that be the case Ed002?

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}


2.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 09:12:14
For those posters that haven’t seen Charlie Webster play can I strongly suggest you dig up some footage and see what a talent this kid is.

He is quick, plays with his head up, can go both ways and good with either foot.

It would IMO be a massive shame if this kid was to leave.


3.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 12:01:59
Although if it meant we could get Haaland would it be worth it you think, Tom?


4.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 12:32:56
Difficult decision. Both players have huge promise but one is a proven top level goalscorer.

I hope the club don’t agree to a player plus cash deal.

Some fans/ posters would love us to sign Sancho (can’t see it happening) but IMO this kid could be better and I except he has a long way to go

Of course, this maybe something the club have little control over.


5.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 13:04:20
I wouldn't say Haaland is a proven PL scorer but he is decent and if he comes we will probably sell him in a few years.

Also not a lot of academy players come through the ranks.


6.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 13:17:36
I do think this kid is special Ashk but you are correct, it is a low % of players that successfully come through the academy into the first team.


7.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 14:32:51
Our academy to first team ratio certainly hasn't been good.


8.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 17:32:23
He does look great Tom.
We have lots of really exciting players coming through but my tips for the next to break through would be Webster, Vale, Soonsup-Bell and Livramento. They really do look like real talents!
Also Broja is having a fine season at Vitesse this year. I suggest watching his goals video for Vitesse on YouTube. The kid is a natural finisher and can score from absolutely anywhere.


9.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 17:48:33
Maybe because the players haven't been good enough Ash mate.


10.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 18:05:05
Thanks Lamps will do.

I had already looked up Soonsup-Bell from another posters recommendation.

I suppose Dortmund being so keen to sign him is a story in itself and if they do sell Sancho it would all make sense.


11.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 20:03:56
Maybe GG, but maybe they didn't have enough chances to begin with.

They don't have to be world beaters Gola, we do need squad players as well. For example someone like Bertrand would have been a very fine LB if he stayed but we went and signed Filipe Luis and then Baba Rahman.

Chalobah is another player that comes to my mind. He had very decent season under Conte and I'm sure if he stayed perhaps he would have been that physical presence that we badly need in the middle of the pitch.


12.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 20:29:34
Chalaboa was very unlucky to pick up that bad injury shortly after he left the mighty blues.

I hope he starts to show how good he can be if he can remain injury free.


13.) 26 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 22:53:09
Ash, but we have only produced squad players from our academy before this present crop (Mount / James / CHO / RLC) . None of the academy players who have moved on have ever gone on to be more than solid PL and Championship players - I can't think of one who we would have taken back to come into our 1st team.


14.) 26 Feb 2021
26 Feb 2021 07:12:23
Matic is a name that comes to mind and maybe Rice. Bertrand is a quality player too.
But I agree, there haven't been a lot.

Maybe the endless loans to other teams doesn't help.


15.) 26 Feb 2021
26 Feb 2021 08:17:33
MDW patrick bamford?


16.) 26 Feb 2021
26 Feb 2021 10:07:23
jsfinchy, Bamford didn't come through our academy - we bought him from Notts Forest when he was 18. It's the same as Salah / de Bruyne / Lukaku - they didn't come through our academy.