The Summer 2020 Transfer Window Now Closed: Zungu signs on loan with option to buy

[Stevie - 4lads Blog 922]

16 minutes ago, Number 54 said:

I think we need to hang tight with Alfredo. Regardless of what has or hasn't gone on, we need to make sure we get the £20m we are after. 

 

It would be our record sale but also show to outsiders we are no longer a pushover when it comes to selling our best players. 

He’s away in my humble opinion 

 

Will move quickly now 

[Frankie 8,146]

11 minutes ago, Number 54 said:

I think we need to hang tight with Alfredo. Regardless of what has or hasn't gone on, we need to make sure we get the £20m we are after. 

 

It would be our record sale but also show to outsiders we are no longer a pushover when it comes to selling our best players. 

Problem is, do we play him in the interim as that's the only way we can keep (or increase) his value?

 

As I said on the pod last night, I hope being dropped is a short, sharp shock for the lad. With Roofe and Itten now getting up to sharpness and contributing to our two goals on Saturday then Alfie will have to realise quickly that he has to work hard to get back in the squad, never mind the first XI.

 

Hopefully he puts in a good training shift this week and is available for the Hamilton game as it's best for both parties that he keeps playing and gets back to full fitness and form.  There might be another closed doors friendly tomorrow or Wednesday to help with that.

 

(Of course it could be that a sale is just more imminent than has been the case previously but we'll find that out over the next few days).

[Number 54 5]

1 hour ago, Frankie said:

Problem is, do we play him in the interim as that's the only way we can keep (or increase) his value?

 

As I said on the pod last night, I hope being dropped is a short, sharp shock for the lad. With Roofe and Itten now getting up to sharpness and contributing to our two goals on Saturday then Alfie will have to realise quickly that he has to work hard to get back in the squad, never mind the first XI.

 

Hopefully he puts in a good training shift this week and is available for the Hamilton game as it's best for both parties that he keeps playing and gets back to full fitness and form.  There might be another closed doors friendly tomorrow or Wednesday to help with that.

 

(Of course it could be that a sale is just more imminent than has been the case previously but we'll find that out over the next few days).

I think if he has a good week in training and his head is in the correct place, I would play him against Hamilton; as of right now, he's our best option in attack, imo.

 

However, given how things look to be panning out, I wouldn't be shocked if he's a Lille player by the end of the week.

Edited August 24, 2020 by Number 54

[Number 54 5]

1 hour ago, Stevie - 4lads Blog said:

He’s away in my humble opinion 

 

Will move quickly now 

I think so too. 

 

I also notice Rodgers is after Ikone of Lille, which could make them move quickly to get Alfredo in.

[DMAA 3,603]

7 minutes ago, Number 54 said:

I also notice Rodgers is after Ikone of Lille

Not true, he's a £30m player

[Number 54 5]

Just now, DMAA said:

Not true, he's a £30m player

Leicester and Rodgers, not Rangers ? 

[craig 5,195]

8 hours ago, JFK-1 said:

I think you're pretty much simply replacing my speculation with the attached non certainty with your own speculation carrying the same non certainty. Can I be guaranteed they couldn't replace him with someone of equivalent quality? Not certain but I think I have fair reason to be more confident than otherwise that they couldn't.

He didn't arrive at Ibrox the player he is now. He developed into it with coaching, experience, and ongoing physical maturity. Can you guarantee that he could be replaced like for like with his current level of quality/effectiveness? I would think not.

He's the product of a couple of years work. This isn't the time to be starting over with another 20/21 year old who would most likely have to be worked through the same process over a couple of years to reach the same level. 

Can we be guaranteed we will qualify for Euro group stages again with him in the side? It's never certain but what is certain is that it can only be more difficult to do so when the side is weakened. Which it will be if he goes and can't be replaced with equivalent quality. Which all things being equal has to more unlikely than otherwise.

And with the additional problem that even if we were fantastically lucky and replaced him with equivalent quality and effectiveness for a fraction of the selling price. Because I think one thing we can be certain of is that they wouldn't be paying whatever he brings to replace him. Then even if they were that good they simply still couldn't be as fully effective at a time when every single match is crucial.

He has two years experience in this team, playing with many of these players, alongside two years experience of the Scottish league. That's something that pretty much cannot be instantly replaced at all. It's simply the wrong time to be considering letting him go unless they were offering ridiculous money that simply cannot be refused. And 14 million isn't that.

To maintain the model of buying young potential as cheaply as possible then coaching it to sell at a far higher price the chances of selling him while not weakening the side in this massively important season have to be considered remote.

To summarise, in my view this is not the time to be weakening this side, and especially so by releasing such a key player who still has almost 3 years on his contract.

As for being fans who don't have to make these decisions, I would rather be a fan than the one who had to tell Gerrard Kent was being sold. He has strongly hinted he feels pretty much as I do. And I doubt he would take such news with good grace.

 

8 hours ago, JFK-1 said:

I think you're pretty much simply replacing my speculation with the attached non certainty with your own speculation carrying the same non certainty. Can I be guaranteed they couldn't replace him with someone of equivalent quality? Not certain but I think I have fair reason to be more confident than otherwise that they couldn't.

He didn't arrive at Ibrox the player he is now. He developed into it with coaching, experience, and ongoing physical maturity. Can you guarantee that he could be replaced like for like with his current level of quality/effectiveness? I would think not.

He's the product of a couple of years work. This isn't the time to be starting over with another 20/21 year old who would most likely have to be worked through the same process over a couple of years to reach the same level. 

Can we be guaranteed we will qualify for Euro group stages again with him in the side? It's never certain but what is certain is that it can only be more difficult to do so when the side is weakened. Which it will be if he goes and can't be replaced with equivalent quality. Which all things being equal has to more unlikely than otherwise.

And with the additional problem that even if we were fantastically lucky and replaced him with equivalent quality and effectiveness for a fraction of the selling price. Because I think one thing we can be certain of is that they wouldn't be paying whatever he brings to replace him. Then even if they were that good they simply still couldn't be as fully effective at a time when every single match is crucial.

He has two years experience in this team, playing with many of these players, alongside two years experience of the Scottish league. That's something that pretty much cannot be instantly replaced at all. It's simply the wrong time to be considering letting him go unless they were offering ridiculous money that simply cannot be refused. And 14 million isn't that.

To maintain the model of buying young potential as cheaply as possible then coaching it to sell at a far higher price the chances of selling him while not weakening the side in this massively important season have to be considered remote.

To summarise, in my view this is not the time to be weakening this side, and especially so by releasing such a key player who still has almost 3 years on his contract.

As for being fans who don't have to make these decisions, I would rather be a fan than the one who had to tell Gerrard Kent was being sold. He has strongly hinted he feels pretty much as I do. And I doubt he would take such news with good grace.

So it's ok for you to speculate but I shoudn't bother to rebut your speculation ?

 

Which part of Scotland getting two CL participants next season is speculation ?

 

He hasnt developed THAT much since he signed for Rangers last season.  Come on, that is just fanboy stuff.  Is he a better player ?  I am still not convinced.  The start of this season he has scored more but few assists - are there signs he has improved ?  Sure, but on very few games this season.  I don't think he has improved significantly since signing - he still makes poor decisions and his final product still can be lacking.

 

You also state that the side "will be weakened if he leaves" - that, again, is pure conjecture because none of us know who would replace him.  It isnt as if he is Messi where  ANY team would be weakened by losing him.  You also don't need to be "fantastically lucky" to get someone of equivalent quality - you just need a recruitment department that knows the market.  Everything in that paragraph is pure conjecture.  I get that you want him to stay, as do I, but it doesnt man=ke him some world beater that can't be replaced.

 

It is my view we shouldnt be weakening the side either but, unlike you, I would reserve judgement until we saw who Kent's replacement were, should that time actually come.

 

Gerrard is no different to any other manager - he will ultimately have to deal with the cards his Board deal him, or walk.  The Board will decide whether to sell Kent or not, dependent on the financial side of it.  Gerrard cannot stop that.  Lest we forget that, as of yet, Gerrard hasnt won anything as a manager.  

 

Either way it is pointless continuing - we clearly will have to agree to disagree - you think Kent is irreplaceable whilst I believe that he can be replaced, though it is a risk.

[Franc Ergs 1,351]

We have to have a more settled team , i don't think playing Morelos short term is the way ahead,   Roofe and itten are.

 

 

[Malangsob 1,196]

4 hours ago, Bill said:

Very few players are willing to commit to a club like Rangers. In almost 60 years as a supporter I've seen many good players come and go. Kent will be no different. If he leaves, someone will take his place. The only thing I expect is that any deal is done in the interests of Rangers.

Bill, I could have put it no better sir. Too many folks get twisted around the axle on some player, or coach. I can't blame them. After all, it's those great players, and coaches that create lasting memories.  You can't get too attached.

Tomorrow is about the club...not the player.

[Gonzo79 13,584]

Aye but Craig, one the we can be certain of is they wouldn't be paying whatever he brings to replace him. Then even if they were that good they simply still couldn't be as fully effective.