I can see that he’s a bit lightweight in the sense that he’s not perhaps gotten used to the physicality of the league. I’d argue he hasn’t been started much because of a combination last season of injury and needing time to adjust (he’s a foreign 22 year old joining a new club in a tumultuous period, remember), and then this season there being a lot of competition for places. Which is a positive imo.
According to Whoscored he’s second behind Rothwell for successful dribbles per 90 this season, and was the 3rd best player on the pitch last night. Not much to go on given his lack of minutes but certainly not awful. Last season, again in fewer appearances than most, he topped our stats for dribbling, key passes, crosses, and was apparently our third best player of the season!
I’m not going to sit here and state that Whoscored is the bible, but with these specific metrics, it shows that Traore does objectively offer a lot on the pitch per 90 minutes. Imo, once he gets starts, he’ll become one of our best players. And yes, probably a £22 million player in this current market, especially given his age. It’s no crime to be behind Billing onin the pecking order as a young player.
I think the strategy since Foley came in has been pretty clear; sign talented young players with a high potential sell on value. I’ll be honest, I’ve not been impressed with Zab either, but the raw qualities are there. I can 100% see him going for a lot of money eventually. Same with Scott (obviously), Kerkez, Ouattara, Adams, and maybe even Semenyo if he carries on like this. Once we start (hopefully) cementing good league finishes, we become more valuable to elite young players who want to come to the premier league, and then we can start charging premiums like Brighton do.
I think it’s a bit unfair to compare us to Brighton. They’re being wholly bankrolled by a billionaire fan who can also provide elite, bespoke metrics that no other club has access too. Everyone keeps talking about their amazing transfer business; I guess I’m the only one that remembers megaflops like Jahanbakhsh, or Locadia. They’ve had just as many misses as any other club, we just don’t hear about them cos it’s not fashionable. They’ve also been using Belgian clubs as feeders to preemptively develop their bargain bin signings. Sounds an awful lot like what we’re presumably trying to emulate with Lorient and our own mystery Belgian club? Players like Mitoma and Estupinan and Caicedo are the exception, not the rule.
I also think they’ve benefited a LOT from poorly run clubs absolutely fucking the market over. Chelsea, mainly. We haven’t had a chance to sell a prized asset for big bucks yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Kerkez goes for £60+ million eventually.
Also, West Ham are welcome to Origi lol. Of all the players you could use as an example if our failings in the transfer market
I can see why you have the fears that you do, but I have a different perspective on it obviously. I think our business in the last two windows has been very good.