It seems a while since we last had any new talents turned into world class players. Not since the Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Nevilles etc. We have been buying BIG without gaining much quality. Look at Arsenal, they've turned Anelka, Henry, Viera and Pires from Ok players into 20-30 million+ players. Liverpool has also bought smart, with Henchoz, Hypiaa, Litmanen, Murphy etc. The last time we got real gem for nothing was with Johnsen and OGS. I think it may have to do with our training staffs and coaches who are not getting the best out of our players. We do have many hugh talents, but none are really becoming world great Wallwork, O'Shea, Chadwick etc. Our latest buy Forlan, is still a major doubt if he will really come good. May be the problems really goes down to the scouts. We hear everyday of the Arse & Pool looking to bolster with new talents on the cheap, while we are chasing 29-30yrs world class players. Yet we are now caught up by them.
Developing new talents...
- Thread starter mamboza
- Start date
Interesting points there. We haven't been getting those gems of late, you're right. But maybe thats because there are only so many of those gems to round. I mean how many times can SAF pull signings like a Schmeical, a Johnsen or an Ole? There are really only so many decent Scandavians knocking around. If the bargains were there I reckon United would be among the first to jump.
Definitely part of the problem is that other clubs have followed the same strategy. Not just Pool and Arse. All over Europe, which mean the pool of bargain gems is getting smaller and smaller.
In fairness, the players you mentioned from both Pool and Arse were pretty much no brainers for the respective managers. Wenger had the inside track on Viera and Anelka - that was just timing and Wenger's reputation. Pirez and Henry were both well established internationals when they signed.
The only true gem you've identified is Hypia at Anfield. He was a real signing a la Schmeical 10 years ago. Its a tradgedy that he slipped past SAF's gaze.
I don't know, I wouldn't be so sure that the scouts are working as well as the could. I reckon we will see some new gems develop at OT this year. O'Shea for one should come on strong. He looks like a class act. And who knows who else is waiting in the wings. I guessed were just spoilt over the last decade and now expect United to magic up some more secret gems.
And as for the signing established world class players. That's something that we should be proud of, our success over the last decade means that we can realisitically compete for the mega-bucks players. Alright Veron hasn't gone as well as he could have. But how many other clubs in Europe are looking at Van N with envy. A club United's size should be competeing at the top end of the market too!
Definitely part of the problem is that other clubs have followed the same strategy. Not just Pool and Arse. All over Europe, which mean the pool of bargain gems is getting smaller and smaller.
In fairness, the players you mentioned from both Pool and Arse were pretty much no brainers for the respective managers. Wenger had the inside track on Viera and Anelka - that was just timing and Wenger's reputation. Pirez and Henry were both well established internationals when they signed.
The only true gem you've identified is Hypia at Anfield. He was a real signing a la Schmeical 10 years ago. Its a tradgedy that he slipped past SAF's gaze.
I don't know, I wouldn't be so sure that the scouts are working as well as the could. I reckon we will see some new gems develop at OT this year. O'Shea for one should come on strong. He looks like a class act. And who knows who else is waiting in the wings. I guessed were just spoilt over the last decade and now expect United to magic up some more secret gems.
And as for the signing established world class players. That's something that we should be proud of, our success over the last decade means that we can realisitically compete for the mega-bucks players. Alright Veron hasn't gone as well as he could have. But how many other clubs in Europe are looking at Van N with envy. A club United's size should be competeing at the top end of the market too!