Ok, so let's talk about the other three...

[TwanYid]

I think we can all agree that 4 from that infamous 7 are at least deserving of time:

Eriksen = the real deal
Capoue = also the real deal
Chadli = definitely solid, and possibly on the way to good/great
Lamela = jury's still out, but we've all seen the possibilities-- the kid might just be the real deal

But what about the others? What order would you rank them in in terms of who will help us the most (and possibly justify the money spent on them) and who will straight flame out?

Chiriches. What do you make of this guy? Has he got the goods, or not?
Paulinho. Might he come good- or should we get rid and eat a few mil?
Soldado. Will he ever justify his fee?

My rankings in terms of best to worst would be Soldado, Paulinho, Chiriches.

Out of those three, I think Soldado has the most potential to help us in that I think he's class and will win us matches. I am fascinated to see what he could do in a settled squad, and I think having him for Cup/Europa League games will be vital.

Next would be Paulinho- who I think may help the cause but who I would also sell tomorrow if his fee could be recouped.

Last on my list would be Chiriches, whom I remain utterly unimpressed by. I think he's too slow and too weak to make it in England. Obviously I am happy to be wrong, and I will support whomever wears the shirt. But out of the three remaining question marks, Vlad concerns me he most, followed closely by Paulinho.

What say you SCers?

 

[Deleted member 22380]

I feel that only Eriksen has proven to be 'the real deal'.

It is way too early to comment on Capoue, Chadli, Lamela. Although they have gotten off to a good start this season.

Regarding Chiriches, I'm not sure why you think he is slow. He is one of our fastest CB on the team. I certainly don't think he struggled when he did play. Obviously being injured a lot, he didn't play as much as he should of.

Regarding Paulinho, I have faith that he will come good if he is given game time. Only problem is that he appears behind in the pecking order at the moment.

Soldado, the same as Paulinho and that he needs to be kept this season for squad depth. Although I don't think he will ever justify the fee we paid for him.

 

[beats1]

I feel that only Eriksen has proven to be 'the real deal'.

It is way too early to comment on Capoue, Chadli, Lamela. Although they have gotten off to a good start this season.

Regarding Chiriches, I'm not sure why you think he is slow. He is one of our fastest CB on the team. I certainly don't think he struggled when he did play. Obviously being injured a lot, he didn't play as much as he should of.

Regarding Paulinho, I have faith that he will come good if he is given game time. Only problem is that he appears behind in the pecking order at the moment.

Soldado, the same as Paulinho and that he needs to be kept this season for squad depth. Although I don't think he will ever justify the fee we paid for him.

I know how will we ever get that £13m plus incentives back

Frankly the only questions marks I have, is about Paulinho. The rest are good signings or good players

Chiriches did well for the first team last season under AVB but it seems all that has gone out the window and that one bad appearance under tim has turned last season in to a shit one now.

 

[C0YS]

Soldado and Paulinho are the only two disappointments and while I will support them and believe with time they may well show themselves to be decent players I would not shed a tear were they to be sold anywhere near the amount we payed for them.

 

[fortworthspur]

Chiriches is the biggest question mark for me.

 

[luka loopy]

The 'real deal' is quite a strong statement which I think has been taken a little literally. Paulinho is the one that concerns me the most.

My brother in law (to be?!) is Brazilian and he had me convinced we were signing a worldie. I was interested to see how he would fit in because I really didn't think we needed that type of player, but like any other fan here I was excited by the prospect of signing a player with such pedigree. I really don't see how he fits int our midfield, his goal scoring record cant be argued with but other than that I just don't see how he contributes.

 

[spurs-r-us]

I think Soldado will be a solid contributor for us over the next two or three seasons, but I doubt he'll ever fill the role of prolific goal scorer and ergo will never justify the £26m.

However, it's an opinions game and that's mine. I'm probably wrong, and I hope I am.

 

[Dan Yeats]

People have short memories. Capoue was absolute quality in his first games last season, until he got injured. His recent form is no surprise.

Rags is a great prospect. Tonnes of class.

Llama will be one of the best players in the world. He's still only a kid.

Chadli I was very meh about. I'll be very glad to be proven wrong if he keeps up these performances.

I'm part of the minority that thought Bobby did alright last season. He contributed well, just lacking that tally.

Paulinho... I've pretty much given up on tbh. I was hoping a good world cup would revitalise him. But he was shit for Brazil too. I think we broked him guys.

 

[michaelden]

I am happy with all 7 and would rather be shot of Dawson and Townsend than any of them

 

[onthetwo]

my guess would be that of the 3, only Bobby will be around in a weeks time, and i cant wait to see him playing in front of the 3 AMs that played yesterday.
COYS!

 

[Flashspur]

I think we can all agree that 4 from that infamous 7 are at least deserving of time:

Eriksen = the real deal
Capoue = also the real deal
Chadli = definitely solid, and possibly on the way to good/great
Lamela = jury's still out, but we've all seen the possibilities-- the kid might just be the real deal

'the jury is still out'....'The kid might just be the real deal'....give me a fucking break. Glad you think so champ!

 

[sunnydelight786]

Plenty of other players I would like to see leave before last years 7. They all deserve another year under a coach/manager who knows what he's doing. If come January some of them show no sign of improvement then move them on....

 

[yusrisafri]

Paulinho is my choice of worst signing amongst the 7. You can no longer give the reaosn that he deserves a place purely because he plays regularly for Brazil. Germany dispelled the theory that being a regular for Brazil means you are world class. Doesnt take much to play for Brazil apparently.

 

[yiddo_4eva]

Eriksen - showed at the if last season the quality he had but so far this season has been a little quiet imo but I have no doubt he'll soon be back to the same form. His free kick yesterday was an absolute belter.

Capoue - In the few games last season and so far this season thought he looked good and has a great engine and eye for a pass. Bossed the midfield yesterday and happy to have him if Sandro goes.

Lamela - has once again shown many of the talents he has. Was hammered on MotD last week and was the star this week, plus man of the match in a 20min cameo v Limmasol. He still has a lot of doubters but I think he'll be the star we wanted once the consistency is there. Only downside for me is that he seems very much to be a confidence player and that could be a concern.

Chadli - Has more average games then good ones but really made a Mark yesterday. Also, Poch started with him even though he's not been around for the previous 6 weeks, that must show something.

Soldado - Like a few others, last season I thought his eye for goal, movement, touch and passes all showed we did get the star striker we needed...BUT, he didn't get the service he needed and that is what was his downfall. Like Lamela, he needs consistent game but with Adebayor playing well and Kane improving, that may be his downfall. If a decent, more consistent but less expensive alternative came in, it would be a shame but could see Bobby going.

Chiriches - Was a mixed bag last season, took a few games to get going but needed consistentcy which was rules out through injury. He was the Romanian captain at 20 or so. Wouldn't be concerned to keep him but if he went, we have lots of youthful cover.

Paulinho - Never really seen much from him at any time to think we've really needed him. Had a poor world cup and was slow in the game in the week and didn't even make the squad yesterday. If we could get £12+ for him then I don't think we'd miss him at all.

 

[CowInAComa]

Cant see how Paulinho will get in the side. Capoue and Bentaleb are a great partnership and we'll sign Schneiderlin before the end of the window

 

[bat-chain]

It's very hard not to feel slightly sad for Paulinho.

I actually think whatever happens with him he's going to need a fair bit of emotional support, if I were him I'd not want to play football for a while. He's career really has taken a big downturn over the last year that must be tough to come to terms with.

 

[DogsOfWar]

I think that the money paid for them has to be factored in.
Paulinho and Soldado were big money and, for that, I would expect them to be guaranteed starters. The fact that Bentelab and Kane are above them in the pecking order suggests they are surplus to requirements, or certainly very expensive subs.
And when compared to Dier so is Vlad who looks to be above him in the pecking order.
We cant afford to have that much money tied up on the bench.

If we sold all three to make way for MM, MS, and JR then I would be more than happy to sell at a realistic loss in order to convert most of that cash into players who will start. Especially as moving on Townsend, Dawson, and Sandro would cover the rest.

 

[PeeEyeEmPee]

Paulinho's the only one that I wouldn't be that fussed about if he left. I'd love the rest to be kept.

 

[mrlilywhite]

In a team that was relatively shot to pieces last season, and viewed by many as a team that under-performed, I don't see any reason to call time on ANY of the 7 players....Yet.

1. Soldado missed a few glaring chances for sure, but here was a guy who battled with personal problems after his Wife lost their unborn child to a miscarriage, Was playing in a system that clearly was not defined or suited to his style and also his confidence was shot to bits. You can't keep making excuses for him and I accept that, but look at his goal against AEL midweek. The relief was plain to see. I think if we stick by him, and give him the sort of playing style that was on offer yesterday, then he will thrive.

2. Paulinho played 33 times in all comps for us, and returned with 8 goals in all comps and a few assists, not shocking for a guy who played his first season in the EPL. Lets not forget that this guy bar injury has played without rest for 2 years. I would argue also that he was not utilised in the midfield role that he clearly thrives under, labelled the "Brazilian Lampard", Paulinho has never been given a run in his box to box role. The only reason he should be shown the door is if Poch does not need a box to box, as I do think that Paulie does not show confidence in other areas of the midfield, though once again, that could be down to fatigue.

3. Chiriches is another one who was thrust into a team that lacked any kind of solidity. His biggest problem was consistency, but when you only have 20 odd appearances, that are scattered then you are pretty much destined to fail to produce your best. Worth noting also that his role as a CB demands consistency to get to a level of understanding that is effective on the pitch, given that we more often than not had alternate CB's due to injury or loss of form, is it any wonder he failed in most peoples minds? Once again, Vlad is a ball playing CB that would be ideal in Poch's system, but like a lot of our newer players, needs to played in a role that best defines their abilities.

4. Capoue has left me with a big grin so far this season. the games he has played in suggest that he is everything we have expected him to be. His performances last season were typical of the mess we were in. For me, Capoue will be our unsung hero this season, assuming he stays injury free. Really like him.

5. Eriksen is a player, who at 22 is just going to get better and better. Last season, given all that went on, was the one player who truly stood out. 7 goals and 8 assists in a team that was so short on everything. In my opinion, he still has a lot of potential, and I don't think we saw anything close to what he will be like. I saw how some people compared him vs Coutinho. their stats were not really comparable, when you consider their respective sides. Liverpool was a free scoring machine last season, and yet Couthino returned 5 goals and 7 assists in 28 games. Eriksen achieved more in 23 games. Imagine what Eriksen can offer a team brimming with confidence?

6. Chadli is the one that leaves me with a question mark. His goals yesterday were taken very well, and his positioning was good. The question mark is due only because I don't understand his best role. last season no one really saw him shine and though he clearly has very good technical ability, where on the pitch he utilises that ability will be key. After yesterdays game, his abilities are there for all to see. He must stay, and poch seems to have a place for him. Reckon he will be a dark horse.

7. Lamela is clearly a player that is going to leave you purring for more. I have never questioned his ability, he was bought to replace a player that you can't replace. What he offers is something quite different, and potentially something better. this guy can play across the attacking midfield, can play a variety of roles effectively, and will be instrumental to any success we have. He inspired that team yesterday and displayed a work ethic that is often reserved for defensive mids. 4 assists in two games, when he adds goals to his game, which he will, then we will be looking at a truly world class player. Too early to say, I hear you yell, No it isn't! Erik has all the necessary attributes to ensure he becomes a worldie. I could not believe how so many so-called experts of the game were calling him a flop last season, without truly understanding the mitigating reasons as to why he was not performing. My only concern is how long we are able to hold onto a player like him.

 

[brasil_spur]

Paulinho is my choice of worst signing amongst the 7. You can no longer give the reaosn that he deserves a place purely because he plays regularly for Brazil. Germany dispelled the theory that being a regular for Brazil means you are world class. Doesnt take much to play for Brazil apparently.

whilst i agree it isn't what it used to be, it clearly takes more to play for brazil than for england or spain, if we're judging purely on the wc.