Rachid Ghezzal

[The whole world smiles]

5 hours ago, grumpy old git said:

I cannot believe we paid 14 euro for a guy who at his very best is low league or championship standard, the French fans say if has been poor to average this last season or two.

 

I think Puel is making LCFC into laughing stock!

 

A Riyad Mahrez replacement he is NOT.

 

This kind of sentiment makes me laugh imagine how mad someone like you would be if we replaced Riyad Mahrez with Riyad Mahrez... aka a player who had scored 6 goals in 60 appearances for a French second division side and who had failed a trial at St Mirren.

 

Or heaven forbid if we replaced Jamie Vardy with a striker who was playing in the conference....

 

Stop bitching and moaning all the time and let the professionals who are paid a lot of money to spot something in players others have missed do their jobs. 

 

There is no blueprint for success in the transfer market Gokhan Inler came with a huge reputation and vast international experience yet was terrible. Danny Drinkwater was playing for Barnsley and.... You know the rest.

 

Surely history has taught you to judge a player on what they do in a city shirt not before?

[CosbehFox]

Personally don’t believe the financial figures cited in half of deals. The figures being spoken about will be including bonuses and extras 

[Guest the fox]

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
Tis Riyad's replacement," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door —
Only this, and nothing more." 

 

Eagerly I wished the morrow; — vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow — sorrow for the lost Riyad.

 

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each transfer rumor
Thrilled me — filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
Tis Riyad's replacement entreating entrance at my club —
Some late transfer entreating entrance at my club; —
This it is, and nothing more."

 

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
Sir," said I, "truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I seek an overrated youngster, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my club's doors,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"— here I opened wide the door; —
Darkness there, and nothing more.

 

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Mahrez?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Mahrez!" —
Merely this, and nothing more.

 

Back into Foxestalk turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
Surely," said I, "surely that is my new winger at my club's doors:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore —
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; —
'Tis the Sun and nothing more." 

 

Open here I flung the Keyboard, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately person of the silent days of Lyon;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord, perched above my club's bench —
Perched upon an empty seat just next to the natch man  —
Perched, and sat, and nothing more. 

 

Sigh

Edited 4 August 2018 by the fox

[Mehrez]

Not much point arguing about the fee (the reported €10-14 id guess includes all possible addons) plenty of places say ~5m some say more - end of the day it’s not our money and it’s chump change to the club who right now have more than they can spend 

[Wymsey]

http://global.espn.com/football/soccer-transfers/story/3584141/leicester-swoop-to-beat-watford-to-monacos-rachid-ghezzal-sources

[MPH]

5 minutes ago, Wymeswold fox said:

http://global.espn.com/football/soccer-transfers/story/3584141/leicester-swoop-to-beat-watford-to-monacos-rachid-ghezzal-sources

 

 

‘ swoop to beat Watford’.

 

almost makes ‘ battling with Everton’ sound positively exotic....

[brucey]

2 hours ago, the fox said:

Sigh

 

Brilliant work. Could have used the entire second verse though..

 

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak February;
And each separate striking day wrought its ghost upon the club.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; — vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow — sorrow for the lost Riyad.
For the rare and radiant player whom his mother named Riyad—
Legend here for evermore.

 

Edited 5 August 2018 by brucey

[srex9]

1 hour ago, the fox said:

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
Tis Riyad's replacement," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door —
Only this, and nothing more." 

 

Eagerly I wished the morrow; — vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow — sorrow for the lost Riyad.

 

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each transfer rumor
Thrilled me — filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
Tis Riyad's replacement entreating entrance at my club —
Some late transfer entreating entrance at my club; —
This it is, and nothing more."

 

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
Sir," said I, "truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I seek an overrated youngster, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my club's doors,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"— here I opened wide the door; —
Darkness there, and nothing more.

 

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Mahrez?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Mahrez!" —
Merely this, and nothing more.

 

Back into Foxestalk turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
Surely," said I, "surely that is my new winger at my club's doors:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore —
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; —
'Tis the Sun and nothing more." 

 

Open here I flung the Keyboard, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately person of the silent days of Lyon;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord, perched above my club's bench —
Perched upon an empty seat just next to the natch man  —
Perched, and sat, and nothing more. 

 

Sigh

 

Stunning...I'm literally stunned 

[Gerard]

3 hours ago, MC Prussian said:

That's all fine and dandy.

 

Ghezzal, however, isn't worth £12.5m. The last reasonable amount we all read about was less than half of that, almost just a third, actually.

Why players suddenly cost more when Premier League clubs are in the loop will probably remain a mystery forever.

 

Also, as seen with other signings that we've made in the past, once the players struggle, the clubs struggles to offload them big-time. You can only hope to sell them within the Premier League, otherwise, you're looking at a (massive) loss. It's crazy. Absolutely crazy. And not healthy in the long run.

 

Couldn't agree more, brilliant post.

 

It's a global market and too many people lazily use the excuse of "Premier League tax" to justify overpaying for players. If Monaco insist the price is €14m for a player they got on a free last season and who has failed then walk away and leave them holding the baby.

 

The penny will soon drop with PL clubs that they can't afford to get transfers badly wrong when they overpay a transfer fee and salary. There are just too many examples in the PL of players that were bought for far more than they're worth and paid a salary that no other club will pay them. If you get a signing wrong you get hit financially twice as not only have you overpaid you can't move them on to lesser clubs as they can't afford the wages. 

 

Clubs now should really be as sure as possible that they're getting in the player who is the player they think they are and can easily be shifted on if need be. If you buy duds then you're shafted for the length of their contract with possibly some teams in Portugal or Turkey offering to take them in on loan.

Edited 5 August 2018 by Gerard

[Jattdogg]

7 minutes ago, Gerard said:

 

Couldn't agree more, brilliant post.

 

It's a global market and too many people lazily use the excuse of "Premier League tax" to justify overpaying for players. If Monaco insist the price is €14m for a player they got on a free last season and who has failed then walk away and leave them holding the baby.

 

The penny will soon drop with PL clubs that they can't afford to get transfers badly wrong when they overpay a transfer fee and salary. There are just too many examples in the PL of players that were bought for far more than they're worth and paid a salary that no other club will pay them. If you get a signing wrong you get hit financially twice as not only have you overpaid you can't move them on to lesser clubs as they can't afford the wages. 

 

Clubs now should really be as sure as possible that they're getting in the player who is the player they think they are and can easily be shifted on if need be. If you buy duds then you're shafted for the length of their contract with possibly some teams in Portugal or Turkey offering to take them in on loan.

 

Pretty much why its absolutely important to have a big academy all about building talent. We will get there

[WigstonWanderer]

8 hours ago, volpeazzurro said:

Think we've just managed to get rid of one Musa only to buy an even worse one! Would far sooner have just stuck with what we've got! Another bloody Algerian as well, does that we're going to get bombarded by that loony hero  worshipping player fan brigade back on here? (Apologies to the decent proper Algerian football supporters who, from meeting a few are decent and know their stuff).

 

Actually from the comments of one of the Algerians earlier, I don’t think this guy’s good enough to have any fanboys.

[Jattdogg]

4 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Actually from the comments of one of the Algerians earlier, I don’t think this guy’s good enough to have any fanboys.

Even they said wtf im out!

[chicagofox]

Suddenly everyone is an expert on this guy?

 

if we sign him, why the fcuk don’t you give him a chance before writing his City obituary? 

[mikey54]

54 minutes ago, chicagofox said:

Suddenly everyone is an expert on this guy?

 

if we sign him, why the fcuk don’t you give him a chance before writing his City obituary? 

Perfect summary of Foxestalk Transfer Talk 

[wokinghamfox]

1 hour ago, chicagofox said:

Suddenly everyone is an expert on this guy?

 

if we sign him, why the fcuk don’t you give him a chance before writing his City obituary? 

It makes you laugh. The poor sod is doomed before he has joined. Open mind I think is needed here.

[foxfanazer]

1 hour ago, chicagofox said:

Suddenly everyone is an expert on this guy?

 

if we sign him, why the fcuk don’t you give him a chance before writing his City obituary? 

It gives the doom merchants the opportunity to say I told you so if he does end up being rubbish. Won’t be anywhere to be seen if he comes good don’t worry

[turkish14]

8 hours ago, The whole world smiles said:

This kind of sentiment makes me laugh imagine how mad someone like you would be if we replaced Riyad Mahrez with Riyad Mahrez... aka a player who had scored 6 goals in 60 appearances for a French second division side and who had failed a trial at St Mirren.

 

Or heaven forbid if we replaced Jamie Vardy with a striker who was playing in the conference....

 

Stop bitching and moaning all the time and let the professionals who are paid a lot of money to spot something in players others have missed do their jobs. 

 

There is no blueprint for success in the transfer market Gokhan Inler came with a huge reputation and vast international experience yet was terrible. Danny Drinkwater was playing for Barnsley and.... You know the rest.

 

Surely history has taught you to judge a player on what they do in a city shirt not before?

Best post in this thread ?

 

To many people these days feel entitled. That we should be able to just get another ready made Mahrez.

[KingsX]

The blame for this one falls squarely on @the fox

 

Once upon my phone and tablet, while I moaned, indulging habit

on the transfer forum for the hundredth time or more

Rudkin nodding, soundly napping, til I’m absolutely crapping

    as the wingers of my dreams  signed for other, shithouse teams

“Nothing left”, I muttered, “but the sweepings on the floor--

    panic buys, and nothing more.”

 

As I rose to seek the shitter, with a flutter and a flitter

Alit a coal-black bird who spoke from on the chamber’s door

 “Seeing as you’re bloody freaking, I can grant you what you’re seeking

    but it will take a bit of tweaking.  They don’t make ‘em any more--   

Gods of fire to acquire for three hundred thou, or four?

    Those days are gone -- they’re mostly whores.”

 

I saw a vision so exacting, I though cannabis was acting

on my brain as YouTube highlights made my temples roar

Bred from the deserts of Algiers, like the prince we once held dear,

    his feet enchanted that damn sphere!!  but spake the bird once more

“Just don’t look for much in terms of goals that he might score

    He ain’t no Mahrez, that’s for sure.”

 

And so a princeling has been bought, we hope that he will score a lot,

the toys back in the pram, or not, we soon will know for sure

But the fanboys, never quitting, will still be sitting, til I’m shitting

    on my favorite forum, like a Quorum of the Bores

But how can I complain, when I myself am such a snore

     butchering this old poem from Baltimore.

 

[deep blue]

48 minutes ago, KingsX said:

The blame for this one falls squarely on @the fox

 

Once upon my phone and tablet, while I moaned, indulging habit

on the transfer forum for the hundredth time or more

Rudkin nodding, soundly napping, til I’m absolutely crapping

    as the wingers of my dreams  signed for other, shithouse teams

“Nothing left”, I muttered, “but the sweepings on the floor--

    panic buys, and nothing more.”

 

As I rose to seek the shitter, with a flutter and a flitter

Alit a coal-black bird who spoke from on the chamber’s door

 “Seeing as you’re bloody freaking, I can grant you what you’re seeking

    but it will take a bit of tweaking.  They don’t make ‘em any more--   

Gods of fire to acquire for three hundred thou, or four?

    Those days are gone -- they’re mostly whores.”

 

I saw a vision so exacting, I though cannabis was acting

on my brain as YouTube highlights made my temples roar

Bred from the deserts of Algiers, like the prince we once held dear,

    his feet enchanted that damn sphere!!  but spake the bird once more

“Just don’t look for much in terms of goals that he might score

    He ain’t no Mahrez, that’s for sure.”

 

And so a princeling has been bought, we hope that he will score a lot,

the toys back in the pram, or not, we soon will know for sure

But the fanboys, never quitting, will still be sitting, til I’m shitting

    on my favorite forum, like a Quorum of the Bores

But how can I complain, when I myself am such a snore

     butchering this old poem from Baltimore.

 

Wow. What a thread this has become.

[lmtiazLCFC4LIFE]

When's he gonna be announced ffs?! Why are we ineptly slow at everything???...

[FrankieADZ]

2 hours ago, chicagofox said:

Suddenly everyone is an expert on this guy?

 

if we sign him, why the fcuk don’t you give him a chance before writing his City obituary? 

thing is, some of our fans are expecting "big name" replacements etc to come in, 

pretty sure some were slating the signing of Kante too when we brought him in and Cambiasso left

 

think they need to remember the club they support, we might have won the league a few years back but we arent massive in the grand scheme of things

 

ever since we won the league there has been an even bigger delusion of grandeur from some of our fans 

 

on this Ghezzal transfer, id rather give him a chance rather than right him off because hed been labelled rubbish by some for not being a big enough name etc

Edited 5 August 2018 by FrankieADZ

[Realist Guy In The Room]

45 minutes ago, lmtiazLCFC4LIFE said:

When's he gonna be announced ffs?! Why are we ineptly slow at everything???...

He keeps losing his balance and falling over for no reason when we’re trying to take his photos so it could be a while.

[Fosse93]

Think he looks pretty good in this.

[Haywood_6]

3 hours ago, chicagofox said:

 

[Vlad the Fox]

On 3 August 2018 at 12:58, SouthStandUpperTier said:

Is this a bit like when your kid's pet hamster dies and you leg it down to the pet shop to buy a lookalike before they notice?

Let's face it though that isn't very often though as they live for years. My little Harry Hamster is 34 next month.