Summer '08: Ins and Outs

I second that. This guy was the worst keeper I have ever seen.

 

Looks like Johnson is a done deal. Think he and Zamora are worth $18 million pounds?

 

Fulham confirms medical:

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2008/July/JohnsonStatement.aspx

 

Don't be offended, I have nothing against bald people, especially since I'll probably be one sooner or later! :lol:

 

No. Zamora for £5m is fine, but to me, Johnson's real value isn't much more than that. Most people are severely overvaluing Johnson. We're buying low, but not at a discount price.

As with any transfer though, the real test is going to depend on the results.

 

If finalized, Johnson will make six forwards bought in the last three transfer windows (Kamara, Healy, EJ, Nevland, Zamora), not to mention Bouazza and Gera who I think can both play there as well. Plus Collins John is still listed as part of the squad. I have to figure that someone will be sold or loaned out, or there won't be enough playing time to go around even if we play with THREE forwards.

 

So the Robbie Keane deal was 19 million plus 1.3 million in potential add-ons. (Plus a donation made by Liverpool to Spurs' charitable foundation to settle the tampering allegations, but that's besides the point.) 80,000/week in wages.

Better or worse deal than 12 million for Johnson?

 

Whether the money turns out to be well spent or not, at least the cash register is being opened. 8)

 

I can't believe that Liverpool paid that much for Robbie Keane. He is not a bad player, but he has shown over the years at Tottenham that unless he plays consistently week in and week out that he is no better than an average striker.

Seeing how Benitez has his infamous rotation policy with strikers I cannot see how Keane will get consistent playing time and in time it will become clear that 20 million pounds was way too much for Liverpool to pay.

As for Andy Johnson joining Fulham I think he will do well here. While the price might be a bit high, I think he will produce the goods. He was lost in the shuffle at Everton, but I think at Fulham he will be the main man in attack and that is a role I think he will excel in.

He will be our most consistent goal scorer since Saha and while he has been inconsistent over the past few seasons I think Roy Hodgson will put Johnson in a position to succeed at Fulham. I do not think Everton played to Johnson's strengths and that is something I think Fulham will do.

The bottom line is this, we needed a striker that can score and we finally have one. You can talk about Eddie Johnson and Erik Nevland, but these guys are role players that can start occassionally and come off the bench. We needed a difference maker and I think we finally have one in Andy Johnson.

 

I hope you're right, Tom, and I'm willing to keep an open mind. But I'm not convinced yet.

 

I actually really like the Keane signing for Liverpool. I think he's probably one of the more underrated strikers in the league, and definitely one of the best (if not the best) finishers. I can't really comment on how consistent he is week-to-week, but he has managed to stick right around 15 goals a season for the past 6 years. Not too many players can say that.

 

Andrew Johnson Undergoing Medical

The Fulham website has a story that Andy Johnson is undergoing his medical today and tomorrow (28th-29th). One story on the web pegs the transfer fee at 13 million pounds. Great addition, but it will push EJ down the list up front. The question in my mind is whether Fulham will sell Jimmy Bullard to Wigan to help pay for the transfer fee. He is probably at his peak value (6 mil?). I would hate to see him go.

 

RE: Andrew Johnson Undergoing Medical

Overpriced is the word that should be attached to the AJ deal. Everton got away with highway robbery on this one and I have no idea where Fulham's bargaining abilities were. In my opinion, AJ is not worth that price and I doubt he will be able to produce enough goals to warrant that price tage. I might be hung up on his playing style which incorporates far too much diving and time on the deck, but I will hope for the best and get behind him for the coming season.

Still think Zamora is a much better deal...

 

RE: Andrew Johnson Undergoing Medical

The fee, as I've heard through certain sources, is 8 million pounds with a couple a million based on some serious amount of goals, appearences, etc. Not a bad deal and definitely the best striker Fulham could've bought in this marketplace.

I mean:
1) He's English
2) He's a prove Prem scorer
3) Has serious pace
4) Works hard

So who else would you sign who could give you that for 8 million quid?

 

RE: Andrew Johnson Undergoing Medical

The fee, as I've heard through certain sources, is 8 million pounds with a couple a million based on some serious amount of goals, appearences, etc. Not a bad deal and definitely the best striker Fulham could've bought in this marketplace.

I mean:
1) He's English
2) He's a prove Prem scorer
3) Has serious pace
4) Works hard

So who else would you sign who could give you that for 8 million quid?

 

RE: Andrew Johnson Undergoing Medical

I am going to second Mike's opinion. From what I have read the deal is 8 million pounds reports of escalation clauses that vary from 11 to 13 million pounds. I don't know what the clauses are but I am guessing that if we pay the high end of the escalator clause that we Fulham fans will be calling AJ a bargin.

 

Re: RE: Andrew Johnson Undergoing Medical

Andy Johnson's magic,
he wears a magic hat,
and when he sees the matchball,
he says I'm having that,
He scores them with his left foot,
He scores them with his right,
And when he's playing Chelsea,
He scores all f*ckin' night!!!

 

Either way it's a lot of money for the club to be spending, but have a look around at the prices being thrown around in the rumor mills and the transfer market. The price for players has been shooting up and there's no sign of it slowing down. I like it AJ deal, but there could be a problem with all of his flopping.... since we don't ever get the calls in the box.