Antony | Here we go! €100mill, contract until June 2027, option 'til 2028.

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I see Robben and I generally think it’s dooming the player (whoever it is to failure), but it’s interesting to see his name bandied about by two people independent of each other now.

I wonder if the question was framed: ‘would people be open to a player with the potential to be bracketed with the likes of Robben: is the fee still ergregious?’ What the responses would be.
Yeah I think it's important to note that he probably won't reach that level - but more that he has all the attributes that Robben did essentially. He's a hard worker, quick, great close control, capable of the cut in shot, good crosser, great dribbler... Putting it together, consistently, adapting to a league like the premier league is what the question mark is for any young player. But if we're looking at raw attributes, I'd say he has all the things required to be world class.

Like Gakpo currently has been a better player. But you look at his qualities, they just don't have the same potential ceiling. Not many players have the range of qualities Antony has as a left footed right winger. Salah was one (with more pace of course), who was inconsistent as hell until Liverpool signed him. But all the raw attributes were always there. Raphinha is probably another, but one who is 4 years older and doesn't have quite the same level of technique (and there hasn't been a clear Brazil starter between them if I recall correctly?). So you improve the technique on Raphinha, make him 4 years younger, and have the previous experience with Ten Hag... I'm all for it. Overpay, but what other right winger is out there?
 
Strange comparison. But it highlights the problem: Coutinho was so expensive because Neymar reset the market. Should United really pay close to €100m for Antony then a lot of wingers from second rate leagues with potential just got 20m more expensive.
It's the right comparison, he was the replacement for the transfer you're referring to and so bothered about. Exactly, there's been flops before and there'll be flops after the Antony price tag.
 
Yeah I think it's important to note that he probably won't reach that level - but more that he has all the attributes that Robben did essentially. He's a hard worker, quick, great close control, capable of the cut in shot, good crosser, great dribbler... Putting it together, consistently, adapting to a league like the premier league is what the question mark is for any young player. But if we're looking at raw attributes, I'd say he has all the things required to be world class.

Like Gakpo currently has been a better player. But you look at his qualities, they just don't have the same potential ceiling. Not many players have the range of qualities Antony has as a left footed right winger. Salah was one (with more pace of course), who was inconsistent as hell until Liverpool signed him. But all the raw attributes were always there. Raphinha is probably another, but one who is 4 years older and doesn't have quite the same level of technique (and there hasn't been a clear Brazil starter between them if I recall correctly?). So you improve the technique on Raphinha, make him 4 years younger, and have the previous experience with Ten Hag... I'm all for it. Overpay, but what other right winger is out there?
A lot of that is my feeling, too, which is why I’m asking people for alternatives when they shit on this guy and give no further insight than ‘not worth it.’

The manager seems to have complete faith in the player, which is another reason why he cannot just be moved on from.

I don’t think think much thought has been given to how much two dangerous inverted wingers would change us and preoccupy the opposition; there’s far more reasons to pay and bring him in than not, imo.
 
I suggest anyone worried about transfer fees think back to last season and the first two games of this season and just be glad we're willing to spend.
 
Yeah I think it's important to note that he probably won't reach that level - but more that he has all the attributes that Robben did essentially. He's a hard worker, quick, great close control, capable of the cut in shot, good crosser, great dribbler... Putting it together, consistently, adapting to a league like the premier league is what the question mark is for any young player. But if we're looking at raw attributes, I'd say he has all the things required to be world class.

Like Gakpo currently has been a better player. But you look at his qualities, they just don't have the same potential ceiling. Not many players have the range of qualities Antony has as a left footed right winger. Salah was one (with more pace of course), who was inconsistent as hell until Liverpool signed him. But all the raw attributes were always there. Raphinha is probably another, but one who is 4 years older and doesn't have quite the same level of technique (and there hasn't been a clear Brazil starter between them if I recall correctly?). So you improve the technique on Raphinha, make him 4 years younger, and have the previous experience with Ten Hag... I'm all for it. Overpay, but what other right winger is out there?
After some promising cameo's for Brazil, he got two starts in the last international break before his injury. It will be a luxury problem for their NT because they are both phenomenal players to choose from for international football.

International football is a lot slower and less gelled, but to have players with that pace and trickery that can just open up games, have confidence, is wonderful. Will be very interesting to see who starts at the World Cup, it really could be either of them. And that shows his current level.
 
I just want us to sign him and be done with it. We still have some time to bring in a couple of other players in need, GK and midfielder for example.
 
Don't be silly. They are obliged to get as much as they can for players.
They've got an unhappy player that wants to leave and they're setting an unrealistic fee. It is a joke.

Our previous offer was more than fair. Who the hell asks for 100m euros for a kid thats only played Eredivisie?
 
There's an interesting conversation to be had about writing off a season so we can rebuild properly instead of throwing ridiculous amounts of money around and trying to win something this very season.

If we planned this whole FdJ thing a bit better, we wouldn't be in this situation and yet here we are.

One thing to think about is to have the right age profiles in the squad so the squad peaks at the right time. If we have Casemiro, Bruno playing at their peaks now, Ronaldo in a decline and Sancho / Antony peaking in a few years, is that the composition we want to have?
I think it's good to have a mixture of different ages in the team/squad. If you buy a load of 23 year olds to all peak in a few years then they will all need a replacing at similar times.

I think this is currently happening with Liverpool. They've had great success but Salah, Henderson, van Dyke, Mane (gone), Robertson, Firmino, and Fabinho (I think) are all now in their 30s. They have brought younger players for their front 3 but I don't think they have same quality as their previous 3. A big rebuild will be needed for them soon.

I think we'd be better off with a mixture of youth, experience and mid age players
 
I think it's good to have a mixture of different ages in the team/squad. If you buy a load of 23 year olds to all peak in a few years then they will all need a replacing at similar times.

I think this is currently happening with Liverpool. They've had great success but Salah, Henderson, van Dyke, Mane (gone), Robertson, Firmino, and Fabinho (I think) are all now in their 30s. They have brought younger players for their front 3 but I don't think they have same quality as their previous 3. A big rebuild will be needed for them soon.

I think we'd be better off with a mixture of youth, experience and mid age players
If they are all successes, law of averages days they wouldn’t be
 
They've got an unhappy player that wants to leave and they're setting an unrealistic fee. It is a joke.

Our previous offer was more than fair. Who the hell asks for 100m euros for a kid thats only played Eredivisie?

I'm guessing you don't work in sales.
 
People focus on goals and assists but he has a lot of different attributes.

He can cut in and score Robben-style, but he is a good crosser and short passer as well. He can make short combinations as well as accurately cross to the second post or the other side of the field to move play.

On top of that he presses aggressively and tracks back.

Name me another player who can do all that?

The short of it is: he is perfect for us.

NB he is also good in the air.
 
was gutted when Robben turned down United as i thought at the time he was the ideal player for that group.....i think Antony fits the similar bill especially after losing Greenwood and his left wand.
 


Wonder if that is including add ons or the money up front and the add ons are separate, taking it to 100m
 
Wonder if he needs a work permit. Would be nice to have him done before Friday
 
They've got an unhappy player that wants to leave and they're setting an unrealistic fee. It is a joke.

Our previous offer was more than fair. Who the hell asks for 100m euros for a kid thats only played Eredivisie?
Portugese clubs ask these fees for their players.
 
Wow, huge news. This is happening.

Wouldn't be surprised if Ajax hold out for more again, but hope this will be accepted.
 
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