Confirmed Signing Davy Klaassen

[bring the ghost on]

Thing I worry about with Klassen is that other than scoring goals and working hard he doesn't seem to offer much creatively, despite getting a fair few assists in Holland.

Good point - other than scoring goals, assisting goals and working hard, what does the guy actually offer?

 

[Death]

He was MOTM in the Semi.

lollollollollol

Utter biff.

Was he really?

 

[Goat]

Was he really?

No, he was the highest rated player in the Ajax team, but they got beat 3-1, it aint abar dat doh.

 

[Death]

No, he was the highest rated player in the Ajax team, but they got beat 3-1, it aint abar dat doh.

He's gona be fantastic.

 

[Goat]

He's gona be fantastic.

Yes he is.

 

[hetion]

Good point - other than scoring goals, assisting goals and working hard, what does the guy actually offer?

It's a fair worry. If he can't transfer his scoring from midfield to the Prem, he doesn't really offer all that much. As it stands. Koeman presumably has him in mind for a very specific job though I'm more curious than worried.

 

[bring the ghost on]

It's a fair worry. If he can't transfer his scoring from midfield to the Prem, he doesn't really offer all that much. As it stands. Koeman presumably has him in mind for a very specific job though I'm more curious than worried.

Yeah I was being a bit flippant but you would certainly hope that he can bring his goal/assist record with him. There is a lot of stigma about whether players can do it in the EPL, but that is applicable to anyone coming from abroad really, not just Holland.

 

[davek]

Ive been at pains to state it over and over again, Ronny doesnt favour a traditional number 10.

Klassen will play as a number 8, alongside Ross, like so :

Morgan
Ross - Davy
​

If Ross is to be moved on we have Gana, TomTom, Besic or a newly purchased CM to step in.

My concern (as well as doubting his pace and the poor league he comes from) is that we're collecting a lot of 'samey' MFs.

We need someone who is a creative player. Klaassen isn't an Eriksen. Nowhere near that class from the examples Ive seen. We're getting sold a pup if he's arriving here on that basis. No one is seriously looking at throwing big cash at landing him outside of Koeman.

We need a Van der Vaart type. Ideally that's what we should be looking at. As you say though, this feller Koeman doesn't fancy them. And so we'll continue to struggle unlocking defences.

 

[Neiler]

The words, pragmatic, industrious and hardworking pop into my head when I think of him, not that there is anything wrong with that, but that's what I am expecting.

More Lampard then Van Der Varrt.

 

[Goat]

My concern (as well as doubting his pace and the poor league he comes from) is that we're collecting a lot of 'samey' MFs.

We need someone who is a creative player. Klaassen isn't an Eriksen. Nowhere near that class from the examples Ive seen. We're getting sold a pup if he's arriving here on that basis. No one is seriously looking at throwing big cash at landing him outside of Koeman.

We need a Van der Vaart type. Ideally that's what we should be looking at. As you say thigh, this feller Koeman doesn't fancy them. And so we'll continue to struggle unlocking defences.

As I keep saying, theres many ways to unlock a defence, theres many ways to break a wall.

 

[whiteshadow]

Good point - other than scoring goals, assisting goals and working hard, what does the guy actually offer?

Has he got a killer pass? I'd say no, judging by his highlight vids and Ajax supporters comments on him. He's not tricky, not pacey and although his finishing looks good it doesn't look great. To score regularly in the premier league you normally need to be a great finisher.

He's got great movement, can finish and works hard.

My post, 90% of which you ignored, questioned wether he is good enough to make the step up. Scoring for fun in Holland doesn't always mean you'll do it here.

I assume you're certain he's going to be a massive success in the Premier League?

I didn't even say I didn't think he was good enough, I said I wasn't sure.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

My concern (as well as doubting his pace and the poor league he comes from) is that we're collecting a lot of 'samey' MFs.

We need someone who is a creative player. Klaassen isn't an Eriksen. Nowhere near that class from the examples Ive seen. We're getting sold a pup if he's arriving here on that basis. No one is seriously looking at throwing big cash at landing him outside of Koeman.

We need a Van der Vaart type. Ideally that's what we should be looking at. As you say thigh, this feller Koeman doesn't fancy them. And so we'll continue to struggle unlocking defences.

I agree that we are still missing this. Barkley's creativity relies on him being a bit more ball dominant than I'd like. We need someone that can switch the field quickly and hit some of those world class through balls on the spot. Klassen, who is capable of picking a pass and playing in tight areas, isn't one that will make the extraordinary pass frequently. My one concern Dave, is that those players don't really grow on trees. Klassen will still be a quality addition to the team regardless of his shortcomings.

 

[whiteshadow]

It's a fair worry. If he can't transfer his scoring from midfield to the Prem, he doesn't really offer all that much. As it stands. Koeman presumably has him in mind for a very specific job though I'm more curious than worried.

Exactly how I see it.

He looks good but to score regularly from midfield in England is hard. I'm sure Koeman and Walsh have watched him a lot more times than I have so I'll put my faith in their opinion but I'm undecided on how good he'll be.

 

[Neiler]

My concern (as well as doubting his pace and the poor league he comes from) is that we're collecting a lot of 'samey' MFs.

We need someone who is a creative player. Klaassen isn't an Eriksen. Nowhere near that class from the examples Ive seen. We're getting sold a pup if he's arriving here on that basis. No one is seriously looking at throwing big cash at landing him outside of Koeman.

We need a Van der Vaart type. Ideally that's what we should be looking at. As you say though, this feller Koeman doesn't fancy them. And so we'll continue to struggle unlocking defences.

To be fair we could do with an 8 or 8 and half, like Super Tim Cahill.

I think it's a fair starting point to cut his goals and assist record in half coming from Holland as a realistic target for the lad.

I am open minded about the lid, I have seen him only a little and the description I posted above is the impression I was left with, he's on the end of things as opposed to the spark.

I'm all for giving him a clean slate on judgement. I do remember Ron bigging up Jordy Claise when he signed for Southampton and he has been tepid at best in and out of the Southampton team.

The lad is likely to get his chance, but this one comes with concerns and might be prudent to manage our expectations of him.

Hope he does well obv.

 

[mahermi1]

To me he sounds just like a Tim Cahill type player. But I do agree we do need a Mikel Arteta type player to go with him.