Strange comment from Pochettino about taking a 'risk' on Ali ?

[Billy Goat Sverige]

A risk that will pay off massively though - we're already seeing just how good he can be. Next year, we'll get the version that was at Borussia last season - you'll be impressed. He has leadership credentials as well - even if people want to slag off his performances don't think anyone can argue that he had hidden - always wants the ball and always the first player in the face of the referee when needed.

You're right about Alli not being a risk to buy - I guess the risk is in playing them and sticking with it. Don't think it has ever been tougher to blood a young player than it is now, due to the constant wave of criticism that exists in the game

I read somewhere the other day that in his last season at Borussia they were playing a 3-5-2. Maybe this formation will bring the best out of him as well.

[Luis Anaconda]

I read somewhere the other day that in his last season at Borussia they were playing a 3-5-2. Maybe this formation will bring the best out of him as well.

He definitely needs a bit of help due to lack of pace so this is a good thing. Best thing about the system is we have ball-playing centre backs so they can step forward. Really think Chambers could thrive in it as well. After he gets his hat-trick on Sunday

[Ash]

That's not a risk old chap. That's a punt...
There is no risk on paying £5m on any player for a club of that size. If they don't work out, you move them on and pretty much cover your cost.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39956996

£40m on Xhaka.. Now that, was a risk.

It was too much of a risk for Arsenal, who thought he was too expensive, according to Clive from the AV podcast, who seems to know football in and around the Milton Keynes area quite well.

And Grant Shackleton wasn't £40m, was he? Bit harsh to add five to ten million onto a player's fee just to qunt him off. Are you Tony Cascarino?

[7sisters]

It was too much of a risk for Arsenal, who thought he was too expensive, according to Clive from the AV podcast, who seems to know football in and around the Milton Keynes area quite well.

And Grant Shackleton wasn't £40m, was he? Bit harsh to add five to ten million onto a player's fee just to qunt him off. Are you Tony Cascarino?

Well.. To you and everyone else that interpreted this as a slight on Xhaka, it wasn't.. My comment was simply that it was a far greater risk to spend 40m on a player, with no major track record in playing in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, as opposed to taking a punt of £5m on a player from the lower divisions.
For the record. I like Xhaka. I like his spirit, a tad reckless perhaps but certainly a player that adds steel to the midfield. A good eye for goal and as SC pointed out, a very good passer of a ball.

[Ash]

Well.. To you and everyone else that interpreted this as a slight on Xhaka, it wasn't.. My comment was simply that it was a far greater risk to spend 40m on a player, with no major track record in playing in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, as opposed to taking a punt of £5m on a player from the lower divisions.
For the record. I like Xhaka. I like his spirit, a tad reckless perhaps but certainly a player that adds steel to the midfield. A good eye for goal and as SC pointed out, a very good passer of a ball.

Ok, but if we are to "spend some fùcking money" as so many have been demanding, and especially in an inflated market, then that is going to involve risk by its nature. After all, the reason why we didn't spend the chuffing money for so long was because the club/manager thought it too much of a risk, at a time of austerity for the club.

Did Man Utd take a risk on Pogba? Yes, but it doesn't matter because they can probably afford a risk like that every year. We might be able to do that once, but we couldn't do that every year.

[redgunamo]

Ok, but if we are to "spend some fùcking money" as so many have been demanding, and especially in an inflated market, then that is going to involve risk by its nature. After all, the reason why we didn't spend the chuffing money for so long was because the club/manager thought it too much of a risk, at a time of austerity for the club.

Did Man Utd take a risk on Pogba? Yes, but it doesn't matter because they can probably afford a risk like that every year. We might be able to do that once, but we couldn't do that every year.

I suppose reducing the risk by signing *decent* players is out of the question?

[Ash]

I suppose reducing the risk by signing *decent* players is out of the question?

I should hope not, and I've often said that I'm more interested in how good a player is than how much he costs. My objection is to the spending-money-as-therapy meme, as if people prefer shopping to watching good football.

[SWv2]

Ok, but if we are to "spend some fùcking money" as so many have been demanding, and especially in an inflated market, then that is going to involve risk by its nature. After all, the reason why we didn't spend the chuffing money for so long was because the club/manager thought it too much of a risk, at a time of austerity for the club.

Did Man Utd take a risk on Pogba? Yes, but it doesn't matter because they can probably afford a risk like that every year. We might be able to do that once, but we couldn't do that every year.

We have been spending money for years A - Ozil, Sanchez, Xhaka, Mustafi. None cheap.

Chamberlain, Welbeck, Perez.

[Monty92]

We have been spending money for years A - Ozil, Sanchez, Xhaka, Mustafi. None cheap.

Chamberlain, Welbeck, Perez.

SW, I need to PM you but don't know how.

How do you PM people on this Awimb?

[Ash]

We have been spending money for years A - Ozil, Sanchez, Xhaka, Mustafi. None cheap.

Chamberlain, Welbeck, Perez.

I wasn't saying that we hadn't been. My point really is that the risk is inversely proportional to the monies you have available.