MrBlack

That sounds like we are keeping him and loaning him and selling him all at the same time. It's like schrodinger's cat, in transfer form.

Id agree that he hasn't (yet) lived up to his record signing price tag, relative to some of the performances we've seen from the likes of McGinn, Kamara, Luiz and Ramsey But I think that says more about the unbelievable value we have got from those players rather than the expected kind of return we're getting from Buendia. He's still been our most creative player, he's still been one of the players covering the most distance and pressuring the opposition into mistakes, and but for some poor finshing he'd have far more assists than he's got. He'll definitely be missed, and there is a big hole to fill. It's not quite Grealish levels of dependence, but we will struggle to find one player that replaces everything he does.

I'd say so too...

Oops! Fixed, thanks

Unai giving a clear indication on today's presser that we are not finished. Monchi saying the same yesterday, and I belive that was prior to the Buendia injury.

He scored 5 goals in under 4 games worth of minutes last season (in Turkey). I think he can still finish. Whether he's not crocked and can still do it, or not, at a decent level, who knows. There were some mental issues during his time at Roma during the first half of last season so don't think you can read anything from it one way or the other

Given their comments about not being consulted, do you think they just rejected the meeting and didnt turn up? I'd love it if the FA actually didn't invite them

Interesting that the new background for the presser includes the old badge, and the standalone old lion, but not the new badge or new lion.

Actually the definition of decimated is to reduce by 1 in 10 ... so arguably its worse!

I would be willing to take a sporting bet with you that we will definitely see all 3 of them on the pitch at the same time within the first 2 games of the season. No forfeit...maybe a donation to VT... but I'm sure it will happen.

Despite the obscure choice of words I agree with this assessment. Particularly important in any Buendia replacement will be the ability to press high. Zaniolo doesn't bring that. Someone like Bowen would I guess? But don't see us meeting West Hams valuation for him. Who else fits that high press mould that we could afford/attract?

May well have a bigger role to play than expected. Completely different player to Buendia, but more likely to be needed than before. Assume we'll sign someone (probably Zanilolo) to cover Buendia, and then continue with our previous approach of signing someone if we get a buyer for any of our less favored backups (Davis,Traore, Hause, Chambers...).

For all the Buendia slating, Delphino doesn't come across as though they're smirking... who else did you have in mind?

Yes, I think a reverse turkey would be a ride too. Can't think what else it might be.

The point is we didn't have an injured buendia preseason, so whether we trained it or not, it's an option we have now. Even if it isn't one Emery would have naturally chosen. I know he's a god, and sees everything, but I don't see why it couldn't work playing all three of them at the same time, and Emery is definitely capable of making it work.

I know he was good in preseason but I didn't think he covered two positions at the same time

About £30m difference in price? And quite possible de ketalaere isn't interested

he's got the right mindset for it..

This is how I see us shaping up now. Its a shame because the team kind of now picks itself. Before we had choice. Still got a bench with Bailey, Coutinho, Duran, Archer, Philogene as options to change the attack so not a conplete disaster. It's a shitter, but it probably is the best area of the pitch that we could have had such an injury for...

Makes the selection headache for the first game a little easier. Tielemans Luiz mcginn and Kamara can all start. Gives us the remainder of the window to sign an alternative to Buendia. Maybe we're thinking law of averages means Zaniolo won't get injured due to Buendia's injury... no club can be that unlucky....can it?

Presumably the fact we announced the Buendia injury means a deal for his replacement has been agreed? Unless our hand was forced by media threatening to leak it. Perhaps this is happening.

Typical

Also yesterday or earlier

They're from yesterday, and possibly even taken the day before yesterday as that's only when they were on the site. It's not proof of anything. But then, neither is a random saying he's injured.

5 goals in less than 4 games worth of minutes at Galatasaray last season. Game time limited. Looked great as a kid, but then injured before he could push on and as a result he's never really scored or assisted loads in any season. Like the potential in this one