ARTICLE: Striker Hountondji joins the Clarets

[ecc]

Ouest France, the regional paper that includes the Caen area, says €5 million plus a 15% sell-on clause for Caen.


https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/footb ... 83fc8af689

[Silkyskills1]

My guess would be with a silent 'H' at the start, the stress falling on the second syllable and a soft 'g' sound as in Bee-Gees.

'On-TONd-gee

Ready made song for him. Easy to adapt and it's Len Barry from 1965 with One, Two, Three. Try it out.

[Sheedyclaret]

From what I can tell about him

He’s quick, tall, strong and a decent finisher. Really looking forward to see how he gets on

You mean watching a YouTube clip he’s coming from tier 2 French football I wouldn’t expect to much

[RVclaret]

I follow a pro recruitment analyst/scout on X and he’s excited about this signing for us. He has shared a report he did on the player circa 8 months ago, which goes into detail on his profile. He believes we’ve got a real asset on our hands if we develop & refine some areas of his game.

[dibraidio]

The man looks comfortably over 6 feet tall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3CCcSwpzK4

The French version of Wikipedia says he's 6 foot 3 inches. The English version says 5 foot 9 inches.

Some of his goals reminded me of Chris Wood in his first season. Amazing how he lost that poachers knack of being in the right place at the right time. Maybe that was something that was trained out of him by the SD framework.

[jedi_master]

It's Houn-Ton--D-Ji scoring again
Burnley boys trucking on through the night
Three, Five, Seven, Nine and one for Lyle
Andreas has us going up with the morning light

I have no idea

[SalouClaret]

Exciting player but they profiles are not really similar. Also, I'm not sure Koleosho has anywhere near 17 goals in him.

Tella didn't have 17 goals in him before we signed him either. In fact, he'd only scored 1 goal in his career before coming to Burnley.

[Silkyskills1]

I follow a pro recruitment analyst/scout on X and he’s excited about this signing for us. He has shared a report he did on the player circa 8 months ago, which goes into detail on his profile. He believes we’ve got a real asset on our hands if we develop & refine some areas of his game.

I really am desperately hoping that putting the ball in the back of the net isn't one of those areas that needs refining. We've already got a plethora like that at the club.

[ClaretTony]

The French version of Wikipedia says he's 6 foot 3 inches. The English version says 5 foot 9 inches.

Some of his goals reminded me of Chris Wood in his first season. Amazing how he lost that poachers knack of being in the right place at the right time. Maybe that was something that was trained out of him by the SD framework.

He never lost that knack

[AGENT_CLARET]

Exciting player but they profiles are not really similar. Also, I'm not sure Koleosho has anywhere near 17 goals in him.

Neither did Tella before he kicked a ball in the championship

[jlup1980]

Hountondji... Christ alive that's a surname! We have guys on here who couldn't decide whether it was Chris Wood or Chris Woods

[AGENT_CLARET]

Hountondji... Christ alive that's a surname! We have guys on here who couldn't decide whether it was Chris Wood or Chris Woods

Hendrick or Hendricks

[ClaretTony]

Hountondji... Christ alive that's a surname! We have guys on here who couldn't decide whether it was Chris Wood or Chris Woods

Or even Ings or zing’s.

[dougcollins]

Hopefully a version of Eminem, Houdini.

That's not a bad shout.

[dougcollins]

He never lost that knack

By his own admission he wasn't trying very hard in his final season.

Didn't get near much at all.

[JohnDearyMe]

Really excited by this signing. Going to throw a wild prediction out there and say this lad is bagging 20 this season

I've got a friend who is a season ticket holder at Caen in their "le bout du hangar" (shed end).

He described him as being a Beninois Mike Conroy

[Rowls]

I've got a friend who is a season ticket holder at Caen in their "le bout du hangar" (shed end).

He described him as being a Beninois Mike Conroy

Only good for one season?

PS: Love "le bout du hangar"

[roperclaret]

I've got a friend who is a season ticket holder at Caen in their "le bout du hangar" (shed end).

He described him as being a Beninois Mike Conroy

I’ll take that. Conroy did great for us.

[Silkyskills1]

I've got a friend who is a season ticket holder at Caen in their "le bout du hangar" (shed end).

He described him as being a Beninois Mike Conroy

There's always someone with inside information. Bloody typical. A mate who's a 'shed ender' at a French second division club. Zut alors, merd.

[CnBtruntru]

I have seen 6ft 2 and 5ft 9

Maybe he is 6ft 2 and 5ft 9 when he jumps

Bit like Wout.

[ervi34]

Neither did Tella before he kicked a ball in the championship

I know that. But still don't think Koleosho can score that much.

[Hipper]

Paul Fletcher was 5' 9" but he 'leapt like a salmon' and wasn't too bad over the years.

[ecc]

I think it's essential to be as pessimistic as possible about this signing and all the others.

[IanMcL]

Welcome. Good luck. May the goals flow.

[AGENT_CLARET]

I know that. But still don't think Koleosho can score that much.

None of us including Tella himself thought he'd score that many also

[Greenmile]

I’m not really one for making up songs for players, but couldn’t help but think of this when I heard this guys name (and figured out how to pronounce it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FQktsKvXcg

[boatshed bill]

Paul Fletcher was 5' 9" but he 'leapt like a salmon' and wasn't too bad over the years.

Agreed, he had amazing spring.

[Burnley1989]

Agreed, he had amazing spring.

Us small lads have to be able to jump, otherwise we've no chance

[claretspice]

Looks an interesting signing on paper with interesting potential, and his interview is impressive.

I worry a bit though that unless Rodriguez plays more than I'd expect, we might lack nous at the top of the pitch. Foster's hold up game is a bit naive at times and he found it especially hard to deal with the hustle of the Championship and Hountondji will almost certainly be similar. Championship centre backs are unforgiving for novices.

That's probably a fear that applies to one or two other positions, including left back. Nothing against the fella we've signed, but you need a healthy dose of know how in the Championship.

[claretskeith]

There's always someone worrying.

[Nonayforever]

Hope the lad does well and is a success here, but costing 5m euro from Caen I would be amazed and pleased if he can get 10 goals per season.

[123EasyasBFC]

Hope the lad does well and is a success here, but costing 5m euro from Caen I would be amazed and pleased if he can get 10 goals per season.

Didn’t Kante and Mahrez cost Leicester about 700k each from French second division

[boatshed bill]

Looks an interesting signing on paper with interesting potential, and his interview is impressive.

I worry a bit though that unless Rodriguez plays more than I'd expect, we might lack nous at the top of the pitch. Foster's hold up game is a bit naive at times and he found it especially hard to deal with the hustle of the Championship and Hountondji will almost certainly be similar. Championship centre backs are unforgiving for novices.

That's probably a fear that applies to one or two other positions, including left back. Nothing against the fella we've signed, but you need a healthy dose of know how in the Championship.

Like Charlie Taylor? Look at him at the start of the Forest game... and there are plenty of similar situations.

[claretspice]

Like Charlie Taylor? Look at him at the start of the Forest game... and there are plenty of similar situations.

I'd certainly be happier if we had a second left back option who had a little more experience and nous. In fairness there is a decent core of experience within the squad - O'Shea, Cullen, Brownhill, JBG, Redmond, Rodriguez, perhaps Roberts - but it could do with a couple more wise heads, especially if a couple of those may yet leave. In isolation the likes of Hountondji look decent signings of potential. But as we rapidly discovered last year, you need a mix, and most teams need some experience in key positions, including up front.

[boatshed bill]

I'd certainly be happier if we had a second left back option who had a little more experience and nous. In fairness there is a decent core of experience within the squad - O'Shea, Cullen, Brownhill, JBG, Redmond, Rodriguez, perhaps Roberts - but it could do with a couple more wise heads, especially if a couple of those may yet leave.

We often see things differently, no problem with that.
I'd like to see O'shea and Redmond gone. I've always appreciated Roberts' passion and effort, but I feel it might be time for him to move on too.

[claretspice]

We often see things differently, no problem with that.
I'd like to see O'shea and Redmond gone. I've always appreciated Roberts' passion and effort, but I feel it might be time for him to move on too.

Think O'Shea is a key player next season and Redmond could prove to be a really valuable asset at this level. They're good players I hope we keep. Don't understand the case against O'Shea in particular but each to their own.

[boatshed bill]

Think O'Shea is a key player next season and Redmond could prove to be a really valuable asset at this level. They're good players I hope we keep. Don't understand the case against O'Shea in particular but each to their own.

Have a look at the number of times he gets the wrong side of his man. I don't doubt his commitment and effort, no-one would.
But if we could get decent money I think we should take it.

[ecc]

Didn’t Kante and Mahrez cost Leicester about 700k each from French second division

Kanté signed from Caen (L1) for cicra 8 million euros.

Mahrez was at Le Havre in L2.

[Elizabeth]

Kanté signed from Caen (L1) for cicra 8 million euros.

Mahrez was at Le Havre in L2.

So it is possible this player could be a good signing based on those examples. I really hope so because I'm underwhelmed

[NewClaret]

Exciting player but they profiles are not really similar. Also, I'm not sure Koleosho has anywhere near 17 goals in him.

The levels are so different it’s hard to know.

Also a lot of Tella’s goals were against the lower Champ teams. Or at least that’s when he wracked them up.

I think Koleosho will score more because he was tearing premier league teams apart so he’ll get himself in the right positions, but I agree that’s as yet unproven. Parker is right about that - the players have a lot to prove.

[warksclaret]

Didn’t Kante and Mahrez cost Leicester about 700k each from French second division

Mahrez resulted from Leicester manager at the time Pearson, asking Knockhart who came from France, if he knew of any exciting other French players in the lower leagues in France. Knockhart told him about Mahrez-the rest is history.

[Swizzlestick]

Mahrez resulted from Leicester manager at the time Pearson, asking Knockhart who came from France, if he knew of any exciting other French players in the lower leagues in France. Knockhart told him about Mahrez-the rest is history.

Are you sure? I thought he was spotted by their chief scout Steve Walsh while watching another player in France - Walsh instrumental in a lot of their other big signings like Kante and Vardy too.

[CoolClaret]

I follow a pro recruitment analyst/scout on X and he’s excited about this signing for us. He has shared a report he did on the player circa 8 months ago, which goes into detail on his profile. He believes we’ve got a real asset on our hands if we develop & refine some areas of his game.

Interesting - one with upside then. Hopefully training with our players at a better standard will really help him this pre-season.

Like the athleticism and relentless aspect - the Beninese Vardy?

[Bullabill]

What a great interview. I have respect for anyone who can be fluent in a 'second language'. I loved the answer - My best quality is that I know I am not perfect.

Whilst I know nothing of their footballing abilities I am equally impressed by this lad and Han Noa Massengo. They could be a couple of gems.

[FeedTheArf]

Know nothing of him, but as with all strikers, the sooner he bags a goal the better. It'll get the fans onside and do his confidence the world of good.

[Newcastleclaret93]

The levels are so different it’s hard to know.

Also a lot of Tella’s goals were against the lower Champ teams. Or at least that’s when he wracked them up.

I think Koleosho will score more because he was tearing premier league teams apart so he’ll get himself in the right positions, but I agree that’s as yet unproven. Parker is right about that - the players have a lot to prove.

I think comments like he was tearing premier league sides apart are not good for anyone.

Koleosho looked really promising but I think it’s quite fair to say he is incredibly raw and usually his final ball was incredibly poor (shown by his stats).

I tend to agree I think this will be a big season for him but not sure he’s got 15 plus goals in him.

[ClaretAL]

ACL injuries are very 50/50 if the player comes back the same, lets hope he does.

[Cooclaret]

Looks an interesting signing on paper with interesting potential, and his interview is impressive.

I worry a bit though that unless Rodriguez plays more than I'd expect, we might lack nous at the top of the pitch. Foster's hold up game is a bit naive at times and he found it especially hard to deal with the hustle of the Championship and Hountondji will almost certainly be similar. Championship centre backs are unforgiving for novices.

That's probably a fear that applies to one or two other positions, including left back. Nothing against the fella we've signed, but you need a healthy dose of know how in the Championship.

Wout!

[ArmchairDetective]

Wasn't overly impressed with this signing initially and assumed he'd be a squad player after playing in Ligue 2. Don't know much about him but seems to have a great attitude in his interview and comes across older than his years. Good story about him helping another player to integrate into the team at his previous club which helped develop his English.

All the best lad.

[ecc]

Think O'Shea is a key player next season and Redmond could prove to be a really valuable asset at this level. They're good players I hope we keep. Don't understand the case against O'Shea in particular but each to their own.

I don't understand the attitude towards Dara. Almost everybody said he improved in the second-half of the season and never showed signs of not caring.

I think he could be one of the vital leaders.