Out of Africa
"Sky Sports understand Charlton Athletic have agreed fees to sign Djimi Traore and Amdy Faye."I must admit, I'm rather partial to Sky Sports' old-fashioned use of language. You almost imagine a reporter phoning the newsroom with the news: Reporter: "Hello Newsroom, Charlton have agreed fees for Traore and Faye." Newsroom: "Understood."
Anyhow, if true it means the long and frustrating wait since the signing of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on 11 July might be over. I wouldn't claim to know very much about either player, though I recall being impressed by Faye when Newcastle beat Arsenal last season.
However a look at the past transfer activity of the players is cause for some cautious confidence. Faye was signed by Harry Redknapp in the summer of 2003 having represented Senegal at the 2002 World Cup, and whatever you might think about 'bent Harry', he knows how to wheel and deal. He was then only sold during a managerial vacuum at Pompey in between Redknapp's departure and the appointment of Perrin. The hapless Graeme Souness fancied him obviously, and it seems Glenn Roeder does not, hence the opportunity. I don't particular rate either the former or current Geordies boss, but if I had to back the judgment of either, it'd be the Scot's.
Traore meanwhile was signed by the under-rated Gerard Houlier, but then more importantly retained by his highly impressive replacement Rafa Benitez. Now poor Traore may have something of a comic reputation on the Kop ("..blame it on Traore" sung to the tune of 'Blame it on the Boogie'), but you don't make 40 appearances for a team that wins the Champions League and FA Cup if you can't play a bit, and that's good enough for me.
Most importantly perhaps, it's fair to say I wouldn't fancy meeting either of them in a dark alleyway, and having become increasingly frustrated at the way the likes of Hughes, Holland and Rommedahl mince around the pitch, a bit of steel wouldn't go amiss. I mean, you'd hardly run a mile if you saw the flying Dane coming towards you (and if you did, he'd soon catch you anyway).
posted by New York Addick @ 12:30 AM
4 comments
Issakkson, Traore and faye are all allegedly holding their pen, but centimetres above the contract, I just wish someone would get the paper closer to the nib, its bee a bout three weeks since the Traore business was muted to be a done deal, the season is just round the corner!!!
to be fair i know very little about these players other than the "bambi on ice" joke for traore but am always wary of signing other clubs cast-offs,believing that there must be something wrong with them but in contrast of course they wouldn't be up for transfer in the first place if they either didn't want away or were playing first team football,meaning we wouldn't be in a position to sign them,catcha 22. so i guess in the case of traore at least, the competition at liverpool being so great it's difficult for even the likes of kewell to be guaranteed a place,so maybe we might be pleasently surprised!(how come no clubs are ever clamouring after lisbie?)
it does bother me though that charlton-with a few exceptions-take so long to bring players in and so create an obvious delay in their settling in to the club before the new season.why can't there be a players supermarket with all players being on various shelves relating to price, quality, naffness and special offers making them easy to select, then just proceed to the checkout pay for the goods and if you like plump for the free home delivery,hows about that then!
Do you mean something like a bargain box for unsold players in the week before the season begins?
Or:
SPECIAL OFFER
2 for the price of 1
Kish & Lisbie just for the price of Kish!
I'm only joking....Kish is a hero,
at least until we get someone better. :-)
Unfortunately with our budget we're shopping at Netto instead of Waitrose.