Nicolò Savona

[Est.1865]

I think for me it's more the principle of some fans wanting to flip every new signing if they don't set the league alight, and take another punt, like that's any more likely to pay dividends.

Like we sell Savona this summer and sign Jean-Claude Rightbaque, an unknown 20-year-old French RB. He plays a few games when Aina's injured, manages ok without being completely convincing, then next summer rinse and repeat.

Well personally I like Netz as cover for Williams, bit shaky at Utd, but looks a bargain at a couple of million. Ideal back-up.

Savona was what, £10m ? Still relatively inexpensive by PL terms, but if an offer landed for £12-15m, not sure why the idea of a sale would instantly be dismissed.

 

[Est.1865]

Fully expect a new [BUPA] Jean-Claude Rightbaque thread to appear shortly

Some on here will think it should be Jean-Claude Centrebaque.

 

[GregorRobertson]

there will be plenty of examples both ways, I’m kinda fine with Savona, but the insistence that we must keep him to see if he settles in is a bit strange to me, especially if there ends up being money on the table for him.

Half the board can’t figure out if he’s a RB or CB. Felt to me like he was brought in as a RB who could provide emergency cover at RCB, and would add value in Europe. Cuhna has nailed the RCB depth place, and Europe isn’t an issue for now….

Thing is i’d be surprised if there was a great deal of interest that would make it worthwhile for us to sell. He’s been out injured since January and had knee surgery. But fwiw if a sale for profit was on the table I would definitely consider it. It’s just the idea that we need to offload or get rid of these sort of players at whatever cost I rail against. (I know you weren’t saying this at all but there’s a bit of that sort of thing in the Ndoye thread and I find it baffling).

 

[Browser79]

Who else on here remembers Spurs signing a young left back from Southampton, who then went about 25 matches without being on a winning side, and then what happened next? Not saying the two players are directly comparable like that but I'm sure their fans were grumbling at the time.

A hair’s breadth from joining his pal Gunter, before Assou-Ekotto knackered himself…

But it’s like anything in life - work at fixing it or get out fast. Both approaches have merit at different times, with different things. Both are a gamble. I know which one i preferred for Ange and Dyche. Of all our failures last season, I didn’t have Savona down as one of them - he seemed to settle better than most. My interests are certainly elsewhere this summer.

 

[Monkman]

Well personally I like Netz as cover for Williams, bit shaky at Utd, but looks a bargain at a couple of million. Ideal back-up.

Savona was what, £10m ? Still relatively inexpensive by PL terms, but if an offer landed for £12-15m, not sure why the idea of a sale would instantly be dismissed.

Agreed.

 

[Statto]

I think some people are forgetting he is still only 23 (was 22 when he played for us last), was signed as RB cover for Aina, and potentially also able to fill in at CB. He was playing under Ange and Dyche and didn't look badly out of place in the PL despite his age and inexperience.

The other obvious thing really is that Aina is one of the best right backs in the division, so getting a player in to cover for him probably means you won't be playing unless he's injured or suspended. To put that into context Aina played 35 of 38 league matches last season (with Williams playing most of the others at LB) and that was when we had Alex Moreno on loan. The year before he played 22 of 38 when he'd just joined, and we also had Nuno Tavares (woof) and Gonzalo Montiel on loan - and also Toffolo at the club for both of those seasons as a full back option. It's perhaps less easy getting cover for a player who is likely a guaranteed starter over one with whom you're likely to compete. Of course if we signed an absolutely elite full back from a big club then you'd expect them to go straight in but that would cost a lot more.

Aina and Williams as starters with Netz and Savona as backups as well as Moriera and Abbott around still would be absolutely fine, of course a left sided LB would be better but we can fix that issue with a left sided winger, so many times CHO and NW didn't really maximise their opportunities last season because of both needing to cut in...

 

[Est.1865]

We’ve seen some BUPA links to Roland Sallai for example, RB/RW, even LW cover. That would be an upgrade for me, but clearly BUPA. Plenty of variables and options, including keeping Savona.

 

[Est.1865]

Aina and Williams as starters with Netz and Savona as backups as well as Moriera.

Forgot about Moriera, yep be interesting to know how his potential is currently viewed from within the club.

 

[EmmersonForest4]

I like savona as a player but it is possible decent players don’t fit a managers style. I think Vitors style requires pacey full backs. So to me he just dosent fit that. However he could be number 24 in the squad as defensive utility player if he also plays full back but we deffo need in my view a pacey left back. So we have 4 full backs, Aina, netz, williams and a new left back.

It’s like Elanga at Newcastle, he’s got quality but in a Howe system he just dosent fit. It happens it’s football, savona is a good kid but that’s life.

 

[andyd]

There is space for Savona in my opinion when you consider normal squad building.

In a squad of 25 it's two per position plus a third keeper and one defensive and one attacking utility player.

For me Savona occupies that defensive utility spot in the squad, and I quite like him for that role in a continued development as a right back, a viable right sided centre back in a three, and an emergency centre back in a two.

Unless we get a blow your socks off offer I don't think we should be looking at moving him on.

 

[Shearstone]

I wouldn't get rid of him, mainly because he finished joint 7th in goals scored for us and hasn't played since 3rd January. Goal scoring right backs are hard to find.

 

[Rzar]

Nah, I think I’m good with that thanks. Didn’t read the rest.

Ask a question, provided with an answer you didn't like, so just say you can't be bothered to read it (you read it, you just have no response to it). Great contributor.

 

[Est.1865]

Ask a question, provided with an answer you didn't like, so just say you can't be bothered to read it (you read it, you just have no response to it). Great contributor.

I covered off my view in several subsequent posts, the conversation seemed to run on quite well earlier

 

[EmmersonForest4]

There is space for Savona in my opinion when you consider normal squad building.

In a squad of 25 it's two per position plus a third keeper and one defensive and one attacking utility player.

For me Savona occupies that defensive utility spot in the squad, and I quite like him for that role in a continued development as a right back, a viable right sided centre back in a three, and an emergency centre back in a two.

Unless we get a blow your socks off offer I don't think we should be looking at moving him on.

I agree with that I think he’ll be a decent defensive utility as well Still need one more pacey left back

 

[Farmer Jack]

I doubt we're going to improve on him. Should only consider £20m+

 

[sammy the snake]

I doubt we're going to improve on him. Should only consider £20m+

Yes but the evidence points to a talented player, his stats when he plays are excellent considering it's his first season and lets be honest- the prem is a big step up from Italian football in almost every element. He's done superb and that's why Atalanta are sniffing

20m is a good price for him though so maybe Forest would sell only with a very large offer

 

[TrickyTree101]

I hope he stays, looked good most of the time - and he can score goals ! - Keep him for another season at least and see if he is a biscuit or just unlucky

 

[Chairman Mo]

I like him but.... Bourn-muff bought Truffert for not a lot more (I believe we were interested in him too)- I don't think Savona's ever gonna reach those heights. Question is- is there another Truffert out there? If yes- 'twist', if not 'stick'

 

[YouReds43]

Atalanta keep enquiring about Savona. As they are about to sell the current RB. If we can get £15m plus I think we do the deal. Quick profit and gives us scope to get another full back suited to Vitor’s style.

 

[Rzar]

Atalanta keep enquiring about Savona. As they are about to sell the current RB. If we can get £15m plus I think we do the deal. Quick profit and gives us scope to get another full back suited to Vitor’s style.

How does he not suit Vitor's style? Savona was very good going forward, out of all the fullbacks we have I would argue he is most suited to "Vitor's style"

He has also not even played under him - KEEP

 

[Strummer]

^^ That.

He looked excellent going forward and if a back three is on the cards he would be a very good option there.

 

[Est.1865]

^^ That.

He looked excellent going forward and if a back three is on the cards he would be a very good option there.

Agree he would appear to fit a back three set up. But so does Cuhna, who is ahead of him in the pecking order.

I guess for me it’s whether he’s purely viewed as the back up to Aina ? We’ve got Netz on the other side who cost about £2m and showed good promise too.

So £15m type offer is very decent money that is worth considering. More than decent profit there that could be recycled back into the squad.

 

[JonnoSnr]

^^ That.

He looked excellent going forward and if a back three is on the cards he would be a very good option there.

I think there was talk when he arrived that he was as much a CB as he was a RB. His profile and size certainly suits CB more so it would make sense.

Having him as back up CB (potentially 5th choice) and developing with odd minutes here and there would be his best chance of staying IMO. I just don't see him being able to play consistently at this level at full back.

 

[GOBIAS]

VP managed the squad and got the best out of them far better than any other manager last season.

 

[Rzar]

I just don't see him being able to play consistently at this level at full back.

Why? Every team has fullbacks of his profile, Savona has pretty much exclusively played right back since he has played 1st team football. He has had a few games as a CB in a back 3. He is a fullback that could probably fill in at CB, he is not a CB.

He is not slow, he is not weak, he has great energy & is good on the ball - his instincts to get forward is his best attribute imo. Just not seeing it, it feels to me most of the conclusions have come from stereotypes. The top 2 in the league have spent pretty much all season lined up with 4 players of Savona's physicality in their back 4.

I feel like Savona has 100% got worse through not playing, I was happy with him when he was actually playing. Don't get the clamour to get rid at all.