“So what’s going on with Antonio than?”
If I’ve heard that question once I’ve heard it at least 50 times on social media over the last few weeks and already the conspiracy theories are starting.
The big one of course is that he’s a David Sullivan signing that the manager didn’t want and it’s untrue.
There was, however, a debate about the player between the chairman and the manager ahead of D-Day with the team chief explaining he needed 24 hours before deadline day to decide whether Michail was a £7 million player.
Once he had done so the chairman and Karren Brady got down to the business of thrashing out the terms but there was always a background story.
With the Irons board flat out to secure their Premier League status ahead of the OS move – relegation being totally unthinkable in their last Boleyn season – they had already brought Victor Moses in a hugely expensive loan deal.
At the time we revealed that the Chelsea player could cost as much as £185,000 per game which, were he to play in every league game would see his cost for one season soar to over £6 million plus National Insurance and agents’ fee. It works out as a very big deal indeed in WHUFC terms. https://www.claretandhugh.info/exclusive-moses-costs-could-hit-185k-a-game/.
Antonio had been on the radar for some time but interest from other clubs was intensifying and in the end we spent the£7 million in order to ensure he was on board foe next season when Moses will be allowed to move back to Chelsea hopefully with our gratitude.
That deal took the club’s spend to £35 million – £10 million more than had been in the original plan.
Thus we now – and more importantly Antonio – find ourselves in the middle of a waiting period and I would guess that once we are safe from any threat of relegation the midfielder will be blooded in a few games before he becomes the Moses successor next season.
All of this will have been explained to him when terms were being discussed along of course with the possibility that he will be launched into action should, for example, Moses receive an injury.
There’s no conspiracies here, just strategic long term planning …and it’s very good to see.
Really Hugh, what’s it got to do with part time Brady? The owners sort it, the solicitors close it. What’s her involvement as a non owner?
You know what they say Dainon,its a thin line btween love & hate.Rugbyirons constant rants about her are born out of a deep rooted love for here i think,lol
The other conspiracy theory I heard is that the players that are not being played are the players that were signed by Tony Henry and not by Slav. Pedro obiang for instance. Any truth in that rumour?
I would imagine those days and theories have been left well behind Slav. The players that are getting picked are purely on merit and what’s seen in training/injuries.
What it’s got to do with her is that she travels and does deal closing in company with the solicitor Henry and attempts to beat he price down whilst staying in touch with the owners. Given that you know virtually everything that goes on (apparently) there may be no need for you to come here anymore Rugby.
No truth Slaven. The manager understood set up when he arrived and it’s not as tho obiang has been ignored, plus one of his own signings, Ogbonna was unable to get in at palace
Why woukd Bilic not play Obiang because he was an earlier signing.That was the previous manager who did petty things like that.Im surprised people would even think Bilic is that childish.
Seems a lot of money to spend to have the player on the subs bench for a year, I would imagine he will be loaned out in January if it stays that way. The guy from Norway was the main target Sisto Pione who turned us down, Antonio looks like a player with a lot to give and a good attitude hopefully he can make an impact,
Could be right WHF32, think Antonio may be of been a bit “raw” plus sometimes it can take a while to get with the pace and movement of the PL. He’s had to step up a level at a time all through his career, this is one of the final big pushes. Hopefully he’s one for the furture.
I have no idea why “Rugby” always slaughters Brady, she’s clearly been instrumental in the last 5 years and our turn around. Is it because he has a female making many decisions at our club ? I just don’t get it.
Maybe its because she’s a Tory ?????
Anyway Slav picks the side ,
Antonio will get his chance I’m sure .
I think Valencia or zarate will start on Saturday with Antonio on the bench in place of moses.
Its fantastic not knowing who is going to play because of the depth of the squad, long may it continue .
Victor mildew rugby just likes to moan,it just gets a bit depressing bit like having a boring manager for 4 years,if Brady cost the club nada what’s the problem,
I hope You ne’er gets the nod this week because we need speed to counter attack maybe Antonio can get 30 mins when the games tied up after Terry gets his second Yellow for be old and slow chasing Lanzini,