Fair enough, but I always liked Higuain from what I saw of him at River when I was in Argie, and was impressed with his early years at Madrid playing as a ss - I can’t say those two were as impressive, but you obviously watched them all more than I have. And I think it’s the collective fee that makes it bad investment, especially when you look at some of the problems in the Madrid team. What is it nearly €150m for the three Brazilians and Diaz? I just think that could have been better invested, with short and long term impact considered. That’s my point really. No doubt, though, the likes of Hazard, Militao, Odriozola and Jovic have been far bigger problems.
Let's leave Reinier out for now, because he was only signed a few months ago, is out on loan at Borussia Dortmund (which, in principle, looks like a good move), and has yet to even kick a ball for Madrid, so I don't really see how he even comes into the discussion for the time being.
On Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, yes, the fees were high, which I presume might have been influenced by having missed out on Neymar a few years back, but the wages presumably weren't and Madrid by all accounts had plenty of time to develop these players.
I don't think anyone in the world back in 2017 and 2018, when they were respectively signed, would have said that having Cristiano Ronaldo (already with an eye on Hazard), Isco, Bale and Asensio ahead of the two was poor short or medium term planning.
Looking at player ages, it actually seemed nicely staggered. It ought to have allowed both a good four years to develop their game out of the spotlight, gain experience, and transition from third-choice squad players to ideally be competing for a starting place. That's precisely the type of situation Higuaín had and benefitted from.
Bale's and Isco's games going to the dogs so completely, Asensio rupturing his ACL, and Hazard spending his first year and a half commuting between the physio table and McDonalds were not really foreseeable circumstances.
In all, the plan was perfectly sensible, but those unforeseen changes have forced the manager's hand and completely changed perceptions as to where these youngsters ought to be right now.
By the way, I could barely believe it when I just went back to check. Isco is still only 28!
Luka Jovic
Page 3 of 3
posted on 16/1/21
Fair enough, but I always liked Higuain from what I saw of him at River when I was in Argie, and was impressed with his early years at Madrid playing as a ss - I can’t say those two were as impressive, but you obviously watched them all more than I have. And I think it’s the collective fee that makes it bad investment, especially when you look at some of the problems in the Madrid team. What is it nearly €150m for the three Brazilians and Diaz? I just think that could have been better invested, with short and long term impact considered. That’s my point really. No doubt, though, the likes of Hazard, Militao, Odriozola and Jovic have been far bigger problems.
posted on 17/1/21
Let's leave Reinier out for now, because he was only signed a few months ago, is out on loan at Borussia Dortmund (which, in principle, looks like a good move), and has yet to even kick a ball for Madrid, so I don't really see how he even comes into the discussion for the time being.
On Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, yes, the fees were high, which I presume might have been influenced by having missed out on Neymar a few years back, but the wages presumably weren't and Madrid by all accounts had plenty of time to develop these players.
I don't think anyone in the world back in 2017 and 2018, when they were respectively signed, would have said that having Cristiano Ronaldo (already with an eye on Hazard), Isco, Bale and Asensio ahead of the two was poor short or medium term planning.
Looking at player ages, it actually seemed nicely staggered. It ought to have allowed both a good four years to develop their game out of the spotlight, gain experience, and transition from third-choice squad players to ideally be competing for a starting place. That's precisely the type of situation Higuaín had and benefitted from.
Bale's and Isco's games going to the dogs so completely, Asensio rupturing his ACL, and Hazard spending his first year and a half commuting between the physio table and McDonalds were not really foreseeable circumstances.
In all, the plan was perfectly sensible, but those unforeseen changes have forced the manager's hand and completely changed perceptions as to where these youngsters ought to be right now.
By the way, I could barely believe it when I just went back to check. Isco is still only 28!
Page 3 of 3