Just to add to that, Freiburg's form seems to have improved since his absence. Of course they brought in other players in the January window, but still a bit odd.
Yeah great player, Newcastle's transfer policy since they came up has been amazing really. They got Cisse, Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohann Cabaye, Cheick Tiote combined for about half the price they sold Carroll for.
His success so far in the PL got me thinking: is the Bundesliga the best place to get strikers from? Think about it. The players who have moved abroad recently: Berbatov, Dzeko, Ba, Cisse and to a lesser extent Gekas.
If I were a PL team looking for a striker I'd take a hard look at Helmes or Barrios.
Newcastle got Demba Ba and Pappis for what, half of what they got for Carroll? And they're both much better strikers. They can even spend the rest of the transfer fee for Huntelaar and have 3 great strikers. Amazing how overrated English players are, and how underrated Bundesliga is.
Wasn't he unsettled for some time prior to his departure? Plus, when he was there, he was their only avenue for goals, really. Now instead of relying so much on one figurehead, maybe they're playing better collectively.
Wasn't he unsettled for some time prior to his departure? Plus, when he was there, he was their only avenue for goals, really. Now instead of relying so much on one figurehead, maybe they're playing better collectively.
Probably. He was "slated" to move in the Summer, but Freiburg were playing hardball over the price.
Possibly. Like I said, I know they reinforced the side. Just frustrating seeing them lose a guy like him. They've already shed enough good youth prospects over the past few years. Fortunately they're moving away from the relegation zone though.
Anyway, he must be making a lot more. I don't know why you'd trade the Schwarzwald for the Toon.