From Phil : piece on Wenger transfer windows
Hi Myles,
I enjoyed Matt’s email about Wenger in the transfer market and have to agree with his point around the different way he treats the 2.
It also gave me a nice link to a point I’ve been thinking about over the last few days – the supposed lack of world class centre forwards that aren’t at massive clubs.
I think I may even have mentioned that in an email I sent to you a few months ago. However, recently I’ve started to notice strikers that would almost certainly improve our front line and would be available for a fee that it seems we could pay these days – somewhere around £40-60m.
So, here’s my list – in order of my personal preference. Would love to hear what you and your readers think in terms of who they’d like and if anyone on my list is slightly realistic!
1) Lukaku – I’m sure I’m not the only one saying this and we’re not the only club who’d want him but it seems so perfect and possible. 22, very impressive goal scoring record playing for lesser teams (imagine him with Mesut!).
Can also imagine he’d like to prove that he can do it at the top level in the Premier League after Mourinho sold him. Of course he won’t be cheap, but I think he’d run to the Emirates if given the chance. Think Everton would find £50m difficult to turn down and we’d be set for at least 6 years.
2) Aubameyang –my knowledge of him doesn’t really go much beyond a few CL games and buying him on FIFA a few years ago but the stats seem to speak for themselves. The man is a goal scorer. Not only that, he’s lightening.
The kind of guy that would turn a front 3 of Sanchez, Giroud and Walcott into one of the paciest and most deadly front lines in world football. I’ve left myself open for some Walcott bashing there I know but I don’t think anyone would argue that his pace is something for opponents to worry about. So if nothing else he’d be a distraction allowing more time for the other 2.
3) Dybala – I know less about him than Aubameyang but he’s another one with amazing stats in Italy and seems very highly rated and young.
Not sure I’ve got anyone else in mind as a Giroud replacement, so I’ll leave it there.
Happy New Year to you and your readers!
Myles says:
I don’t have a wish-list, Phil.
Because great strikers never move in January.
Aubameyang is an explosive striker but also a versatile one. He can get on the end of crosses, score free-kicks and also get do-it-yourself goals.
If Romelu Lukaku plays for your team, the manager has to build round him and play to his strengths.
John Hartson once told me, “My strength is my strength.”
Lukaku is very strong but he’s also sprinter-fast.
Roberto Martinez has integrated the talents he has and when Everton click, Rom, Ross and Gerry look like they love playing together ( Gerald Deulefeu).
But if you compare Everton and Arsenal, Everton mix it up more.
Arsenal never shoot from 25 yards and only cross the ball when they’ve run out of ideas.
Whereas Everton have some old-fashioned wing play that’s executed by their full backs as well as their wingers, they create very slick moves between a small groups of attackers, and they score far more goals from crosses, from headers and knock-downs.
But Everton don’t win as many games as Arsenal because they don’t have Cech or Ozil.
Lukaku is one of my favourite players because I love a powerhouse who can ride challenges and score.
Before The Emirates opened I visited there with a season ticket holder and realised that a big stadium needs a powerhouse centre forward, a 21st century Les Ferdinand, a guy like who is visibly threatening over a distance.
Lukaku has scored 19 goals in all comps so far- and it’s only January 7th.
And he will improve. I’m not saying he can improve, I’m telling you now, put this in your diary :Lukaku will improve.
Last night I recorded the Everton-Man City first leg and watched it when we got home from the theatre.
EVERTON WERE AT IT LAST NIGHT. The whole team.
Right back Coleman played a blinder and Everton deserved to win 2-1, Besic and Barry were excellent in central midfield, Barkley’s shot was saved by Robles, centreback Funes-Mori banged in for 1-0.
When KDB hit a dipping snapshot from the edge of the D, keeper Joel made a nice low save to his left. Then City broke away beautifully from an Everton corner, Stones was stranded upfield, Aguero showed real class to set up Navas for a first time shot that made it 1-1.
Then came the Barry cross that allowed Lukaku to head the winner.
Chelsea wanted Stones but he isn’t for sale. It doesn’t matter if Arsenal want Lukaku. He isn’t for sale either.
Second leg of this Capital One Cup semi-final is at the Etihad in 3 weeks time.
What play did we see?
Jan goes to the theatre quite a lot and sometimes takes me.
She bought the tickets last September for Ben Hur at the Tricycle because it was the same company that did The 39 Steps so brilliantly with four actors.
To me Ben Hur is a farce influenced by The Goons.
The story was interactive during a sea battle, so punters in each row of the stalls had to row back and forward in unison with the “galley”onstage.
Some people had to shout out lines from a cue cards that were numbered. But mine just asked for noises & screams like AAARGH!
The play, using three actors and a slim young actress, was fast-moving and hilarious, and climaxed with a chariot race at the Circus Maximum in Jerusalem.
The horses were good. But not as funny as the camels of the three Wise Men.