Manuel Pellegrini’s hunt for a striker – probably on loan in January – will come as a blow to £8 million summer arrival Albian Ajeti.
The Swiss striker has had little or no chance to show what he’s about since agreeing a deal with the club in what appeared to be a like for like Chicharito decision.
That was a surprise in itself given the Mexican had made little impression in the team pattern adopted by Manuel Pellegrini who cashed in on the 31 year old when Sevilla moved in.
Two EFL Cup appearances at Newport and Oxford United do not suggest the 22 year old was seen as a Premier League first team player and should anything happen to Seb Haller ahead of a Michail Antonio’s return that becomes a worrying scenario.
The fee involved for Ajeti always suggested that unless Pellegrini knew something hidden from everybody else the player was unlikely to make an impact.
And when Mario Husillos explained after his arrival what he was indeed a box player – in the Chicharito mould – his arrival had question marks over it.
It comes as no surprise therefore to hear that the boss is still keen to bring in that second striker but will need to find a quality operator ready to play back up to Haller which may not be the easiest job in the world.
Can’t see how this is a blow to him. Probably people have realised the folly of only having 2 strikers at the club – leaving us pretty exposed if Haller picks up an injury. Shame Xande Silva is still recovering from his injury – I would like to see him get some game time.
I’d have thought Yarmolenko would be the obvious replacement should Haller be injured?
Given there’s: Anderson, Snodgrass, Fornals, Lanzini and of course Holland that can play wide….
Having seen the video of Ajeti scoring amazing goals for his club and country, I’m really surprised he hasn’t been given more game time. Fornals looked off the pace at first, but he’s getting there. Perhaps Pelle doesn’t want two players new to the Prem playing at the same time. If you haven’t see Ajeti’s goals video, it well worth a search.
Yet again we take a player who has been playing regular first team football abroad (Haksabanovic being the last one) and don’t play him. Ajeti was playing – and scoring – for Basel in the Champions League last season. Why do we bother buying these players and (apart from throwing them in with the other reserves in the Carabao Cup) then don’t give them a chance? It won’t be long before these young players stop coming to us
Good article. The shocking bit is … why is the kid not playing. Surely Pelligrini who sees him every week on training can evaluate him correctly … and let him play. If not in the first team, then surely in the under 23’s? Not fair that this promising youngster is now experiencing what Hugill went through. How can we buy … not to use?
I think he isn’t playing because he hasn’t adapted to MP’s system, I think he is at some point going to adapt and score goals for us. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I would like to see us sign a forward with searing pace to stretch teams in a way Haller can’t.
I think the lad should get a chance , I see him in the cup he didn’t score or make much impact but he also had no service or support . But what I did see was that he put in a shift and had great movement and runs without service. He has potential from what I can see , I think if he gets the service he will score goals , give him the opportunity before we write him off . COYI ⚒