EFC-Paul

It's an awful lot of money but that's the modern game players going for ridiculous fee's

Maguire Bissaka Rodri NDombele etc then there's the prices banded around Ake £75m!! mental....

Zaha is the type of quality and player that could be the difference in this side seriously challenging the top 6  

He knows the league is at the right age and can add goals assists and can turn a game on its head in a split second, some will say big fish small pond which could be true but I genuinely think he's potentially a massive piece of the puzzle 

Imagine a settled front three of 

          Kean      

Richi             Zaha

Just now, Makis said:

Maybe they don't think JJ and Holgate are good enough and worry about Coleman's fitness or just think he needs upgrading as well?

Probably this neither have filled me with confidence they will hope at least one of them cuts it though 

The German game will be good for Kenny so I'll hold some hope 

If he doesn't cut it we've got two competent RB's who won't cost the earth whilst we look elsewhere 

Very good cover/competition for Coleman 

People moan about his age he's a few months younger than Gana when we signed him 

Hopefully Kenny can enjoy his experience learning his trade and come back ready next year 

19 minutes ago, Matt said:

Can’t find anything mentioned since end of June...

I've not seen us linked but Wolves are ATM 

Good player no way he's 22 though could be 50 cents older brother looking at him 

3 hours ago, Bill said:

Ha Ha   not done and dusted yet then. 

It was.. .it's just the likes of Sky are miles behind other reliable sources 

Made up to have him from what I've heard and the little (YouTube fest) I've seen, many people say he's the real deal so looking forward to see what the has to offer 

Apparently we've made no bid/contact etc so seems like regurgitated news sadly 

Brilliant player very surprised a bigger side hasn't snapped him up 

19 minutes ago, Bill said:

Is it personal terms holding this one up. ??

It's all done and dusted now apparently 

49 minutes ago, Palfy said:

But that's been the problem ever since he got given his opportunities he doesn't do enough in the box, you really need to start to face it we cannot make progress with a striker who can't find his way in the box great lad full of endeavour but no end result sadly not a starter, bring him on 15-20 minutes to go to keep their defenders busy when you want to close the game down and that's about it.

I've said it for a while he simply isn't good enough 

People act like he's just left our academy... He's 22 and doesn't show many fundamentals he could vastly improve 

We can't afford to carry players and hope they come good down the line 

39 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

You need to learn how to copy and paste links. 

Photoshop jobby anyway mate 

9 minutes ago, pete0 said:

Not watched much of him but his running style and shooting is remincent of a certain striker we had not long ago. Much more nimble and a box of tricks to go with it. Could be a special player... But then again Niasse looked good on YouTube. 

Did well to not mention he who must not be named

A massive coup by all accounts and the lad looks a real talent far more rounded than (the above) was at 19 saying that even now!

He's actually a very good player who goes well under the radar 

In a way similar to Gana, unless you watch them properly you wouldn't know how decent they are/can be 

I'd be happy to have him here as Gana's replacement and I doubt he'd cost the earth either 

3 minutes ago, plaidharper said:

Holgate has not really impressed at CB this preseason...

Miss my man Zouma

I'd love to have had him back absolutely ideal

Can't take any positives really from this we've been shite against a bang average side 

Davies and Holgate

So desperate for a decent striker!

10 hours ago, Btay said:

These 2 could make an excellent foil though, DCL works defenders hard for 70 mins brings the team into game then Kean comes on and punishes tired defence while we are sitting a bit deeper ( presuming we have controlled the game for 70 mins and got a goal or 2 lead )

Would never work

Your hoping by playing a player to tire legs out that the game is still winnable at that point, no side in the game uses a workhorse for 70 mins hoping the games still within distance to then bring on their better striker...... makes no sense whatsoever 

Goals win games 

5 minutes ago, nutmegwolf203 said:

One of the most important things about this deal or any other for a striker is that DCL has competition for this season. It's crucial that he's really pushed to the bench 

Couldn't resist 

Rumours this one will be done by today/tomorrow 

1 hour ago, patto said:

Bernard wouldn't give you the goals Gylfi does goals is Bernards downfall.

He wouldn't but he could potentially offer more creativity and with a decent striker it would hopefully balance out

I'm a big fan of Gylfi but when he's off the ball he's relatively anonymous 

Would like to see them interchanged or used together in some way 

1 minute ago, Matt said:

I get what you mean, and mostly agree. But Zaha isn’t anywhere near as good as people think. He is very important to Palace, but because they’re a poor team. Andy Johnson was really important to them too, but when he came here his form didn’t continue. 

A big fish in a small pond is a small fish in a big pond. Zaha already tried the big pond and it completely backfired, then went back to his little pond where he’s done well. 

I don’t mean to disrespect Palace, but there’s a big gap between our club and theirs. 

No I fully get that logic we've seen it countless times the big fish small pond scenario in this league

I do really rate him but he's not a £70/80m player tbh it's fucking madness the prices that are quoted 

Then again we paid £50m for Gylfi so I'd be happy if the club stumped a similar amount as I do think he'll add goals and openings for others 

I can't see it happening either way to be honest as usual I think we're just being used as papertalk leverage

11 minutes ago, Matt said:

See I think our attacking force is actually quite deep, and the limiting factor is someone to create the space. Between full backs, wingers and Gylfi, there’s a lot of goals potential 

Yeah true on paper we should bag a few but I do think a more rounded striker is a must this window and a winger/inside forward

I think we all had high hopes for him sadly it never happened

I'm actually glad he's gone as I do think he had attitude problems but I wish the lad all the best of luck 

8 minutes ago, Matt said:

Regarding the third paragraph, I think the other way around.

Because his finishing isn’t the best, I’d have him starting so he can wear out defences and maybe sub him around the 70m mark for a more gifted finisher against a tired defence. No point bringing on a player upfront who isn’t good at finishing for 20 mins imo

Again we don't have the luxury or full depth of quality in other areas to play a striker that's likely not to score it's not logical imo

He's quick and growing well physically he'd be great at bullying tired defender's other than that I can never see him being good enough to lead the line on his own 

Hope I'm wrong though 

3 minutes ago, Matt said:

I assume Bernard will replace Gylfi at some point but now is not the time. Plus, as mentioned a few times now, we should not touch that partnership he’s developed with Digne

Adapt and improve that's the aim of the game, Zaha is a much more rounded winger than Bernard who I really like but his game is more suited inside 

The pace and delivery and so on would be much more effective with Zaha down the flank plus it's not about replacing as said it's about options 

There's no reason why Gylfi and Bernard can't play in the same side or interchange etc 

Bernard is much better centrally and it's all about having different options 

If and it's a very big sceptical if we signed Zaha I'd expect our shape to change slightly 

He's 22 he's not a 16/17 year old with bags of room for growth as some seem to make out, granted it's a tough task to be upfront on his own etc

I like him he's a grafter and seems a great lad who has undeniably improved in the last year or so but for me personally he has a clearly visible ceiling that I don't think he'll brake it and go on to become good enough to lead our line olif we want to push on and we don't have the luxury of allowing him to "possibly" improve ala Anichebe

I think he's a great asset to have for the last 30/20 mins of games when legs are tired with his physicality and pace or a foil for a more rounded better partner 

There's to much rose tinted optimism towards some of the younger players (there not kids) at times when loyalty outweighs clear ability