Sorry, but I disagree. Every player comes with risk: will they adapt to the team? will they stay in form? will they suit the league (if applicable)?
All that I understand and accept, however there are in my humble opinion ways of limiting this risk by looking for more 'proven' acquisitions.
Yes they may occasionally cost, which isn't ideal at all, however I'm in no way implying we should splurge the figure you've mentioned.
In an ideal world (which we're not in of course) we'd been looking at players proven in this league or with a more favourable scoring record.
How many people knew about him previous to our interest? It's not an ideal world however, so perhaps your last line is major selling point.
The teams that can afford to go for the ones who are proven at the highest level are the teams in the top 6. That's my point.
Proven players in the Prem in that position include:
- Benteke (1 goal this season)
- Deeney
- Giroud (doesn't want to join/Arsenal won't sell)
- Welbeck (injury prone, what we need?, Arsenal probably wouldn't sell)
- Walcott (we are interested)
- Vardy (would he be interested? Leicester would want £35m at least and he's 31)
The above list proves my point. The 'proven' players simply aren't out there. We sold that last PL-proven top quality striker that wasn't already at a top club for £90m last summer.
I don't know about him. You don't. That doesn't mean he isn't a good player. How many people had seen Tim Cahill before he joined us, other than Milwall's cup run?
This guy has done it regularly domestically and in Europe. In this instance, we have to trust that Sam - who wanted him for Palace - and the others know what he can bring and what quality he will add, and I'm willing to trust that they've watched him more than on a few YouTube clips.