Radio Stoke Q&A: Loza no-go, Norwich eye player and Norman wants to blow your mind
In a wide ranging interview Chairman Norman Smurthwaite and Bruno Ribeiro told BBC Radio Stoke’s Lee Blakeman about a busy summer for the club.
Ribeiro commented that trialist Jamar Loza will not be signing as he is “not the player” that the club requires. Ribeiro said Vale now “need a goalscorer” and could possibly bring a player in on loan.
He said that the club will eventually play a style of football that League One hasn’t seen in a long time…
However, the deal to bring in Benfica goalkeeper Miguel Santos was set to be completed saying that “Miguel will sign for us” and that he is a “very good goalkeeper.” He also suggested that the club may possibly look to bring in loan players from Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Smurthwaite was optimistic about the summer business. He said that the club will eventually play a “style of football that League One hasn’t seen in a long time” and that “one player was watched by Norwich” recently.
The owner said the change was needed to increase “asset value” and that there may even be an “opportunity to sell some players at Christmas.” Asked if selling the best players would deplete the squad he answered that the new approach may be “mindblowing” for some but the intention when selling stars was to “try and find someone better with the money you get.”
Smurthwaite commented that his decision was prompted by disillusionment over last season with Rob Page’s retained list being “too safe” and that “no-one can accuse us of being safe” this season. He said he hoped “entertainment and creativity” will draw the crowds.
Ribeiro said “seven or eight” players may leave on loan in the next fortnight as he wanted a “good” squad number of 22. One player leaving on loan could be goalkeeper Ryan Boot as “Ryan needs to go on loan for a year” to continue his development.
He also praised Nathan Smith as “the best player in pre-season” who had a “good chance of playing” against Bradford City in the season opener.