The Fab Four

[Sir Alan]

I am not talking about those 4 from across the park I am referring 4 young talents we had at our club all but gone in the space of 2 years.

Barkley, Lukaku, John Stones, Deulofeu.

Two left because we couldn’t match their ambitions, one because he’s a rat and the other well wasn’t rated by ham shank head.

Isn’t it worrying we haven’t kept any?

I think this points to far deeper problems.

 

[Connor]

Deeply concerning.

 

[Woolly Blue]

I am not talking about those 4 from across the park I am referring 4 young talents we had at our club all but gone in the space of 2 years.

Barkley, Lukaku, John Stones, Deulofeu.

Two left because we couldn’t match their ambitions, one because he’s a rat and the other well wasn’t rated by ham shank head.

Isn’t it worrying we haven’t kept any?

I think this points to far deeper problems.

I'm sure this has been covered before mate, but, if players feel the need to move to, what are undoubtedly considered bigger clubs at this moment in time, then there's very little we can do about it. The only way they'll stay is if we're more successful than we currently are.

Deulofeu is the exception, because Barcelona wanted him back, and, barring the odd game here and there, he wasn't really much good here

Personally I'm interested to here what your alter ego @Bally8 thinks about the situation

 

[bluestevon]

Deeply concerning.

Went to City, United, Barca, and Chelsea, we aren't stopping those clubs taking our players anytime soon, neither are most clubs in the world

 

[AsiaAsia82]

John, Paul, George and the other one, any other reference is not worth the effort.

 

[tadpole]

Not really. It's football. Every club outside the Champions League elite has the same struggle keeping their star players.

Though I'd hardly put Deulofeu in the same bracket as Lukaku or Stones.

 

[Furey1878]

Say what you want about any of them but this team in the Martinez years was usually at its best when these 4 were playing.

It's sad, what could have been.

 

[Connor]

Went to City, United, Barca, and Chelsea, we aren't stopping those clubs taking our players anytime soon, neither are most clubs in the world

From four (potentially) world class players to Gylfi Sigurdsson, Aaron Lennon, Tosun/Niasse and Ashley Williams.

 

[Sir Alan]

I can’t blame Stones and Lukaku moving but even he challenged the board to ambitious, his challenge was accepted by us signing cement boots Keane and Cuco Martina on a free.

Sorry but this Moshiri revolution hasn’t got off to anything we all hoped 2 years ago nearly.

 

[AdamEFC]

Spine of the team Stones - Barkley - Lukaku

Now look at it, absolute joke

 

[JLW]

You mean the rat pack!

 

[Seanjd]

Deulofeu was hugely overrated and won't amount to anything more than what he may or may not have done with us. One trick pony who won't be at Barcelona for very long, and is only there now as limited backup and because he came through their youth setup.

We were never going to stop either Stones or Lukaku, two excellent talents. They will both achieve more in their careers elsewhere than they could here. This will always be the case as long as there are better teams than us.

The only worrying one is Barkley. Not being able to keep hold of him or at least sell him for a sizeable fee is inexcusable.

Let's not forget, though, that all of these players played in the same team which achieved absolutely naff all.

 

[originalgreaserbob]

Deulofeu's time here is remembered more and more fondly as time goes on. Seriously, he had like four good games for us ever. Did he ever even score in a league game?

 

[mahermi1]

Trouble is if your not in the champions league this is bound to happen, or even if you are lots of bigger clubs want your best players. Liverpool lost Torres and Suarez and are soon to lose Coutinho and Can. The days of players staying for life have gone. We lost Stones and Lukaku to the two Manc clubs that are in the champions league, but we got decent money for them. We are soon to lose Barkley who we won't get decent money for, our mistake and Barkley's taking us for a ride. It's the way of the world. Even Barcelona were caught out. It happens the only thing is to ensure you replace them, which is obviously a trick we haven't learned yet.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Say what you want about any of them but this team in the Martinez years was usually at its best when these 4 were playing.

It's sad, what could have been.

These 4 were also the core of a side that finished 11th twice. Under Martinez we acted as s true stepping stone club, ‘come here if you’re a good youngster and regardless of form I’ll play you every week until you’re good enough for your dream move’. It’s absolutely no surprise they wanted to move on. Most annoying part for me is that if Lukaku has been better we probably would have an FA cup to our name but he missed a pen, missed numerous chances in the semi v United then moaned about not winning trophies.