Clinton Morrison on Vinícius to Arsenal, Rodri's Future, Chelsea's Rebuild & the Summer Transfer Market
It is the busiest period of the summer and the transfer sagas are coming thick and fast. Clinton Morrison joined us for his latest column covering all the biggest stories, from the Vinícius Jr to Arsenal speculation to Rodri's future at Man City, Chelsea's rebuild under Xabi Alonso, Liverpool's defensive crisis, the Zidane and Klopp international appointments and much more.
Here's what Clinton had to say, and don't forget to check out the best Premier League Free Bets & Betting Offers, courtesy of Free Bets.
IN FULL: Clinton Morrison's Transfer Window Verdict
VINÍCIUS JR TO ARSENAL?
If they did manage to get Vinícius Jr it would be a massive statement. They need to strengthen and he's world class. But I don't think he leaves Real Madrid. I think he signs a new contract there. Real Madrid have said he's not for sale this summer. I know he's got about a year left on his contract but he's just hanging out to get as much money as he can. I feel like he wants something like £400,000 a week or higher. And I don't think Arsenal are going to be able to pay that. I think Vinícius signs a new deal at Real Madrid and that will probably be that.
RODRI TO REAL MADRID?
Elliot Anderson is not Rodri. Man City need to fight tooth and nail to keep Rodri. I'm surprised because I was reading that it was the president of Real Madrid who has to make that decision and I'm surprised he hasn't gone and said Rodri is our number one target because he's the best holding midfielder in the world at the moment. At times when he came back from his injury at Man City they weren't at their best. But as Pep said, you'll see the best of Rodri at the World Cup. And what did we see? We saw the best player in the World Cup. Rodri was outstanding.
I know he's got a back issue and needs an operation. But I'm sure Man City are doing all they can to keep him. If he went to Real Madrid what a signing that would be. But from a Premier League perspective I want to see the best players here. So I'd love Rodri to stay at Man City.
MOURINHO AT REAL MADRID, CAN HE MANAGE THAT MANY EGOS?
It's José Mourinho, he can manage anyone. But it's different now. I think it's player power, not manager power. Some players if they don't fancy the manager it tends to be the manager that goes, not the players. José needs to make sure he has everyone on board. But Real Madrid were poor last season and they need to strengthen in those attacking areas.
I think Diomandé is a good signing. He's still young and raw but he did exciting things for Ivory Coast at the World Cup and had a good season in the Bundesliga. I think Real Madrid went for Diomandé because they know they couldn't get Michael Olise. He was their number one target and Bayern Munich said he's not for sale so you've got to move on. Can you imagine Diomandé on one wing, Vinícius on the other, Mbappé up front and Jude Bellingham in the ten? It's quite exciting for Real Madrid.
CHELSEA, THE XABI ALONSO PROJECT
Chelsea's motto was always sign young but it didn't work last season. He had too many young players and didn't have enough experience to manage the group. That's why I think he tried to get Granit Xhaka earlier in the window. I think he wants experienced heads in and around the group.
Danny Welbeck is a good signing. He was one of the top scorers in the Premier League last season and I think that deal will happen. For his experience in and around the group he'd be a great addition. And Jordan Henderson at Chelsea, he might not play as much as he did at Brentford because they are stacked in midfield. But you're going to a big football club and Xabi Alonso probably sees it as wanting experienced heads to help the talented youngsters he's got. And it does help that Chelsea are not in European football this year so they can concentrate on having a right go at the Premier League like Man United did last season.
On Morgan Rogers and fitting him alongside Palmer:
I think he'll play a three at the back similar to what he did at Bayer Leverkusen with wing backs. Cole Palmer and Rogers in the two number ten positions. They're two of the best number tens in the Premier League when they're both fit and firing. It's a good signing, it's a lot of money. But when you see Elliot Anderson going for £116 million as more of a box to box midfielder, and you've got Morgan Rogers who is an attacking number ten, you understand why you have to pay big money. Chelsea must have had him as their number one target and they've got him. Chelsea fans should be excited.
THE TRANSFER MARKET IS GOING MAD
If you're a good player and a club knows you've got money, they're going to hold their asset for as long as they can and squeeze as much out of you as they can. I look at Van Hecke going to Tottenham for £52 million. And then Lacroix, great business for Palace. I think they signed him for about £18 million and he's going to Chelsea for nearly 55 to 60 million. These lower clubs get these gems in, nurture them, make them good players, and then the big clubs come knocking. And the lower clubs say, well you've got to pay double what we paid. That's what it is at the minute. The market is crazy. But that's the way football's going so you stick with it.
On Crystal Palace and the reality of selling their best players:
Palace's business recently has been outrageous. But you have to accept when you buy a player like Lacroix or Olise and you improve them and they have two or three good seasons with you, evidently a big club's going to come knocking. Palace need to sign players too though. They haven't had the best preseason but they've still got a good enough squad. They do need to strengthen. Ismaïla Saár had a great World Cup and was top scorer for them last season. Every club's coming to knock the door for him. Adam Wharton is another one. He'll be moving in the summer. When you've got these players and the big clubs come knocking, evidently they get them over the line because everyone wants to win stuff and these big clubs have got more chance of winning than Crystal Palace. That's just the reality of it.
BARCOLA TO LIVERPOOL?
He's a good player. It's a lot of money. I feel like he has to improve technically but one thing he's got is pace to burn and he's a threat. You saw that at the World Cup for France and last season at PSG. Liverpool need to bring in a winger not to replace Mo Salah, because no one can replace Mo Salah and I don't think anyone will get his numbers. But Barcola is at a good age, he's got pace, and he's going to a big football club with a top manager in Iraola. I think he'll be a decent signing. There's a lot he can work on but if Liverpool want to challenge next season these are the types of players they need.
LIVERPOOL'S DEFENSIVE CRISIS
When you lost Konaté and then Joe Gomez picks up an injury, he's so unfortunate with injuries. But it's a risk leaving yourself with youngsters who haven't really played a lot. Van Dijk at his age played too much football last season when he had to because defensively they weren't good enough and they relied on him too heavily. They need to sign a quality center back to play alongside Virgil and also be his long term successor. Micky Van de Ven is the one that stands out for me. A Dutch international who plays alongside Virgil Van Dijk for the Netherlands. It would make good sense, but the price tag would be ridiculous.
JOHN STONES TO INTER MILAN
He's played in England his whole life and won everything here with Man City. I feel some players just want a change of scenery and living in Milan for a few years, that's not a bad place is it. I thought Chelsea might have come in and I said last season it would be a good signing for them. But they've gone and paid for Lacroix at a younger age so Stones going to Inter Milan is a great signing. I still think he's got a lot to offer. Stones and Akanji together, Inter Milan are getting two really good center backs who know each other inside out. And he's got Champions League football there as well.
ZIDANE TO FRANCE, KLOPP TO GERMANY, GREAT APPOINTMENTS FOR BOTH
Germany struggled at the World Cup and lacked quite a lot which was disappointing considering the quality they have. I would have loved to see Klopp back in club football but that wasn't going to happen unless he came back to Liverpool. I think Germany have got a perfect manager in Jurgen Klopp. They've got some good players. It's a good appointment for both sides.
And Zidane, this was the job he always wanted. The aura he has when he walks into that dressing room, people respect him because Zidane was world class as a player and I think he's a good manager too. Both of them improve their nations massively. The Euros in the next couple of years will be very interesting.
On Roberto Mancini returning to Italy:
Massive rebuilding job. I don't understand how they've not qualified for a major tournament for that long. Italy with the players they've got at their disposal need a proper manager. Mancini is that. You know what you're going to get with him. It's a good appointment for Italy but that is a massive rebuild because a country like Italy should be qualifying for major tournaments.
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