Topic: Darwin Núñez (Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro)

[klopptopia]

It’s far too early . However there are some warning signs :

1. We don’t tend to pay these types of fees. Vvd was far more established when we bought him.

VVD and Alisson, the other comparitor, were not really established i would argue.

VVD had played two years in England and a handful of games in the CL for Celtic. He wasnt didnt even have that many Holland caps at that point. He grew at Southampton to being one of the best in the league and was the best really when he joined us to his injury. Alisson on the otherhand had one senior season behind him in Italy before we paid top dollar for him.

I think we pay the money for the players we are certain on rather than estabilished per se,  and maybe we are on Nunez as well..

The only estabilished player we have bought is Thiago really

[Coolie High]

VVD and Alisson, the other comparitor, were not really established i would argue.

VVD had played two years in England and a handful of games in the CL for Celtic. He wasnt didnt even have that many Holland caps at that point. He grew at Southampton to being one of the best in the league and was the best really when he joined us to his injury. Alisson on the otherhand had one senior season behind him in Italy before we paid top dollar for him.

I think we pay the money for the players we are certain on rather than estabilished per se,  and maybe we are on Nunez as well..

The only estabilished player we have bought is Thiago really

They both were established and had bigger profiles than Nunez, also both were pretty much the perfect two we could get in terms of physical and technical attributes and how they would instantly mesh in with how we play.

Nunez is a far far bigger question mark, for one he has doubts over his technical ability which both VVD and Alisson never had, there are a handful of Cbs with better on the ball quality than VVD and same in regards to goalkeepers and Alisson.

[Knight]

They both were established and had bigger profiles than Nunez, also both were pretty much the perfect two we could get in terms of physical and technical attributes and how they would instantly mesh in with how we play.

Nunez is a far far bigger question mark, for one he has doubts over his technical ability which both VVD and Alisson never had, there are a handful of Cbs with better on the ball quality than VVD and same in regards to goalkeepers and Alisson.

You only have to compare their relative ages to see the difference. And which leagues they were playing in.

[Clint Eastwood]

My only criticism with him at the moment is that he's trying too hard. He needs to be calmer in his play, and stop snatching at shots and trying to do too much.

He has the tools to be a success, but we need time for 1) the team to settle and recover from a bad start and 2) the team to learn how to use him effectively.

[ToneLa]

his name is Darwin

OF COURSE HE'S GONNA EVOLVE

[killer-heels]

VVD and Alisson, the other comparitor, were not really established i would argue.

VVD had played two years in England and a handful of games in the CL for Celtic. He wasnt didnt even have that many Holland caps at that point. He grew at Southampton to being one of the best in the league and was the best really when he joined us to his injury. Alisson on the otherhand had one senior season behind him in Italy before we paid top dollar for him.

I think we pay the money for the players we are certain on rather than estabilished per se,  and maybe we are on Nunez as well..

The only estabilished player we have bought is Thiago really

I didn't watch that many Roma games so I don't remember Alisson's level when there but I watched a lot of Southampton games and Van Dijk was absolutely class when he was there. When we were linked with him I was delighted and I recall that day when we thought we had blown the transfer and that we were pulling out of the deal and I don't think I have ever been as distraught about missing out on a signing as I was at that moment.

Anybody who watched him knew he was quality and those questioning whether he was in anyway good enough clearly didnt. He was as close to a sure thing as you were going to get, same with Salah.

[Pistolero]

We've witnessed the talent first hand ...but he's a young lad in new surroundings and low on confidence...with that in mind, I loved his geeing up the crowd moment...would like to see more of that from him, as the energy would be reciprocated and directed back at him from the stands....a bit of Joey Jones'esque air-punching cult status in tandem with a bounceable song would bring his settling in period along leaps and bounds...

[Johnny Foreigner]

Our most promising striker and poster boy since Torres.. Struggling to find the current gerrard though..

[Simplexity]

Our most promising striker and poster boy since Torres.. Struggling to find the current gerrard though..

A little bit ridiculous but alright.

[Fromola]

We've witnessed the talent first hand ...but he's a young lad in new surroundings and low on confidence...with that in mind, I loved his geeing up the crowd moment...would like to see more of that from him, as the energy would be reciprocated and directed back at him from the stands....a bit of Joey Jones'esque air-punching cult status in tandem with a bounceable song would bring his settling in period along leaps and bounds...

Imagine the fume from Senegal Twitter when he gets a proper song

[Fitzy.]

The lack of regular football in recent weeks mixed with indifferent form has sent lots of people crazy. This thread, along with the Arthur stuff, is an interesting study in how folk fill the void with 'insights' based on virtually no evidence.

[Gaz123456]

Give the lad a chance, he's only been here five minutes and already has had a (self inflicted) absence from the team.

Many of our great players weren't instant superstars.

[number 168]

"how folk fill the void with 'insights' based on virtually no evidence". Also known as the Spanish and Italian sports media.

[So… Howard Philips]

"how folk fill the void with 'insights' based on virtually no evidence". Also known as the Spanish and Italian sports media.

And the Body Language Intelligensia.

[Dave McCoy]

What makes me laugh is you can watch Haaland play and he looks even worse except for some prenatural ability to arrive at the ball right in front of the goal. If he had signed for us instead of Nunez and all of his odd angled foot shots shanked or skimmed wide I don't doubt that this thread would be much different. Just a bunch of people posting stuff that has no relation to reality in my mind.

[number 168]

And the Body Language Intelligensia.

Didi Hamann and Steve Nichol are big fans of that so it's not just the "Intelligensia".

[Ghost Town]

Didi Hamann and Steve Nichol are big fans of that so it's not just the "Intelligensia".

Interesting notion. What's the opposite of intelligensia? Thickiensia? Moronsia? Didiensia? Agbonlahensia?

We already know that the opposite of genius is Jenas

[lgvkarlos]

What makes me laugh is you can watch Haaland play and he looks even worse except for some prenatural ability to arrive at the ball right in front of the goal. If he had signed for us instead of Nunez and all of his odd angled foot shots shanked or skimmed wide I don't doubt that this thread would be much different. Just a bunch of people posting stuff that has no relation to reality in my mind.

Yep, reality was everybody was desperate for Nunez and Haaland to fail. Remember all that crap about Haaland after the charity sheild, Nunez will soon enough silence his critics. The lad has everything he needs to flourish here.

[lgvkarlos]

We already know that the opposite of genius is Jenas

👍🤣

[Mr Dilkington]

As ever, people wildly overrate things like first touch, technique, finishing ability (judging finishing from a small sample is basically pointless) and massively underrate the value of consistently getting high value chances. You can name loads of strikers in the top 5 leagues who on the face of it seem to have a better touch/passing ability than Nunez. How many can you name that have his ability to get shots off from high xG positions? A handful.

Some simple truths: xG is a better predictor of future goals than goals.

If Nunez continues to get shots off from the same locations he has been/at a similar volume he will score tonnes of goals.

Getting high xG chances on a regular basis is a more valuable/tangible skill than being a 'great finisher' - let's not forget that many people were proclaiming him to be a natural finisher just off the basis of one season where he overperformed  his xG. We simply don't have a big enough sample at the moment to know how good a finisher he is. Maybe he's a Son/Mahrez level finisher but it's very unlikely, maybe he's a Benteke level finisher but again it seems unlikely. Like most players, he'll probably end up being an around average finisher and given the number of high xG chances he gets that's absolutely fine by me.

[Asam]

As ever, people wildly overrate things like first touch, technique, finishing ability (judging finishing from a small sample is basically pointless) and massively underrate the value of consistently getting high value chances. You can name loads of strikers in the top 5 leagues who on the face of it seem to have a better touch/passing ability than Nunez. How many can you name that have his ability to get shots off from high xG positions? A handful.

Some simple truths: xG is a better predictor of future goals than goals.

If Nunez continues to get shots off from the same locations he has been/at a similar volume he will score tonnes of goals.

Getting high xG chances on a regular basis is a more valuable/tangible skill than being a 'great finisher' - let's not forget that many people were proclaiming him to be a natural finisher just off the basis of one season where he overperformed  his xG. We simply don't have a big enough sample at the moment to know how good a finisher he is. Maybe he's a Son/Mahrez level finisher but it's very unlikely, maybe he's a Benteke level finisher but again it seems unlikely. Like most players, he'll probably end up being an around average finisher and given the number of high xG chances he gets that's absolutely fine by me.

what’s an acceptable outcome for you by the end of the season in terms of league goals scored?

[ScouserAtHeart]

Think 15 would be a good start

[tubby]

20 goals in all comps would be a solid return in his first season, but I reckon he'll easily beat that.

[Mr Dilkington]

what’s an acceptable outcome for you by the end of the season in terms of league goals scored?

It really depends on how many minutes he plays. Reasonable to assume Jota will play a lot of minutes at 9.

[ac]

Far to early to judge him. He hasn't played enough and is trying too hard. He looks scruffy but so does Salah at times and indeed Mane even more so. As long as he gets goals then it will be money well spent

[Fromola]

20 goals in all comps would be a solid return in his first season, but I reckon he'll easily beat that.

He will given the game time and if he stays fit i'm sure. It's more difficult if he's in and out the side all season and getting 20 minutes off the bench.

Jota scored 21 last season and Mane 23. Jota in 55 appearances and 3,754 minutes and Mane 51 appearances in 3,939 minutes (and missed a month).

Nunez played 2,778 minutes last season for Benfica. 259 minutes so far this season which is nothing really. Of course it's up to the player to earn the shirt as well.

[killer-heels]

20 goals in all comps would be a solid return in his first season, but I reckon he'll easily beat that.

Would be some ask that. 20 goals is a lot of goals.

[tubby]

Would be some ask that. 20 goals is a lot of goals.

Across all competitions though, so he should bang in a few against cup teams.  Think he'll do it no problem.

[killer-heels]

Across all competitions though, so he should bang in a few against cup teams.  Think he'll do it no problem.

That would make him a proper success especially after his first season. Considering Id have Jota start over him, a target of 15 would be suitable.

[classycarra]

That would make him a proper success especially after his first season. Considering Id have Jota start over him, a target of 15 would be suitable.

Yeah I think 20 is a big ask too, would have to imagine it's been a very successful season (including in three cups) to have a shot at that I reckon - in the context of him being eased into games as he tries to adapt to learn how to play how we want to in the front three.

[Fromola]

20 would be a solid first season. Even then though he'll be compared against Haaland knocking in 60+.

Needs to get on a run as well. That's where Jota tends to get the bulk of his goals, in streaks.

[Shankly998]

I'll be interested to see him play when we have a functioning midfield again...
Been way off this season for whatever reason.

[killer-heels]

20 would be a solid first season. Even then though he'll be compared against Haaland knocking in 60+.

Needs to get on a run as well. That's where Jota tends to get the bulk of his goals, in streaks.

20 would be more than solid, it would be really incredible in my opinion especially from now where he looks incredibly raw and not in tune with much of our play.

In terms of Haaland I dont think he will be compared to by the end.

[classycarra]

Why do people keep saying "solid" to describe a debut season scoring 20 goals despite being eased into the lineup and already missing 3 games.

Solid to me sounds like par for golf. I'd say solid describes something like 12-15.

[naYoRHa2b]

Jota will be starting more games than Nunez so I'd be happy with 10 goals considering his game time will be limited. Even then if he isn't getting goals, maybe he just makes a nuisance so we can scramble one home.

It's just good to have an option there off the bench for now while he has the freedom to develop and improve in training because he does need to and at least he's working with the best in Jurgen to try and develop.

[Fromola]

Why do people keep saying "solid" to describe a debut season scoring 20 goals despite being eased into the lineup and already missing 3 games.

Solid to me sounds like par for golf. I'd say solid describes something like 12-15.

Bobby scored 11 last season and didn't feature that much and wasn't much of a goal threat.

If you're the main striker in a top team you'd expect to score 20 in all comps if you're playing around 50 games. The main challenge Nunez has at the moment is to be that main striker and keep his place. If he's not starting regularly then 20 goals isn't realistic, it is if he does.

[afc tukrish]

Why do people keep saying "solid" to describe a debut season scoring 20 goals despite being eased into the lineup and already missing 3 games.

Solid to me sounds like par for golf. I'd say solid describes something like 12-15.

Solid post...

[Crosby Nick]

Yeah I heard that in a recent podcast

His Wikipedia page said he scored loads last year [cetacean needed].

[classycarra]

Solid post...

will take that, am usually posting bogies all over

[marmite sw]

wow judging a player that has only been with us five mins ?? i often wonder if they are trolls not fans ??