Morning all.
Premier League Champions David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice were selected for the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, the other six being Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Igor Thiago. Not one of the eleven went on to win the individual award of players player of the season, crazily that went to Bruno Fernandes for his 21 assists for Utd throughout the season.
So neither the players or football writers thought that a Premier League winner and Champions League finalist or domestic cup winner was more deserving of an individual award than a player whose team won nothing. How bonkers is that? The stand out player of last season in my opinion is David Raya but it could quite easily be any of our players or even Haaland or Thiago for the sheer number of goals they scored. Thinking outside the box, what about players who stood out for Sunderland, Bournemouth and Brighton, clubs who secured European football against the odds?
Football isn’t just about the so called big clubs is it? There are 20 in the Premier League and not all can spend the amounts the so called big clubs do yet they go about their business quietly and in many ways, more smartly than those at the top. Did anyone watch Brentford batter Totts? Mamadou Sangare, Brentford’s record signing cost £38 million and he’s 24 years old. He was outstanding. Whether or not he continues to play as well throughout the season remains to be seen but if he does, he’s going to be considered an absolute bargain. He’s just one example of the deals which are done for a lot less money than the ‘big club’ signings.
Our only ‘bargain’ this summer is Christos Tzolis who right now looks an absolute steal at £35m or thereabouts. He’s certainly started strongly and long may that remain but why aren’t we able to do more deals like his? Why do we, other clubs do, simply shell out double or even triple the amount we paid for Tzolis just because the player has a name which is already recognised around the world?
This summer has been like a Premier League club swap shop as so many players have switched clubs for hideous amounts of money. Overseas clubs are totally ripping off Premier League clubs too just because they know they can. How on earth can Barcola who seems to be out of favour at PSG, be valued at £145m give or take a few million? Don’t get me started on Julian Alvarez, I’ve already had my moan about him.
I thought Andrea Berta was about spotting talent everywhere and at all clubs, not just players who you and I can identify because we see them play each week or when they play against us. That’s easy, especially if the finances to sign them are available. If the likes of Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth etc etc are spotting great younger signings, surely Arsenal should be as well. I don’t mean 16-18 year olds by the way, we seem to ok at that this summer although we won’t know how good any of our academy signings will be just yet, but what about the 20-22 year olds who on the cusp of great things but just need a little bit of refinement?
Another little moan and grown over with…