Transfer Rumour Axel Witsel

blueblue · July 25, 2016

Witsel is a signing where I am accepting that the manager knows infinitely more about football and footballers than I ever will.
I have only seen him play for Belgium and he has never hugely impressed me.
But, there is obviously so much more to a player that carries a fee of 20m plus and is heavily in demand.
I think judging players from international appearances only is a dangerous thing to do.

Quim · July 25, 2016

blueblue said:
Witsel is a signing where I am accepting that the manager knows infinitely more about football and footballers than I ever will.
I have only seen him play for Belgium and he has never hugely impressed me.
But, there is obviously so much more to a player that carries a fee of 20m plus and is heavily in demand.
I think judging players from international appearances only is a dangerous thing to do.

Completely agree, if you told me we were to spend 20m on Harry Kane and I had only the euros to go off I would be suicidal.

hktoffee · July 25, 2016

These Italian teams bids are far less than us. Juve bid €18m with €2m bonus. Zenit won't deal with them.

Brennan · July 25, 2016

john jako said:
I'll admit it, I'm not a fan of witsel. Don't think he offers much more than James mac. So the price tag is baffling me. However I thought niasse was going to be good so my opinion is irrelevant for the foreseeable future.

The position he play needs work so if Ronny thinks he's the man then let's get him. Got to trust the new management.

McCarthy 1 goal every 12.7 games.

Witsel 1 goal every 5.7 games.

He clearly offers more in attack and has a better passing range than McCarthy. There is a reason Benfica put a 40m euro release clause in his contract, a reason why Zenit were happy to meet it, and a reason why Chelsea have now been linked to him.

whiteshadow · July 25, 2016

coollino said:
Nearly over the line

Shame about the 200ft, steel reinforced wall on the line though. lol

Pabbers · July 25, 2016

I don't get the shouts of him not being that good for Belgium, he has been a beast every time I have seen him, probably their most important player.

caught · July 25, 2016

Mikey_Fitzgerald said:
Of course not

There's also nothing wrong with us sacking him off and looking elsewhere

Spoken like a man who hasn't invested his life savings in afro wigs.

Come home Axel.

witchdoc187 · July 25, 2016

hurry up I put my last £7.50 on him signing for us and need to eat by the end of the week. Only got 2/1 as well!!

tommye · July 25, 2016

Brennan said:
McCarthy 1 goal every 12.7 games.

Witsel 1 goal every 5.7 games.

He clearly offers more in attack and has a better passing range than McCarthy. There is a reason Benfica put a 40m euro release clause in his contract, a reason why Zenit were happy to meet it, and a reason why Chelsea have now been linked to him.

But he hasn't signed in the 36 hrs since he officially handed in a transfer request.

Boooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

micknick · July 25, 2016

Juve interested.

banno · July 25, 2016

This is the bloke who scored against us for Standard Leige innit?

ijjysmith · July 25, 2016

banno said:
This is the bloke who scored against us for Standard Leige innit?

Correct

tommye · July 25, 2016

micknick said:
Juve interested.

No Michael.

tommye · July 25, 2016

banno said:
This is the bloke who scored against us for Standard Leige innit?

Well done mate.

tim cahill · July 25, 2016

blueblue said:
Witsel is a signing where I am accepting that the manager knows infinitely more about football and footballers than I ever will.
I have only seen him play for Belgium and he has never hugely impressed me.
But, there is obviously so much more to a player that carries a fee of 20m plus and is heavily in demand.
I think judging players from international appearances only is a dangerous thing to do.

I thought a bit like this after we signed Niasse.

'He doesn't look great in his youtube video and his career stats aren't wonderful but I'm sure we will have done our homework on him.' I thought...