20 Jul 2015

'Unplayable': Excited Gerrard urges Liverpool to sign 'terrific' £32m goal-machine. Done deal soon?

As the growing chorus of approval illustrates, Christian Benteke is one of the most popular transfer targets ever amongst former Liverpool players, and Anfield legend Steven Gerrard is the latest ex-Red to throw his support behind the impending acquisition of the powerful Belgian striker.

When asked on Sunday about the possibility of Benteke signing for Liverpool, Gerrard raved:

"He [Benteke] is a terrific talent.

"We’ve faced him a number of times and he’s been unplayable. You can’t put all the responsibility on Daniel Sturridge, so hopefully he comes and does well"


Here is a selection of other comments from former Liverpool players:

Dietmar Hamann

“Christian Benteke is tailor-made for Liverpool. He will score 20-plus goals a season in the Premier League for Liverpool with the service he’ll get from Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firminho.”

Here is a selection of other views from Liverpool legends of the past:

John Barnes

"He would cause people a lot of problems. With Benteke, you need to be a little bit more direct. Would that be a bad thing? Not necessarily, balance is important. At times. Liverpool overplayed which really came off two years ago but didn’t last season".

Robbie Fowler

"I’d go for Benteke. I think he’s excellent. In terms of all-round play - strength, speed, physicality, finishing - I think Benteke could be the main man for Liverpool.”

John Aldridge

"Liverpool should pay whatever it takes to lure Benteke to Anfield. He is a proven performer and a real handful leading the line. He might not be a typical Rodgers type of player, but I think he would be great for Liverpool"

Ray Houghton

"Benteke’s a huge player, and he’ll fit into the style of play Liverpool. He’s big, he’s physical, and he can upset defenders. He has genuine pace, and he can score goals".

Stan Collymore

“Benteke can become a great European central striker, he’s a potential European superstar. Over the next four of five years Villa need to build a team around him.”

Jamie Carragher

“He [Benteke] has been a brilliant player for Villa but they’ve always been fighting relegation when he’s been there and he’s always been the one who’s dragged them out".

Brendan Rodgers

"[Christian] Benteke is one of the very top players at this level. He makes great runs and scores goals, and he caused us lots of problems."

Steve Nicol

"I'm positive about Benteke. I wouldn’t like to play against him. The guy is a beast [and] he doesn't get the credit he deserves for the talent he has with his feet. I'd be happy for Benteke to be at Liverpool next season."


The latest news on the transfer:

* When asked today about Benteke, Brendan Rodgers claimed he knew 'nothing' about the deal.

* However, the media continues to report that Benteke is due to fly out to Australian and join Liverpool's pre-season tour.

* Liverpool remain odds-odd favourites (at 1-14) to sign Benteke.

From the looks of things, the Benteke deal appears to be a cast-iron certainty, but there's now a new problem to consider: The Steven Gerrard 'Kiss of Death'.

Whether it's constantly claiming every year that Liverpool can win the league, or waxing lyrical about how Joe Cole is 'better' than Lionel Messi, Gerrard's predictions historically yield the opposite (negative) result, and there's copious evidence from the last 15 years to prove this.

If this negative trend continues, Benteke will be a massive flop for Liverpool, so here's hoping Gerrard finally gets it right this time ;-)

Author: Jaimie K


113 comments:

  1. ... and then he was whistled for offsides

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  2. Paul Lambert has confirmed the deal is done to Skysports tonight, Benteke phoned him lastnight to talk to him about the move..........................it is done.

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  3. Vahe Basmadjian8:46 pm, July 20, 2015

    What's the hold up? Let's do this deal. I think he'll be great! And now we have BR saying he knows nothing about this deal. Please, let's not have another year of frustration.

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  4. So we're all agreed then, Benteke for the win, hurrah!

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  5. The medical started today, finishes tomorrow.

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  6. So that reporter was asking the wrong manager all along, wait a minute could there be Logaspiracy here some where...

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  7. Daily Star is not "media", no quotes in the article & it probably took the intern 2 mins to write.

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  8. That's the same Gerrard who said Joe cole was as good as messi hahahah

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  9. Its. Good to talk, just not to much

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  10. Dont think it'll end well, hope he's going to prove me wrong...

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  11. I just can't see it unless we start playing like Chelsea and they he could be our Drogba.... I know I'm lazy but can someone please tell me what BRs overall spend is including income/outgoings including this benteke deal?

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  12. It never ends well so we should be used to it

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  13. that may be superstitious but i don't remember a player doing well for a club he used to terrorised when playing for an other team... especially when it's liverpool

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  14. Law of averages suggest he's bound to (eventually)

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  15. murphy's law suggest that we're not going to see a lot of him next season

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  16. There's a lot of laws being branded about.

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  17. For us to get the best out of him its 433 with him in the middle and Gino and firmino wide ,the problem is they are not really wide players in the true sense the 3 players behind have to grafters like heno milner Lucas Allen or can or the system gets over run ......no lalana Sturbridge ibe etc. Can Rodgers keep them content

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  18. unless you're working at FIFA

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  19. What's he supposed to say?
    "Personally I think he's rubbish, not fit to lace Suarez boots"

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  20. B R does not know who he is and knows nothing about him - just told some silly Aussie

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  21. Overall spend this summer £30 million down including Benteke deal

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  22. Since he began as LFC manager B R on average £25 million down per year BUT average wage per player lower now and average age of players reduced some 4 years. We will be CHAMPS by Xmas

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  23. Your right case Rodgers and ayre did a mean homage to laural and hardy last year

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  24. ...according to many people 'yes'...that's the only thing they want to hear cos it feeds the negativity monster inside and quenches their thirst for bieng 'right' about everything.....saying 'told you so' when things collapse how they say they would...and saying 'oh well, I really did want the best for our team' when players turn out to be quite good...

    ..the philosphy of unconditional support while a player finds his feet and confidence is kind of beyond that kind of person....

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  25. Nicolas Chamberlain9:14 pm, July 20, 2015

    Im skeptical but he is not a real target man; he is more than that.
    Could be the answer to our problems. This deal is going to happen so lets support him all the way.

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  26. Sorry I mean Ellesmere port

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  27. ..wow bro you're optimism is amazing.........

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  28. Gerrard was hardly gonna say he's rubbish is he and the fact is he has terrorised us on nearly every occasion so I'd pretty much agree. Hope he's our Drogba rather than our Carroll.

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  29. even when fully fit i dont see benteke being as lethal as torres or suarez.. hopefully we have enough quality all around the pitch to make up for that.. here's to yet another exciting season...

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  30. It's gonna be a absolute lottery next season. I just can't call it.... Everyone is writing Studge off but he could go injury free for the whole season. I would rather Studge then benteke any day

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  31. Is that in euros or pounds?

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  32. Can't argue with that to be fair, but then I don't think for example Costa, even fully fit, gets anywhere near even slightly close either and Chelski seem to do ok.

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  33. right because they have more than enough talent around him to make up for that.. im hoping we have addressed this by buying firmino, milner, etc..

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  34. That's the point jock its irrelevant that's why its so ironic we could be signing Ricky gervais. And some one would be praising him

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  35. Me too ;) Also it makes us less reliant on just one or two players and I think, gives us more feathers in our cap in terms of variety and tactics.

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  36. I think he can be a success but it will take a different mind set from Rodgers to accommodate him

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  37. Fully fit and motivated Sturbridge is as good as any striker in the world its just the fully fit part of the equation that takes some solving

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  38. Some senseless rumours emerging about the possibility of us offloading Sakho to Lazio on a year long loan. Hopefully just unfounded bullshit, as (when fit) I see Sakho as a starter.

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  39. im not too optimistic though as i will only cheer up if i see results... i thought we overpaid for some players last year but i thought we bought mostly good players like lallana, lovren, balotelli, etc.. but look how that turned out.. it feels like the "liverpool curse" my man utd supporting friends used to talk about way back when i was in school is still active.. :(

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  40. ....ok, so everyone wanted lacazette or aubamayang or even bacca, maybe even reus instead of a striker...


    ...but there is no guarantee that any of those guys would hit the ground running or even ever adapt to the premiership at all....
    ...of the guys mentioned all are pricey...one was too old for any sensible offer....at least with man u and van persie he'd hit a premiership purple patch which he brought over to them for one season...reus is injured alot..and I mean alot for the price quoted...I thought most of the BR/ayre/tranfers as a whole naysayers were vitriolic about us buying injured players and yet......?!?...then lacazete and aubamabam...expensive no real reason why they would adapt..especially with lacazette at £42 million +++ at least...no idea if he'd be the player we think....for some evidence to digest this concept look up the road at Angel di maria ...£60 odd mill and never got going..he's being sold now..apparently £40 odd mill....PSG


    ...all I'm sayin is please lets get excited that we've got owners who are buying quick, assertive and high value players..not over the top...just high value...and £32 million in the big scheme of the billions in world football is a fair amount ...just look around at what buys what...

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  41. Nah, we've had them running scared for a good twenty years now and it's all about to come to a head this season, they know it, we know it and so does Brendan - he's just not telling anyone ;-)

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  42. ..Oh god, I heard that and just dismissed it as folly...id*ot journo's stirring it up....I hope...Sakho is brill....

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  43. Sako was a perinall scapegoat in some fans eyes last year but he actually made very few defensive mistakes and the ones he did where because he was covering some one else's mess

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  44. When Brendan was asked about it he said "I don't know what you're talking about". So it could be true

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  45. I think he just struggled to establish himself fully due to niggling injuries. But I always felt a wave of relief whenever I saw his name on the team sheet. In my view he's our most complete defender. Loaning him out would make zero sense considering his likely replacement would be Lovren.

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  46. ...wayhay...I got something right... :)

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  47. ..wayhay....I got something right... :)

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  48. Yep, £32 mill is back of the sofa stuff in todays market and I think perhaps we're all at least, a little guilty of having an insatiable appetite for new players - if we'd been offered what we now have (including Benteke) at the start of the summer (or at least that period of the year where summer sometimes appears) then perhaps we'd all have been jolly happy about the whole thing.
    As it is though, I do have to hold my hands out and say, Please Sir, I want some more ;-)
    Illaramendi would do nicely.

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  49. Big Ben will prove all the doubters wrong i think, Bodgers will have to do a bit of reorganizing with our system to get the best out of Ben, and i can see a better outcome this season than we had last, who knows we might even have another player in Firmino, who could lift the whole team like Luis did the season before last, and what might just make us the outstanding team of this season is, the return of a fit and hopefully a amazing world ranking goalscoring Daniel Sturridge, back to his brilliant best. I`m for one more optimistic this season than I was last, and don`t forget if it all goes pear shaped, then the season after we will hopefully have a more worthy manager, to take us to where we should have been last season never mind this coming season.

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  50. His debut......he played well....in his debut. The End.

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  51. As has been said many times. Balotelli is a scorer of great goals, but he is not a great goal scorer.

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  52. Firmino= £29m (21m up front)
    Clyne= £12.5m (10.5m up front)
    Gomez= £3.5m
    Milner= Free
    Bogdan= Free
    Ings= Free (Probably £6m compensation fee)
    Benteke= £32.5m

    Total= £77.5m
    Total paid up front= £67.5m

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  53. ...I get you bro, but its kind of like this......I think.....


    ...we have lucas for that very role...if he's not good enough then he should be got rid and illaramendi brought in...cos we only need one, the way we play under BR...wow, heady stuff for me, I'm usually taking p1ss not talking tactics...!...


    ...anyway, so because of the way we play BR got caught short cos there was nada happening up front to occupy teams and the ball was supposed to move quickly through forward thinking mids up to an all out 'f*ck them up' attack force....well cos ballotteli was busy picking his teeth and sturridge picking himself of the hydraulic treatment couch while lambert was busy trying to eat his kebab...borini was also busy; occupied trying to get his hand in his mouth like a teething baby....


    ...now we have lots of delicious attackers all happy to keep our opposition fully occupied with their slick ball-play and attack, with their ability to turn, move, think quickly and pass through, over and around; never letting them rest.


    ...because of that we only need one DM, if we are looking at money and investment at present we've bought well but if it has to stop here im glad we got who we got, for our way of playing that is.....


    ...as far as Lucas...it was very important to make that corporate decision cos he is now one of the cool elderly statesmen of the team...all the more important is he will steady the two younger Brazilians and give them a stability we need them to have if they are to be happy and produce......

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  54. ...I get you bro, but its kind of like this......I think.....

    ...we have lucas for that very role...if he's not good enough then he should be got rid and illaramendi brought in...cos we only need one, the way we play under BR...wow, heady stuff for me, I'm usually taking p155 not talking tactics...!...

    ...anyway, so because of the way we play BR got caught short cos there was nothing happening up front to occupy teams and the ball was supposed to move quickly through forward thinking mids up to an all out 'f**k them up' attack force....well cos ballotteli was busy picking his teeth and sturridge picking himself of the hydraulic treatment couch while lambert was busy trying to eat his kebab...borini was also busy; occupied trying to get his hand in his mouth like a teething baby....

    ...now we have lots of delicious attackers all happy to keep our opposition fully occupied with their slick ball-play and attack, with their ability to turn, move, think quickly and pass through, over and around; never letting them rest.

    ...because of that we only need one DM, if we are looking at money and investment at present we've bought well but if it has to stop here im glad we got who we got, for our way of playing that is.....

    ...as far as Lucas...it was very important to make that corporate decision cos he is now one of the cool elderly statesmen of the team...all the more important is he will steady the two younger Brazilians and give them a stability we need them to have if they are to be happy and produce......

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  55. ...I get you bro, but its kind of like this......I think.....

    ...we have lucas for that very role...if he's not good enough then he should be got rid and illaramendi brought in...cos we only need one, the way we play under BR...wow, heady stuff for me, I'm usually taking p1ss not talking tactics...!...

    ...anyway, so because of the way we play BR got caught short cos there was nada happening up front to occupy teams and the ball was supposed to move quickly through forward thinking mids up to an all out 'f*ck them up' attack force....well cos ballotteli was busy picking his teeth and sturridge picking himself of the hydraulic treatment couch while lambert was busy trying to eat his kebab...borini was also busy; occupied trying to get his hand in his mouth like a teething baby....

    ...now we have lots of delicious attackers all happy to keep our opposition fully occupied with their slick ball-play and attack, with their ability to turn, move, think quickly and pass through, over and around; never letting them rest.

    ...because of that we only need one DM, if we are looking at money and investment at present we've bought well but if it has to stop here im glad we got who we got, for our way of playing that is.....

    ...as far as Lucas...it was very important to make that corporate decision cos he is now one of the cool elderly statesmen of the team...all the more important is he will steady the two younger Brazilians and give them a stability we need them to have if they are to be happy and produce......

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  56. Benteke is only £16m up front.

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  57. ....fl**pin' heck, that is really good business...


    ...put on top of what we got last year...wow..

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  58. What is it with Italian teams mugging us off continually. Wanting to loan and not pay a penny in wages... Tell them to get the money out or pi$$ off.... As for this rumour this better be April fools

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  59. I have reservations about Benteke but we are judging him on the basis of how he plays for Aston Villa, Villa play a totally different way than LFC so Benteke has to play to suit Villa, as in using his size and strength, I have in the past witnessed some sublime skill and willingness to run at people by Benteke when he has took matters into his own hands when Villas tactics have not worked, maybe if Rodgers allows him that freedom then he could surprise us all because he has a lot more to his game than he is given credit for. My major issue is the injury record not his ability, if he gets a good injury free run in the team I reckon I could well be eating humble pie at the end of the season and I hope I do.

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  60. ...what about their curse with having bought players like falcao, di maria,anderson.......etc.........

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  61. Where did you hear that? I hope that's true with the rest paid if we win the league this year. So all we pay is 16 mill

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  62. I meant to say Over his full time in charge of Lfc? I would love to know the figures. Net spend?

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  63. I've heard the same thing Robo in some news snippets browsing Newsnow and if so I have a sneaking feeling the spare resources are going to be allocated to a couple more signings, maybe Illaremendi and god knows who else mate

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  64. I've heard the same thing Robo in some news snippets browsing Newsnow and if so I have a sneaking feeling the spare resources are going to be allocated to a couple more signings, maybe Illaremendi and maybe just maybe a star signing, (here's hoping anyway

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  65. I've heard the same thing Robo in some news snippets browsing the news I have a sneaking feeling the spare resources are going to be allocated to a couple more signings, maybe Illaremendi and maybe just maybe a star signing, (here's hoping anyway

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  66. Who would your money/hope be on for the star signing (assuming we go ahead with the Benteke deal)

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  67. Guardian reported it. I've decided to accept it as a fact because as David says, that means we are surely about to sign a dozen more players on my wishlist :)

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  68. Sorry about that, I made the changes.

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  69. It is anybodys guess really I could throw names into the hat all day long...My ideal signing if at all possible would probably be someone like Yarmolenko as he has it all in my opinion, he quick, strong, skillful, intelligent and knows where the back of the net is, and is in my opinion a very viable target! Even Reus, Gotze, Mertens or Pedro in an ideal world would be fine by me although they could be more of a struggle to attain

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  70. Joe Gomez is all the star signings I require.

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  71. He does look a real gem upto now mate. If he can continue his fine form into the new season then Moreno will have his work cut out getting back into the starting XI

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  72. Yarmolenko is awesome but is moving to Stoke! So frustrating.

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  73. Just as it should be! Gomez can pressure Clyne a bit too -- though Clyne doesn't look the sort to be too bothered does he? What a well-organised player he is too. Very happy with the pair of them.

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  74. It looks like he is but until it is finalised then I'm keeping my fingers crossed mate

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  75. Maybe he was tired of telling journalists that he doesn't talk about players that are not his. As for the Balotelli incident last year, I remain convinced that BR never wanted him, was issued him by FSG, and can comfortably tell FSG 'I told you so.'

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  76. Where did you get a dozen from Robo? Since when has 2 become 12

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  77. Cheers David, I think I'm maybe being a touch greedy but I'm also hoping we may make one or two more signings with perhaps a potential mega-star among them and with the realisation that Lacazette is likely not it I was starting to feel a bit lost at sea in terms of other players to hope for.
    Agree with DinMan that Reus' injury record is a bit worrying at the price we'd need to pay but with Robo's info on the Benteke deal and the way you phrased how we could spend the excess it's spurred me on in my hope of more, more and then perhaps, a little bit more on top and maybe we could have Reus or even one of the others as bit of a luxury, also with you on Illaramendi :)

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  78. It's the humidity I think, sends me a bit haywire :)

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  79. Did Balo's 'strengths' outweigh the strengths of the rest of the team? No.

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  80. Oh yes! Clyne is disciplined and can bomb forward when the momentum is with the team. Gomez also provides defensive solidity (Being a Centre Back and all that's quite important ;-) and is decent on the front foot with pace for recoveries. I'm quite happy with Gomez as our back up Left Back like John Stones played Right Back/ Centre Back.

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  81. Wonder why the top clubs don't fancy Yarmolenko... he reminds me a bit of Andre Schurrle, who I always rated as well, but he couldn't make it stick at Chelsea... wonder if there's something in that type of player that doesn't fit what the top clubs are looking for?

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  82. It is flippin stuffy mate! Haha! Am sat in my Skids with the fan on! Middle age spread's a B*tch

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  83. The real deal according to Jamie ;)

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  84. Nothing wrong with him that I can see- Strong, fast, tall and has terrific end product. Maybe it's just the fact that he did it in the Ukrainian league.

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  85. I personally think he will kick *ss as our American friends would say! Time will tell I guess mate

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  86. Stoke are seem to be attracting some unlikely players this summer, can't understand it at all.

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  87. Yip! Stoke are going to be a handful aren't they? Oh gawd...

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  88. Haha! Same here more or less.

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  89. Who was the last big winger to be a success in England? Beckham? I guess there was Ronaldo and Bale. But they're still relative rarities aren't they?... Plus I still reckon Bale's a mutant full-back really ;)

    Hmm.

    If a player gets that big and can run with the ball, the during his teens he's gonna be moved inside probably... unless... unless he's a headless chicken who can only be trusted to run up and down in straight lines on the wing.

    That's probably Yarmolenko's trouble, eh?

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  90. Reus's injury record is a stumbling block I agree mate! There are a bucket load of players I would like to be honest. But 2 or 3 would probably be the limit

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  91. I just haven't acclimatised to the wamer weather yet being a 5 '8' penguin and all mate

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  92. A Monday medical had turned into a two day medical. If it goes to three I'll get nervous.

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  93. I do enjoy picturing Stuart C as an actual dog and Putty tat as an actual cat in the conversation... Glad you embrace your penguin heritage :)

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  94. Damn, I need a new pic, nobody talks to trees

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  95. I think Balotelli was a microcosm of a lot of things that went wrong last year from a tactical standpoint.


    There were several players who were affected by Rodgers' tactical solutions. Lambert, Balotelli, Markovic, Stevie, Sterling (when played out wide), etc.

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  96. "its just the fully fit part of the equation that takes some solving." I love that

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  97. well for every falcao they bought, they have at least a couple of evras in there.. thats how you end up with a shed load of trophies over 2 decades..

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  98. no its £16m up front and the rest over time. villa only agreed to the bid because it met the release clause ie £32.5m . villa could have played hard ball and demanded full payment on completion of the transfer but didn't want to have an angry player on there hands so agreed to the structured deal.

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  99. ...no their trophies are because of Howard Webb...

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  100. ...hey what u doin' awake....? :)

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  101. "Hopefully he comes in and does well."

    Gerrard doesn't sound that excited tbf.

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  102. wallowing in misery (for real)..

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  103. ...yeah bro, we all been in a place like that...


    ...I hope in your case it don't last for long whatever it is...
    ...this is a great forum with very good people who post regardless of personal opinion...sometimes its good to offload esp. when its brethren who give a t*ss...sometimes its just good to get into mindless banter as is the way of ugg-ugg man....either way...good luck bro.....

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  104. thank you.. :)

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  105. Hearing Paul Lambert's recent comments my cautious optimism on Benteke has gained a few points.. He brought the player to Villa so he should know what he is talking about.. Would like to hear what the Benteke is just a head brigade have to say about it..

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  106. Ghost of Suarez4:09 pm, July 21, 2015

    Thanks for your input Jaimie....Oh sorry I mean Neutral Red

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  107. BIG BEN is coming sherwoods after Adebayor now bcuz of it take a leaf from our own book n 'calm down'!! Squads looking good bags of potential maybe get a new defender again. Ps luvin Stevie g's goal in his 1st game for d yanks nice one lad! (jayojft96)

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