[Albion] Ansu Fati **Signed On Loan 01/09**

[trueblue]

Well, we played both Welbeck and Ferguson on Saturday. Presumably one of those wouldn't have played if Fati was available

Ferguson’s a more natural replacement for Welbeck than a partner. Here’s a 3 week spell in September if you’re really worried we won’t keep everyone happy:

Thursday - Europa League - possibly abroad & arriving back early hours Friday
Sunday - Bournemouth (H)
3 days later - Chelsea (A)
3 days later - Aston Villa ((A)
3 days later - travelling & training abroad (if 1st UEL game was at home)
1 day later - Europa League second game
3 days later - Liverpool (H)

 

[Bakero]

Not saying he's a sick note, just that by all accounts he isn't as good now as he was before his injury, bit like Lamptey

The injury slowed his development but there hasn't been a massive drop off in form. In fact, last season saw his best goal return.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Ferguson’s a more natural replacement for Welbeck than a partner. Here’s a 3 week spell in September if you’re really worried we won’t keep everyone happy:

Thursday - Europa League - possibly abroad & arriving back early hours Friday
Sunday - Bournemouth (H)
3 days later - Chelsea (A)
3 days later - Aston Villa ((A)
3 days later - travelling & training abroad (if 1st UEL game was at home)
1 day later - Europa League second game
3 days later - Liverpool (H)

I was really really really worried, yes, but now I feel reassured.

Actually I just feel sick looking at that fixture list

 

[trueblue]

We woul

We would have been paying £40m for Kudus of course

And maybe we like players that aren’t focussed on their next move before they even arrive. Don’t think Fati’s motivation would be in doubt. If he comes to us, it’s because he really wants and needs to show what he can do.

 

[Mustafa II]

Do you honestly not think that Mitoma, Enciso, Ferguson etc are at least 25% as good as an 18 year old Fati!?

No, not even close.

Fati is/was a generational talent.

The same level of potential as Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland etc.

It's unlikely now that he'll ever reach that level, but the potential was definitely there.

He is still likely to become a world class player. Could be one of the best players in the world. That's why he's here.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Mitoma also likely heading to the Asian Cup of course, so cover will be needed (guess that's been mentioned about 19 times)

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Mitoma also likely heading to the Asian Cup of course, so cover will be needed (guess that's been mentioned about 19 times)

Ironically for NSC, not been mentioned once

 

[Icy Gull]

Ferguson’s a more natural replacement for Welbeck than a partner. Here’s a 3 week spell in September if you’re really worried we won’t keep everyone happy:

Thursday - Europa League - possibly abroad & arriving back early hours Friday
Sunday - Bournemouth (H)
3 days later - Chelsea (A)
3 days later - Aston Villa ((A)
3 days later - travelling & training abroad (if 1st UEL game was at home)
1 day later - Europa League second game
3 days later - Liverpool (H)

 

[sparkie]

If this breaks down, who will be the first to point out his injury record and that we've dodged a bullet?

You. You just have lol.

 

[bhafc99]

Will the plane get back before The Toddster wakes up in America, hears about Fati for the first time ever and offers four trazzilion dollars?

 

[dwayne]

Is that sauce just getting info from another sauce though. Need to know who the king sauce is

He's in the club journo inner circle I believe.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Biggen Hill arrivals @ 15:16 private jet from Seville

C25A?

It’s a sign!

Surely he’ll be given the iconic 25 shirt?

 

[Gabbiano]

No, not even close.

Fati is/was a generational talent.

The same level of potential as Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland etc.

It's unlikely now that he'll ever reach that level, but the potential was definitely there.

He is still likely to become a world class player. Could be one of the best players in the world. That's why he's here.

Think it’s similar to Odegaard at Arsenal. Hyped to be the next big thing, hasn’t quite made it but still a top class player trying to get his career back on track.

I’d be interested to see if he displaces Mitoma or plays the 10 role. We are a bit lopsided in attack, so many left-sided players.

 

[Acker79]

Weather is not too good today. Hope he doesn't take one look around, say 'not for me' and head back like that bloke with Leeds.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

No, not even close.

Fati is/was a generational talent.

The same level of potential as Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland etc.

It's unlikely now that he'll ever reach that level, but the potential was definitely there.

He is still likely to become a world class player. Could be one of the best players in the world. That's why he's here.

There are dozens of players who have been compared to Messi in their teens though. I don't think it's helped any of them. Progress of a young player is never linear, especially if bad injuries are involved.

I also don't think that giving the lad the Barca 10 shirt at that age did the lad much good, lot's of expectation, lot's of pressure to ask his body to do things it's not fit enough yet to do.

Here is a good move for him. He will add to our squad, but we're not desperate for him. We can bring him in and out as whoever is coming in instead is going to be a very good player. Workload management away from the bright lights of the Nou Camp, but with plenty of highly competitive fixtures is just what we need

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

C25A?

It’s a sign!

Surely he’ll be given the iconic 25 shirt?

Could well do. Doubt he'll get to keep his Barcelona 22

Edit: He had 22 originally but he's been given the 10 now, so whateverrrr...........

 

[raymondo]

Shouldn't they be paying us to help his progress to being the finished article?

Maybe...but perhaps having a good relationship between our 2 clubs will be beneficial to both over time

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Think it’s similar to Odegaard at Arsenal. Hyped to be the next big thing, hasn’t quite made it but still a top class player trying to get his career back on track.

I’d be interested to see if he displaces Mitoma or plays the 10 role. We are a bit lopsided in attack, so many left-sided players.

Absolutely not a chance (in my humble view) he replaces Mitoma, who will remain among the first players on the team sheet.

Much more likely he is asked to do a job a but more like MacAllister last season, or Pedro / Enciso this season.

There is an outside chance, Mitoma takes Solly's position on the right, Fati on the left and Solly might be asked to fill in at right full back. But even as i'm typing that, i'm pulling a face at how much I don't like the idea

 

[raymondo]

There are dozens of players who have been compared to Messi in their teens though. I don't think it's helped any of them. Progress of a young player is never linear, especially if bad injuries are involved.

I also don't think that giving the lad the Barca 10 shirt at that age did the lad much good, lot's of expectation, lot's of pressure to ask his body to do things it's not fit enough yet to do.

Here is a good move for him. He will add to our squad, but we're not desperate for him. We can bring him in and out as whoever is coming in instead is going to be a very good player. Workload management away from the bright lights of the Nou Camp, but with plenty of highly competitive fixtures is just what we need

Yes, and very likely more game time here than he looks like getting in Barca. Plus, for the lad and Barca, a close look at the PL and possibly putting him in the shop window with the club (us) that's pretty much the most talked about at the moment...cue a thumping defeat to Toon

 

[Change at Barnham]

Feels a little strange that we wouldn't put a release clause in Kudus' contract, but are happy to loan a player in the same position and return him for nothing in a year.

The loan deal for Fati leaves a bit in the kitty for an additional significant signing. Just before we hear the chimes of Big Ben on SkySportsNews and the transfer window slams shut.