MICHAEL CHOPRA was taunted by Scnuthorpe fans with cries of "what a waste of money" after a nightmare debut saw him hauled off after just 45 minutes. Eyebrows were raised when Sunderland boss Roy Keane paid £5million for a player sent packing from sworn enemies Newcastle to Cardiff for a 10th of that price last season. And Geordie Chopra, 23, clearly faces an uphill struggle to win over the Wearside masses after a pretty awful showing. Most bookies have Chopra at 150-1 to finish the season as the top flight's leading goalscorer - behind the likes of Lee Dung Gook and Benjani Mwaruwari. If Chopra's debut was any Omen , these odds will quickly lengthen. </p>
Best bit of business we NEVER did. Chopra will soon shut them up. He is a superb finisher and his movement pulls defenders all over the shop. Cardiff were shrewd in putting up the cash and big wages to get him. They knew they wouldnt be able to keep him but look how much money the got for him. He was nailed on to be a success and a means to getting their hands on some big money. Pity we didnt have either the funds or foreight to take the plunge.
At Least.......... it was the opposition fans judging him and not the Mackem fans. These are the same Scnuthorpe fans that booed Paul Hayes on his first game back for them.
Best bit of business we EVER did. Pretty much spot on, not sure about the superb finisher bit though - he missed easier chances than he scored when he was with us. Still think he'll score goals though. Must pay tribute (and my guess is plenty on here are not going to like this next bit) to Peter Ridsdale. Bought him for £300k with a £200k add-on if promoted (obviously not paid out on that one). Signed a 4 year contract with a £2m transfer clause and an increased salary if he scored 20+ goals. When he did this, his salary was increased as well as his length of contract and transfer clause (to £5m). £4.7m profit for 1 year. Nice. Would still have liked to have seen Chops up front with Fowler though. Mmmm.
Maybe... ... but he's currently undergoing his medical at a local hospital (under the name of Aaron Ramsey - 1 of our up & coming kids) and a press conference with Sky Sports News has been arranged for tomorrow - to co-incide with Ridsdale returning from holidays today (who'd have thought he'd want to get on tv eh? ) Can never be sure until he's actually signed obviously, but it's looking good. And if you believe some rumours down here he already signed last Thursday, subject to the medical.
And another thing... ... - but don't believe everything you read in the paper - including his wages, nowhere near the stated amount. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600...objectid=19499387&siteid=50082-name_page.html
RE: How many did he end up scoring last season? nt 22 but should have been a lot more. As I said, he missed easier chances than he scored but he was also suspended following two sendings off and numerous bookings. He also went an unbelievable 14 games without scoring after Christmas! Thimk that's why he'd set himself a target of 30 for this year. Obviously not now
Chopra is a fantastic Championship striker but he will struggle in the PL. Cant see him getting past 7/8 goals. Way over priced at £5m but the transfer market is inflated this summer due to the new foreign tv money.