I believe @floyd is right. I am almost certain we have two more years. We'll do very well to hang on to him past next summer, but as everyone rightly says, let's enjoy him while we can!
Looking back at the highlights, he could have had four goals yesterday. He almost always managed to create a shooting lane in a crowded box and make the goalkeeper work. One of these games he is going to go off like Alfie May last season and destroy a team.
@bluntphil was commenting on how there is an excited buzz in the crowd whenever he gets the ball. There also seems to be a panic in the opposing side when he faces up to them with the ball at his feet. Such a fun player to watch!
Had a look at the most recent Albania squad, and besides the lad from Chelsea, the midfielders and forwards play for Grasshoppers, Aberdeen, Konyaspor, Lokomotiva, Vejle, Granada, Vorskla Poltava, and the New England Revolution respectively. None of those can be so far above our level that Anis would not be on the radar for the first team soon, surely?
They also called up midfielders/forwards from Inter Milan, Empoli (also Serie A), Espanyol (LaLiga), Ajaccio (Ligue 1), Fiorentina and Watford in June..
One of those clubs has taken Stewart from us, another has signed Uche, one has survived Tony Adams as manager, a few are regularly in Europe, Agree he'll get there but maybe a bit dismissive of people who we don't know at clubs we don't regularly see.
Good points! I am certainly not meaning to be dismissive (we get that enough ourselves!) just interesting to see the kind of level of club feeding the national team and how far away Anis might be from their radar, though @ReturnToSenda provided some context with the likes of Inter Milan.
If he keeps developing at the current rate, I am going to stick my neck out and say he will earn his first cap within a year.
I suggest he needs a good run in the U21's before he steps up to the senior squad. He has not been picked in an U21 squad now for over a year. He does however feature in the 23 man U21 squad on the official Albanian team page.
Can't find any U21 games coming up for Albania so he's unlikely to get called up.
I liked Assal. He made Forino look silly at times. Forino didn't look silly much last season. Think he might be a bit on the lean side for a Wycombe player though.
When he gets called up in the future (and is hopefully a Wycombe player!), it'll be a massive learning curve for him and potentially his approach to football. Just hope he gets that opportunity soon
Genuine question, as I forget - how long can he qualify for U21s, as he turns 22 in January? I can't remember if you have to be 21 or younger, or if there are a certain amount of players (2?) who don't have to be.
Listened to an interesting podcast about how NFL coaches look beyond the stats to find key team players. Looking at results without or without each player. Seeing how others perform around them.
Things as simple as just watching them.
This stats based evaluation is only one element, especially in a team sport. Apparently some clubs are using stats to deceive the opposition in certain key times.
Apologies @Shev (and I probably should know) . What is “cheat code mode”? And what was the reason for tapping the wrist? Did Anis score in time added on for Plymouth’s time wasting (or something)?
And @eric_plant - how does Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate? Is it by running away from players who just want a cuddle, preferably in a heap on the deck?
I believe the wrist tapping was "It's my time now" or "my time has come" or something to that effect. A bit cheesy, but somewhat original.
Cheat code mode is just a spin on any fantastically gifted player having the cheat codes (I believe the original term is a video game reference, though I am not a gamer).
I'd personally say ( no swearing please, my own view).. he's as valuable to us as Twine was for those idiots up the road ! How much did he go for in the end ?
Comments
It does https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59478747
I believe @floyd is right. I am almost certain we have two more years. We'll do very well to hang on to him past next summer, but as everyone rightly says, let's enjoy him while we can!
Looking back at the highlights, he could have had four goals yesterday. He almost always managed to create a shooting lane in a crowded box and make the goalkeeper work. One of these games he is going to go off like Alfie May last season and destroy a team.
@bluntphil was commenting on how there is an excited buzz in the crowd whenever he gets the ball. There also seems to be a panic in the opposing side when he faces up to them with the ball at his feet. Such a fun player to watch!
Had a look at the most recent Albania squad, and besides the lad from Chelsea, the midfielders and forwards play for Grasshoppers, Aberdeen, Konyaspor, Lokomotiva, Vejle, Granada, Vorskla Poltava, and the New England Revolution respectively. None of those can be so far above our level that Anis would not be on the radar for the first team soon, surely?
They also called up midfielders/forwards from Inter Milan, Empoli (also Serie A), Espanyol (LaLiga), Ajaccio (Ligue 1), Fiorentina and Watford in June..
And Chesterfield...
One of those clubs has taken Stewart from us, another has signed Uche, one has survived Tony Adams as manager, a few are regularly in Europe, Agree he'll get there but maybe a bit dismissive of people who we don't know at clubs we don't regularly see.
No wonder Chesterfield are top!
Good points! I am certainly not meaning to be dismissive (we get that enough ourselves!) just interesting to see the kind of level of club feeding the national team and how far away Anis might be from their radar, though @ReturnToSenda provided some context with the likes of Inter Milan.
If he keeps developing at the current rate, I am going to stick my neck out and say he will earn his first cap within a year.
I suggest he needs a good run in the U21's before he steps up to the senior squad. He has not been picked in an U21 squad now for over a year. He does however feature in the 23 man U21 squad on the official Albanian team page.
Can't find any U21 games coming up for Albania so he's unlikely to get called up.
IF we end up getting a big fee for Anis and IF a % of that can be reinvested in a replacement then Assal would be an interesting target I think.
I liked Assal. He made Forino look silly at times. Forino didn't look silly much last season. Think he might be a bit on the lean side for a Wycombe player though.
When he gets called up in the future (and is hopefully a Wycombe player!), it'll be a massive learning curve for him and potentially his approach to football. Just hope he gets that opportunity soon
Genuine question, as I forget - how long can he qualify for U21s, as he turns 22 in January? I can't remember if you have to be 21 or younger, or if there are a certain amount of players (2?) who don't have to be.
I think he qualifies by 8 days. Cut off is Jan 1st 2001, he was born on Jan 9th 2001.
Is that set at the start of a qualifying tournament or reset yearly?
I think it’s for this season 2022/23
Seems to be the former.
AFC Wimbledon want a minimum of £1million for Ayoub Assal.
We want a minimum of £5 million for Anis. Doesn't mean we'll get it.
He’s not worth that in my opinion. Yet to score or create a goal in league 2 this season.
Listened to an interesting podcast about how NFL coaches look beyond the stats to find key team players. Looking at results without or without each player. Seeing how others perform around them.
Things as simple as just watching them.
This stats based evaluation is only one element, especially in a team sport. Apparently some clubs are using stats to deceive the opposition in certain key times.
So you would happily see our best players leave for cheap then just like in the past typical.
Yes, thats exactly what I said isn't it Trev, dearest.
Jesus wept.
Didn't realise at the time that Anis has done that awful Cristiano Ronaldo celebration when he scored yesterday
Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. Time to sell up and move on
He should have stuck to pointing at his wrist, especially as it would always be a sweet reminder of the 3-0 at Plymouth!
No matter how a game turns out, that point where Anis goes into cheat code mode and scores a delightful goal never fails to make me giddy.
He drinks a whiskey, he drinks a vodka, he's Anis Mehmeti
Apologies @Shev (and I probably should know) . What is “cheat code mode”? And what was the reason for tapping the wrist? Did Anis score in time added on for Plymouth’s time wasting (or something)?
And @eric_plant - how does Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate? Is it by running away from players who just want a cuddle, preferably in a heap on the deck?
I believe the wrist tapping was "It's my time now" or "my time has come" or something to that effect. A bit cheesy, but somewhat original.
Cheat code mode is just a spin on any fantastically gifted player having the cheat codes (I believe the original term is a video game reference, though I am not a gamer).
Thanks @Shev .
What's the Trevor "acceptable figure" for selling him for then?
I'd personally say ( no swearing please, my own view).. he's as valuable to us as Twine was for those idiots up the road ! How much did he go for in the end ?