Interesting, according to KS a 5X and a host of others, we had to overpay for the 2nd option because we would not stump up for Zielinski as he was the #1 no doubt and FSG fu**ed over the manager.
Though I don't disagree with you and think Gini was 1st choice....but don't see Gini as some change in philosophy by the manager.
Nobody said we wouldn't buy better players or spend more money all people were saying was the manager likes them younger and to develop them...he's not going to buy ready made superstars.
VVD for example is not a superstar, he is a 25 year old extremely talented player and a position where there is a shortage of talent across Europe...He has been at Southampton for 2 seasons (the last 6 months injured) and has won nothing....done nothing...he is not a Superstar...he still has a lot to learn but his price is high.
For the record, Wijnaldum was third choice.
Dahoud > Zielinski > Wijnaldum
Not for the first time a self-serving and yet unsurprising reworking of my pretty well stated position on this.
You are welcome to continue having a one sided debate about last summer with forms of the argument you formulated to make yourself look good. But I'm not interested anymore.
I stand by my assertion from last yr.
Boss identifies gaps, goes looking, identifies targets within budget, better option available, pays for that and mends / makes do at LB......all driven because the opportunity presented itself to get Gini.
To me that seems pretty straightforward and logical if you follow events.
Each to their own lads - I'm getting too old for some of this stuff. My point was he ain't afraid to buy proven talent and change his mind for a better player.
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