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A few news sources are reporting we are close to bringing Roque Mesa in from Las Palmas.
Not heard of him before, but from looking at videos and checking stats he looks like a Britton replacement. Second most completed passes in la liga last year, 14 x bookings so he puts it about a bit. From the videos he pretty much looks identical to Leon in terms of playing style.
I'm glad we are looking to strengthen this area, £9 mill apparently.
And this is where talent evaluation becomes tricky, Daggy.
"Better players" at Swansea, maybe. I'll allow that, but Las Palmas are not markedly worse than us. Plus, La Liga is a better league with better talent, so it's all a bit relative there. Technique and touch are valued more than anything in Spain, and he's been there his entire career. He won't have better in England, unless he went to Arsenal.
As for his decisionmaking and maturation, maybe we'll see an improvement but it's not likely. Most players don't grow much after turning 28, as it's typically after their peak. And Leon is not better now than when we came into the PL.
I am not a Mesa detractor, I have said many positives and he is quality, but the one negative is not going to change. It's also a big drawback for someone filling Leon's boots. Watch the videos I posted, and there's more if you'd like to see them.
Agreement made in principal: * 13 million euros (11.5 mill pounds) * 3 million euro wage (51K/week pounds) * still working on payment schedule * possible PC to announce tomorrow
If he signs it will be his debut in the premier league. He is going to need someone alongside him to watch his back. Thinking about it positively we do have the players to pick up the pieces. I just dont see the turn of pace in him that Leon or Joe had or Vincent has and would like to see more of that.
He does have good experience in a more technical league and we do have Makalele and a host of back room staff.
If he signs we are going to have to let him play and take Leons role gradually. A bit of schooling needed and needs a full pre season.
From the videos I have seen, he definitely has a turn of pace. In a few clips he drives through midfield with the ball, one of those clips were against Barcelona!
As for passing to players in tight spaces, again, from the clips I have seen, Las Palmas look like a team who prides itself on short, sharp passing across midfield. He even says this himself in one of his interviews. The players are comfortable in having the ball in tight areas, always confident in possession and not scared of making a mistake (see DeGuzman's goal vs Stoke at the Liberty under Laudrup). Unfortunately this was completely coached out of us over time by Garry Monk, it has taken us a while to recover from that clowns work, but hopefully now Clement can go some way in taking us back to how we used to play.
I'm not saying anyone on this thread is implying this, but I think with him looking like Leon's replacement, it may take a while for some fans to take to him given the supposed fee etc.
I must admit, don't know anything more than anyone else on here about rocky, las palmas has not been high on my la liga watch list, however reading one of the las palmas forums ( he has a 249 pager!) It is clear their fans are gutted about losing him. Also if Sevilla and Roma are interested then he must be half decent
How do you pronounce Roque? Is it Rocky? If not, with his reputation as a hard tackler, it won't be long before the east stand will be chanting "Rocky Rocky" a la "Leon Leon".
Only a matter of two hours ago Marca were reporting that the deal was basically done, pending a final signature and was expected to be completed before the weekend.
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