1.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 09:22:28
Can and Couthino prime examples of the grass isn't always greener.

2.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 12:06:02
Barryinlouth - How about Owen.

3.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 16:32:49
KC I've banished that little d#*$&@&d from my memory mate.

4.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 16:45:57
And Suarez?

5.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 17:13:15
Not exactly ArAy. He's won 4 titles and a Champions League at Barca. In his second season he scored 40 goals in 35 games. Suarez isn't really a great example of "the grass isn't always greener".

6.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 17:52:29
I used to like Can when he was with us. He was decent for us and could play multiple positions. Do not think he will get to play much this season with Juve's bloated midfield.

A question to Ed01 or Ed02, did we bring fabinho as a replacement of Can. or was Fab already lined up to join us? Thanks for your insight.

{Ed001's Note - neither. Fabinho was signed to improve the first team, Can was not seen as a first choice player.}

7.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 18:14:56
But precisely Epic. He was my example of where the grass has been greener but everyone decides to ignore it. The past few days, lots of posts of players who flopped after leaving us.

8.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 20:17:49
Can was demanding things that his talent simply was not worth. He wanted guarantees on game time and position to be played. He would not have beaten Fab or even Hendo to the starting lineup at the DM position and so he had to go.

Fab is miles ahead of him and so we got the better deal, IMO. Hopefully things work out for Can cos while he was with us, he gave his all. Played every position he was asked to play to help the team and most importantly in the 16/ 17 season, he helped us make the top 4 with some great goals and assists (that overhead kick goal at Watford is STILL a gem, IMO) and most importantly, he played half that season with a calf injury. Much respect to Big Emre!

9.) 05 Sep 2019
05 Sep 2019 22:20:02
Maybe so guys, might not have been as good as he thought of himself. But wow what a bicycle kick that wqs.

10.) 06 Sep 2019
06 Sep 2019 03:22:35
well said RedWolf.

11.) 06 Sep 2019
06 Sep 2019 05:37:22
Interesting topic.

There's no doubt that a lot of players believing their own hype in recent years have not gone on to succeed. In the case of Suarez, whatever you think of him as a person, the guy is unquestionably talented and could go anywhere and succeed. These type of players are few and far between. Then there's players who excel under certain managers, systems, etc. That is where a lot of players who have left us exist. Coutinho included and Torres was never the same player.

Can was never more than a first team squad player who could do a job for us. He did it well at times. Moving to a club that is of a similar status or higher is really make or break for most players. A few make it, Owen, Mascherano and Suarez. A few don't. This second group tends to include a lot of youth players who have not gone through the old YTS boot cleaning life and have a lot of sunshine blown up their arses by media, agents and fans. They move believing their own press and don't quite have the impact they wanted, players like Sinclair. Whether Duncan will end up like that I don't know. Some get the chance and just aren't good enough, Ibe, Solanke, etc.

Personally I have no problem with any player wanting first team football. BUT they have to earn the right to play for a big club. Why Duncan moved to Fiorentina is beyond me. Is he really that good to walk into the first team squad? Obviously not.

Players move for a multitude of reasons. There is no doubt in my mind that the group who think they are moving for more football or better recognition and then fail to achieve their goals is the bigger group than those who do achieve their goals.

Maybe that will be a consideration when the next big player thinks he can win it all elsewhere next time.

12.) 06 Sep 2019
06 Sep 2019 09:27:47
Sorry ArAy. I completely misunderstood your inclusion of him and thought that you were suggesting he was another who flopped, haha.

13.) 06 Sep 2019
06 Sep 2019 11:45:01
No problem at all Epic. 👍.