Baleforce
Arthur Rowe
I don't care about numbers, we are talking about their talent and their status. I agree with you Klinsmann was considered a bit past it absolutely and that helped us get him, but as a player, career and status wise he was worlds apart from Rebrov, Soldadao and Berbatov before we bought them.
Klinsmann was still considered quite a an accomplishment to sign as players of his statute just didn't play in the PL at the time. A World Cup winner in an era when that was considered the pinnacle of football, I'm sorry but I'm just not having you compare him to flipping Rebrov and bloody Soldado.
Na, not having that. Don't bother about stats. Klinsmann was considered a world star at the time. Anyone who watched football knew who he was and had seen him play because he'd done it at the very, very highest level. He was a World Cup winner and had been successful in the toughest (particularly for attacking players) and best league in the world at the time.
Prior to joining us, I'd never seen Soldado or Berbatov playing. Now, you might say that's my ignorance, which is true to a degree, but many of my mates were the same. In 1994, everyone knew who Klinsmann was. Klinsmann's profile and reputation was miles ahead of Berbatov, Soldado and Rebrov when he signed.
And that type of signing was pretty much unheard of in 1994.
All fair points, but as actual usable products, all comparable.
The very fact we signed him, and the fee we paid* shows there were question marks.
*Chris Sutton moved for twice as much that summer I believe.