19 Jun 2015

'Marquee' Transfer? After Xabi Alonso chat, Liverpool to sign 'fantastic' £15m playmaker

In March, multiple reports claimed that Anfield hero Xabi Alonso tried to convince Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi to sign for LFC, and according to The Telegraph today, the Reds are on the verge of sealing a deal for the classy Spanish midfielder.

In May, The Telegraph claimed that Liverpool submitted an official offer for Illaramendi, and today, the The Telegraph further reports:

"Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi is set for a £15m move to Anfield. [The] Reds will be able to match Real's valuation of midfielder"

Spanish newspaper Marca has also claimed that Illarramendi 'loves the idea' of signing for Liverpool

Interesting news, but it still seems highly improbable to me that one of Europe's most promising midfielders is happy to leave the bright lights of Real Madrid for a club that limped to 6th place in the Premier League.

Indeed, when asked recently about his future, Illarramendi told reporters:

"I want to stay at Real Madrid. I'm very happy at this club and in this city [and] I'm only looking towards [Madrid]"

Additionally, after Rafa Benitez's appointment, Spanish newspaper Marca claimed:

"Illarramendi [is] staying. [He] is excited at Benítez's arrival. Benítez will want to keep Illarra and [Madrid] have turned down a €15m offer from Real Sociedad"

Some info about Illaramendi:

* Plays as a central/defensive midfielder.

* 31 apps for various Spain youth teams; 89 apps for Madrid over the last two seasons.

* This past season: 41 apps for Madrid (13 starts overall; only 9 starts in La Liga)

* 17 apps in the CL for Madrid.

* Cost Madrid €32m. Current deal expires in 2019.

Ancelotti's treatment of Illarramendi leaves a lot to be desired, especially in light of the following:

* Madrid won 12 and lost only ONE of the 13 games Illarramendi started this past season.

* Dec 02-Dec 16: Illarramendi started five games in a row. Madrid won all five, scoring 24 goals and conceding only ONE.

* After that amazing run, Ancelotti dropped Illarramendi for the next 7 games, three of which ended in defeat.

If a team wins five games in a row, and scores 24 goals (with 4 clean sheets along the way) what possible justification is there to dump the midfielder at the heart of the team? That kind of counter-productive man-management may be one of the reasons Ancelotti is not longer in charge at the Bernabeu.


What's clear is that Illarremendi is capable of cutting it at the highest level, but just hasn't been given a consistent chance. Italian legend Arrigo Sacchi clearly thinks so, and when asked last season about the midfielder, he raved:

“I was blown away by Illarramendi. He's a fantastic player. He can defend, he gets forward well, he reads the game well and can go long or short with his passing. I think he has a lot to offer Real"

Liverpool's dismal European performance underlines the urgent need to sign a couple of quality, Champions League-experienced midfielders, and the team is crying out for another Alonso-style midfield metronome.

Illaramendi even looks like Alonso (!), but is he the 'marquee player' Rodgers promised fans this summer?


Author: Jaimie K


325 comments:

  1. Yes definitely! Illaramendi is a good young player with potential to be great. Unlike most of the youngsters we buy, Illaramendi can actually improve the first team and won't cost too much. As JK illustrated above, when given the chance Illara can shine and he will shield our defence while allowing our more attack-minded players to get forward without being worried about getting caught on the counter.

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  2. How old do you have to be for people to stop labelling you as a "promising midfielder" ?
    Because at 25 yo if "promising" is the first adjective that come to mind maybe we should be careful.

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  3. He isn't just promising he is actually a good player and a major upgrade on any DM we have now.

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  4. he's 25, he's not a youngster anymore.
    Sure he's better than what we have but i don't think he'd be the solution for us either.
    People complain about Lucas/Allen being too slow, not strong enough and honestly i don't think he's that stronger/faster.

    Anyway i'm pretty sure it's just paper talk and we have not even put a bid on him, it's just people calling "a promising player" a guy who should be regarded as a proven player annoy me.

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  5. Question is:


    Is he better than the Welsh Xavi?


    And if the answer is no, we'll buy him and start him every single match. Sad but true.

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  6. Nailed it, spot on my man!

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  7. He doesn't absolutely have to be a youngster for us to sign him, he can still make a good impact. And as for the statement that people complain the Lucas/ Allen aren't strong or are too slow that's just their opinion. The fact is that Lucas being slow didn't have a negative impact on the team, in fact he was central to our 13 game unbeaten run and was pulling all the strings; Illaramendi is a clear upgrade on Lucas so he is better suited to our style of play.

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  8. We should definitely sign, Xabi Alonso.

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  9. What is a marquee

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  10. Judging by that video clip, he seems to do a great job of nicking/winning the ball whilst staying on his feet, rather than going to ground - something which was recently pointed out to me that BR seems to favour our players to do.
    Makes sense in the Premier League too as doesn't result in a foul and immediately you're on the attack, just the way we like it.
    Looks a very good player, for the right price, yes please.

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  11. A Marquee Signing is a top player that drastically improves the team and gets the fans really excited; usually a big name signing.

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  12. At this moment in time most players in the world would improve our team

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  13. Before the urge to call LFC a joke to any player coming from one of the big 4 euro super teams maybe we should wait and see......

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  14. A tent, normally erected for weddings and in pub gardens...

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  15. All day long....... and that isn't sentimental, he is still one of the best in football.

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  16. Or somebody a bit posh.

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  17. Only when serving nosh...

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  18. So we're buying a tent ;)

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  19. Need somewhere to store all the new kids the club buy.

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  20. And don't forget the toys

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  21. Talking of erections...

    Only another 3 weeks to go til I'm allowed back into the bedroom!

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  22. Made me laugh out loud.

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  23. Or driving, said with a stiff upper - 'a Jag'

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  24. voice of reason7:51 pm, June 19, 2015

    illarmiendi will not make it at Real madrid its all about that last name... Kroos, Modric, Isco, Lucas Silva, James.... no way illarmiendi has enough of a big name to crack that mold.... also double agent Rafa might just be the key to this deal.... what a joke btw Rafa the manager of the most well known club at the world but overlooked for BR by FSG

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  25. Absolutely, plenty of them don't work anymore....

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  26. 15 million would be a James Friggin Milner steal! I want to get my hopes up. But I won't. Just dear God dont let HIM sign for Man U

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  27. Redders was promising till well into his 30s :-)

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  28. On any PLAYER we have now

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  29. No need to be upset :(

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  30. Ah like eum thingy we signed. Whats his name? Eummmm...hang on, It'll come to me.....wait....eummmm....

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  31. It's a weekend....

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  32. I always prefer morning wood

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  33. If they were still here, I would bet a large amount that Suarez wouldn't have been so desperate to leave.

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  34. Too right. Unfortunately I think we now have to be happy making incremental improvements until we are back at the top and the Club of choice again.

    Consistent top four must be first priority and regardless of who we may individually want as manager, I think we all agree a successful summer is paramount - Illarramendi would certainly get the party started?

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  35. Hopefully we can convince Rafa to slip us Bale for Lovren on the sly...

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  36. ...are you commentating on a p0rn movie.....?

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  37. ...anyway...the Star newspaper hasn't said anything so its not happening.....

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  38. ...is it the last name...? ok got it...


    ....so its because it won't fit on the back of the shirt in a stylish manner...:)

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  39. What about the daily Mail... ;-0

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  40. ...or the express.....

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  41. Guys. GiveMeSport

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  42. I was impressed with illori last night, he dealt with Harry Kane very well.

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  43. ...ok guys I've gone to the source who have their fingers deep in the pie - metro....


    ...they say illaramendi is pregnant so he wont be coming cos he needs maternity leave....

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  44. Better buy Mousa Sissoko, reminds on other Sissoko we had in glory times.

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  45. ...johnny...when did they become croupiers......?

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  46. come on guys, you should know the metro is the be all and end all of accurate reporting ; )

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  47. voice of reason8:44 pm, June 19, 2015

    ahahaha.... as in the fame the prestige of the last name... Real Madrid is all about world famous players.... Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema present day... in the past.... Beckham, Kaka, Baptista, Figho the likes thats what i meant if your not world famous chances are you won't start for Real Madrid

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  48. What BR said when we signed Borini..

    "I have signing that will excite the kop"

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  49. God. GiveMeStrength


    ...oh come on.....you were all thinking it.... :)

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  50. Which was the one with the legendary "Liverpool sign Bent" headline.

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  51. ..hahahahahaaa..

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  52. I am not kidding. Some tabloid posted an article saying Liverpool sign Bent and then when you clicked on it, it actually showed a signpost bent.

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  53. Or Torres...

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  54. I'd love Masch back. One of my favourite players

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  55. ...I'm in kid mode VOReason...


    ...Illaramendi is bigger, longer and has more letters than all the others and will beat them up..and become world famous.....


    .....that is.. until illaramendiniho becomes available.....

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  56. According to the Metro we've signed Higuain 6 times in the last 3 years.

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  57. I don't mean to be rude here but what's the point of those quotes?

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  58. Wooooooohoooooo weve got the best midfield in the world...

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  59. voice of reason9:01 pm, June 19, 2015

    hahaha i'm not good at this um random humour that u guys excel at (exg Diamond) i do commend it i just suck at it

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  60. How did we not win the league?? Seriously. Momo, masch, xabi, Gerrard, Torres', Reina, Agger, Skrtel....how...on....earth...

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  61. Woooooooohooooo - bring back Rafa....

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  62. That could work :)

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  63. Oh man, the lamentation of the decade pour moi.


    I trudged across Stanley park one cold, cold Monday night after rafa the cautious mouse stood idly by and did not make the match winning move of withdrawing a defender for a striker...going three at the back...and pushing on for the much needed winner in a game we were dominating.


    Fergie did it and more often than not they'd get that all importanat goal that transformed a disappointing home draw into a thrilling, monetum building victory...with 3 pts.


    3 pts for a win rafa.


    But no, he would rather tsake two draws.


    We drew 8 games from a mid season 11 in a run that infuriated me to the point of insanity. I was beggin for him to let the dogs out.


    Fast forward to the close of the season, by which time we' too far behind utd to realsisticially catch them, what does rafe do?



    Yes, and with the "over the top lads!" command from the general, finally we go and start doing what we coild've been doing all year, destroying teams.


    To beat Man U 4-1 at the toilet and not win the league? Alec Ferguson must laugh about that every time he pours a glass of red wine.


    Not only did I Rafa rant all the way across Stanley park that night, i rafa ranted half the way home (Londoner at the time)...and still dust off a little 08/09 frustration par temps du temps.


    That said, what a machine he built. Shame he didn't know how to use it until it was too late.

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  64. Muhammad Ibrahim9:31 pm, June 19, 2015

    I have seen him play, the boy can boy can play, he can defend and when needed give that burst of energy. Although at 25, he might be looking to stay at Liverpool long term if we do get him. The FIFA, FM fan in me says get William Carvalho, he is younger, bigger and should be stronger; most of those are attributes we need in our midfield. BTW Allen must be sold.

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  65. I like the cut of gib, good sir.

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  66. Oooh, yes please.

    Give us Masch, give us Tevez, give us control of LFC (and by "us" I mean you and I), and watch us WIN...the battle...for 5th...whislt challenging optimistically for 4th...and maybe even nicking it...

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  67. I'd take the Sissoko, adds more presence and threat to the opposition than the Xaxi of Welsh heritage.

    It's nice to tick over, ala Allen, but Moussa provides muscle and menace, something we're short on, especially now Stevie "Man of Steel" G. has been allowed to leave.

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  68. To show that BR is full of **** and for a giggle


    I could of posted many many more.

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  69. ...6 Higuain's.....?!?



    ....who are metro sponsored by....clones R us.....?

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  70. I would have that tattooed on my arsenal if there was enough room...

    Drawing twice against new boys Stoke and loting 2-0 away at the Boro...oh the pain...

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  71. Theycallmemrburt10:38 pm, June 19, 2015

    two thumbs up! three thumbs up for the 'Allen must be sold' bit

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  72. “I’ve always said that you can live without water for many days, but you can’t live for a second without hope.”

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  73. Oh mate, the pain of the "nearly" team...the "should have been" team.

    And yet it all started so promisingly that season.

    Drawing with, I think Boro at home, into the last 10 minutes of a game in whcih we are complete control, with the only question on the minds of the entirety of the football world, Boro staff and players included is can they hold out for a draw...and Rafa aqctuall takes off a defender, pushes on for the win, which we get (possibly via cara of all people if memory serves).

    Then, during a mideason run of 8 draws from 11 games, which saw us cede first place, he didn't show the same level of desire to get the win...seeing us drop two points most matchdays...falling further and further back.

    So far back that even a "kcik" finish the likes of Usain bolt would have been proud of still saw us fall short of what we should have claimed that year.

    Grrr! Rafa, you cl0t.

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  74. This was reported in the Telegraph as a rumour by the Metro no?

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  75. Call me a cynical old get but, I have no affinity with this team anymore. Even when we were dire in the last few years I'd still support and play on FIFA relentlessly and love it even when I was losing because the team had something about it, an identity. I'm struggling to see it these days. It's not just the manager. Everything, top to bottom doesn't seem right like the last days of H&G.

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  76. 'Tis true we are but a shadow of the once revered club of Paisley, Shanks, Peter Robinson, et al...which can be painful to observe at times.

    I don't particularly see much of a rosey future for us either, considering the success of any organistion comes from the top, and at the top of our organisation are people who nothing about the business into which they've invested.

    As a result, they are sitting ducks for any wandering snake oil salesmen who happen to blind them with a 180 dossier on "death by football" which was abandoned faster than you can say, "Ibe was simply sensational today"!

    Hiring Commoli, firing Kenny too soon, going with rodgers over LvG (if reports at the timne were to be beieleved), sticking with Rodgers after last seasons debacle, effectively green lighting underachievement, all wrong decisions, and compounded with transfer disasters that would make a man of stone curl up in embarrassment...well, we just have to remember the glory days and be patient.

    They say that if you give enough monkeys enough time, they will eventually type out the complete works of Shakespeare, so that would suggest we can bounce back one day.

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  77. Not nice to admit it, seeing as how they usurped us through good management (which highlights the mismanagement at all levels out club has suffer for the best part of the last decade), but Arsenal are the business model to emulate.

    I think FSG hoped BR was another Wenger - football visionary - and wanted to get in onthe ground floor with him.

    Sadly, last year showed how out of his depth he is and is totally a dead man walking. I just pray FSG are busy makiing sure we guys to turn to when we pull the trigger on the switch.

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  78. Well Said...hope Brendan Reads this Nice piece....

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  79. Well he put him on the deck a few times.

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  80. I'm still ok with BR for a while longer but if it all goes the way of the pear, am happy to give yourself and JockinTheKop a season or three from December :)
    I think FSG' success in the world of Baseball shows they have the nous to at least succeed in one sport and hopefully they can transpose some of that experience to the football world.
    As with any businessmen they are surely all about the bottom line and I don't think they will be afraid to change their tactics if they feel things aren't going as planned; as you say Le Arse seem to do ok, so perhaps they should be taking notes.
    At the end of the day though, I believe they have something to solve most problems, - money - they just need to wise up a bit on where they're spend it :)

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  81. Him too! can you imagine a front 3 of Sturidge, Suarez and Torres(in his prime)....

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  82. The Holy Grail.... It going to get so much harder now though, and the new money coming in from the CL, just makes it even harder.... We can take some solace in the knowledge that UEFA are not going to let clubs like City and PSG get away with breaking FFP....meaning for the moment atleast, we can compete with City moneywise, just hopefully that is enough for us to close the gap enough to make the top 4 consistantly enough to show would be signings we are worth signing for....

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  83. thanks for the compliment there vor...


    ...random, most definitely..., but the humour bit - well, that's up for debate..... ;-)

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  84. voice of reason2:13 am, June 20, 2015

    haha no i commend u guys who try to look at the lighter side of things... its quite commendable

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  85. Fergie Magic was @ work then!!! ...lol

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  86. original-gideon3:20 am, June 20, 2015

    I don't remember the glory days. I didn't start supporting or even watching football proper till the season Kenny quit so my view of Liverpool is slightly different to the old school. I'm not used to seeing my team win week in, week out. What I did love about the team was the attacking flair or that we always had an idea or a plan of what we were upto even if we couldn't do it consistently.

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  87. Or maybe Terminator? I heard he'll be back.

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  88. Not a joke at all BR has had us playing some spectacular football and the idea was to get a young manager they could build a team around it was a great idea.
    At the time it was exactly what the club needed to do no doubt at all.

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  89. voice of reason4:04 am, June 20, 2015

    at the time but now we might need something different... especially with other teams strengthening the race for top 4 is heating up

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  90. Illarramendi would be a great addition. Please God, make it so and drag 2-3 strikers with him.

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  91. Could be just paper talk but as Alonso showed, you don't have to be fast to play that position if you're quick of thought and can read the game well, which Illaramendi seems to do. Admittedly though, I'd like him to be a bit stronger than what he seems.

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  92. The West Ham deal for the Olympic Stadium stinks - 120 million over budget and all out of public finances - How can this be fair ??????

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  93. Many rumours about Pepijn Lijnders who is our youth team coach that he will be promoted to first team coach. Been with the club since Aug 2014. and arrived from FC Porto where he was the youth director.


    Done some research on the guy and is well spoken of.

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  94. It will be consistent to 10 until we change the manager. Or maybe we have to wait for new owners. I'm envy on Inter, they have the Singapur owner who was interested in LFC in time when FSG bought us. They also have an average but well known manager in Mancini. They will attract better players then us even they finished in middle of the table.

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  95. Here is what I am thinking, unless Sterling is sold for a very pretty penny then it is unlikely FSG will throw the kitchen sink at it.

    Problem is that the money from the Sterling sale will be used to sign whom when looking at the debacle of last summer?

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  96. Very true mate.

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  97. The we will buy overpriced Kovacic and Benteke. How can Kovacic cost more then Rakitic last season?

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  98. LFC are in a position where


    1. We cannot attract top quality players
    2. We have to shop in the Championship, teams who get relegated and finish below us
    3. Having to go after young talent and be held ransom paying ridiculous fees and hoping the transfer pans out
    5. Have a manager who does not have the pull to lure top players
    6. Have no coaching staff at the moment
    7. Milner, Ings and Bogdan sets the tone for attracting top quality players. Cough Cough.


    Anyone who believes a quality striker is on his way to Anfield need to get their heads seen too.

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  99. It is not the complete story. There are foreign players on free who publicly declared they like LFC. I don't know why we missed Ayew. Konoplyanka is still for the grab. He is waiting for us and the total ineffective structure of the club does not react. Later Stoke will sign him and he will show his worth in the first game in another trushing of LFC.

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  100. Look, I am talking about players in the class of Higuaín.

    Konoplyanka being on a 'free' and possibility of him going to Stoke suggests that other teams do better business on us but fact remains is that we cannot attract the best of the best.

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  101. Would not say it is anyway comparable to H&G, lots of positive things have happened since FSG arrived. Club is better of financially, stadium revamp etc.


    The biggest problem is that FSG know nothing about football and it seems their advisers have no clue either.

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  102. I have the same feeling, like someone at LFC torture us all the time. The last signing which realy exited me was Coutinho. I can't tell the same about Sturridge. That was 2,5 years ago. After that we missed all the quality signings and not just the players like Sanchez where was other interested clubs. We even managed to miss on players who wanted to play for us. Remy last summer and now Ayew on free. But the biggest enigma is Konoplyanka. Why we don't want him now on free but tried to sign him 18 months ago for 15 mil.

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  103. FSG are in the mire with their Red Sox in the NBL as well at the moment.

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  104. Just read this on Facebook:

    5 years ago Liverpool FC were ranked 11th in Europe.

    Today after spending over £350million, they are 42nd

    That really sums them up.

    How depressing is that?

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  105. Heard that i am kind of wondering why they are promoting from within after Marsh somethings afoot.

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  106. Clyne, Illarramendi, Kovacic and Lacazette.

    If we got Firmino instead of Lacazette I would still be happy. However if Sterling goes then maybe Firmino and Lacazette :)

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  107. The guy could be a great coach but it won't make any difference if BR doesn't listen

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  108. FSG are looking to sell LFC

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  109. Where are you getting tthat from?

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  110. Read an article at KOPTALK....it makes sense with things going on at club recently.

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  111. Didn't know that Jay, slightly concerning - I will have a Google on that.

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  112. Do not be ridiculous. If we want to sign Messi first he would need to agree and then the club will need to be sold to pay for his transfer and wages.

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  113. Yeah, fully agree. If the new coaches and Rodgers were not to be on the same page then it will not end well.

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  114. Would not surprise me if they sell the club once the stadium expansion is complete which will be around 2017.

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  115. Not worth that much the club is valued very highly but it was the plain truth.

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  116. Like Logan said once they have finished renovating the stadium and its sale time.
    Unless there is a big bad oil baron lurking in the shadows.

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  117. What would you rather he said?

    That Alberto quote in particular is very reasonable.

    You would rather he said: "Yeah, he's not very good, don't know why we've signed him, he hasn't got a chance of a career in England. Awful player. Hate him already. Bastard."?

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  118. Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are ready to cash in on a sale of Liverpool Football Club, if a suitable deal can be negotiated.

    The American owners are pressing ahead with expanding the stadium but intend to cut short their stay much sooner than anticipated, possibly following reports that Financial Fair Play rules are to be relaxed.

    It has always been our belief that FSG would try and sell the club once they had tidied up the books and improved the stadium. The main stand is progressing well and additional stadium work could still follow. Normal operations are likely to continue for some time as no timescale has been provided but they are willing to exit now and that's something we didn't expect to hear just yet.

    KOPTALK has been informed that a potential buyer is currently investigating a takeover with sources claiming that talks are at an advanced stage. Whether or not FSG will proceed with this option we simply do not know.

    Sources also claim that FSG will not authorise any significant spending above the club's normal budget and that major club decisions will continue to be postponed. An internal 'lock down' on communication from within the club will remain in place, we can only assume as a result of this interested party sniffing around us. (ED: 'Lock down' explained ... we were informed several weeks ago that the club's press office had been instructed to issue no comments during the ongoing media attention surrounding the end of season review, Rodgers' position, potential replacements, the transfer committee, coaching changes etc).

    As yet there have been no official announcements relating to the dismissals of Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh and no credible news as yet with regards their replacements although that should be resolved soon.

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  119. Now I'm sure we will sell him.

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  120. 7 or 8 years ago LFC were ranked first. I remember when Rafa mentioned that.

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  121. It's to late. Until 2017 we will disappear.

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  122. You have read that article to know why they are likely to sell before even the stadium is done. Its a good read. I pasted here but was moderated..obviously.

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  123. Come on man, post a source

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  124. http://www.koptalk.co.uk/201506201635/exclusive-fsg-ready-to-sell-liverpool-football-club.html

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  125. No we can't afford a tent. We're buying some cheap material and some sticks and then we're going to try to build a tent

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  126. I'd be happy if they sell (as long as the buyer was competent). I believe FSG were great in terms of getting the club back to stability, but they seem to have no idea when it comes to football. It's been defined by dithering, incorrect structures and incorrect appointments.

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  127. I would be surprised if theres an instant taker the clubs value has sky rocketed.

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  128. Bullshit, 2 minute noodles are wonderful.

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  129. It's official - Joe Gomez has signed. Supposedly very "highly" rated - meaning he will do nothing for 3 years and be sold for nothing. Anyways, good luck to the lad.

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  130. don't see why people are so upset with the club signing him. He's a promising young defender. He wont play for the first team in the next 2 years, but we don't need CB's at the moment anyway

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  131. I do not think people are so much upset with him, more that so far we haven't signed anybody who will push us forwards

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  132. Koptalk have taken a article from from FOX Business news (hahaha) about reports coming from financial institutions in the UAE and then just made stuff up.

    Essentially the story is that Henry has begun making quiet inquires regarding the possible sale of the Red Sox or at at least a major stake to a select number of potential suitors.

    These suitors were apparently more interested in Liverpool FC then the Red Sox.

    The news report from Fox provides the following quote

    “Henry is a Wall Street guy and he can read a balance sheet,” one rival executive told FOX Business. “He’s getting killed in Liverpool and the Red Sox basically break even or make a few bucks. NESN does very well, but having a partner will make him feel better from a financial standpoint.”

    The article then finishes saying that FSG are keen to hold onto a stake in Liverpool FC they can do this by selling a Major stake to someone who has the capacity to input the large financial outlay required in the franchise with major returns over a long period of time

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  133. I posted a reply as to where this piece originally came from but it is awaiting to approved. Hopefully Jamie will okay it.


    The crux is Koptalk used an article from FOX Business News which is about a month old and then made stuff up

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  134. The article is rubbish, I posted a reply why but its awaiting approval.

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  135. Nick they just got bad advice mate they never came in pretending to understand the game.

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  136. Koptalk have taken a article from from FOX Business news about reports coming from financial institutions in the UAE.

    Essentially the story is that Henry has begun making quiet inquires regarding the possible sale of the Red Sox or at at least a major stake to a select number of potential suitors.

    These suitors were apparently more interested in Liverpool FC then the Red Sox.

    The news report from Fox provides the following quote

    “Henry is a Wall Street guy and he can read a balance sheet,” one rival executive told FOX Business. “He’s getting killed in Liverpool and the Red Sox basically break even or make a few bucks. NESN does very well, but having a partner will make him feel better from a financial standpoint.”

    The article then finishes saying that FSG are keen to hold onto a stake in Liverpool FC they can do this by selling a Major stake to someone who has the capacity to input the large financial outlay required in the franchise with major returns over a long period of time

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  137. For what ever reason it wont let me post the source of this story...

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  138. http://www.asiaeurope.com/Sport/Liverpool-FC/fsg_selling_liverpool.html

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  139. I think jamie must been in partnership with koptalk as his site simply refuses to let me post about where this story actually came form.

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  140. I think Jamie must been in partnership with that site you have mentioned as his site simply refuses to let me post about where this story actually came from.

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  141. That's very old article. 2013.

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  142. Nicolas Chamberlain2:09 pm, June 20, 2015

    This is a good signing mate. If you don't shoot you always miss.
    Very talented and highly rated youngster. Happy he really wanted to join us. No need to be so cynical.

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  143. Sterling 45m minus 9 m for QPR leaves 36m . minus Benteke for 32.5m leave 3.5m to buy a tent !

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  144. Your 6 points are not abot world class players. If i'm correct they don't play in Championship.

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  145. Quick thing, you've got Dec-16 instead of Dec-14.
    Honestly I'd take Illaramendi over a number of supposed Marquee signings.

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  146. If we got those guys we would be on the map. Lacazette would score more goals than Frimino but there doesn't seem to be a whisper on him at the mo.

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  147. well the window hasn't even opened yet

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  148. WE are buying all these midfielders ,where are they all going to play ,
    somehow we have NO STRICKERS lined up this and last summer ?

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  149. A DM with this kind of touch, ball playing ability is exactly what we need, would love to get him but I suspect we have to get real.

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  150. Which striker do you think BR has lined up for this season ?

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  151. I know but apart from FSG denying they want to sell a number of times over the years, the last time I think was back in Jan in an interview with Ayres in the Liverpool Echo, its is only news article with a reason why they might want to sell a stake.


    Since then no major news publisher has written anything about FSG looking to sell.


    As much as you might like that fan site the fact not one major news publisher around teh world has posted anything about FSG looking to sell I say its a load of ****

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  152. I reckon those 4 players (especially Illarramendi and Lacazette) would really push us on to challenge for top 4 and once all had fully settled maybe a title challenge in 16/17.

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  153. Yea could be but few other things he has mentioned about clubs recent actions correlates with the rumor.

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  154. The one thing i do find strange is the wall of silence coming from the club. Didn't Henry/Werner do a post season statement last season?


    Rodgers has obviously survived the review, but for no one to publicly back him is strange. No one knows for sure who forced Pascoe Marsh out, but again no clarification.


    The relaxing of FFP is a kick in the teeth for FSG & their model, they could probably double their money by selling now.


    Its all rumours & second guessing but I do find the silence strange.

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  155. Milner is a better option

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  156. Bryant and may

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  157. Hopefully Rafa will loan us some of Real Madrid's supporting cast!...

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  158. Totally agree about the wall of silence, never seen anything like it before.


    I am hoping "fingers crossed" that they are taking the view until there is something to say, say nothing.


    I am also hoping that BR is still under review, a kind of go away for a couple of weeks and we will reconvene with our answer.

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  159. FSG have been the best owners we have had for damn near 30 years,

    What they have accomplished in regards to the commercial side and getting the club to a point of being able to sustain itself in such a short time considering where it was has been amazing.

    Lets be honest here, we have always dithered in the transfer market all the way back to Roy Evans, remember the mess the board made of the Steve Mcmanaman situation.

    There might people here who were only kids back when Roy Evans was in charge, I would strongly suggest that they read his autobiography, if think we are bad now it is not a patch on how bad we were when it comes to transfers.

    What FSG badly need is somebody like David Dein, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff,


    Somebody who knows football inside and out and who is respected world wide.

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  160. 4eva LFC, LFC 4eva4:06 pm, June 20, 2015

    This would be a good piece of business if BR can get this done, maybe Rafa might be able to help this along hw has experience in on of the worlds best leagues as well as CL..
    I for one would love this deal especially for that price.

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  161. Interesting info, thanks for posting.

    So, as the 8th richest club in the world with a ranking of 42nd in Europe, it's clear that we are punching far, far below our weight.

    We have FSG, The Committee and The Clown Prince to thank for that.

    Naturally, there would be growing pains while our clueless owners learn about "soccer" (the hard way it seems), but by now, we should be at least be moving in the right direction...

    ...which, imho, cannot possibly happen until we are managed by a proper manager, one with a resume or pedigree more suited to our esteemed club, than the man whose greatest achievement is one 11th placed EPL finish...and who also was fired from Reading.

    Trust me, years from now when we are back in the Champions League and Brenny is back in the lower tiers where he belongs, we will blot this period out or else cringe up into a ball so small we become invisible to the naked eye.

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  162. This is first serious signing since couthino he is typical alonso type player massive signing if true .i want Rodgers out but this is one of 4 serios signing if we are no road back top form

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  163. Marquee signing ? . How often do we hear the top 4 after a Marquee signing? Says it all really . No top 4 for us that's for sure

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  164. Not really a fair comparison with our euro ranking. 4 of the 7 richer clubs than us play in our league blocking our route to champions league. if we where the 8th richest club playing in the Estonian league playing CL every year the ranking would be higher.


    Agree with most of the rest though

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  165. Don't mention the fact that the H&G nearly bankrupted the club.. of course that would just make your argument null and void.

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  166. Liverpool looking to hijack Manchester United's deal for Roberto Firmino at 11th hour :-o

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  167. It is going to be one hell of a joke if Milner is given the job to cover for our defence.

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  168. Vintage Liverpool. Not.

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  169. Agreed. Illaramendi is a very level headed person and doesnt give fouls away unnecessarily, unlike Lucas and Skrtel. Speaking of which, he has denied any reports claiming that he has signed a new deal which means he is still not happy. I don't see why Rodgers is trying to alienate our best performers with dud contracts!

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  170. I hear Kondogbia is a huge liverpool fan, I can't verify this but if it's true. Allen should be forcibly removed from Melwood & we go all out to sign Kondogbia. If we're going to lack the potency of a top 4 team, we need to be solid.

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  171. I hear Kondogbia reached and agreement, wake up dude and in the words of Logan, have a cup of coffee!

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  172. Was it with Inter?

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  173. It is looking that way which is scary

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  174. If I had the choice between Firmino and Kondogbia I would choose the latter, simply because he's something we need, and I'd much rather we have him considering Lucas' possible departure and his proneness to injury.

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  175. Emre Can assist- seems much happier further up the field

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  176. There have been some news sources claiming that FSG might sell the club. As unbelievable as it may sound, I wouldn't be bothered if it did happen.

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  177. Where does this rumour come from? The only place I've seen it brought up is on this site.

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  178. they have Mancini instead of Bodgers who doesn't need to shower players with character.

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  179. You are wrong. He is a glorified CB.

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  180. Milner and Allen. Siding front

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  181. Firmino move to LFC and not know where he is going to play and no guarantee of success?


    He looks like quite a smart fella.

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  182. If that happens, we really are doomed..

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  183. Ilori was one of the most highly rated young CB's before we signed him and is now likely to be sold.


    Just another pointless signing. Goes on loan and is most likely never seen again.

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  184. Milner, Ings, Bogdan.

    Get the champagne out.

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