Rachid Ghezzal signs.

[funkyrobot]

20 hours ago, murphy said:

No, that's not good enough.

 

We can't afford to spend £14m and shrug our shoulders if he doesn't make it.  That kind of attitude will catch up with us in the end.

 

We have lost our best player and we should be leaving no stone unturned trying to get the best possible and most proven replacement that we can possibly find.  We don't need squad players in this position.  Gambling on this guy is not the answer.

 

All transfers may or may not work. If that’s not good enough for you then I’m not sure what to say as every club in the world has bought expensive and cheaper players who haven’t succeeded and vice versa. That’s the nature of a team competition when a transfer market is involved. Mahrez has been replaced by a combination of Maddison, Ricardo and Ghezzal. The reason this has had to happen is because there simply isn’t an obvious alternative to him (that’s why Mahrez attracted the attention of England’s current best team Man City.) Also I’m happy that Puel has tried to fix the problem across a number of players. If Mahrez was nullified then that was most of our creativity lost, now teams have to consider a winger who might not be at Mahrez’s level but still has an abundance of tricks and a great left foot, a marauding full back with skill and pace and an intelligent attacking number 10 who can receive the ball on the turn and put through a killer ball or shot. Overall that makes a lot of sense to me. 

Edited 6 August 2018 by funkyrobot

[foxinsocks]

He moves like an antilope

But hes a ghezzal

 

[murphy]

2 hours ago, funkyrobot said:

All transfers may or may not work. If that’s not good enough for you then I’m not sure what to say as every club in the world has bought expensive and cheaper players who haven’t succeeded and vice versa. That’s the nature of a team competition when a transfer market is involved. Mahrez has been replaced by a combination of Maddison, Ricardo and Ghezzal. The reason this has had to happen is because there simply isn’t an obvious alternative to him (that’s why Mahrez attracted the attention of England’s current best team Man City.) Also I’m happy that Puel has tried to fix the problem across a number of players. If Mahrez was nullified then that was most of our creativity lost, now teams have to consider a winger who might not be at Mahrez’s level but still has an abundance of tricks and a great left foot, a marauding full back with skill and pace and an intelligent attacking number 10 who can receive the ball on the turn and put through a killer ball or shot. Overall that makes a lot of sense to me. 

 

OK, I agree, that not all transfers make it but the point that I am making is that to go into that transfer with the laisse-faire shoulder shrugging attitude that it might not work out is not good enough.  You will have to see the post I was responding to to see what I mean.  You should do due dilligence and take every precaution to ensure that the player you are signing is the right fit and quality for your side especially when we are trying to fill a huge hole in that position.  Not just hit and hope.

 

I will have to disagree with you on your point that we have replaced Mahrez with a combination of Maddison, Ricardo and Ghezzai.  We have been crying out for a no.10 for ages and also for an attacking full back.  These are separate issues that needed addressing even if Mahrez had stayed and, to give the club credit, they have been addressed with quality additions.  

 

The other obvious problem position is right wing since the loss of Mahrez.  We should have been aiming much higher than Ghezzal in my opinion.

 

Anyway, I've said my piece on this.  Time to move on.

Edited 6 August 2018 by murphy

[funkyrobot]

27 minutes ago, murphy said:

OK, I agree, that not all transfers make it but the point that I am making is that to go into that transfer with the laisse-faire shoulder shrugging attitude that it might not work out is not good enough.  You will have to see the post I was responding to to see what I mean.  You should do due dilligence and take every precaution to ensure that the player you are signing is the right fit and quality for your side especially when we are trying to fill a huge hole in that position.  Not just hit and hope.

 

I will have to disagree with you on your point that we have replaced Mahrez with a combination of Maddison, Ricardo and Ghezzai.  We have been crying out for a no.10 for ages and also for an attacking full back.  These are separate issues that needed addressing even if Mahrez had stayed and, to give the club credit, they have been addressed with quality additions.  

 

The other obvious problem position is right wing since the loss of Mahrez.  We should have been aiming much higher than Ghezzai in my opinion.

 

Anyway, I've said my piece on this.  Time to move on.

Hopefully he’ll prove you wrong (and many others tbf.)

[HarryDee8]

2 hours ago, sylofox said:

Not sure why people are arguing about what we call him. If he plays like his skills video he will soon be called Useless Vaghezzal.

Vardy - ghezzal = vajizzal ???

[r2d2]

Hello Leicester Fan,

I just wanted to post my insight of your new player Ghezzal. I'm an Olympique Lyonnais supporter, so I've watched every single game of my team, therefore every single game of Ghezzal with our shirt.

Well, something is amazing with this player it's that a lot of supporters rage at him even when he his the best player on the pitch, maybe it's his style or way of running.

During the 2015-2016 season, he was really good, I would say one of our best players. He has a really good left foot, can score nice goals outside the box. He was our free kick and corner shooter. 

I think he always was talented but lacked a coach who really trusted him, it's a player who needs a coach trust and attention to really get the best of him. Maybe he lacked that during his season at Monaco, the competition to start was important, and he joined as a free signing so the coach is not pressured to use him.

At the end of the 2016 season at OL, our president wanted to extend his contract with us but the negotiation was not conclusive, so our president pressures him by putting him in the reserve squad so he doesn't leave as a free signing. 

The coach tried to keep him in the squad, but difficult to stand against our president. That's why he has really poor stats in the 2016-2017 season, hard to play your best in this situation. 

This boy is not a problem in a team, he always worked hard in training and waited for his chance to get a shot in the team. I don't think he is a bad boy, just his agent(brother) doesn't work for his best interest. 

Claude Puel signed ben arfa when he coached Nice, Ben arfa is was really a talented player but his attitude was known as really bad. He played in the premier league(Newcastle, Hull City..) and his stats were dog shit.

So when Claude Puel signed him in Nice, everyone was shouting that Ben Arfa was a bad boy with shitty stats, and it would destroy the locker atmosphere. 

Ben arfa in Nice with Claude Puel it's 34 games, 17 goals, 6 assists. The best season in his entire career. 

If Puel can do the same with Ghezzal, u can almost triple his value by the end of the season. I don't think Ghezzal lost his football, but his confidence surely.

And you can't find a replacement for Mahrez because he is a world class player. It would cost you way more than what u sold him, would be also hard to convince them.

I don't say that Ghezzal is world class, but if Puel can restore his confidence. He could be easily one of your best players. 

 

Edited 6 August 2018 by r2d2

[murphy]

21 minutes ago, funkyrobot said:

Hopefully he’ll prove you wrong (and many others tbf.)

I hope so too.

[mod hero]

58 minutes ago, r2d2 said:

Hello Leicester Fan,

I just wanted to post my insight of your new player Ghezzal. I'm an Olympique Lyonnais supporter, so I've watched every single game of my team, therefore every single game of Ghezzal with our shirt.

Well, something is amazing with this player it's that a lot of supporters rage at him even when he his the best player on the pitch, maybe it's his style or way of running.

During the 2015-2016 season, he was really good, I would say one of our best players. He has a really good left foot, can score nice goals outside the box. He was our free kick and corner shooter. 

I think he always was talented but lacked a coach who really trusted him, it's a player who needs a coach trust and attention to really get the best of him. Maybe he lacked that during his season at Monaco, the competition to start was important, and he joined as a free signing so the coach is not pressured to use him.

At the end of the 2016 season at OL, our president wanted to extend his contract with us but the negotiation was not conclusive, so our president pressures him by putting him in the reserve squad so he doesn't leave as a free signing. 

The coach tried to keep him in the squad, but difficult to stand against our president. That's why he has really poor stats in the 2016-2017 season, hard to play your best in this situation. 

This boy is not a problem in a team, he always worked hard in training and waited for his chance to get a shot in the team. I don't think he is a bad boy, just his agent(brother) doesn't work for his best interest. 

Claude Puel signed ben arfa when he coached Nice, Ben arfa is was really a talented player but his attitude was known as really bad. He played in the premier league(Newcastle, Hull City..) and his stats were dog shit.

So when Claude Puel signed him in Nice, everyone was shouting that Ben Arfa was a bad boy with shitty stats, and it would destroy the locker atmosphere. 

Ben arfa in Nice with Claude Puel it's 34 games, 17 goals, 6 assists. The best season in his entire career. 

If Puel can do the same with Ghezzal, u can almost triple his value by the end of the season. I don't think Ghezzal lost his football, but his confidence surely.

And you can't find a replacement for Mahrez because he is a world class player. It would cost you way more than what u sold him, would be also hard to convince them.

I don't say that Ghezzal is world class, but if Puel can restore his confidence. He could be easily one of your best players. 

 

 

Thanks mate.

 

Tell us what you think about Puel? ?

 

 

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, r2d2 said:

Hello Leicester Fan,

I just wanted to post my insight of your new player Ghezzal. I'm an Olympique Lyonnais supporter, so I've watched every single game of my team, therefore every single game of Ghezzal with our shirt.

Well, something is amazing with this player it's that a lot of supporters rage at him even when he his the best player on the pitch, maybe it's his style or way of running.

During the 2015-2016 season, he was really good, I would say one of our best players. He has a really good left foot, can score nice goals outside the box. He was our free kick and corner shooter. 

I think he always was talented but lacked a coach who really trusted him, it's a player who needs a coach trust and attention to really get the best of him. Maybe he lacked that during his season at Monaco, the competition to start was important, and he joined as a free signing so the coach is not pressured to use him.

At the end of the 2016 season at OL, our president wanted to extend his contract with us but the negotiation was not conclusive, so our president pressures him by putting him in the reserve squad so he doesn't leave as a free signing. 

The coach tried to keep him in the squad, but difficult to stand against our president. That's why he has really poor stats in the 2016-2017 season, hard to play your best in this situation. 

This boy is not a problem in a team, he always worked hard in training and waited for his chance to get a shot in the team. I don't think he is a bad boy, just his agent(brother) doesn't work for his best interest. 

Claude Puel signed ben arfa when he coached Nice, Ben arfa is was really a talented player but his attitude was known as really bad. He played in the premier league(Newcastle, Hull City..) and his stats were dog shit.

So when Claude Puel signed him in Nice, everyone was shouting that Ben Arfa was a bad boy with shitty stats, and it would destroy the locker atmosphere. 

Ben arfa in Nice with Claude Puel it's 34 games, 17 goals, 6 assists. The best season in his entire career. 

If Puel can do the same with Ghezzal, u can almost triple his value by the end of the season. I don't think Ghezzal lost his football, but his confidence surely.

And you can't find a replacement for Mahrez because he is a world class player. It would cost you way more than what u sold him, would be also hard to convince them.

I don't say that Ghezzal is world class, but if Puel can restore his confidence. He could be easily one of your best players. 

 

 

Now try and put a positive spin on Diouf from Stoke.... ?

[ALC Fox]

1 hour ago, r2d2 said:

Hello Leicester Fan,

I just wanted to post my insight of your new player Ghezzal. I'm an Olympique Lyonnais supporter, so I've watched every single game of my team, therefore every single game of Ghezzal with our shirt.

Well, something is amazing with this player it's that a lot of supporters rage at him even when he his the best player on the pitch, maybe it's his style or way of running.

During the 2015-2016 season, he was really good, I would say one of our best players. He has a really good left foot, can score nice goals outside the box. He was our free kick and corner shooter. 

I think he always was talented but lacked a coach who really trusted him, it's a player who needs a coach trust and attention to really get the best of him. Maybe he lacked that during his season at Monaco, the competition to start was important, and he joined as a free signing so the coach is not pressured to use him.

At the end of the 2016 season at OL, our president wanted to extend his contract with us but the negotiation was not conclusive, so our president pressures him by putting him in the reserve squad so he doesn't leave as a free signing. 

The coach tried to keep him in the squad, but difficult to stand against our president. That's why he has really poor stats in the 2016-2017 season, hard to play your best in this situation. 

This boy is not a problem in a team, he always worked hard in training and waited for his chance to get a shot in the team. I don't think he is a bad boy, just his agent(brother) doesn't work for his best interest. 

Claude Puel signed ben arfa when he coached Nice, Ben arfa is was really a talented player but his attitude was known as really bad. He played in the premier league(Newcastle, Hull City..) and his stats were dog shit.

So when Claude Puel signed him in Nice, everyone was shouting that Ben Arfa was a bad boy with shitty stats, and it would destroy the locker atmosphere. 

Ben arfa in Nice with Claude Puel it's 34 games, 17 goals, 6 assists. The best season in his entire career. 

If Puel can do the same with Ghezzal, u can almost triple his value by the end of the season. I don't think Ghezzal lost his football, but his confidence surely.

And you can't find a replacement for Mahrez because he is a world class player. It would cost you way more than what u sold him, would be also hard to convince them.

I don't say that Ghezzal is world class, but if Puel can restore his confidence. He could be easily one of your best players. 

 

 

Nice to hear some positive things from someone who's seen him play a lot 

 

Hopefully Puel can work his magic and get Ghezzal confident and playing well again. At 26 he should be entering his peak years so it may turn out that we've got this guy for an absolute steal 

[Pascal]

On 05/08/2018 at 22:11, Redouane said:

I didn't even know Monaco had fans. It's sole purpose is being PSG and Man City's academy. 

 

Tout les supporters de Monaco sont des footix. Les vrais monegasques s'en tapent completement de ce club... 

Yeah, an academy that whooped PSG's ass a season ago while going further in the Champions League. Try again, pal.

 

And contrary to your stated belief, Monegasques do support their club. But given that there are less than 5000 of them in Monaco, you will never get a packed stadium. Do your homework before you utter such stupidities, even if you don't have the balls to do so in English!

 

On 05/08/2018 at 22:07, Alex007 said:

And, sorry, but now, I'm not here to talk shit... I'm telling the truth, in a fun way, but, believe me, I'm serioius now, and I'm sorry for you and all the fans here, but Ghezzal he's a bad player, not made for the Premier League, and the transfer fee has no logic... 

I'm finding you extremely harsh on this player. Yes, he did not perform at his best in Monaco, but he didn't get to play much either. I remember him as a more convincing player in Lyon, where he had a decent 2015/2016 season. And while he never played in the first team during Puel's tenure as manager, the latter probably got to see him as a reserve player, so he surely has an idea of his potential. So while it might be a bit of a gamble, I still rate this signing as potentially positive.

 

I wish him success in any case, and I hope he find in Leicester a better environment where I might fully blossom.

[Foxxed]

So Puel thinks Ghezzal could be the new Ben Arfa.

 

How long did it take for shit Ben Arfa to become good Ben Arfa?

 

I'm guessing more than a week. I hope Ghezzal fits in the squad well.

Edited 6 August 2018 by Foxxed

[Pascal]

Ghezzal is less talented than Ben Arfa is (or was). On the other hand, he's less of a pain in the backside to deal with, so on balance he's probably a safer gamble.

[r2d2]

1 hour ago, Pascal said:

Ghezzal is less talented than Ben Arfa is (or was). On the other hand, he's less of a pain in the backside to deal with, so on balance he's probably a safer gamble.

Ben arfa with a proper attitude could have been a world class player, he was one of the most promising young talent in France. Ghezzal doesnt have the same amount of potential, but he work hard has a really good attitude on and off the pitch. And something I forgot to mention he defend well and help the full back, I remember him having a high work rate. As you don't have a lot of possession on average during premier league games it is important to have winger who can put the effort to help at the back, like what was doing albrighton if I remember well. 

[Jattdogg]

10 minutes ago, r2d2 said:

Ben arfa with a proper attitude could have been a world class player, he was one of the most promising young talent in France. Ghezzal doesnt have the same amount of potential, but he work hard has a really good attitude on and off the pitch. And something I forgot to mention he defend well and help the full back, I remember him having a high work rate. As you don't have a lot of possession on average during premier league games it is important to have winger who can put the effort to help at the back, like what was doing albrighton if I remember well. 

Cheers for the information. I am in the "dont sign this lad" camp but he is here now so i will fully lend my support  to him. Gotta give him a few months to get used to a new country,  a new team and a new style. Lets hope puel can be that magician to bring the best out of him. All we can hope for now!

 

Best of luck in your upcoming season! 

Edited 7 August 2018 by Jattdogg

[Vindaloo FOX]

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/rachid-ghezzal-meet-lyons-tottenham-tracked-star-who-could-soon-be-available-a-free 

 

Good read about him. 

[Redouane]

7 hours ago, Pascal said:

Yeah, an academy that whooped PSG's ass a season ago while going further in the Champions League. Try again, pal.

 

And contrary to your stated belief, Monegasques do support their club. But given that there are less than 5000 of them in Monaco, you will never get a packed stadium. Do your homework before you utter such stupidities, even if you don't have the balls to do so in English!

 

I'm finding you extremely harsh on this player. Yes, he did not perform at his best in Monaco, but he didn't get to play much either. I remember him as a more convincing player in Lyon, where he had a decent 2015/2016 season. And while he never played in the first team during Puel's tenure as manager, the latter probably got to see him as a reserve player, so he surely has an idea of his potential. So while it might be a bit of a gamble, I still rate this signing as potentially positive.

 

I wish him success in any case, and I hope he find in Leicester a better environment where I might fully blossom.

That's my point though? Monaco's ambition is not to win titles, it's to make money. They sold Mbappe, B Silva, Mendy, Lemar, Fabinho..

 

Explain to me how anyone can be a fan of this club? 

[CarbonVirtine]

44 minutes ago, Redouane said:

Monaco's ambition is not to win titles, it's to make money.

That may well be the case (and, not knowing, I can't comment) but if so, they certainly don't do badly in their sideline!

Edited 7 August 2018 by CarbonVirtine
add a smiley because it is a joke!

[Sunbury Fox]

They had an Algerian football journalist on the "moan in" last night. They've had him on there regularly since Mahrez first signed. Right from the start he said that Mahrez would be a star for us. I was expecting him to be ambivalent at best about Ghezzal. But he was actually positive about his chances of being a success. Said he was similar in style to Mahrez - not as good a dribbler but arguably a better passer.  This, plus the post from the Lyon fan, is giving me a bit more hope about this signing!

[cityfanlee23]

On 05/08/2018 at 19:48, Alex007 said:

He can't do much... Really, he's a bad player... 

Remember Thauvin in Newcastle ?? That's Messi compared to Ghezzal... No troll ! 

And now Thauvin is playing well and fighting for the French national team. 

 

Ever considered certain players do well in certain clubs playing certain roles?

[Stadt]

4 hours ago, Redouane said:

That's my point though? Monaco's ambition is not to win titles, it's to make money. They sold Mbappe, B Silva, Mendy, Lemar, Fabinho..

 

Explain to me how anyone can be a fan of this club? 

I don't like Monaco either but they're still one of the most successful clubs in France. If you're from there it's better to support them than PSG or Marseille 

[Loves2spooge]

Good , now next season when his contract expires with Porto sign Yacine Brahimi for free and Re-brand to Leicester's Desert Foxes and move the club to somewhere in Algeria 

 

 

Now I think we're all waiting for December 26th when Man city meets LCFC 

Edited 7 August 2018 by Loves2spooge

[MC Prussian]

14 hours ago, Sunbury Fox said:

They had an Algerian football journalist on the "moan in" last night. They've had him on there regularly since Mahrez first signed. Right from the start he said that Mahrez would be a star for us. I was expecting him to be ambivalent at best about Ghezzal. But he was actually positive about his chances of being a success. Said he was similar in style to Mahrez - not as good a dribbler but arguably a better passer.  This, plus the post from the Lyon fan, is giving me a bit more hope about this signing!

To me, he rather came across as somebody who likes to hype Algerian players, even the ones that are... let's say... mediocre.

I remember quite clearly how lost for words he was when describing Ghezzal's positive attributes, repeating himself a few times.

 

Also, I don't remember the Football Forum talking to this guy when we signed Mahrez or in the Championship days, but I might be mistaken.

He only started to appear during the 2015-2016 season.

[gw_leics772]

https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/2018/8/7/17661802/statistical-analysis-of-rachid-ghezzal-leicester-city-lcfc-xg-riyad-mahrez-demarai-gray-diabate

 

Never heard of half of these stats but reads positive and some pretty diagrams.

[rachhere]

On 06/08/2018 at 21:21, r2d2 said:

Hello Leicester Fan,

I just wanted to post my insight of your new player Ghezzal. I'm an Olympique Lyonnais supporter, so I've watched every single game of my team, therefore every single game of Ghezzal with our shirt.

Well, something is amazing with this player it's that a lot of supporters rage at him even when he his the best player on the pitch, maybe it's his style or way of running.

During the 2015-2016 season, he was really good, I would say one of our best players. He has a really good left foot, can score nice goals outside the box. He was our free kick and corner shooter. 

I think he always was talented but lacked a coach who really trusted him, it's a player who needs a coach trust and attention to really get the best of him. Maybe he lacked that during his season at Monaco, the competition to start was important, and he joined as a free signing so the coach is not pressured to use him.

At the end of the 2016 season at OL, our president wanted to extend his contract with us but the negotiation was not conclusive, so our president pressures him by putting him in the reserve squad so he doesn't leave as a free signing. 

The coach tried to keep him in the squad, but difficult to stand against our president. That's why he has really poor stats in the 2016-2017 season, hard to play your best in this situation. 

This boy is not a problem in a team, he always worked hard in training and waited for his chance to get a shot in the team. I don't think he is a bad boy, just his agent(brother) doesn't work for his best interest. 

Claude Puel signed ben arfa when he coached Nice, Ben arfa is was really a talented player but his attitude was known as really bad. He played in the premier league(Newcastle, Hull City..) and his stats were dog shit.

So when Claude Puel signed him in Nice, everyone was shouting that Ben Arfa was a bad boy with shitty stats, and it would destroy the locker atmosphere. 

Ben arfa in Nice with Claude Puel it's 34 games, 17 goals, 6 assists. The best season in his entire career. 

If Puel can do the same with Ghezzal, u can almost triple his value by the end of the season. I don't think Ghezzal lost his football, but his confidence surely.

And you can't find a replacement for Mahrez because he is a world class player. It would cost you way more than what u sold him, would be also hard to convince them.

I don't say that Ghezzal is world class, but if Puel can restore his confidence. He could be easily one of your best players. 

 

 

I feel happier after reading this, and it makes the stats we have seen make sense. Sounds like he's had a bit of a tough time and been written off by those around him...something that many Leicester players have experience of. Hopefully not just Puel, but also some of his team mates who have had experience of rebuilding their careers can help him get back to his best.