In case we weren't already excited enough about him... encouraging words from Shakhtar's SD! ::scarf::
BBC News - 'Amazing winger' Kevin to reach next level under Silva - Srna
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4g2z41j8lmo
Shaktar has always had an amazing conveyor belt of talent, a lot of it from Brazil. I remember Srna from the team that came to the Cottage 15 years ago, alongside Willian, Fernandinho, Jadson, Luiz Adriano, Douglas Costa...
I may just be particularly excited about his potential, but the videos the club have put out, including this one, do make him look 'different'.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOa3GNOiD2W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NHpzNnJvYnNpNGRq (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOa3GNOiD2W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NHpzNnJvYnNpNGRq)
Quote from: v on September 12, 2025, 01:50:00 AMShaktar has always had an amazing conveyor belt of talent, a lot of it from Brazil. I remember Srna from the team that came to the Cottage 15 years ago, alongside Willian, Fernandinho, Jadson, Luiz Adriano, Douglas Costa...
Shakhtar fans seem to say he's in a similar category in terms of talent as Willian and Costa were too. Let's hope they're right.
Really good to see the new boys settle in, and helps when you have people that know eachother. Glad to see Muniz help Kevin settle in like Andreas did to him.
Quote from: v on September 12, 2025, 01:50:00 AMShaktar has always had an amazing conveyor belt of talent, a lot of it from Brazil. I remember Srna from the team that came to the Cottage 15 years ago, alongside Willian, Fernandinho, Jadson, Luiz Adriano, Douglas Costa...
He also played against Fulham for Hajduk Split.
We need to be patient with him and not expect an immediate impact.
Nelson took a while to settle last year, at the start he had a habit of running down blind alleys trying to dribble past everyone and momentum fizzing out. He really hit his stride just before the injury.
Nelson's used to the physicality but Kevin isn't, so he may take a while to get up to speed.
He may also need to adjust to the high tempo. Lukic struggled with that in his first season, but looked much better in season two.
I think on the whole Marco does find the best from his players while using them as substitutes. Wilson, Sess, Muniz and Raul. That's not to say these players aren't now capable of delivering over 90minutes. I'd imagine the three signings will follow this well trod path.
Well he carries the curse of our new record signing. They never live up to the expectation. However I am excited about seeing the new players when and if Marco decides is the right time to introduce them. Which could be a week before the end of the season.
Quote from: Lighthouse on September 12, 2025, 10:52:55 AMWell he carries the curse of our new record signing. They never live up to the expectation. However I am excited about seeing the new players when and if Marco decides is the right time to introduce them. Which could be a week before the end of the season.
I hate it when you turn into an optimist. It never ends well.
From the footage - it looks like he can kick a ball... that's a good start
Listened to a podcast of a Shakhtar fan with Jack Kelly. Podcast was called Miner's Weekly.
He thought fans would need to be a bit patient, but expect within a few month's he should be fully up to speed.
I think that's the right expectation to have, though it wouldn't shock me if he hit the ground running as well.
Quote from: hopper on September 12, 2025, 02:39:12 PMListened to a podcast of a Shakhtar fan with Jack Kelly. Podcast was called Miner's Weekly.
He thought fans would need to be a bit patient, but expect within a few month's he should be fully up to speed.
I think that's the right expectation to have, though it wouldn't shock me if he hit the ground running as well.
Minors weakly? get them jabbed up at school!
Quote from: Bronaldinho on September 12, 2025, 09:21:39 AMReally good to see the new boys settle in, and helps when you have people that know eachother. Glad to see Muniz help Kevin settle in like Andreas did to him.
I read somewhere that they played together in a youth team.
Quote from: gerrys on September 12, 2025, 03:42:36 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on September 12, 2025, 09:21:39 AMReally good to see the new boys settle in, and helps when you have people that know eachother. Glad to see Muniz help Kevin settle in like Andreas did to him.
I read somewhere that they played together in a youth team.
They were in the same academy, but Muniz was a year or two ahead so they didn't play together nor were they friends, but they were aware of each other. Still that's a common connection they can build from and it seems they are getting along quite well from videos the club has put out.
Quote from: btffc on September 12, 2025, 06:28:12 PMQuote from: gerrys on September 12, 2025, 03:42:36 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on September 12, 2025, 09:21:39 AMReally good to see the new boys settle in, and helps when you have people that know eachother. Glad to see Muniz help Kevin settle in like Andreas did to him.
I read somewhere that they played together in a youth team.
They were in the same academy, but Muniz was a year or two ahead so they didn't play together nor were they friends, but they were aware of each other. Still that's a common connection they can build from and it seems they are getting along quite well from videos the club has put out.
As well as the common connection of both coming from same incredible country and culture. Love Brasil.
If this is raw Kevin, the refined version will be unplayable. His most impressive trait for me is the man is aware of just how good he is. He will ruin full backs. A young Willian. And for me William was class
"With Marco Silva, for me one of the best coaches in the Premier League, he will continue to develop for sure. I believe Kevin will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years."
Based on today's (albeit brief) performance, I can see what Srna meant now. Awesome player and if we get two years out of him, I think we'll be doing well!
Quote from: H4usuallysitting on September 12, 2025, 01:46:43 PMFrom the footage - it looks like he can kick a ball... that's a good start
There seemed to be very little back lift on the cross and shot.
MOTD highlighted him so he'll be off to Liverpool next year.
Quote from: cookieg on September 14, 2025, 08:12:52 AMMOTD highlighted him so he'll be off to Liverpool next year.
Jan, probably!
Quote from: BestOfBrede on September 14, 2025, 08:39:20 AMQuote from: cookieg on September 14, 2025, 08:12:52 AMMOTD highlighted him so he'll be off to Liverpool next year.
Jan, probably!Very early days Remember Rory Hamill and Cory Brown.
Quote from: Eton White on September 13, 2025, 09:39:31 PM"With Marco Silva, for me one of the best coaches in the Premier League, he will continue to develop for sure. I believe Kevin will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years."
Based on today's (albeit brief) performance, I can see what Srna meant now. Awesome player and if we get two years out of him, I think we'll be doing well!
Yes but think of the profit we will make from the likes of City or Chelscum
The thought of Kevin in a chels** shirt is already making me sick.
Praying it's Liverpool or city he goes to over that lot should he prove himself....or better yet Barcelona or Real Madrid so we don't have to play him 😅 he feels like a Madrid player to me.
I hope he can match up to Keegan, The Gerbil, and the Coronation St one.
Why can't we just keep him, he has only just arrived, and people talking about moving him on.
Does it not get boring just seeking out the most negative outlook on anything to do with football?
Have a good player - "He's as good as gone"
Silva coughs - "He's going to walk I can tell"
Good run of games - "This will all end eventually"
Bad run of games - "We're down and we won't come back up"
Quote from: RS61 on September 14, 2025, 06:58:28 PMDoes it not get boring just seeking out the most negative outlook on anything to do with football?
Have a good player - "He's as good as gone"
Absolutely.
Before I opened this thread, today, I thought I would be reading a series of posts imagining what skills and excitement may be in store for us. I'm astounded that supporters' thoughts have turned to his departure after just 20 minutes of football.
Quote from: Arthur on September 14, 2025, 08:19:08 PMQuote from: RS61 on September 14, 2025, 06:58:28 PMDoes it not get boring just seeking out the most negative outlook on anything to do with football?
Have a good player - "He's as good as gone"
Absolutely.
Before I opened this thread, today, I thought I would be reading a series of posts imagining what skills and excitement may be in store for us. I'm astounded that supporters' thoughts have turned to his departure after just 20 minutes of football.
I didn't mean to turn this into a negative thread - I only brought up the fact that we might not have him for that long because it was a quote from Srna in the article I posted in my OP. He said he'd expect to see Kevin at a top club within two years.
Having seen how good Kevin is, I can understand what he means, but in the meantime I'm really looking forward to seeing him play for us! A genuinely exciting player.
It's not negative or positive to acknowledge that we are a stepping stone for Kevin. We can still look forward to the great times we seem likely to have with him while acknowledging he will move on
Quote from: RS61 on September 14, 2025, 06:58:28 PMDoes it not get boring just seeking out the most negative outlook on anything to do with football?
Have a good player - "He's as good as gone"
Silva coughs - "He's going to walk I can tell"
Good run of games - "This will all end eventually"
Bad run of games - "We're down and we won't come back up"
Let's face it, until we get the stage, if ever, of qualifying for Europe on a near-yearly basis then we will just be a stepping stone club to top talents like Kevin. 90% of all clubs in the world are like this and it's not a bad thing and it doesn't mean we can't enjoy it while he's here. It just means we're being realistic.
Quote from: demeant0r on September 14, 2025, 11:23:16 PMQuote from: RS61 on September 14, 2025, 06:58:28 PMDoes it not get boring just seeking out the most negative outlook on anything to do with football?
Have a good player - "He's as good as gone"
Silva coughs - "He's going to walk I can tell"
Good run of games - "This will all end eventually"
Bad run of games - "We're down and we won't come back up"
Let's face it, until we get the stage, if ever, of qualifying for Europe on a near-yearly basis then we will just be a stepping stone club to top talents like Kevin. 90% of all clubs in the world are like this and it's not a bad thing and it doesn't mean we can't enjoy it while he's here. It just means we're being realistic.
Think there's a step you're missing, if that's ok for me to say. Fundamentally to grow as a club you have to find rare talents, sign them and build from them. Yes, clubs can be seen as stepping stones, but we technically have him signed to a 5/6 year contract and I'd like to have him for at least three of those years to see where we can get to with him.
Our back 7 is generally pretty solid these days, and we've got great back up options too. Our forward line is in the process of improving, and could dramatically do so with the addition of Kevin, and perhaps Chukwueze.. If those forward players start producing the goods, and gelling with the ones already here (ESR, Muniz, Iwobi, Jimenez, Traore, Wilson etc), then Europe doesn't seem as far fetched this season. We need depth, and given how little we've seemingly spent on a net basis, there's a slight concern that the Khan's aren't spending much these days, which will be needed.. but who knows what's on their minds. There were some great interchanges between ESR and Kevin on Saturday for instance, and Kevin's time on the pitch genuinely seemed to excite the players... they were all trying to find him, which says a lot given how little time he's been at the club.
I think with the core squad we have now, if we keep everyone happy, which seems to be the case, tied down contracts and build the squad out with one or two Kevin styled/calibre players, then we could finally see the club grow in the right direction on and off the pitch. We've shown under Marco that we can compete at the top end of the table for european spots and against the best teams in the league, and that's with what I'd say is a very talented, but incomplete squad. A few more top additions to what we have and we could be very good.
There's a lot that needs to happen for that to become reality - there are a fair few players getting towards the end of their careers/contracts.. but if we can keep them, and then build on the current squad, then we'll be on fire.
What we're now crying out for, in my opinion, is perhaps a CM who's got a bit more creativity - like a Cairney character, but one a bit younger who's got that extra spark, and perhaps a more clinical striker, but that could be mitigated by Kevin and Chukwueze if they can get good service into Muniz and Raul. Just imagine a prime Mitrovic with ESR, Kevin, Iwobi all feeding him balls.
That'd test every defence in the league.
Quote from: General on September 14, 2025, 11:53:27 PMQuote from: demeant0r on September 14, 2025, 11:23:16 PMQuote from: RS61 on September 14, 2025, 06:58:28 PMDoes it not get boring just seeking out the most negative outlook on anything to do with football?
Have a good player - "He's as good as gone"
Silva coughs - "He's going to walk I can tell"
Good run of games - "This will all end eventually"
Bad run of games - "We're down and we won't come back up"
Let's face it, until we get the stage, if ever, of qualifying for Europe on a near-yearly basis then we will just be a stepping stone club to top talents like Kevin. 90% of all clubs in the world are like this and it's not a bad thing and it doesn't mean we can't enjoy it while he's here. It just means we're being realistic.
Think there's a step you're missing, if that's ok for me to say. Fundamentally to grow as a club you have to find rare talents, sign them and build from them. Yes, clubs can be seen as stepping stones, but we technically have him signed to a 5/6 year contract and I'd like to have him for at least three of those years to see where we can get to with him.
Our back 7 is generally pretty solid these days, and we've got great back up options too. Our forward line is in the process of improving, and could dramatically do so with the addition of Kevin, and perhaps Chukwueze.. If those forward players start producing the goods, and gelling with the ones already here (ESR, Muniz, Iwobi, Jimenez, Traore, Wilson etc), then Europe doesn't seem as far fetched this season. We need depth, and given how little we've seemingly spent on a net basis, there's a slight concern that the Khan's aren't spending much these days, which will be needed.. but who knows what's on their minds. There were some great interchanges between ESR and Kevin on Saturday for instance, and Kevin's time on the pitch genuinely seemed to excite the players... they were all trying to find him, which says a lot given how little time he's been at the club.
I think with the core squad we have now, if we keep everyone happy, which seems to be the case, tied down contracts and build the squad out with one or two Kevin styled/calibre players, then we could finally see the club grow in the right direction on and off the pitch. We've shown under Marco that we can compete at the top end of the table for european spots and against the best teams in the league, and that's with what I'd say is a very talented, but incomplete squad. A few more top additions to what we have and we could be very good.
There's a lot that needs to happen for that to become reality - there are a fair few players getting towards the end of their careers/contracts.. but if we can keep them, and then build on the current squad, then we'll be on fire.
What we're now crying out for, in my opinion, is perhaps a CM who's got a bit more creativity - like a Cairney character, but one a bit younger who's got that extra spark, and perhaps a more clinical striker, but that could be mitigated by Kevin and Chukwueze if they can get good service into Muniz and Raul. Just imagine a prime Mitrovic with ESR, Kevin, Iwobi all feeding him balls.
That'd test every defence in the league.
True but I wasn't suggesting he would leave next season or even the year after. We should get at least two seasons from him and try to get Europe in the process. If some team offers 100m+ after then we should be open to it because that would allow us to fund more Kevins. Ideally I'd like us to get to a system like Brighton or even Shaktar that's a magnet for young foreign talent.
If essentially we're only allowed to spend what we make + 35m loss every season, then we need to buy cheap and sell big.
Kevin has played for Shakhtar and Fulham this season am i right in believing he can't play for 3 different teams in a season? If so the earliest he could leave is next summer.
Quote from: iansthailand on September 15, 2025, 01:50:26 AMKevin has played for Shakhtar and Fulham this season am i right in believing he can't play for 3 different teams in a season? If so the earliest he could leave is next summer.
Correct
Quote from: demeant0r on September 15, 2025, 12:36:20 AMQuote from: General on September 14, 2025, 11:53:27 PMQuote from: demeant0r on September 14, 2025, 11:23:16 PMQuote from: RS61 on September 14, 2025, 06:58:28 PMDoes it not get boring just seeking out the most negative outlook on anything to do with football?
Have a good player - "He's as good as gone"
Silva coughs - "He's going to walk I can tell"
Good run of games - "This will all end eventually"
Bad run of games - "We're down and we won't come back up"
Let's face it, until we get the stage, if ever, of qualifying for Europe on a near-yearly basis then we will just be a stepping stone club to top talents like Kevin. 90% of all clubs in the world are like this and it's not a bad thing and it doesn't mean we can't enjoy it while he's here. It just means we're being realistic.
Think there's a step you're missing, if that's ok for me to say. Fundamentally to grow as a club you have to find rare talents, sign them and build from them. Yes, clubs can be seen as stepping stones, but we technically have him signed to a 5/6 year contract and I'd like to have him for at least three of those years to see where we can get to with him.
Our back 7 is generally pretty solid these days, and we've got great back up options too. Our forward line is in the process of improving, and could dramatically do so with the addition of Kevin, and perhaps Chukwueze.. If those forward players start producing the goods, and gelling with the ones already here (ESR, Muniz, Iwobi, Jimenez, Traore, Wilson etc), then Europe doesn't seem as far fetched this season. We need depth, and given how little we've seemingly spent on a net basis, there's a slight concern that the Khan's aren't spending much these days, which will be needed.. but who knows what's on their minds. There were some great interchanges between ESR and Kevin on Saturday for instance, and Kevin's time on the pitch genuinely seemed to excite the players... they were all trying to find him, which says a lot given how little time he's been at the club.
I think with the core squad we have now, if we keep everyone happy, which seems to be the case, tied down contracts and build the squad out with one or two Kevin styled/calibre players, then we could finally see the club grow in the right direction on and off the pitch. We've shown under Marco that we can compete at the top end of the table for european spots and against the best teams in the league, and that's with what I'd say is a very talented, but incomplete squad. A few more top additions to what we have and we could be very good.
There's a lot that needs to happen for that to become reality - there are a fair few players getting towards the end of their careers/contracts.. but if we can keep them, and then build on the current squad, then we'll be on fire.
What we're now crying out for, in my opinion, is perhaps a CM who's got a bit more creativity - like a Cairney character, but one a bit younger who's got that extra spark, and perhaps a more clinical striker, but that could be mitigated by Kevin and Chukwueze if they can get good service into Muniz and Raul. Just imagine a prime Mitrovic with ESR, Kevin, Iwobi all feeding him balls.
That'd test every defence in the league.
True but I wasn't suggesting he would leave next season or even the year after. We should get at least two seasons from him and try to get Europe in the process. If some team offers 100m+ after then we should be open to it because that would allow us to fund more Kevins. Ideally I'd like us to get to a system like Brighton or even Shaktar that's a magnet for young foreign talent.
If essentially we're only allowed to spend what we make + 35m loss every season, then we need to buy cheap and sell big.
I get that, and I get your initial point, but was just challenging it as being the only way to look at it. I know historically as a fan base we've been very used to being a selling club and very much in survival mode, but for me it's time we started readjusting our focuses/aims. We're in a good place now with a strong core team/squad, and in the best place we've arguably ever been to kick on and take this club to another level.
Kevin could be key to that - players want to play with exciting players/talents - they want to have it as a challenge to learn off, but also know it's exciting to play with and is a prequel to being successful. You could see instantly how Kevin's appearance on the weekend galvanised the team and took our play to a whole other level - that could continue all being well for the whole season, then we need to leverage it over the next two or three seasons - if he continues to play this way or get better, then we'll see his value only increase, whilst the clubs bargaining position and on/off field strength get better too.
It's a wiser investment to hold on to him.
Really interesting profile, and clearly matches the style and want Silva asks for from his inverted wingers.
Quick feet, dynamism, great at 1v1.
Explains why he also wanted Chukwueze on the other side.
A concern that I have is that very shortly (Maybe even this Saturday) teams will double up or maybe even triple up on Kevin to snuff him out of the game,
Now that's not the end of the world provided we've got a credible Plan B to switch to to make use of our unmarked players,
Will be interesting to see how Brentford are going to deal with him.
Quote from: C Block on September 15, 2025, 11:45:23 AMA concern that I have is that very shortly (Maybe even this Saturday) teams will double up or maybe even triple up on Kevin to snuff him out of the game,
Now that's not the end of the world provided we've got a credible Plan B to switch to to make use of our unmarked players,
Will be interesting to see how Brentford are going to deal with him.
That's great though, will allow Robinson to bomb on past him. And I have an inkling that Chukwueze on the other flank is going to be just as exciting.
Quote from: C Block on September 15, 2025, 11:45:23 AMA concern that I have is that very shortly (Maybe even this Saturday) teams will double up or maybe even triple up on Kevin to snuff him out of the game,
Now that's not the end of the world provided we've got a credible Plan B to switch to to make use of our unmarked players,
Will be interesting to see how Brentford are going to deal with him.
That creates space elsewhere though which is a bonus, and if Chuku is as electric then it means teams can't spend 90 mins doing that because we will find gaps for King/ESR/Iwobi etc. to exploit and create opportunities from. I'd also rather we had the issue of teams needing to double up on someone because at the moment teams just need to sit deep and we have no idea what to do as Iwobi and Wilson come inside and make everything too congested
How much are we gonna get for Kev next summer? Dudes played 15mins and already gone viral.
Quote from: rusty shackleford on September 16, 2025, 09:07:02 PMHow much are we gonna get for Kev next summer? Dudes played 15mins and already gone viral.
Going to get £0 as i highly doubt we'd sell after one season on a five year contract.
Wasnt Palhinha signed till 2028 with another year option and we sold him? Everyones for sale if price is right and the player wants the move
Quote from: rusty shackleford on September 16, 2025, 09:36:58 PMWasnt Palhinha signed till 2028 with another year option and we sold him? Everyones for sale if price is right and the player wants the move
Did we not extend his contract and then sell him the following season?
Yeah. But we extended it after 1 season. So we was technically 1 year into a 5 or 6 year contract. Anyway im just being pessimistic. We can never have nice things lol
We may well be getting ahead of ourselves here, he has only played 15 mins!
Quote from: Eton White on September 11, 2025, 10:47:01 PMIn case we weren't already excited enough about him... encouraging words from Shakhtar's SD! ::scarf::
BBC News - 'Amazing winger' Kevin to reach next level under Silva - Srna
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4g2z41j8lmo
Erm, he better not be moving in the next couple of years. His value is in what he can do, not how much we might get for him and he is signed for five years,
Quote from: KentFulham on September 16, 2025, 10:24:50 PMWe may well be getting ahead of ourselves here, he has only played 15 mins!
Drop him now, so he can't get any worse.
Quote from: KentFulham on September 16, 2025, 10:24:50 PMWe may well be getting ahead of ourselves here, he has only played 15 mins!
Yes, he's not the Messiah, he's just Kevin.
Quote from: Southcoastffc on September 16, 2025, 11:18:26 PMQuote from: KentFulham on September 16, 2025, 10:24:50 PMWe may well be getting ahead of ourselves here, he has only played 15 mins!
Yes, he's not the Messiah, he's just Kevin.
He's a very naughty boy.