Jordan Ayew

[PaulC]

I'm not sure if they are good signings.....just like i was unsure about Bremner,Morley,Withe,Swain,Cropley,Rimmer,Gray,Mortimer.

 

i am not a scout, so i have no idea.....I am a Villa Fan/spectator ........that has to trust the team of coaches/scouts, who have a better idea of the European Market

 

Some of those players were pretty well established though so we knew a lot more about them than we know about Ayew. However we'll have to wait and see. Trouble we have is that we have already signed 2 now probably 3 players from the French league and they will no doubt go straight into the first team and unless they hit the ground running we may find ourselves struggling to pick up points. Basically there isn't much bedding in time, because the players that did most to keep us up last season have gone. 

[Rob182]

People who watch French football say he's not very good and we've paid silly money.

People who don't watch French football say he's going to be the next Benteke.

Hmmmmmm !!

Amavi is of a higher standard but overrated.

You can tell Lambert's scouting team have gone with these signings. Never under his reign.

Also, people who watch French football seemingly make broad generalisations about what 'people who don't watch French football' say.

[thunderball]

You can tell Lambert's scouting team have gone with these signings. Never under his reign.

Thank God they've gone!

Let's give the boy a chance? Why the anger??

[Rob182]

You can tell Lambert's scouting team have gone with these signings. Never under his reign.

Thank God they've gone!

Let's give the boy a chance? Why the anger??

Durr thunderball... Because we should be asking Lambert's scouts for more gems like Helenius, El Ahmadi, Bennett and J-Bowz!

[omariqy]

 

£9-12m for Jordan Ayew LOL. Dear me. Sums up the sorry state the Premier League is in with it's false economy.

 

We've bought some tat so far at silly prices. At least is he's familiar with relegation battles. 

 

French laughing all the way to the bank at our expense (again). 

 

It looks like some people are happy with us spending big money on anybody with a foreign name. 

 

What makes you think that Gueye, Amavi and Ayew are tat?

 

Genuinely wish to know.

 

 

Firstly, it is now being reported the fee is around €10m which is around £7m.  This piece has been posted before but is written by Gary Al-Smith.  Apparently a very knowledgable guy on African football and footballers plying their trade around the world.  So not all people who watch French football think hes shit.  He seems pretty raw to me. Has talent but needs to be finessed. 

 

http://www.myjoyonline.com/sports/2015/July-24th/al-smith-what-aston-villa-get-from-12m-jordan-ayew.php

 

 

They’ll tell you he’s not worth £12 million.

When they do, politely remind them that even Raheem Sterling cost £49 million.

And that’s not just guff: it’s because both Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ayew have bags of potential, and clubs pay for potential as much as they pay for proven quality.

In today’s crazy football transfer market, Aston Villa’s quest to replace Christian Benteke - who departed to Liverpool this week – with the Ghanaian is a great move for club and player. 

CLICK TO READ: Lorient accept Villa bid for Jordan Ayew 

The versatile forward was a member of the Ghana squad at last summer's World Cup finals and helped his nation reach the final of the Africa Nations Cup in January.

Ayew's agent, Mark McKay, also told ESPN on Friday that the offer was confirmed, while Joy Sports sources also said Jordan is getting ready to fly to Enlgand for more negotiations and, possibly, a medical "in the next 24 to 48 hours".

But what does the 23 year old have to offer?

Upbringing

In 1995, two years after Abedi Pele won the Uefa Champions League with Marseille, legendary Ghanaian broadcaster Kwabena Yeboah had a one-on-one with the maestro.

It was in that interview that Abedi publicly gave his thoughts on the possible footballing futures of his three sons – Rahim, Andre and Jordan. He spoke about Rahim, then Andre before finishing with Jordan.

“I know they are young, but Jordan’s control with the ball interests me a lot.”

Kwabena asked the obvious question: which of the three would be Abedi’s heir?

After laughing a bit, the great man said: “I wish they will all be great, but Jordan looks like he will be very good.”

Maybe it was because from early on Jordan showed a preference for shooting at goal. Or maybe because he hung around the goal area more than Andre, who didn't like football that much, anyway.

Whatever it was, that was the beginning of Jordan’s path as a striker.

Development

While his brother made his tournament debut for Ghana at the 2008 African Cup, Jordan was still waiting for his chance at Marseille, too. 

The forward made his debut in 2009 and scored 14 goals in 111 league matches for Marseille (above, pictured with Andre). He managed four goals in 23 matches for them in European competitions. 

In that time, he won the French league title in 2010 with OM as well as the League Cup in 2010, 2011 and 2012. But he was far from an integral member.

After eight years of bit-part roles, he moved to Sochaux in 2013 and spent six months there. But his five goals in 17 matches could not prevent the club from relegation from the top flight.

Years down the line, all indications were showing that it was Andre who will Abedi’s heir. Not Jordan.

But as respected African football coach (we can call him that, can't we?) Claude LeRoy told me at the World Cup: "Jordan will make you forget Asamoah Gyan very soon. Just give him four years - and plenty patience." 

Strengths

Jordan can play across the striking divide. His ability to cut in and link up with midfielders behind him and forwards near him make him versatile.

But his style has evolved since 2012, when he was most suited to playing as a central striker. Marseille’s key man Andre-Pierre Gignac that year got injured, giving Jordan a chance to own the position. While his seven goals in 19 starts were not stellar, it gave a glimpse of what he had to offer.

For Ghana, where Asamoah Gyan has been the undisputed champion upfront, Ayew has had to learn to play behind the strikers, or drift out wide.

And he’s grown into the role as well.

It’s very difficult to get the ball off him when he’s in full flight. And his link up play can be great, too.

For a club like Villa who aren’t always blessed with the best midfielders, a striker who takes the ball from deep and runs at defenders is a must.

Jordan is exactly that.

In the last few years, he’s excelled at holding on to the ball, running at the opposition and, often, getting fouls for his team in vital areas.

It also helps that he shoots with both feet.

Weakness

Jordan is a bit of jack of all trades and master of none. You cannot really point to one outstanding attribute.

Aerial ability? Decent.

Speed? Very decent.

Passing? Very decent.

Vision? Decent.

Scoring? More than decent, but not lethal.

Better than Benteke? No.

Can he be Benteke in two seasons? Absolutely.

This is where the patience of Villa fans will be tested.  Which brings us to his attitude.

Attitude

Jordan is used to adversity.

The Ayew family has as many haters as lovers, but they are incredibly mentally tough. None of the men have dealt with pressure as nonchalantly as Jordan.

You boo? He goes on with it.

You call him names? He pretends as if he hasn’t heard.

You praise him? He says thanks and gets on with it.

Racist abuse? “I come onto the pitch to play football. If it is the colour of my skin you see instead of the football I play, that’s your problem. And you need help for that,” he said in 2013.

Of course, all these may be good attributes that show he has a tough exterior, but it can be dangerous because sometimes Jordan can be notoriously obstinate.

He is the kind of player who’ll give you a blinding 90 minutes, score one with his right foot, nutmeg two defenders, score another header and then totally lose his temper and get sent off in regulation time.

Aston Villa have got the full package.

We love to hate him

Come to Ghana. You’ll get plenty newspaper clippings and TV footage and radio phone-in programs that prove it.

Jordan loves to sag his shorts. His underpants are constantly on display and it annoys a lot of fans. But, as usual, he just gets on with it.

Surprisingly, the bulk of the hate has come from his own people, in Ghana. Jordan has been called everything under the sun from lazy, sulky, entitled, to selfish, individualistic and churlish.

At different points in his career, all these words have been true; however, it is what has made him what he is.

In the meantime, he develops.

Work ethic

The number one reason why everyone is sure of his potential is that Jordan works hard. At Marseille, he was regularly last to leave training, working on one thing or other.

Same thing at Lorient last season, and for the first time at this level, he hit double figures.

It may be that Aston Villa, with a climate not as high-pressure as Marseille but at par with Lorient, will be the perfect place for this troubled genius.

In summary, Jordan has pace, scores goals, good in the air and can be moody. That sounds like Benteke’s CV when Villa first signed him.

Look how he turned out.

For £12m, Jordan is a great piece of business for Tim Sherwood.

JORDAN'S STATS

Edited July 24, 2015 by omariqy

[briny_ear]

 

 

£9-12m for Jordan Ayew LOL. Dear me. Sums up the sorry state the Premier League is in with it's false economy.

 

We've bought some tat so far at silly prices. At least is he's familiar with relegation battles. 

 

French laughing all the way to the bank at our expense (again). 

 

It looks like some people are happy with us spending big money on anybody with a foreign name. 

I really think there should be a "Hall Of Shame" thread at the end of each season where comments like this are revisited to examine how wise. knowledgeable or otherwise they proved to be. I'll be storing up my rotten tomatoes to throw at this one just in case it turns out to be complete and utter bollocks.

 

 

And what if he's right? It's not popular to be pessimistic, but it'll bow to anyone who claims to know better, at this point. 

 

As it is, I think he'll be a decent signing for us, because I don't think he will be expected to be our main goal threat. 

 

I really don't think it's worth spending too much time on such a poorly thought out and argued post but since you ask, let's have a go.

 

I'm not sure which bits you think might prove to be "right".

 

£9-12m for Jordan Ayew LOL.

 

No idea how the £12m crept in but it most likely stems from some sports journalists' inability to understand the GBP - Euro exchange rate.

 

Dear me. Sums up the sorry state the Premier League is in with it's false economy.

 

Don't really know what this means but I fail to see how the purchase of Jordan Ayew can be said to "sum up" the premier league

 

We've bought some tat so far at silly prices. At least is he's familiar with relegation battles. 

 

He has no way of knowing what what the actual prices are, he's just going on figures thrown around by journalists who know as little as we do. And to characterise professional footballers as "tat" isn't very illuminating is it? If there was any attempt at a serious analysis of the strengths/weaknesses of the players we have bought, there would be some point in paying attention to it but this is just using a silly and meaningless "boo" word. And I guess you could say of Benteke, "At least he is familiar with relegation battles." What does that prove?

 

French laughing all the way to the bank at our expense (again). 

 

No idea how this could ever be proved to be "right" It looks suspiciously like posting for effect.

 

It looks like some people are happy with us spending big money on anybody with a foreign name.

 

Would need some - any - context, evidence, that anyone is impressed in this way. I haven't read all through the thread but I haven't seen any posters displaying this sort of naivety. It's also just a matter of opinion if the fees rumoured in the press are "big money". £49m for Sterling is "big money". You could even say £32.5m for Benteke is "big money". But not the sums we are said to have paid for our transfers so far this window.

 

So which bits could be "right"? I just don't think a post like this deserves serious attention (apart from the rotten tomatoes episode next May).

 

 

Edited July 24, 2015 by briny_ear

[alreadyexists]

People who watch French football say he's not very good and we've paid silly money.

People who don't watch French football say he's going to be the next Benteke.

Hmmmmmm !!

Amavi is of a higher standard but overrated.

You can tell Lambert's scouting team have gone with these signings. Never under his reign.

I watched France '98, and I've eaten several baguettes, so I think I know a thing or two about French football. Or Le ballon du fut as we call it.

Also, I actually lolled at the 'never under his reign' comment! Lambert and his team did exceptionally well to bring in Benteke and other quality on a low budget, but they also brought in quite a few rubbish players for the low budget. Which I think most of us accept is inevitable when gambling with young and unproven players. But to have written off some of these latest signings because they cost more and are therefore, in your opinion, a waste of money... It's bizarre. I can't see in to the future, so I'll judge them on how they play for Villa, when they play.

[TRO]

 

I'm not sure if they are good signings.....just like i was unsure about Bremner,Morley,Withe,Swain,Cropley,Rimmer,Gray,Mortimer.

 

i am not a scout, so i have no idea.....I am a Villa Fan/spectator ........that has to trust the team of coaches/scouts, who have a better idea of the European Market

 

Some of those players were pretty well established though so we knew a lot more about them than we know about Ayew. However we'll have to wait and see. Trouble we have is that we have already signed 2 now probably 3 players from the French league and they will no doubt go straight into the first team and unless they hit the ground running we may find ourselves struggling to pick up points. Basically there isn't much bedding in time, because the players that did most to keep us up last season have gone. 

 

 

well that is a matter of opinion and considering they had British backgrounds....They were all gambles, with perhaps Mortimer, being a lesser one.

 

I really can't be sure whether these players will do wonders for us or not.....but what i do think is, foreign players do seem to have more idea on the ball than their British counterparts....so there could be a chance they will be ok

not sure either about this not being established in the Prem.....plenty have come in a from abroad and made a name for themselves.

we spent 18 mill on Bent proven scorer in our league.....look, which ever way you look at it.....its a gamble.

[StanBalaban]

@Omariqy thanks for posting that article.

 

Really looking forward to seeing him play now.

[supernova26]

 I haven't read all through the thread but I haven't seen any posters displaying this sort of naivety.

 

Then I think you should if you can't spot the naivety. We've signed a dud. Deal with it.

 

Pretending the price paid is lower than the actual price paid isn't going to alleviate your disappointment either. 

Edited July 24, 2015 by supernova26

[VillanousOne]

 

People who watch French football say he's not very good and we've paid silly money.

People who don't watch French football say he's going to be the next Benteke.

Hmmmmmm !!

Amavi is of a higher standard but overrated.

You can tell Lambert's scouting team have gone with these signings. Never under his reign.

I watched France '98, and I've eaten several baguettes, so I think I know a thing or two about French football. Or Le ballon du fut as we call it.

Also, I actually lolled at the 'never under his reign' comment! Lambert and his team did exceptionally well to bring in Benteke and other quality on a low budget, but they also brought in quite a few rubbish players for the low budget. Which I think most of us accept is inevitable when gambling with young and unproven players. But to have written off some of these latest signings because they cost more and are therefore, in your opinion, a waste of money... It's bizarre. I can't see in to the future, so I'll judge them on how they play for Villa, when they play.

 

Lambert signing 1 decent player in about 8 is a ratio that even my nan could manage.

 

but i am very excited about the players we are signing, even if they are expensive gambles to an extent.

[YLN]

 

 I haven't read all through the thread but I haven't seen any posters displaying this sort of naivety.

 

Then I think you should if you can't spot the naivety. We've signed a dud. Deal with it.

 

[abdomlahor]

I'd like to make up my own mind if that's okay?

[briny_ear]

 

 I haven't read all through the thread but I haven't seen any posters displaying this sort of naivety.

 

Then I think you should if you can't spot the naivety. We've signed a dud. Deal with it.

 

Pretending the price paid is lower than the actual price paid isn't going to alleviate your disappointment either. 

 

Ah, I thought so..

 

Paul, how is life treating you these days?

 

Any job offers yet?

[supernova26]

I'd like to make up my own mind if that's okay?

Are you going to base it on fact or fantasy?

 

It's funny how every professional football player under the age of 23 has "bags of potential" 

[Uncle Albert]

A lot of the old guard gone. Almost feels like the 1995 Brian little new era. Let's hope its as successful

[lexicon]

I haven't read all through the thread but I haven't seen any posters displaying this sort of naivety.

Then I think you should if you can't spot the naivety. We've signed a dud. Deal with it.

Pretending the price paid is lower than the actual price paid isn't going to alleviate your disappointment either.

Are you for real? Writing off a player as a dud before he's even kicked a ball for us. That's ridiculous.

[StefanAVFC]

 

 

I haven't read all through the thread but I haven't seen any posters displaying this sort of naivety.

Then I think you should if you can't spot the naivety. We've signed a dud. Deal with it.

Pretending the price paid is lower than the actual price paid isn't going to alleviate your disappointment either.

Are you for real? Writing off a player as a dud before he's even kicked a ball for us. That's ridiculous.

 

 

Writing him off before he's even signed for us

[avfc1982am]

 

I'm not sure if they are good signings.....just like i was unsure about Bremner,Morley,Withe,Swain,Cropley,Rimmer,Gray,Mortimer.

 

i am not a scout, so i have no idea.....I am a Villa Fan/spectator ........that has to trust the team of coaches/scouts, who have a better idea of the European Market

 

Some of those players were pretty well established though so we knew a lot more about them than we know about Ayew. However we'll have to wait and see. Trouble we have is that we have already signed 2 now probably 3 players from the French league and they will no doubt go straight into the first team and unless they hit the ground running we may find ourselves struggling to pick up points. Basically there isn't much bedding in time, because the players that did most to keep us up last season have gone. 

 

 

I agree with your point to an extent however the two players(possibly three) we have brought in have one thing in common... They speak the same language. IMO this will help them settle quicker than someone who is more isolated through a language barrier. Also the players brought in are all physically strong and quick therefore I don't think the pace will be a problem either. All my opinion though but I think Amavi and Gueye will be ok adjusting. 

With regards to the players you mentioned that kept us up, lets not forget Tekkers was injured and arguably didn't begin his season until just before Sherwood arrived. Vlaar was hit and miss with regards to his own fitness and performances. And Judas Delphinius imo didn't exactly light the world up with goals and assists. He was the best of a very bad bunch and more than replaceable.

[omariqy]

How do you add someone to the ignore list on here?  I would be more than happy to listen to reasoned argument by someone who has seen him play and can explain his limitations. Not someone who thinks we are pretending that the price we paid is lower.  We are just going on what is being reported.  Only place to report £12m is Sky Sports.  Everywhere else it has been either €12m or €10m.