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

[Springal]

Yes, criticising a player means it’s a boooing

Maybe you could answer the question of what he did yesterday (bar one cross and a shot from distance) that made you think he’s worth all the money we’re spending on him? I’ve not seen anyone give any specifics. I’d love to be shown some evidence so I can reassess but nothings forthcoming.

You can say the same for most of our attacking players the last few months. You’re just singling him out because he’s not ‘one of our own’ or something.

If Brighton chose to pay him loads of money that’s Tony’s problem not the fans

 

[Commander]

If he wasn't a loan signing, and hadn't had the Barcelona background, I think we'd be happy with the contribution that a 21-year-old had made, with potential for improvement.

Yes it's disappointing that he's not the world-beater that we hoped he would be, but he clearly has talent, is young, and will likely have a successful career in the top leagues.

If the money was right I'd be happy if we signed him permanently.

I think this is right. If we'd signed him for £4 million from Almeria or someone and were paying him £15K a week I think we'd all see him as an exciting prospect who has had a reasonably good season.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

You can say the same for most of our attacking players the last few months. You’re just singling him out because he’s not ‘one of our own’ or something.

If Brighton chose to pay him loads of money that’s Tony’s problem not the fans

I’ve singled him out because he’s on ALOT more money than the rest of them. The expectations should be higher.

The context of the loan fee and his wages is an important factor in this discussion, surely you can see that?

FWIW, Buononatte has definitely shone more than him. Enciso has barely had a chance to but has credit in the bank. Adingra has been similar but has given a bit more in output than him. Ferguson has contributed less, I’d agree.

 

[London Irish]

If he wasn't a loan signing, and hadn't had the Barcelona background, I think we'd be happy with the contribution that a 21-year-old had made, with potential for improvement.

Yes it's disappointing that he's not the world-beater that we hoped he would be, but he clearly has talent, is young, and will likely have a successful career in the top leagues.

If the money was right I'd be happy if we signed him permanently.

This is spot on - I don't know the length of his contract at Barca but I imagine a salary drop to come to us would probably be a remote prospect, I'm going to enjoy the time he has left here, I reckon he'll have some really good moments before the end of the season providing he can escape the niggles

 

[Dorset Seagull]

Thought there were some decent touches last night but often feel maybe the players around him don’t see what he sees

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

More Buononotte, Enciso and Barco

Less Fati please

 

[7dialssouthpaw]

I'm going to buck the trend and say that I thought that was his best performance for us last night. It didn't feel like the team were carrying him as has been the case previously or that he was getting in the way and disrupting the flow of our attacks. Tactically, positionally he was better.
Yes, he lacks a bit of aggression/work rate and is let down by technique at times but I saw more than I've seen so far and he does do things which no one else does - both good and bad.
The challenge is that he needs a lot of sustained coaching and games at a high level and he's not yet at the level we need. He needs another season with us and then I think we'd really see that there is a game-changing player in there. If we could make the transfer permanent on lower wages, I'd persevere, I just don't think it's likely.

yes - I thought he actually looked like he gave a shit yesterday and was trying to lead the team in attack. His instinct for a quick pass or quick shot is his best attribute.

 

[keaton]

yes - I thought he actually looked like he gave a shit yesterday and was trying to lead the team in attack. His instinct for a quick pass or quick shot is his best attribute.

It's just very difficult when no one in the team wants to make a quick run(other than JPVH)

 

[The Fits]

Thought he added a bit of energy yesterday.
My concern is that he's not doing what is asked of him. Looks like Gross was berating him in the game and our coaches were right onto him afterwards. Obviously we don't know what was said, but not following instructions is a pretty basic part of football. That's why March is so popular with managers. He always does exactly what he is asked to do. Same with Gross.
Will he come good? I suspect he'll find some confidence.
I don't think it will be here though.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

WTF Barca saw to hang a one billion euro release clause round his neck I really don't know.

It concerns me that he does seem to have "a touch of the Akpoms" about him.

Were it not for our shortage of resources, I'd be advocating sticking him on the first plane home. Whatever it is we are paying towards his wages, he isn't worth it.

Did you watch him prior to his two ligament injuries?

There’s a generational talent in there that I suspect was ruined way before he turned up here through no fault of his own. If not physically, then probably mentally.

Barca have recent history of overplaying youngsters and it leading to serious long term injuries.

 

[Justice]

Thought he added a bit of energy yesterday.
My concern is that he's not doing what is asked of him. Looks like Gross was berating him in the game and our coaches were right onto him afterwards. Obviously we don't know what was said, but not following instructions is a pretty basic part of football. That's why March is so popular with managers. He always does exactly what he is asked to do. Same with Gross.
Will he come good? I suspect he'll find some confidence.
I don't think it will be here though.

Probably because he had a shot with out a build up of fifty passes before hand

 

[peterward]

I’ve singled him out because he’s on ALOT more money than the rest of them. The expectations should be higher.

The context of the loan fee and his wages is an important factor in this discussion, surely you can see that?

FWIW, Buononatte has definitely shone more than him. Enciso has barely had a chance to but has credit in the bank. Adingra has been similar but has given a bit more in output than him. Ferguson has contributed less, I’d agree.

I'm not sure the expectations should be higher because he's on more money.

He's still a 21yo at beginning of career in the big boys leagues.

His wages are a reflection of how good his agent is and how much Barcelona have ridiculously over valued their player.

Which is one of main reasons they're a financial basket case desperate for the European super league.

You can pay someone 15k or 150k it doesn't change their ability.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

I'm not sure the expectations should be higher because he's on more money.

He's still a 21yo at beginning of career in the big boys leagues.

His wages are a reflection of how good his agent is and how much Barcelona have ridiculously over valued their player.

Which is one of main reasons they're a financial basket case desperate for the European super league.

You can pay someone 15k or 150k it doesn't change their ability.

He’s also on more money because he signed a contract prior to 2 knee injuries that would’ve ended careers 20 years ago.

I don’t think he’s been great for us, and I was surprised that we thought he was worth it on those wages at the time, but that doesn’t stop the fact that he was doing things most teenagers don’t do prior to the injuries.

 

[Exilegull]

Fati not having a good season could make it possible for us to buy him, which I would 100% support even if he would be hopeless for the last 10 games. Massive talent and even if he never reach the "next Messi" level he will turn out a real good player.

 

[deslynhamsmoustache1]

I'm not sure the expectations should be higher because he's on more money.

He's still a 21yo at beginning of career in the big boys leagues.

His wages are a reflection of how good his agent is and how much Barcelona have ridiculously over valued their player.

Which is one of main reasons they're a financial basket case desperate for the European super league.

You can pay someone 15k or 150k it doesn't change their ability.

Totally this. But it should make them hungrier and have a huge desire.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I'm not sure the expectations should be higher because he's on more money. He's still a 21yo at beginning of career in the big boys leagues.

His wages are a reflection of how good his agent is and how much Barcelona have ridiculously over valued their player.

Which is one of main reasons they're a financial basket case desperate for the European super league.

You can pay someone 15k or 150k it doesn't change their ability.

Expectations related to how much money a player is costing a club is paramount to our business model though.

Our only ‘big’ earners are players who contribute a massive amount to the club and can be relied upon to consistently deliver.

If we’re not getting value for money out of someone, it is a massive hindrance for a tightly run budget. We cannot afford expensive earners to offer so little.

This is partly on the recruitment team but Fati also has to carry some of the burden. If Dunk, Mitoma or Gross were offering limited returns they’d be getting questioned as well.

 

[Javeaseagull]

Expectations related to how much money a player is costing a club is paramount to our business model though.

Our only ‘big’ earners are players who contribute a massive amount to the club and can be relied upon to consistently deliver.

If we’re not getting value for money out of someone, it is a massive hindrance for a tightly run budget. We cannot afford expensive earners to offer so little.

This is partly on the recruitment team but Fati also has to carry some of the burden. If Dunk, Mitoma or Gross were offering limited returns they’d be getting questioned as well.

I always thought it was a PR exercise? He is a very famous young man and it gets our brand “out there.” Or something like that.

 

[AstroSloth]

In theory I wouldn't be against him staying another season too, but in practice not sure.

Some of the figures I've seen bandied about were 7m loan fee? And wages well north of 7 figures?

If either of those are true I'd suggest he isn't good value for money, and accepting his previous injury I still reckon his overall performance levels are short of what the club and player had hoped?

Apparently we're just paying a percentage of his wages with no loan fee, but those wages add up to around £7m.

Still expensive of course but I think it was worth a gamble.

 

[nwgull]

I always thought it was a PR exercise? He is a very famous young man and it gets our brand “out there.” Or something like that.

It 150K a week it’s an expensive PR exercise!

 

[dazzer6666]

I always thought it was a PR exercise? He is a very famous young man and it gets our brand “out there.” Or something like that.

No chance. There would have been a genuine belief that he’d be worth it. If he hadn’t got in he might have been…..we’ll probably never know.