Jonathan Greening says he’s beginning to put his transfer hell behind him and is getting used to how Fulham play. The midfielder, on loan from West Brom and expected to complete a £5m transfer at the end of the season, now wants to help his new side climb the table.
Roy Hodgson targeted the West Brom skipper as a potential new recruit before the end of last season but had four close-season bids rejected by the Baggies. Fulham eventually signed Greening on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal and the former Middlesbrough man is finally making an impact with the Cottagers.
It was a difficult summer and went on for 10 weeks, from the end of the season until I moved. It would have been nice to come for pre-season at Fulham but it wasn’t to be.
The more you play with your team-mates, then the more you learn. I know I have to keep working hard. Now our main focus is to push up the table as quickly as possible.
Cannot see that he is worth the amount of money which is reportedly required for him.
A younger & potentially better player could be bought for that money.
That word potential is the key. Roy didn’t feel that he could afford someone who might be an 8/10 player but might be a 5/10 player while he builds up to that point. Greening has stepped straight in and reeled off a series of solid performances in one of the most important positions on the pitch. You can argue that he cost too much, but if he did it was only by a million or so, and I wonder what other options were available? Roy’s picked up a good passer who gets stuck in and has seen it all before. Can’t argue with that.
£5m does seem a lot in the old market, but we have issues where a full back is worth nearly £20m in the Prem now. At least it was on a try before you buy – if the powers that be don’t think he’s worth the cash then the deal collapses.
I will say this though – I doubt anyone much cheaper could have deputised for Murphy so effectively.