The issue for Palace (and a few others) is that they perceive that the prices they will be quoted for players they want to buy will go up if they have a load of money burning a hole in their pockets. Hence all the brinkmanship. I’m not sure it’s an effective tactic.
I do feel sorry for Guehi, mainly because I have him in my fantasy side in expectation of him being sold to Liverpool. His defensive numbers will not look quite as good at Palace so he needs to score a few more thunderbastards.
Guehi has also played his part in exemplary fashion, unlike Isak and Wissa who got their moves, which isn't a great visual for others.
The big problem may have been Dougie Freedman taking the Saudi money. He seemed crucial to their recruitment and his departure seemed to catch them out. They still should have got this all done much quicker though.
Who, of course, have precisely zero fucks to give. Cry more, Palace.
Apparently Cuiabano has gone back to Botafogo on loan. Not sure I understand.
Zinchenko made him an investment/luxury signing?
Ramping up the Palace-trolling?
[I think yours is the more likely explanation, but this will explode a few more conspiracy theorist heads in Sahf Laandon.]
To be fair we probably owe John Textor more than one deal that doesn't make sense.
I would assume Cuibano is being kept match fit so he can come back for Aina who will be at AFCON? That would make the most sense. Poor Old Jota may end up in Saudi now.. Hopefully the blood money washers over pay for him.
Chicago: Relief worker.
EDIT: And oh yeah Saudi interested in Morato too.
Cuiabano can’t be added until Jan 1st, by which time AFCON is into the knockout phase. AFCON final is 18th, which means the most he’d be replacing Aina for is three league games plus the third round of the FA Cup. (Looks like Aina and Sangare will also miss three games in December.)
Let's ask NEOM FC's sporting director what he thinks about that.
Is that you Kyriakos Dourekas?
The wonderful world of football.
Collomose from the Daily Mail reckons Hutchinson will miss out on the Europa squad.
I’ve just read an article from the Athletic where it suggests Nuno was involved in all the transfers, apart from Hutchinson and Luiz……
Makes sense. It was after those two that he had his little tantrum. Zinchenko is obviously an Edu deal given the Arsenal connection, but by that point Marinakis had presumably banged their heads together and told them to learn to play in the sandpit together and so I would presume that Edu at least called Nuno and said "I can get this guy if you want him".
I worked in a sandpaper warehouse for a week, you had to take the rough with smooth.
It would explain why Edu had rubbed Nuno up the wrong way
I maintain that I wouldn't have signed Hutchinson at the price we paid, and it feels like his Joorabchian links are the only reason we did.
Luiz feels different because his Villa track record suggests he is (or can be) a step up from what we have. Zinchenko likewise a no-brainer as long as he's happy to fight for a place.
None of this explains why Nuno, from day 1, allegedly took such a personal dislike to Edu (by most accounts an affable guy who gets along with people - an Arsenal-supporting mate tells me he might if anything be too laid back). But it feels like we might never know the reason, unless there is an autobiography coming.
