I'd watched a lot of Lille that season and, without being disrespectful, he wasn't yet at a level where he merited that sort of money. Even at 24, he was still very raw.
If Arsenal had paid maybe £30m with add-ons and gradually let him fulfil his potential, that would have been about right. But when you're paying club-record fees, there's no time for settling in.
You're expected to hit the ground running and you're branded a flop if you don't.
That's why, for me, Pepe's failure at Arsenal wasn't really a failure. It was just that the transfer fee created unrealistic expectations around what he could deliver.
Another similar example is Rhian Brewster, who joined Sheffield United from Liverpool for £23.5m in 2020.
Denne historien er fra September 08, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 08, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Mousinho revels in a happy return
IT proved a joyous return to Oxford for Portsmouth boss John Mousinho as he celebrated his first win back at his old club.
DUFF LAUDS COURAGE OF HIS TERRIERS
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff praised his team for their response to the fans’ half-time frustrations after they came from behind to win at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
HORNETS STING IS PAIN FOR CARRICK
TOM Cleverley felt a nervous home crowd played a part in helping his Watford side end a run of five Championship games without a win with a hard-fought victory that piled pressure on Boro boss Michael Carrick.
SALECH MAKES A POINT WITH HIS LATE LEVELLER
CARDIFF boss Omer Riza says Yousef Saleh is “knocking down the door” for a first Championship start after the striker maintained his fine scoring form with a late equaliser against Bristol City.
Sargent takes Tigers by the tail again
JOSH Sargent once again proved a thorn in Hull City’s side, as his header earned play-off-chasing Norwich City a valuable point against the struggling Tigers.
AFTER INJURY KO, ACE STEVENS JUST WANTS A DECENT SHOT AT LGE ONE
MATTY Stevens has all the motivation he needs to fire AFC Wimbledon to promotion this season – he wants a proper crack at League One.
Talented technician who stars in the pocket
LUKE Cundle spent his formative years at Wolves watching Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves strut their stuff.
PREM DREAM EXCITES JOHN
WHILE he enters a relegation battle, John Eustace has set his long-term sights on taking Derby County back to the Premier League.
IT'S JOY FOR JOSH, SAM AND GEORGE
JOSH Windass, Sam Smith and George Abbott have been rewarded for their stunning strikes with the Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month awards for January.
ADAMS HAILS HIS BATTLING SHRIMPS SIDE
DEREK Adams was full of praise for his Morecambe side after their vital derby-day victory over Accrington Stanley.
