11/08/2024
The Pedro Neto signing was made official today and he was introduced to the crowd at half-time in the last pre-season friendly vs Inter, which we drew 1-1.
He is a quality player - super quick and bright. However, I have three reservations:
(1) He is very injury prone. Seems odd for perhaps the club with the worst injury record to buy another.
(2) He is ANOTHER of these players who is fabulous until it comes to putting the ball in the net. And AGAIN, we have TOO MANY of those.
In fact, injury prone players and players who aren't great at finishing are our two biggest flaws, and yet Neto ticks both boxes.
(3) When he is fit, where is he going to play?!?!?! And perhaps more to the point, who ISN'T therefore going to play?!?
Let's assume there are just FOUR attacking positions up for grabs; Palmer and Nkunku have to start - they're our best two. If Neto starts that leaves just one space being competed for by:
Madueke, who's been our best player in pre-season.
Sterling, who's also performed well.
Jackson, who is our only decent out and out striker.
Guiu, who looks like a worker who can't finish.
Mudryk, who still has a lot to learn.
Angelo, who I love, but will probably get loaned.
Broja, who will likely get sold.
I don't think any others are in the running, even though there are others.
If we buy that Spanish guy, then that would be another vying for that place.
It's crazy, really.
Nkunku's best position is not striker, so if he is in the three behind, it's Jackson or Guiu to fill the spot. But that would be harsh on Madueke especially.
Maybe we'll have a team that plays PL games and an entirely different one for the Europa and the league cup. That wouldn't actually be a terrible plan.
