Assuming folks thought he was a one season wonder after last season I would imagine they’d maintain that opinion at this point. His most proven level is the Portuguese league and that’s where he’s hit that hat trick today. That said, the answer is probably more nuanced. I think you have to actually watch him, see his goals, see the rest of his game and look at his history because there’s a lot of context there. Just watching the highlights today, his first goal fell to him, second was a penalty. The third though was the one to watch. Receives the ball between the halfway line and goal and left of center. Dribbles at the defender with his right foot and then switches it to his left to get the shot off across goal and in.
For me his numbers are probably a bit inflated, but I’m still very surprised no one has moved for him yet this Summer. I could even see a couple of clubs trying to offload their current high profile strikers and going after him instead.
It all depends on the deal. He has 2 years left at about 12 million per season. If this deal takes him to having 3 years left at 8 million a season it actually helps. It’d help more if he was younger, but if teams we pay 8 million less in the end and have his final year or two when we’re in the Camp Nou then it makes sense. It’d be better if we could just let him go for free, but no one is going to pay him 12 million a year. And you have to remember that. Not easy getting rid of a Lenglet at 12 million a year. Also, don’t forget, that was a Bartomeu contract.
