Diego Rico

thegazzyb said:
I'm actually worried that he might start looking for a return home before he has had a chance to prove himself here ! To me it feels as if he doesn't want to be here. I hope I'm wrong and he just needs more time to settle. If it isn't working out for him nor the club I can see a situation in the near future where there is an amicable separation ( "by mutual consent", "for personal reasons" etc.).
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What reasons for him not wanting to be here have you seen? All his Instagram posts I’ve seen looks like he’s enjoying it as much as he can
 
He certainly doesn't give the impression that his heart is always in it. He's pulled out of a couple of tackles in games and just doesn't seem to get really involved. Maybe time will tell and he'll feel more comfortable. Culture shock takes time to overcome.
 
blandford_cherry said:
What reasons for him not wanting to be here have you seen? All his Instagram posts I’ve seen looks like he’s enjoying it as much as he can
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Well BC if that's the case that's good to hear !

I don't do the social media thing, this forum is the nearest I get :D

I base my opinion on what I see in the training videos and on the match day coverage I get to watch. To me he always seems as if he is a bit on the periphery of the squad, a little bit gloomy at times. I'm sure once he picks up a bit more English he will be a bit more involved, maybe that's the problem. There will be a lot of banter amongst the rest of the lads and I guess it is a bit awkward for him if he doesn't understand most of it.
I'd like him to do well, he certainly looked good in the videos from Spain and I'm sure the club's player liaison staff ( or whatever they call them ) are on the case to make the transition easier for him.
 
tednphil said:
That’s the risk of signing non-British players. It’s a dramatic life-style change, as well as a physically demanding style of play compared to most other leagues.

Lerma is the only player we have signed direct from a foreign club, who has justified the fee paid. Hence Eddie’s 3 recent signings are all established British players.
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Also Lerma, like Gradel, had already moved from home. At least under those circumstances you know they;ve at least done that difficult before and successfully. Also I see Lerma tweeting in English now, perhaps it's part of his English lessons, but either way it shows a confidence with the language and a willingness to learn. Added to the fact he had a big barney at the weekend with Smith lets me think he's settling in pretty well
 
Both Lerma and Rico were having daily Spanish lessons from a very nice young lady just after they signed for us. Maybe he is just a slow learner!
 
I could be wrong here but the impression I got when they signed last summer was Lerma might have known a little bit of English whereas as Rico didn’t know a word.

Of course it also helps Jeff had moved to another country already so was perhaps more prepared for uprooting his family.
 
Well I think we should all help him learn English and we, at the same time can learn some dashed useful Spanish. For instance ... en mi cabeza hijo translated means ... On me head son.
 
canadiancherry said:
Some personalities adapt much more readily to massive change like living in a different culture and having to learn a new language. Some people don't learn language easily and for them it can be too much to take.
I doubt this is something scouts look into in great detail. But it would probably be helpful, when looking at a foreign player's CV, to see whether he had played in other countries, or could speak more than one language.
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I've moved with work many times overseas. I got used to the 6 month "wall". If you got through the early excitement and thrill of everything being new, you then either accepted your new place as true home and moved onward and upward, or spent all your time wanting to get out. Luckily I never bailed out, but that real hurdle had to be faced. I hope DR can settle and become a regular and great left back.
 
northstandmark said:
Also the big clubs who pay top dollar for the best international signings don't always get it right either. Just look at Chelsea and Morata. Excellent forward in Spain and Italy, £60m move, and he hasn't cut it to Chelsea's standard in the PL.

The PL is quite brutal, a real grind. The quality might be dubious in places, but the pace of play, the schedule of games, and the scrutiny of media and fans is relentless. Some players embrace and thrive on that (Lerma). Others wilt.

You can see why Eddie liked Rico, with his attacking intent and sweet left boot for shooting / crossing etc. Except none of our forwards are much good in the air attacking the swerving crosses he's capable of belting in. Except now we have Solanke, who is bigger and more known for his heading. So maybe there's one potential link up. But it'll take time.
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Huge potential imho and I am sure the new coach, who can speak Spanish, will make a big difference. He has a ferocious tackle and looks the best dead ball specialist at the club. Just need to be patient and encourage him.
 
I remember being chewed up for saying we should sign mainly good young British players....some even called me racist! I was discussing Football !
For me only Ake from abroad has been successful and he had played at Chelsea and Watford first and speaks English well!

Lerma appears to have been quite a good buy but if you look at his record he has only played in 6 wins ..... 2 Home draws and 10 defeats, only 1 goal. Not too special is it?
Unless it's the very best known/proven players from the Latin /African countries I think they are risky gambles...in particular regardlng ' settling'. Rantie, Afobe, Iturbe and it seems Rico are this!
I'm sure the best reliable bargains will come from England ( champ ionship), Scotland( Fraser!) N. Ireland, Eire and Northern Europe and Scandiavia!
I am also dubious about USA players( what went wrong with Hyndman?). Aussie and Canadian players should work well though!
 
BillMcgarrycherry said:
I remember being chewed up for saying we should sign mainly good young British players....some even called me racist! I was discussing Football !
For me only Ake from abroad has been successful and he had played at Chelsea and Watford first and speaks English well!

Lerma appears to have been quite a good buy but if you look at his record he has only played in 6 wins ..... 2 Home draws and 10 defeats, only 1 goal. Not too special is it?
Unless it's the very best known/proven players from the Latin /African countries I think they are risky gambles...in particular regardlng ' settling'. Rantie, Afobe, Iturbe and it seems Rico are this!
I'm sure the best reliable bargains will come from England ( champ ionship), Scotland( Fraser!) N. Ireland, Eire and Northern Europe and Scandiavia!
I am also dubious about USA players( what went wrong with Hyndman?). Aussie and Canadian players should work well though!
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Afobe is totally English. He played for DR Congo because of his parents but he's born and raised in the UK.
 
Afobe? That transition from East London to Sandbanks is hard....

Making your own jellied eels, no pie and liquor...... and not a pearly king dancing in sight...

It’s amazing he ever became a success.... (oh...hang on a minute...):grinning:
 
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