AP from Marseilles

2 hours ago, nick76 said:

On his attitude continuing after leaving Arsenal, again I just picked one as an example

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/matteo-guendouzi-arsenal-marseille-problems-25095620

 

Again if we sign him then lets hope it's the positives and whatever performance he's doing in France and under the management of Emery he can be a real success but we cant rewrite history saying there werent mixed opinions of his time at Arsenal.

Nick, if I may: in Marseilles, he has no attitude problem.

The Mirror relied on a talk from Le Phocéen which is a very local media as the name suggests, pretty ambiguous toward OM as they regularly try to buzz by seeing problems nobody else sees. (E.g. beginning of the year they reported problem between newly-appointed coach Tudor and the team. Well, Tudor commands and players abide, and we're having our best time.)

Yeah, he shouted at Gerson when Gerson did not make the defensive effort - but he was right to do so at that moment. That did not become a problem later on.

In France, we often mock Deschamps because his mantra would be "le groupe vit bien" i.e. "the group gets on well" - don't know if it's a good translation but that's a sort of cliché, of set phrase to say that the ambiance is good. It means that Deschamps cares much about the team spirit and is sometimes very conservative in its choice of players, just because he doesn't want to onboard a troublemaker (see Moussa Sissoko: a good player indeed, but 71 caps ?). Well, Deschamps took Guendouzi to play a world cup, which means that Guendouzi is not a troublemaker, not even a potential one, in his mind.

I'd rely on Deschamps more than on Le Phocéen. (But to be honest I'm an absolute Deschamps' fan!)

Thank you all for your multiple replies...so much to read, apologies for not coming back sooner (like Matteo, I'm polite). Among the reasons why he could come to Villa, I'm surprised nobody mentioned your shirt (one of my favourite Europe-wide).

Pay 40M and I'm almost sure he's yours, unless Guendouzi himself refuses. I'd be really sad should he leave, but unfortunately I know OM can't refuse PL's good money.

Guendouzi's refusal, if any, would not be a lack of consideration for Villa, but rather a wish to go on here IMHO. OM is on a very exciting trend: second last year, currently third (with 42 points at mid-season) and playing its best football since its last champion title, or even better. No more European cup to play, unfortunately, but it may be our chance to keep an intense rhythm till the end of the season. Five points behind QSG experiencing difficulties since the WC (two losses in three games, against 2nd and 5th of the league): who knows what could happen if QSG collapses... Guendouzi may wish to see the end of the story before going back to PL. 

If you can afford 40M, you should pay them. You'll like Guendouzi, he's a rather complete player, hard-working, with a strong personality. No attitude problem from my point of view, but he likes trash-talking other team's players (without blowing a fuse himself at any time - no red card since he's been with us). He's the kind of player you love in your team and hate when he plays for another team. Kamara and him know each other very well and are complementary - they have played together for the whole season last year. They seemed to get on well.

I'm also pretty sure OM won't take Samson back as part of the deal. Never a good idea to go back with your ex. And Samson doesn't seem to fit with our current level.

Don't expect too much information until the deal is closed. OM's management has proved over the recent years that they prefer working quietly.

I hope we'll keep him a few more months - at least, don't be stingy if you get him. Remember you got Bouba Kamara for free. 40M for Guendouzi would make an average 20M for each of them, that would be a gift.

Whow, thanks to all for your answers! Like 10 pages of answers, English passion for football is not overestimated.

Glad for you - and for him too - he’s doing so good. But don’t get too much in love: if a PL top-5 comes with more money, say goodbye to Bouba. He was already a star in Marseilles, born in the city and OM was his first club. He would have been even more popular if he had stayed, probably become captain (with Payet getting old). OM ended 2nd, directly qualified in CL. What we couldn’t offer him was money, not as much as any PL club. Well, he left without showing much hesitation. Gerrard seems to have played a great role in his choice for Villa.

When reading you I see that Kamara is a bit underrated in the UK. That may be your opportunity to keep him. He was underrated in France too (except in Marseilles of course) and still is. Absolutely nobody talks about Kamara when talking about players who should be called to play for France.

(See the World Cup : I don’t think he was injured, was he? Yet Deschamps took Veretout as his last choice, from what I’m reading here about  Bouba this was nonsense.)

Just hoping now that you don’t get Guendouzi too soon. I guess you’d like him too…

Hi all, I'm an OM fan on a visit to see what's so wonderful here that all our midfielders want to join! Pardon my English if I make mistakes.

Are you guys happy with Bouba Kamara? Would you say he's a good PL player? Does he play more in the midfield or in defense in Villa?

Many thanks!

16 hours ago, Delphinho123 said:

Romano saying we’re talking to the player but no bid. I still think Marseilles will ask for too much. Sanson might be key to the deal.

Hi all, I'm a Marseilles' fan on a visit to see what's so nice here that everybody wants to play for you. Pardon my English if I make mistakes.

Why would Sanson be the key? If Villa gets more money for him, you can pay more for Guendouz', is this what you mean ?