29 Oct 2014

Yes Please: 'Incredible' £25m Barca star puts in transfer request. 80% of fans want him. Sign?

Liverpool continue to be linked with a January move for Barcelona star Pedro, and it seems that 27-year old attacker is taking steps to force his way out of the Nou Camp, which is potentially great news for the Reds (and Arsenal, who are also interested).

Over the summer, Liverpool were constantly linked with a move for Pedro, and reports earlier this month claimed that Barcelona are willing to sell for £25m.

Well, according to reports in Spain today:

* Pedro has handed in a transfer request to Barcelona.
* He is determined to quit Barca in January.

This follows a report in September, which claimed that Pedro - who has only completed one 90 minute game so far this season - is 'keen to listen to offers' from Liverpool and Arsenal.

When asked in September about his future, the 27-year old - known as 'the silent superstar' by Barca fans (on account of his humble demeanour) - told reporters:

“It’s difficult [at Barca]. All I want to do is work hard. It’s difficult to get into the starting 11 because I’m competing with the best forwards in the world but I’m fighting for my place every day"

What would Pedro - recently described as 'incredible' by Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque - bring to the Liverpool team? In a recent interview, the forward outlined what he perceives his role to be for Barcelona. He told reporters:

"My job in the team is to free up space on the pitch for my teammates, to build moves, to turn certain episodes into goalscoring chances or to get assists for teammates in better positions. These are my responsibilities during the game. Everything I do must benefit the team."

Despite the ridiculous competition at Barca for attacking places, Pedro's stats over the last few years are very good:

2013-14: 20 goals/10 assists in 52 apps.
2012-13: 10 goals/7 assists in 48 apps.
2011-12: 13 goals/6 assists in 51 apps.
2010-11: 22 goals/8 assists in 52 apps.
2009-10: 22 goals/4 assists in 50 apps.

Liverpool fans certainly hold Pedro in high regard. Prior to the Adam Lallana signing, I asked fans who they'd rather see LFC sign this summer: Pedro or Lallana.

* 17100 visitors (approx) participated in the poll.
* A gigantic 80% of voters chose Pedro over Lallana.

That's a quite staggering vote of confidence in Pedro, but it's hardly surprising given the Spaniard's experience and pedigree. I also voted in favour of Pedro, for the following reasons:

* Pedro has consistent experience at the highest levels of the game, including copious European/international experience.

* He's played alongside some of the world's best players for years, including Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta.

* The Spaniard is a winner; he's won practically every trophy in the game, and that kind of experience could be invaluable for Liverpool. The Reds lacked experience in the final stages of last season, and that arguably contributed to losing the title.

* Pedro is the kind of player who'll come in and give the entire club a lift. He's a marquee signing with an aura about him.

After Rodgers' huge transfer spending over the summer, I can't see FSG handing over another €25m in the January transfer window, especially if the club's erratic form continues for the next two months.

From a business point of view, FSG are entitled to expect a manifest return on the £120m+ spent this year, and if Rodgers can't make it work with all the new signings he's brought in, then from a business perspective, it doesn't make financial sense to give him more money.

Then again, it all depends on where the club is in January. If Liverpool are well off the pace, and Champions League qualification is in doubt, then that's yet another reason to be cautious with transfer funds. Conversely, if the Reds are right up there challenging, another top signing may just be the positive push needed to solidify LFC's position.

If cash is made available, is buying Pedro the best use of that money?



Author:


81 comments:

  1. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:09 pm, October 29, 2014

    Too small to play in this league
    plus were is the ambition when he has already won everything


    right now a striker in the ilk of Jackson Martinez has to be priority

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  2. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:19 pm, October 29, 2014

    i also disagree about the aura thingy
    sanchez ,ozil and di maria have it but pedro has never been a special player just a good team player
    like dirk kuyt but faster




    put all the funds to one area a striker
    gonzalo higuain or jackson martinez
    no messing

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  3. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:22 pm, October 29, 2014

    we have enough winners a swell
    balotelli,gerrard,johnson,toure together have won every trophy possible
    gerrard and balo cl
    gerrard uefa cup
    balotelli,johsnon,toure premier league
    balotelli,gerrrad,johsnon,toure fa cup
    gerrard,johnson carling cup
    gerrard,toure community shield


    just the club world cup which none of these players ahve won

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  4. Are you serious with this list? I find it sarcastic if it is no problem

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  5. Mate, you need to recognise that we have multiple Community Shield winners.

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  6. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:29 pm, October 29, 2014

    No
    jaimie said we have not enough winning experience
    as proved by my list we have

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  7. Haha Pedro like kuyt, come down off that heroin before ya break ur neck

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  8. Okay by that logic, we should make Cleverly, Anderson, Richardson, Bertrand and a few other guys our number one transfer requests, after all they all would cost less than Pedro.

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  9. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:33 pm, October 29, 2014

    this is outrageous !
    how dare you call me a junkie
    argue with my point what makes pedro special like sanchez ?

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  10. Oh! almost forgot!
    the unplayable Bebe.... Winner of MULTIPLE Premier League title....while shyting his pants in the process....

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  11. Higuain + Reus may keep us in Champions league spot. Adding Pedro together could lend us the top spot in the league. These is all a big 'IF' if FSG is still allowing BR to spend high on the transfer window.

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  12. Pass on Pedro... Just Sign Reus and Higuain.... Solve the problem

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  13. Exactly my thought.

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  14. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:42 pm, October 29, 2014

    I honestly dont see why reus would join us
    what makes us more attractive then bayern,city,arsenal,utd?

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  15. Jamies stats have proven it, has averaged a goal or assist every two games over the course of d last 5 year's, incredible consistency over a long period of time, he's been a key part of the best club side of all time and one of the best international teams of all time, to compare him to kuyt or say his signing would b on a par with cleverly or Bertrand is the ravings of a mad man, nevergonacrackthecode more like never gonna put down the crack

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  16. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:43 pm, October 29, 2014

    rodgesr just has to get the right team
    i believe we have enough quality players to pip man u,west ham,southampton,everton and spurs to top 4


    just that guy that can put a ball in the back of the net
    i think its jackson martinez

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  17. To be honest all of them have advantage over us... maybe money would tempt him... also there is a possibility he might have got a good impression of us in the preseason friendly

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  18. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:45 pm, October 29, 2014

    how many tap ins from messi chances ?
    that is the reason why barca bought suarez they wanted someone who can win a game singley


    pedro is not that guy

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  19. Why did they sell Sanchez and keep pedro den

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  20. Yup the strike force looks blunt now, not enough creativity, pace and movements on top to create chances. Jackson Martinez may struggle our league but a player like Higuain may not. So bringing in JM is not a bad idea but a risky business.

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  21. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:48 pm, October 29, 2014

    The thing is all those teams have more money then us
    our highest earner is sturridge 150k or gerrard 140k sturridge is initiative based so he might not be earning 150k


    man utd rooney 300k falcao 300k van persie 300k


    but i agree with fsg we need a wage cap or then players like sterling,sturridge will get unsettled if reus earns 300k a week

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  22. If Pedro was so average he would b gone by now but they chose to let Alexis go over him

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  23. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:49 pm, October 29, 2014

    sanchez represented greater opportunity to recoup a lot of suarez fee
    pedro is apparently only worth 20m
    with ffp this is important

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  24. he would create the space that luis did for others-but he would also spell the end for coutinho

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  25. I think the wage structure of ours is a little crap to be honest. How is that Gerrard is earning 150 K while Johnson is earning 100 K and how on earth Johnson earns 100 K while sterling earns 30K? there is a problem for sure

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  26. Why are you replying to your own msg? You could just sum it in a single post. Maybe your fingers are faster than your thoughts. Just wondering :D

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  27. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:54 pm, October 29, 2014

    sterling unless he rejects
    will be earning in the 100ks soon if reports are to be believed

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  28. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:55 pm, October 29, 2014

    we need a striker
    a striker creates space


    gonzalo higuain or jackson martinez


    one of them will do
    i prefer martinez because i think he has a lot more to prove

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  29. I really think we should stay away from yet another wide player who will attempt to kick start this 4-2-3-1 crap. I'm tired of it. We showed last season that two strikers is clearly the way forward and as BR will not even for a miniscule of a moment sacrifice playing 3 in the center of midfield the two up top formula will always be on or near the bin. BR actually saw how successful we were last season right? right? SO what is he playing at.... I'm being repetitive but BR is playing up to La LIga in everything he does. HIs face at the Real Madrid press conference said everything, it said 'I am more embarrassed than ever because I believe I fit 'the profile' of managing in spain.......this is a blip... I promise........ Love me!........please......take me with you!'

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  30. I'm not in the favor of spending big on wages but we have to accept if players like Reus are to join us sure it has to be at least 200 K a week... he is no lallana, markovic and ballo

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  31. So I though its another Classy Disqus bug... turns out I was wrong!

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  32. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:01 pm, October 29, 2014

    do we really want a player to join us only because of the money?


    to be honest he is joining bayern to play with lewondowski and goetze
    the chairmen of bayern seems confident

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  33. Well yea... So is John Henry:-)

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  34. I honestly dont see why you support Liverpool. what makes us more attractive then bayern,city,arsenal,utd?

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  35. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:14 pm, October 29, 2014

    my dad supports them so it was a family thing
    plus i like the logo

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  36. So all this because you hate your dad?

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  37. code, once again, well and truly cracked.

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  38. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:20 pm, October 29, 2014

    Look i am as big a fan as anyone here

    n o one thinks about lfc more then me

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  39. When Neymar arrived at Barca, he said the player that impressed him most was Pedro because P "could do everything". I can't find a link but it's somewhere.


    I think fans underrate Pedro because he's also been in the shadow of the main forward (and even Neymar is in Messi's shadow), but he's a top dribbler, is great at one-touch passing in tight areas, turns on a dime, is unselfish, moves well, is a cool finisher and is as quick as Sanchez.


    In sum, I'm a big fan and would love LFC to sign Pedro.

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  40. I think reus alone will do the trick. His best attribute is that his high level of efficiency is evident in all three attacking midfield positions which a rare find.

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  41. You listed the same 4 players each time though....and only 2 of them will start, arguably none of them. Thats hardly experience...

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  42. There will be tons of players available, and I'd hope LFC get at least one. Reus, Pedro, Wijnaldum, etc... All are great and can add to our attack.

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  43. One word: Reus


    That is all.

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  44. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:03 pm, October 29, 2014

    six words :
    he dont want to come here


    he is joining bayern but if he were to come to engalnd he would join utd as
    his dream has always been to join man utd

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  45. Forget about Pedro. He will most likely struggle to adfapt to the physical side of the EPL.


    I have said all season long since Sturridge has been injured to give Balotelli and Borini a run upfront. Borini was really good vs Swansea and when Balotelli came on they just seemed to be on the same page.


    Borini has the energy and work rate we need at the top and Balotelli will just feed off that. Wake up Rodgers!!!


    Oh and Toure and Lovren seem a much better option. Skrtel is a weak link in our defence and even though Johnson is better at LB, he is still inept at defending.


    Play Borini and Balotelli at upfront. It really is that simple. .

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  46. Maybe you should take into account that Cologne were playing in the 2nd division last season.

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  47. I am guessing someone asked how old his dad was :-)

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  48. nope.. his replay seemed childlish to me. And it was deleted because I was sniping..

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  49. And this matters...why? They got promoted to the Bundesliga, and Horn's form has continued into this season.

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  50. But this season they are 10th in the Bundesliga with the 3rd best defense. Some credit has to go to the young goalkeeper who has kept 5 clean sheets in 9 matches in the Bundesliga.

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  51. I've been a fan of his for awhile, but being an EPL fan my interest tailed off last season. Its great that he's been playing so well, and he's definitely a great GK that is worth going after. I we really are interested, we should make a bid asap, before any German clubs want to offload one of their GK stars... Considering the stature of LFC vs Cologne (no offense) we shouldn't have much problem financially, which is good for a change.

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  52. Two words: Money Talks


    :)

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  53. There are better GK's out there.. I don't understand why we would seek to get a GK who has more to learn than Mingolet.. If we are looking for a GK, we need one who WILL push Ming very very hard for a starting spot, not just adequate back up...we already have that in Brad Jones... I fancy Kevin Trapp, Ron-Zieler or going the other way, Simeone Scuffet or Mattia Perin... Not Neto or Romero... Where has all the ambition gone.

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  54. Liverpool should build how barcaloena are doing


    mignolet can be our bravo this guy our ter stegern


    sturridge our messi sterling our neymar sign higuain to be our suarez
    coutinho iniesta allen our xavi lallana our rackitic
    henderson our mascherano moreno our alba lovren our pique

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  55. Every other goalkeeper catches most of our corners either we re poor at taking them or our keeper is poor at catching them or both.

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  56. the clever money is on both

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  57. maybe we can swap Flapper mingo for kicker horn

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  58. fishing in the mersey

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  59. Just when i though we had a relatively easy game against newcastle at the weekend, they seemed to have picked up their game with a win against spurs and are now dumping holders city out of the cup.. Gotta love the Premier League.

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  60. sign jackson martinez
    in January that the priority a striker
    he could be like graziano pelle


    goalkeeper focus on summer window

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  61. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:39 pm, October 29, 2014

    never seen city this bad
    they ahve not been in form recently lost to west ham and cska
    so dont panic yet

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  62. Newcastle are notorious for being hot and cold under Pardew.

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  63. I agree with Jaimie...GK is the one position that it isn't that important he was one league down.....the lower quality forwards is balanced up to a large degree by lower quality defenders protecting him. The goal is the same size....so is the the penalty area. Besides the Bundes 2 is a good standard and he is in the development stage of career.

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  64. yes bournemouth

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  65. Lol do you think he'll change his name to Bran Juan Rodriguez just to get a look in?

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  66. I don't really think this would be the right signing at this time.
    A good player granted, but not necessarily what we need (a bit like United and Mata last year).
    We shouldn't have bought Markovic really, however good he may turn out to be (and I'm hoping he'll end up being incredible), and used the money for Pedro instead (assuming he was available at the time). Lallana, overpriced though he was, is still a fairly experienced player compared to Markovic.
    I recognise we need to build for the future but we also should have consolidated our position especially with Suarez leaving, Stevie ageing and an extra competition to play in.
    Whilst it would be amazing to win the league, the minimum goal should be good cup runs and 4th. We'll then have consecutive CL football and players would see we could compete on multiple fronts, and it'll be easier to draw in talents, which in turn gives you time/opportunity to build for the future.

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  67. I wouldn't say he was really goo but I get your point.

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  68. No do not sign this guy sure Jones is not good enough but Mignolets game has holes in it that are not going to improve any time soon if at all.
    He has not improved one iota on last season so it is time to look for a new number 1 keeper and possibly number 2 also.
    Mignolet is never going to be that commanding keeper in the box that can handle crosses distribute well and be virtually error free.

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  69. That's the first time they've won 3 games in a row for over a year as well so it would be highly surprising if they won 4 on the bounce

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  70. Watch this guy's stats deteriorate if you put him behind our defence. The sad thing is we have been this poor defensively since Buck arrived. I can't see things changing quickly in terms of improved defensive performances as long as he is in charge. I'll never forget the way he refused to shut up shop against Chelsea and Palace last season and doing so eventually cost us the title. Oh for the impregnable defences in Rafa's heyday...!

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  71. Is he really what we need? I don't think Liverpool have a shortage of players in that kind of role i.e. supporting the strikers up front. If we're to believe Mario even he wants to play in that kind of position which means we have Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling, Lallana and Balotelli. Gerrard can play there too. I really think we've got enough. What we need is a goal scorer and although Pedro's goal scoring stats from last season are very good, he still sees himself as more of a creator. We don't need any more creators, we need a striker who will get into the box and cause trouble for the opposition defenders. Either Mario is that player or we sign someone else who is. I'm more inclined to go after Higuain.

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  72. Unlike the giant that was Luis Suarez...

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  73. your excellent idea made my day, still can't stop laughing at the comparisons there

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  74. stop conparing players please

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  75. I said all summer B Rodgers should have brought Pedro(27) along to club in transfer deal with L Suarez(27) went to Barcelona, we should have taken £50M and Pedro(27) in the deal.


    Pedro(27) is world class and is a big game player and has energy, mobility, pace and speed to burn and is a very good finisher.


    Pedro(27) would guarantee the club 15-25 a goals a season, creating and scoring. That in itself is more than what we currently have


    Any fan who thinks we should not bring Pedro(27) to club should remember we have got over 100m of talent ( Allen(24), Balotelli(24), Coutinho(22), Can(21). Henderson(24), Lallana(26), Lambert(32)and Markovic(20)in the side/ squad who struggle to score goals while playing in the first 11 and we are Now heavily RELIANT on D Sturridge(25) for Goals. That in itself is a Joke


    A 25 man squad and we are Over Reliant on 1 Player for Goals and the player is injury prone. Not Good


    Pedro(27) is world class and he would bring more class creativity and goals to side/squad than J Allen(24), J Henderson(24), E Can(21), Lambert(32) and Markovic(20) all together. So B Rodgers should go all out and bring him to the club in January for £23-£26M


    Along with these two attacking players:


    1: FD: L Adriano(27) Of Shakhtar Donesk for £14-£18M
    2: CM: Y Cabaye(28) Of PSG for £15-£18M

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  76. Yeah.. Too small to play in this league just like Mata, Silva eriksen etc.

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  77. Pedro is a great player but I would definitely go for Marco Reus. Playing Reus alongside the striker in the diamond formation or in the 10 role.

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  78. Haha that logo is beautiful isn't it. Wait are yoy talking about the old one or new one, or should I say the old one or the new old one lol.

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