I like him but don't necessarily think he's what we need unless Barkley was to leave. He's amazing from deadball situations but I don't think he's as good as what we've already got in open play.
8th most changed line-up this season... I'm guessing they were the least changed last season - their starting line-up picked itself most weeks; could probably guess the subs each game too!
Okazaki is so important in getting the best out of Vardy - Ranieri clearly tried to replace him with Musa and Slimani - both probably better players but neither 'fit'.
My dad and I took a Burnley fan to the game yesterday - he says that Keane is their best player by far and thinks he could play at the very top level. He was saying how comfortable on the ball he is but primarily a good old fashioned defender.
We do need to generate income but that's where USM sponsorship of Finch Farm and improved shirt sponsor deals need to help out rather than selling our best players. As for wanting to leave - it doesn't matter - he's got 2 years on his contract which says otherwise - he may go if it's right for us because we hold all the cards here.
Anyway, back to Valencia...
Every club needs a Dybala- him, Suarez, Aguero, Tevez, Icardi- class players who are unfortunately out of reach to us currently. We need to be winning the top honours to even dream about this calibre of player.
Or maybe none of us know the whole story. One thing's for sure is Barkley is playing much better than he has for any of 2016 - it seems Koeman is bringing the best out of him.
We don't need money though - of course, every player has his price - but we'll spend big regardless. If we can build around a 20+ goal a season striker then I'd rather do that as no obvious replacement stands out. Pre-Moshiri and the ridiculous tv deals, I'd be inclined to sell for the greater gains but the fact is we'll spend big this summer regardless - having a player like Lukaku makes us more attractive to potential targets.
Every team needs a 20-25 goal striker - problem is that they don't all have them.
The reason we're not as good against the top teams is that we're not good enough yet. A point many find themselves repeating is building with Lukaku is easier than building without Lukaku. Put better players with and around him and we'll do better against the teams above us - seems simple.
That's fine but Valencia is doing this WITH an out and out goalscorer - we would not be doing as well with Valencia instead of Lukaku.
Valencia's a great option - I'd be happy if we signed him permenantly but wouldn't see it as the end of the world if we didn't as I feel we'll be chasing a few other options too in the summer. £14m would be fine, especially if we're selling Niasse for a similar fee. What I wouldn't want to happen is Calvert-Lewin and Lookman go too far down the pecking order as both look like they'll have big futures here.
As poor as we were, Burnley were excellent and should have been 2 up (if Vokes could finish) in the first half. They didn't give us a second on the ball. They obviously identified Schneiderlin, Davies and Gueye as our engine and just didn't give them a second every time they got it.
Robles has looked shaky for a few weeks now - even when we've been winning. I hope we sign a new keeper in the summer. He's done well but ultimately I don't think he'll ever be a top class goalkeeper.
They do but he's not played this season and they have Zouma and Aki as back-up. While it won't surprise me if Chelsea are in for van Dijk, I'd expect Chellinni or Boccunci to be their primary targets.