.
Thanks for that, some reasonably interesting points.
I think this is a really daft player to be paying money for. Yes he's a system player and yes, that system isn't a million miles from our Mou system (not in terms of shape but in terms of approach to games - more time spent in a medium/deeper block etc) if he was free and we wanted him as rotation for a better RB not so terrible maybe, but at 28yo - it feels like Wolves are doing the smart thing and we are paying them for the player the are rightly upgrading. In Mou's system we might get a decent year out of Doherty, but RB's are the most energetically demanding position on the pitch and he's been at it for a while now, he's not getting any quicker or more energetic, and if/when Mourinho fucks of we are left with another ageing player, barely fit for the purpose of any vaguely proactive, high tempo coach.
For what it's worth, here's a comparison radar with Aurier:
They both see the same amount of ball (ish) for their teams, both are used as attacking outlets, Aurier creates nearly double the chances Doherty does, has assisted more goals, I think Auier is obviously more likely to do something a bit daft occasionally, but I think he's technically stronger than Doherty in midfield play, and Doherty actually gives the ball away more than Aurier does.
I would much rather we try to buy a player with more of his career ahead of him. I would possibly be happier giving the 27yo Aurier an extension for 1-2 years, bringing in a young RB to rotate and learn the ropes, and then try to sell Aurier next summer - than do this deal. Even if it's better for one season. It just doesn't make sense from a money or squad management perspective.
Obviously of Aurier is refusing a new deal, then he has to go regardless of opinions. And I am not a huge fan of Aurier either, but this deal - paying money for Doherty - doesn't make great sense - especially stupid by Levy from a fiscal perspective, and I fully endorse the kick in
Five
will give him for this if it happens.