Canterbury Palace
Member
- Location
- Whitstable
- Country
England
With so much transfer speculation and concerns over gaps in our squad, it's easy to forget that we have players that the good people of Match of the Day might refer to as 'like a new signing' if they suddenly have a good season.
Essentially, players who have played a minor part over the last season due to injury, being second choice in their position, or not suiting Glasner's system, but who might suddenly come to life under Sage, and we'll wonder how we did without them. I think there are a few contenders:
Cheick Doucouré - The obvious contender. Former player of the season, riddled with injuries, but (hopefully) looks to be in contention again after a couple of years out. It's at a time where we need more midfield depth as well, so if he could stay fit and rediscover anything like his old form, it could be absolutely huge for us. Only 26 as well so plenty of years left if (big if) he can stay injury free.
Chadi Riad - Has somehow been with us for two years now, playing just 970 minutes of football. Like Doucoure it all depends if he can shake off the injuries but, with Lacroix departing and seemingly no major CB in to replace him, Riad has a massive opportunity to establish himself. Only 23 and seems pretty decent when he does play I thought, could solve a problem for us.
Matheus Franca - Another long term resident of the hospital wing. Never thought he'd play for the club again to be honest but seems to have been one of the highlights of pre-season. 22 years old and two years left on his contract so would be amazing if Sage could turn him into an actual player, either to serve us or sell him. Absolutely worst case, cannot be worse than Brennan Johnson.
Yeremy Pino - Cheating at my own game here because he played a lot. However, I think this is the season he turns into a key player for us. A World Cup winner and I think struggled at times due to not playing wide enough to suit his natural game. Apparently Sage likes his wingers out wider than Glasner which I think is going to suit Pino brilliantly. Given that he has now had time to adapt to the physicality of the league, he's my outside tip for POTY contender.
Jørgen Strand Larsen - Bit of a weird situation when you spend nearly 50m on a striker who, 6 months later, can't get in the team ahead of a player who clearly wants to leave us. However, after an innocuous start to his time at the club, he needs a big season to justify that fee. He clearly has the ability, as 14 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season will attest to, and should be entering his theoretical prime. If we can get him going, him and Mateta competing will be very good for us.
Essentially, players who have played a minor part over the last season due to injury, being second choice in their position, or not suiting Glasner's system, but who might suddenly come to life under Sage, and we'll wonder how we did without them. I think there are a few contenders:
Cheick Doucouré - The obvious contender. Former player of the season, riddled with injuries, but (hopefully) looks to be in contention again after a couple of years out. It's at a time where we need more midfield depth as well, so if he could stay fit and rediscover anything like his old form, it could be absolutely huge for us. Only 26 as well so plenty of years left if (big if) he can stay injury free.
Chadi Riad - Has somehow been with us for two years now, playing just 970 minutes of football. Like Doucoure it all depends if he can shake off the injuries but, with Lacroix departing and seemingly no major CB in to replace him, Riad has a massive opportunity to establish himself. Only 23 and seems pretty decent when he does play I thought, could solve a problem for us.
Matheus Franca - Another long term resident of the hospital wing. Never thought he'd play for the club again to be honest but seems to have been one of the highlights of pre-season. 22 years old and two years left on his contract so would be amazing if Sage could turn him into an actual player, either to serve us or sell him. Absolutely worst case, cannot be worse than Brennan Johnson.
Yeremy Pino - Cheating at my own game here because he played a lot. However, I think this is the season he turns into a key player for us. A World Cup winner and I think struggled at times due to not playing wide enough to suit his natural game. Apparently Sage likes his wingers out wider than Glasner which I think is going to suit Pino brilliantly. Given that he has now had time to adapt to the physicality of the league, he's my outside tip for POTY contender.
Jørgen Strand Larsen - Bit of a weird situation when you spend nearly 50m on a striker who, 6 months later, can't get in the team ahead of a player who clearly wants to leave us. However, after an innocuous start to his time at the club, he needs a big season to justify that fee. He clearly has the ability, as 14 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season will attest to, and should be entering his theoretical prime. If we can get him going, him and Mateta competing will be very good for us.
