Luis Alberto [sold]

[James P]

Come on man Shelvey had some very good games for us, scored a few nice goals as well... This guy played two pre-season halftimes and didn't even really show anything particularly special. I might be slightly bitter about Shelvey leaving, but I think that comparison was a bit unfair.

Honestly, I remember a couple of decent games, but mostly him coming on as a sub and getting at least a yellow during his limited time on the pitch. The impression he always gave me was that he was hoping that effort would disguise a lack of finesse. The problem was that he never looked quite in control of his temperament.

Watching that, in my opinion Alberto looks far more composed on the ball, with quicker feet and good vision. If Brendan was willing to let Shelvey go I'm guessing that his assessment is pretty similar. I'd be happy for Shelvey to prove me wrong at Swansea, but in all honesty I see him going the same way as Danny Guthrie and Dave Thompson.

[saj]

Looks a major upgrade on Shelvey for similar money.

He really doesn't.

Shelvey has played many more games than him at a higher level. He has been capped by England and his form for us in Europe last season was stunning. He didn't get many games in the league. Shelvey suffered by not playing regularly.

I would Alberto has great potential but his signing was a massive risk given his lack of games in La Liga. Plus he doesn't even play for the Spanish U21's. Jury is out on this signing IMO. I think Suso is a much bigger talent and they play in a similar position.

[Fosterbloke]

We'll see what he's made of in a league match with more emphasis on speed and strength.

So far it's been fairly easy preseason stuff which matches the speed of La Liga.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

We'll see what he's made of in a league match with more emphasis on speed and strength.

So far it's been fairly easy preseason stuff which matches the speed of La Liga.

Preston and a team Arsenal stuck 7 past in pre-season isn't exactly the best time to judge any player.

[MrMichael]

He really doesn't.

Shelvey has played many more games than him at a higher level. He has been capped by England and his form for us in Europe last season was stunning. He didn't get many games in the league. Shelvey suffered by not playing regularly.

Slight exaggeration there

He scored 2 goals coming on as a sub against Young Boys, then promptly got sent off against ManU in the league the following weekend. In total he scored 4 goals in 10 appearances in the UEFA cup, a good return but "stunning" is a tiny bit hyperbolic.

I quite like Shelvey but the lad is way overrated by some on here just because he could score the odd goal. Overall his contribution to most games he played in for us was not that impressive.

[Fierce]

Slight exaggeration there

He scored 2 goals coming on as a sub against Young Boys, then promptly got sent off against ManU in the league the following weekend. In total he scored 4 goals in 10 appearances in the UEFA cup, a good return but "stunning" is a tiny bit hyperbolic.

I quite like Shelvey but the lad is way overrated by some on here just because he could score the odd goal. Overall his contribution to most games he played in for us was not that impressive.

Thus

I liked the way he looked confident on the ball and tried 'different' things, but his confidence didn't match his ability and more often than not the things he tried didn't come off. Plus he is slower than I am and looks like he's going to get sent off every game

I wasn't clamouring for him to be sold, but I'm not gutted he is either as I don't think he'd ever have got the game time he needed to advance

[SB]

Slight exaggeration there

He scored 2 goals coming on as a sub against Young Boys, then promptly got sent off against ManU in the league the following weekend. In total he scored 4 goals in 10 appearances in the UEFA cup, a good return but "stunning" is a tiny bit hyperbolic.

I quite like Shelvey but the lad is way overrated by some on here just because he could score the odd goal. Overall his contribution to most games he played in for us was not that impressive.

Have to agree with all that. I think it's fair to say we hoped for more from him, just as we now hope that Alberto will provide more than Shelvey did. He looks good so far against 2nd rate teams but this is the adjusting time for him & we should only judge him at the seasons end.

[RedSince1964]

Slight exaggeration there

He scored 2 goals coming on as a sub against Young Boys, then promptly got sent off against ManU in the league the following weekend. In total he scored 4 goals in 10 appearances in the UEFA cup, a good return but "stunning" is a tiny bit hyperbolic.

I quite like Shelvey but the lad is way overrated by some on here just because he could score the odd goal. Overall his contribution to most games he played in for us was not that impressive.

[saj]

Slight exaggeration there

He scored 2 goals coming on as a sub against Young Boys, then promptly got sent off against ManU in the league the following weekend. In total he scored 4 goals in 10 appearances in the UEFA cup, a good return but "stunning" is a tiny bit hyperbolic.

I quite like Shelvey but the lad is way overrated by some on here just because he could score the odd goal. Overall his contribution to most games he played in for us was not that impressive.

Yeah OK I was taking the piss slightly there . He's a decent player and with regular games I think he could become a very good player. But to say a player who has barely played football in a top Tier (Luis Alberto) is better than Shelvey is a huge over statement.

[SB]

Yeah OK I was taking the piss slightly there . He's a decent player and with regular games I think he could become a very good player. But to say a player who has barely played football in a top Tier (Luis Alberto) is better than Shelvey is a huge over statement.

Yeah but we live in hope.

[James P]

He really doesn't.

Shelvey has played many more games than him at a higher level. He has been capped by England and his form for us in Europe last season was stunning. He didn't get many games in the league. Shelvey suffered by not playing regularly.

I would Alberto has great potential but his signing was a massive risk given his lack of games in La Liga. Plus he doesn't even play for the Spanish U21's. Jury is out on this signing IMO. I think Suso is a much bigger talent and they play in a similar position.

The great thing about opinions is that you don't have to share mine.

In my opinion, Shelvey flattered to deceive with a few decent performances, but in general operated at a level well below what we need. As has been said, 'stunning' is a massive overstatement.

Being capped by England these days isn't much of an accolade, to be honest.

Equally, Alberto not getting into an exceptional Spanish U21 side isn't exactly a disaster either - they have an absolute embarrassment of riches at pretty much every level. Shelvey wouldn't get near any of their sides either, would he? And a certain Juan Mata can't get in the main Spanish starting XI, but he's not exactly ****, is he?

[RedReet]

Slight exaggeration there

He scored 2 goals coming on as a sub against Young Boys, then promptly got sent off against ManU in the league the following weekend. In total he scored 4 goals in 10 appearances in the UEFA cup, a good return but "stunning" is a tiny bit hyperbolic.

I quite like Shelvey but the lad is way overrated by some on here just because he could score the odd goal. Overall his contribution to most games he played in for us was not that impressive.

I was a fan of Shelvey and I like to think I didn’t let his ability to score the odd goal cloud my judgement, even though I argued last pre-season it was reason alone not to send him out on loan. It could be argued that his poor performances for us far outnumbered his good performances, but when he played for the reserves and played in the Championship he was clearly too good for that level, allied with the fact he looked quite comfortable in Europe and briefly on the International stage, it seemed to me he wasn’t that far off and just needed to show a bit of consistency.

I think it is a good move by Swansea and if they can get him settled in one position and playing regularly for them then £5m could prove a steal in a few years time.

He’s also on my FF shortlist for now.

[saj]

The great thing about opinions is that you don't have to share mine.

In my opinion, Shelvey flattered to deceive with a few decent performances, but in general operated at a level well below what we need. As has been said, 'stunning' is a massive overstatement.

Being capped by England these days isn't much of an accolade, to be honest.

Equally, Alberto not getting into an exceptional Spanish U21 side isn't exactly a disaster either - they have an absolute embarrassment of riches at pretty much every level. Shelvey wouldn't get near any of their sides either, would he? And a certain Juan Mata can't get in the main Spanish starting XI, but he's not exactly ****, is he?

Basing opinions of players on pre-season games is a disaster

[kubrickscube]

Basing opinions of players on pre-season games is a disaster

Exactly. Remember how good Voronin looked?

[saj]

Exactly. Remember how good Voronin looked?

I actually don't think Voronin was as bad as 99% of people made out (but then I can be deluded). He certainly did more IMO than Andy Carroll and arguably Robbie Keane. And he cost much less.

Oh - add Borini to the list too