Surprising but brilliant if true https://x.com/fabrizioromano/status/1741417369841336575?s=46&t=j20zR706pmXrBtdI_7p-NQ
From the interview with Bobby it sounds like his dad has got his head screwed on and regrets moving as a kid only to get lost in an academy system. We have a good track record of developing players and not standing in their way when it was their time to move on.
If that is true, it’s a very good start to Bobby’s tenure. Having read the chronicle article the other day, it certainly seems like Bobby has worked hard with Jalo’s family. Be good to see him stay for a couple of seasons and us make decent money on an attacking player.
Very good news if true, and I hope he has assurances that he’s going to get sufficient game time to aid his development, starting tomorrow against Wigan.
It was Fabrizio Romano who broke the news about Lecce having a bid turned down if I remember right. Lovely stuff.
He's a bit of a social media arsewipe Romano - usually he puts the 'scoops' on after they've been announced and he has a history of deleting tweets that turned out to be bilge. Hopefully he's right on this one - I reckon it's about a 50% chance.
If he wants regular first team Football then Collins needs to take notice and give him league starts.
Didn't it kinda get revealed he's contracted to summer '25? Another 2 years on that should get us a tidy sum, but I guess there'll be a release clause.
It is indeed brilliant news. I don't think many expect he will stay for very long if he starts hitting his potential. There will be exit clauses even if he does sign a new deal. But at least our interests will be protected and we'll get good money for him if he gets a big move. I think Bobby quoted 50-100 games under his belt with us, before moving on.
Think they've handled his game time well - too many burst onto the scene as the next big thing then crash land - we've had a few. Noble Lazulras springs to mind
Noble Lazarus was absolutely appallingly managed by us. He said himself his preferred role was central in attack yet we bizarrely played him at left wing back until he failed
I hope he comes good and stays but having not watched any reserve/U23 football I’m not sure where the hype and hysteria comes from? I’ve seen the odd appearance inc cup games and not seen anything to suggest he’ll be a world beater, hope he blossoms though.
That's the point - we managed him badly. No way he should have been on a pitch at that age and was poorly treated in general. Think they are dealing with Fabio in a much better way and probably a lot of that is to do with Bobby. It's not just a Barnsley thing plenty burst onto the scene early and suffer as a result
Did you miss when he came on v reading beat a man and then put it on a plate for watters? Or when he did the same the week after for Cosgrove and was unlucky to be given offside about a minute after the goal went in. He's a talent and still only 17.
Agree. In all fairness he has looked good in short glimpses, but hopefully we don't put too much pressure on him. His family and those around him must be happy with how he's being used by Collins and Hassell - or else they wouldn't have committed to this new contract (if true).
He's still a kid. So much to learn and develop, but very excited by what I've seen so far. Doesn't seem to have electric pace, but still seems able to carry the ball with ease, and has the composure to find passes. Looking forward to seeing his development.