07 Jun 2025 19:18:26
Hey Ed001, Who do you think we will sign up top once Kerkez and Wirtz have signed? Realistically and dream signings.
{Ed001's Note - I think it will be someone like Stassin, some hidden gem for Hughes to unearth.}
07 Jun 2025 21:07:10
Aw ed1. Why’d you mention him? Had no idea who he was but now I’m going to be crushed if we don’t go for him- purely on the fact that you mentioned him and gem in the same sentence. Player profile time methinks. It’ll make it happen.
{Ed001's Note - I was just guessing at a name that has been claimed to be a hidden gem mate. It was an off the head throw out name, don't stress, he might not even be good but it is the kind of signing Hughes was brought in to make.}
07 Jun 2025 21:29:15
I get you and I love the idea of us finding a gem. Football manager childhood still influencing me.
07 Jun 2025 21:33:24
I'd prefer to give Jayden Danns more game time.
07 Jun 2025 21:41:18
Ed001, is Hughes considered a great judge of 'hidden gem footballers' because of his footballing knowledge or is he a great stats guy and that allows him unearth these gems?
{Ed001's Note - stats mate.}
07 Jun 2025 22:13:40
I do wonder if someone who finds hidden gems is as useful for a side like Liverpool compared to say a bournmouth though. At a side like bournmouth you can afford to Chuck em straight in the side and give them loads of playing time, at Liverpool your competing against superstars and your not going to get the minutes. So your hidden gem has more of a chance to shine (pun intended) than at a side like Liverpool I reckon.
Hoping to be proved wrong though.
07 Jun 2025 22:35:56
Remember our last 2 gems?
Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec
?.
07 Jun 2025 22:46:21
I get your point mate but I will disagree. Carra was a gem. Gerrard was a gem. Trent was a gem. They cost next to nothing. In a world where it's unwise to gather 115 charges against your club. I think there is quite the benefit in uncovering gems. Yes yes they were local boys- but I hope you get my point. You only have to look across the league to players uncovered that added so much more. Its easy to pick out the current cracking players and spend a fuk load to get their services- but its finding a real uncut gem and developing them- that's where I am hoping hughes makes a massive difference.
07 Jun 2025 23:05:08
To be fair, a few hidden gems from our recent past:
Rio, Kaide and Sterling into the academy
The last (relatively) unknown and cheap first teamer that went mega was Couts.
07 Jun 2025 23:53:33
I disagree on Coutinho being unknown, Zedd. Cheap, yes. He was really young when he arrived at Inter who had a lot of managerial upheaval in that period which meant he was never really utilised properly.
08 Jun 2025 02:03:52
Bradley has shone,
08 Jun 2025 02:12:13
Coutinho was fairly well known but was also known to be very inconsistent. It was poch at sociedad who spent time with him in training to shape him into a decent player.
We bought him (thanks to Rafa) shortly after. Phil was a super nice chap and bought very expensive presents for underappreciated staff at inter before he left (very nice watches) . He was very popular there with literally everyone.
A lot of his later issues were because his relationship was rocky.
08 Jun 2025 05:43:05
Mikeys point is still valid though, none of these players are ever getting a chance for consistent game time in one of the best teams in the world, which we currently are, unless they are exceptional or there are exceptional circumstances
Trent got a chance to replace Nathaniel Clyne
Sterlings competition for game time was from Stewart Downing and an aging Dirk Kuyt
Couutinho - Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Allen et al
I'm not saying its impossible, but sometimes the only way you get a chance is down to luck/ The year that Luke Shaw got his chance at Southampton for example was only due to an injury crisis and Matt Targett was regarded higher but was also injured at the time. Under normal circumstances this calibre of player only get chances at smaller clubs or bit part roles in cups where they will struggle to find form.
08 Jun 2025 09:39:43
Coutinho never played for Real Sociedad, though. He was a year on loan at Espanyol with Pochetino prior to his permanent move to Liverpool.
08 Jun 2025 10:09:32
I think you can also count Robbo and Hypia as other examples of gems. Both bought for low fees and went on to become integral members of the team.