JeffreyDiddum

I bet when you first heard about his loan, you said “who da hell is dat?!”

It’s possible, if you think it will happen you should get on with the bookies! We’re 25/1 to go down, and Leicester are 1/2, I’m sure you could get even better with a bet builder. Trust your gut I say!

Bit unnecessary, there’s no beef between our clubs and I wish you every success for this season. When you won the league I was delighted. Again, no offence meant, was just responding truthfully to someone asking why we let him go on loan. We’re all aware of your present financial difficulties, and the situation since the tragedy occurred with Vichai. Hi, thanks for asking! I like him personally. Similar to Buonanotte, he does have a tendency to have his head down and can dribble into blind alleys a lot, which can make him come off a little greedy. He had an excellent pre-season though, so I can see why he’s in and around the squad now. I think he’d be a candidate to be moved on if the price was right, but his versatility is really useful from the bench as he covers 3-4 positions. He can often look like he’s too eager to please and forgoes the simple things (taking on a man instead of a simple pass) but this can be a good trait when we’re playing too passively. Based on what I saw from your squad last night, he’d be another one who would get game time if he joined you and I think would be a good signing in the £12-£15m region.

Buonanotte was seen as a right winger by the club, where he’d be behind Minteh, March and Adingra and Gruda. Left wing he’d be behind Mitoma, Adingra and now Rutter. At number 10 he’d be behind Pedro, Ritter and Gruda. There is also Sarmiento who had an excellent preseason and can play any of the three positions. We also signed Cozier-Duberry (going on loan to the Championship) and Ibrahim Osman (on loan to Feyenoord), so he’s not the only young player we can’t make room for this season in our attacking midfield positions, where frankly we’re suddenly stacked. Under contract in the first team squad, including a few we’ve let out on loan, we would have Welbeck, Ferguson, Pedro, Rutter, Cozier-Duberry, Mitoma, March, Gruda, Adingra, Sarmiento, Osman, Sima, Minteh, Buonanotte - that’s fourteen players who are all vying for four positions per match. TLDR; In short, we currently have better options - that’s no disrespect to Facundo, but he’s in our long term plans hence the new contract to 2028. We’re all hoping he has an amazing season with you and comes back an even better player to assess next summer.

You make a compelling case, let me confer quickly with Mr Bloom and get back to you. edit: he said no

Cross posted from the old transfer thread; would love to know your thoughts now having seen him in the flesh tonight; Brighton & Hove Albion season ticket holder here - hi! First post in about 3-4 years I think, but wanted to give my opinion on Facundo after seeing a few posts asking for a Brighton perspective. First of all, and this can’t be overstated, but he’s 19 years old. Despite this, he has played over 50 times for us and has a couple of Argentina caps. So while he is “one of the future”, he is not a rookie fresh from our PL2 set up. He is a break-through season away from being a very desirable asset. Obviously all parties are hoping it happens with you, this season. Before Southampton and finally yourselves were linked, a deal looked all but done with Feyenoord for a loan with option to buy. Fans, including myself, were *not* happy about this as we pretty much all agree the lad has huge potential and couldn’t understand why we’d agree to sell such a prospect short of receiving a very large fee. We are far happier with a loan for the player to get further experience, and plenty more first team PL minutes. I’ve seen a few comments poo-pooing the idea of loaning a player from a perceived “lesser” club, which I feel I must address. In order to do that, I must talk a little about the player, his attributes and his role in the squad. He is considerably physically stronger than when he joined as a 17 year old, and is surprisingly dogged and robust in the tackle. He is a reasonably short player at 5’9, but isn’t lightning fast. I’d describe his pace as moderate by PL standards - he won’t skin anyone. He is however in the Messi mould (in style, if not ability!) and has excellent close control and dribbling skills. He is not afraid to take on long shots and has scored a couple of cracking goals for us. He did have a tendency to sometimes over play in our system under De Zerbi, and would regularly dribble into dead ends before chipping an ineffective cross, or losing possession. However, he is still learning and sometimes would be the player to at least try creative things - often unsuccessfully - to unlock a defence. He plays primarily as a right winger for us, and has filled in at right wing back. He can also play left wing and at number ten. He is not a pacy, traditional winger and is more of an inside forward. He consistently cuts in from the right wing onto his preferred left foot, crossing to the far post and attempting shots from range. Think a wide David Silva in style, constantly coming into the middle and not holding width. He has a very impressive workrate, and runs his socks off in the press and tracking back. As mentioned, he’s surprisingly good in the tackle and works hard not to be luxury player. He will serve you well with workrate and team ethic. After a strong summer of recruitment though, he would find his minutes limited here hence the move. Ahead of him are Minteh, March, Cozier-Duberry and Adingra (RW) and Mitoma, Adingra, and Cozier-Duberry (LW), and our new system doesn’t really feature a “ten” based on pre-season so far, so I think he would struggle to feature for us. This is more a reflection of a very positive summer of recruitment than anything else. If you have any questions please ask away, otherwise I wish you - and Facundo - good luck for the season.

I’d say so, yes. I also like that he’s willing to try things when we have lacked imagination. It might be a trick, or a cross - just something to move a deep block a little. He’s a real little terrier off the ball which I love about him. It’s definitely a big plus.

Brighton & Hove Albion season ticket holder here - hi! First post in about 3-4 years I think, but wanted to give my opinion on Facundo after seeing a few posts asking for a Brighton perspective. First of all, and this can’t be overstated, but he’s 19 years old. Despite this, he has played over 50 times for us and has a couple of Argentina caps. So while he is “one of the future”, he is not a rookie fresh from our PL2 set up. He is a break-through season away from being a very desirable asset. Obviously all parties are hoping it happens with you, this season. Before Southampton and finally yourselves were linked, a deal looked all but done with Feyenoord for a loan with option to buy. Fans, including myself, were *not* happy about this as we pretty much all agree the lad has huge potential and couldn’t understand why we’d agree to sell such a prospect short of receiving a very large fee. We are far happier with a loan for the player to get further experience, and plenty more first team PL minutes. I’ve seen a few comments poo-pooing the idea of loaning a player from a perceived “lesser” club, which I feel I must address. In order to do that, I must talk a little about the player, his attributes and his role in the squad. He is considerably physically stronger than when he joined as a 17 year old, and is surprisingly dogged and robust in the tackle. He is a reasonably short player at 5’9, but isn’t lightning fast. I’d describe his pace as moderate by PL standards - he won’t skin anyone. He is however in the Messi mould (in style, if not ability!) and has excellent close control and dribbling skills. He is not afraid to take on long shots and has scored a couple of cracking goals for us. He did have a tendency to sometimes over play in our system under De Zerbi, and would regularly dribble into dead ends before chipping an ineffective cross, or losing possession. However, he is still learning and sometimes would be the player to at least try creative things - often unsuccessfully - to unlock a defence. He plays primarily as a right winger for us, and has filled in at right wing back. He can also play left wing and at number ten. He is not a pacy, traditional winger and is more of an inside forward. He consistently cuts in from the right wing onto his preferred left foot, crossing to the far post and attempting shots from range. Think a wide David Silva in style, constantly coming into the middle and not holding width. He has a very impressive workrate, and runs his socks off in the press and tracking back. As mentioned, he’s surprisingly good in the tackle and works hard not to be luxury player. He will serve you well with workrate and team ethic. After a strong summer of recruitment though, he would find his minutes limited here hence the move. Ahead of him are Minteh, March, Cozier-Duberry and Adingra (RW) and Mitoma, Adingra, and Cozier-Duberry (LW), and our new system doesn’t really feature a “ten” based on pre-season so far, so I think he would struggle to feature for us. This is more a reflection of a very positive summer of recruitment than anything else. If you have any questions please ask away, otherwise I wish you - and Facundo - good luck for the season.

You guys got some rough decisions. You're good enough to be 6-8th.

Thank you Ian. Class is permanent, form is temporary. I hope he will come good again - for City's and England's sakes. I didn't know he had been so out of form - or Perez - for that matter. When both turn it around it will be happy days again! As for the Withdean... You're being generous!!! I used to do primary school sports day there. We were just glad to be home after travelling to Gillingham for our "home" matches.

Maupay is just a classic "shithousery" player, if you'll pardon my language. He disrupts and annoys the opposition. I must admit, that kind of thing isn't really "my bag" but there is a place for it in a team which can be perceived to be a soft touch. I don't know who yours is? I would guess Vardy perhaps, but there is usually one in every team. Maupay, however, does have a very punchable face.

You're quite right, I should apologise. I didn't want to go into minutae so I wasn't very clear what I meant. You guys all go to games every week and know your team better than I do. I was just trying to assess what I saw. I meant that on paper, you should be beating us, based on the quality of your players. Yes, while it's true there are other factors involved like budgets and things, I'm just interested in the football. In terms of being a very good team, I meant the sum of your parts, from the manager downwards based on performance today, not just ability. I hope that clarifies. Good luck for the rest of the season!

After these replies I see I've clearly missed something re: Ayoze Perez! I must admit - hands up - I was basing it on him always being extremely dangerous against us when he played for Newcastle. One of those players you fear when he plays against your club, if you get me!

Was at the game. You're a very good side, despite how you're feeling now. Always liked Leicester and was delighted when the Foxes won the PL. Remember when we beat you once at the Goldstone in the League Cup! That was a claim to fame for us, with our situation back then. Since then we've struggled against you! Right, my personal opinion on the key decisions. Our goal shouldn't have stood, was a clear foul on Vestegaard by Maupay. Your first goal was a bit harshly ruled out, but I can see why he gave it. It was a 50/50 type judgement call. Unluckily for you it went our way. Your second goal was perfectly valid, clear as day. The reverse angle summed it up, Sanchez had no blocked line-of-sight or obstruction. Should've stood. I normally really rate Maddison, but he was absolutely dreadful today (doesn't he normally play in the middle, like Trossard did for us?). Harvey Barnes on the other wing looks very sharp and I like him a lot - he seems to "get" your need for urgency in the final third. Cucarella had Maddison in his pocket - I scarcely remember him touching the ball, as all your more threatening stuff came from beating our four man press and slipping into to Ndidi, then attacking through the middle. Unfortunately, Vardy (who always seems to score against us) looked isolated. Our second goal was extremely poor from your point of view. Truth is though, I felt we might score from the few corners and crossing dead ball situations we had in the game. Your set piece defending is decidedly dodgy. Ours was today too, which was unusual. One of those days? Lookman changed the game for you. He looked different class to everything else you had (today, based on what I saw) and one thing Dunk and Duffy don't like is pacy tricksters running towards (and often past) them. We dropped far too deep after we went 0-2 up in an attempt at "game management" and relied on ref's decisions to keep us ahead and ultimately win it. Nobody here will be interested, and I'm sure every fan of every club, including yours, will say that they feel the same, but last season we had some absolute humdingers go against us (VAR approved, natch). You're very good, but not great. I imagine missing Perez today was a big blow. You are a lot closer to Europe than relegation, I'll put it that way, but personally I think you'll end up be in-between or skirting Europa again. You were robbed by decisions today, but that doesn't explain how lethargic they played in the first half, or the defending of the second goal. One last thing, and forgive me for seeming preachy, you have very recently experienced something hundreds of established clubs in the football pyramid could ever dream of. You won the top league in the country, and get to play in European competition. How amazing is that? You have an excellent team of world class players. The results will come very quickly for you. Good luck for the rest of the season (except against us) and thanks for reading.