There is a bit of that alright, i dont think he has the engine to go full pelt in 3/4 competitions but as understudy hes fine, he might be called on for a bit more if a Lucas bad injury happens so i think he will be assessed physically on that by Anchelotti and that seems to be green light, go. Before his injury Lucas looked flogged to me.
I quired the Baines Vs Robinson move at the time, that was the decision for me. We needed to decide to nurture Robinson or stick with Baines, we went with Baines - the value of that decision is questionable, given that Robinson was an admin error away from 12 mill move to AC Milan three months after we sold him, but thats a different story and maybe an opportunity missed.
Baines is the best option we have in our own context. Ill put it like this, strategically we signed him for 6 mill in 2007, he has 0 book price at the mo, helping us to mitigate the huge losses in FFP as he cost neutral apart from wages. Dropping 7-20 mill on a back up or auxiliary left back is not a position the club want to be in this summer with other priorities in the squad, working in tight enough budgets, tight loss ceilings and trying to control and comply with FFP. He as a back up option helps with that given his profile, Coleman similarly. Its a no brainier really and an easy win for the club in cost control.
The same premise adds context to the Kenny Vs Sibide move, Kenny is cost neutral Vs 14 mill on Sibide. We're loosing Martina of the wage bill to. All these small decisions have wider impacts strategically.
If you decide, to sign Sibide and buy a new left back for 7-20 mill you are 20 -30 mill into your budget and loss ceilings before you do anything else.
