Quote Originally Posted by Peter View Post
He was average but came into a terrible side and actually improved it for a while. Useful player, who we got rid of once we'd improved and outgrown him. Sold him for what we paid. Not a bad signing at all, given the situation. Same with Cedric. Same with Ramsdale to some extent- he did well for us but when we needed to upgrade, we did. Probably same with Tomiyasu....

Still not at all sure that letting Xhaka leave was a good decision but it was mostly about length of contract as I understand it.
MA wanted a left-footed LCH. The deal was loan with obligation to buy.

We then got Gabby in the summer. We didn't know then we'd get him nor that he'd become half of the best CH partnership since Big Tone's days.

Kiwior was cover during that title challenge and while he hasn't worked as an inverted LB, he's been fine as a normal one. Lot's of assists this season and during the period he was playing LB last year.

And now we have Cala for both positions. I thought we should have let Kiwior go, and would have happily taken the 20m we paid, thinking that meant just another 20-odd upgrading to Cala. But with injuries to Cala, and Timber and Benny Blanc {and Tommi and Zinny} it's lucky we kept him. Decent young player for that money.

Mari was 4m loan fee and then an extra 8m at the end of the season to make it permanent. Doubt he was on huge wages. And give the shîte we'd had like Luiz, Mustafi {cost as much as Gabby and Willy} and Sok, the Mari money was a pittance.