Luka Vuskovic

[Raziel]

This has probably already been said, but should we not be alarmed by the fact that Brighton want him? They are usually pretty good judges of character when it comes to incoming transfers.

They, like all teams have misses as well. They have taken a huge risk here, it's a lot of money for a 19yr old CB that has never played in PL, has a known concern re pace.

The data says he will be special, but lets be clear, we have been watching him play way more than Brighton for the last 3+ years, hard to believe they are a better judge of him than us.

Basically the fee, plus sell on, plus buy match clause protects us amazingly well.

 

[Mr Gogolak]

Its a way to criticise without being seen to be criticising the player so they blame someone adjacent ie. the agent. Forgetting the agent works for the player to advocate their wishes.

Have to disagree here: nobody believes Mendes is there to do as he's told by his clients. He makes things happen. Same goes for Zahavi, who (I think) is Vuskovic's agent.

Few players really know what they want. Vuskovic has little/no experience in the game. Three months ago, he wanted to play with his brother at Hamburg. When your agent (particularly if they know a lot of people in the game or have a strong reputation) tells you it'd be better for your career to accept a move, most players do as they're told.

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

Have to disagree here: nobody believes Mendes is there to do as he's told by his clients. He makes things happen. Same goes for Zahavi, who (I think) is Vuskovic's agent.

Few players really know what they want. Vuskovic has little/no experience in the game. Three months ago, he wanted to play with his brother at Hamburg. When your agent (particularly if they know a lot of people in the game or have a strong reputation) tells you it'd be better for your career to accept a move, most players do as they're told.

Think your right there , agents arrange most things. When I was a cabby we used to do pick ups for the Beeb. I had to go up to Harpenden and pick up Vinny Jones (retired by then) and take him to White Hart Lane for a radio 5 live football Q & A , Les Ferdinand was also on the show. Vinny thought he was just going to Broadcasting House in a studio and didn't know it was at WHL in front of a live audience.
He was just dressed in jeans ,no tie etc and got very annoyed that he didn't know about the audience and didn't think he was dressed properly to appear before a live audience .
He then phoned his agent and gave him a right slagging off for not telling him properly about the show.

Just to add Vinny was very dismissive of Spurs supporters who would be making up a majority of the audience, didn't tell him I was one, I saw what he did to Gazza.

 

[Bishop]

Have to disagree here: nobody believes Mendes is there to do as he's told by his clients. He makes things happen. Same goes for Zahavi, who (I think) is Vuskovic's agent.

Few players really know what they want. Vuskovic has little/no experience in the game. Three months ago, he wanted to play with his brother at Hamburg. When your agent (particularly if they know a lot of people in the game or have a strong reputation) tells you it'd be better for your career to accept a move, most players do as they're told.

If he made things up that the player disagreed with, the player would sack the agent. If he doesn't do so then Mendes, Zahavi etc are all working with the express permission of the player period.

 

[DaveT316]

Think your right there , agents arrange most things. When I was a cabby we used to do pick ups for the Beeb. I had to go up to Harpenden and pick up Vinny Jones (retired by then) and take him to White Hart Lane for a radio 5 live football Q & A , Les Ferdinand was also on the show. Vinny thought he was just going to Broadcasting House in a studio and didn't know it was at WHL in front of a live audience.
He was just dressed in jeans ,no tie etc and got very annoyed that he didn't know about the audience and didn't think he was dressed properly to appear before a live audience .
He then phoned his agent and gave him a right slagging off for not telling him properly about the show.

Just to add Vinny was very dismissive of Spurs supporters who would be making up a majority of the audience, didn't tell him I was one, I saw what he did to Gazza.

I didn’t realise Vinnie was a neighbour of mine. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Roland Beurre]

If he made things up that the player disagreed with, the player would sack the agent. If he doesn't do so then Mendes, Zahavi etc are all working with the express permission of the player period.

Took me a moment to work out what a player period is.

But then, I am easily confused, full stop.

 

[Mr Gogolak]

If he made things up that the player disagreed with, the player would sack the agent. If he doesn't do so then Mendes, Zahavi etc are all working with the express permission of the player period.

That's an extremely idealistic view, in my opinion. You're 19. The guy in front of you is over 70. He oversaw the transfer of Neymar to PSG, he's worked with Mourinho, he knows everybody at Barça, PSG, Chelsea, Bayern... He's one of the most famous agents in world football. If he gives you some advise, you listen to it. Vuskovic is never going to sack him; he'd be crazy to. An agent with good connections can make or break a career, really.

I have no doubt Zahavi (or anybody else for that matter) can play Vuskovic like a fiddle. It doesn't mean the player's got nothing to do with it, but most football players I've met were closer to a minor in terms of responsibilities - with the agent as the parent.

 

[P.D.]

I think this thing about needing to show a great pathway is a bit overplayed tbh.

For starters we signed him as a 16 year old, arranged a couple of good loans for him and selling him for big money which was his wishes - I hardly think young players are going to look at that negatively.

Chelsea hardly show a great pathway for young players, yet still sign some of the top talent year after year. And if young players are good enough they tend to get games for us, Vuskovic is a bit of a special case. Tel, Gray and Bergvall are amongst those who have seen plenty of minutes over the past couple of seasons, and if others were good enough they would too but until that time they will be out on loan....

All true but they were bought as players who could get minutes right away, this is about showing we have a path from the youth to senior teams and it's something we've been terrible at the last few years. You could say we haven't had anyone capable of making it but I'd rather see us trust youth to fill squad gaps where needed and give players opportunities - it's the type of club I'd like us to be.

I love we're spending big money now but I don't want this area to be overlooked, a model that signs the top youngsters is one that's been proven time and time again and now we have the funds to get more of them.

 

[billyiddo]

If he made things up that the player disagreed with, the player would sack the agent. If he doesn't do so then Mendes, Zahavi etc are all working with the express permission of the player period.

We're talking about young lads that may be easily influenced