24 Aug 2020 23:57:06
Curious to hear what you lot think of Maitland-Niles moving on.
25 Aug 2020 01:50:53
A little sad, think he's a great pro and has a lot of potential. Every squad needs utility men and it's not as if Willock, Xhaka, Torreira etc have been SO good that he doesn't deserve a shot in his favoured position.
That said I think this is the right move for his career, and financially 20m (mooted) is a good return for a homegrown squad player, so I can't complain.
25 Aug 2020 07:48:53
Sad to see AMN go also. Is he a victim of timing, a victim of being a utility player or a victim of his own attitude. I really can’t pin it down. We’ve needed clever, quick and energetic players. We’ve needed a decent CM. Despite apparently being what we’ve needed he’s not really been given a chance by two different managers.
I would have liked to see him play 15 games next season (cups and league) but he’s at an age that he wants to play all games as a starter. He’s not there yet and we have enough youth knocking on the door that too many would probably tip the balance towards a very error prone youthful potential side. I think that’s ok but I also think Arteta wants to win and wants experience. Just a guess. That and being a utility playier probably limits him getting enough game time in his best position.
Good luck to the young man - I really hope he proves we should have kept him.
25 Aug 2020 09:32:27
Not good enough same as smith Rowe sell both and buy.
27 Aug 2020 15:00:28
I don't think Niles has what it takes to be CM. His first touch is poor, his decision making is poor at times.
I only think Wolves are buying him to play him in full back positions just like us, but they can guarantee more reguular first team football than us.