But if he's replacing Chiesa in the starting eleven, then it's an absolute disaster of course.
Listen, hear me out, I would love for this to be true. I love Chiesa... but come on, this sadly not true. It's not 1 for 1 for sure but its not a disaster. Not because Anderson is anything special but Chiesa has been mostly absent for going on THREE YEARS now. This year is the first year he's over 1,000 minutes in Serie A and its felt like he's barely featured this year already he's so in and out.
I think Chiesa is definitely the better player assuming good health but the reality of each situation makes it alot closer (injury damaged Chiesa vs. Anderson). And durability isn't even a question (for now).
- Anderson is at 38 matches played already, played 50 last year, and 48 the year before.
- Chiesa STILL can barely get on the field. How long are we going to hope and pray he becomes what we all wanted him to be? He's 27 this fall.
And Anderson at 3.3m wages v Chiesa asking 7-10m wages is a big difference in costs. I don't like Anderson much, I would prefer a younger option if we're talking 3.3m wages and it pains me to say it but CURRENT injured every year Chiesa at 7-10m wages is not the fucking answer either.
If we're 4-3-3 next year (my god plz, lord plz), when thinking wages and durability and performance and age and taking everything into consideration, I'd prefer Soule be brought back and feature up front starting 11. Give the ACTUAL wingers we have the reins to perform in a front 3. Soule, Yildiz, Iling Jr, Kostic, even fucking Weah. And if Chiesa wants to be paid like a star even though we've stuck by him through injuries for nearly 3 years now then I think we might need to move on.