Speculation intensified over the weekend about a potential swap deal involving Liverpool's Andy Carroll and Manchester City outcast Carlos Tevez, and with the transfer window closing in about 15 hours, there's still time for a sensational (but improbable) deal to go through. Kenny Dalglish has insisted that Carroll is going nowhere, but what is Roberto Mancini's take on the issue?
In press conference yesterday, Mancini was asked if there was any truth to the mooted swap deal, and he responded:
"At the moment no because we have not talked about this with Liverpool. This is a new one for me. I never heard of this.
"I don't know if Brian Marwood was involved. I just read it in the newspaper. I didn't speak to Marwood about this.
"Carroll is a good player...but it would be difficult and I don't think [it is going to happen]. There was no phone call to me.
"My opinion about Carlos is that it is important he finds a good solution because he can stay for a year without playing. It is important that he plays, he is a top player".
I'm no fan of Carroll but I wouldn't be happy if this swap deal actually went through. Tevez is more trouble than he's worth, and I hate the idea of ignoring the potential negative impact of players just because they're good footballers.
Liverpool already did that Luis Suarez, and look what happened. Over a year ago, I argued that the club should avoid signing Suarez. In the article, I stated:
"If Hodgson was to sign Suarez, my support for him would dissipate instantly. Such a player is the complete opposite of everything LFC stands for, and I have no doubt that he will cause problems for the club somewhere down the line, and those problems won't necessarily be cheating-related"
Liverpool ignored Suarez's cheating/biting past and signed him to improve performance on the field. That has happened to an extent, but the club's reputation has suffered serious damage as a result.
Do't get me wrong: I love Suarez as a player, but that's what happens when you sell your soul for personal gain. Signing Tevez would be exactly the same, and I have no doubt that he would also cause problems at some stage.
Jaimie Kanwar
In press conference yesterday, Mancini was asked if there was any truth to the mooted swap deal, and he responded:
"At the moment no because we have not talked about this with Liverpool. This is a new one for me. I never heard of this.
"I don't know if Brian Marwood was involved. I just read it in the newspaper. I didn't speak to Marwood about this.
"Carroll is a good player...but it would be difficult and I don't think [it is going to happen]. There was no phone call to me.
"My opinion about Carlos is that it is important he finds a good solution because he can stay for a year without playing. It is important that he plays, he is a top player".
I'm no fan of Carroll but I wouldn't be happy if this swap deal actually went through. Tevez is more trouble than he's worth, and I hate the idea of ignoring the potential negative impact of players just because they're good footballers.
Liverpool already did that Luis Suarez, and look what happened. Over a year ago, I argued that the club should avoid signing Suarez. In the article, I stated:
"If Hodgson was to sign Suarez, my support for him would dissipate instantly. Such a player is the complete opposite of everything LFC stands for, and I have no doubt that he will cause problems for the club somewhere down the line, and those problems won't necessarily be cheating-related"
Liverpool ignored Suarez's cheating/biting past and signed him to improve performance on the field. That has happened to an extent, but the club's reputation has suffered serious damage as a result.
Do't get me wrong: I love Suarez as a player, but that's what happens when you sell your soul for personal gain. Signing Tevez would be exactly the same, and I have no doubt that he would also cause problems at some stage.
Jaimie Kanwar
All that said, a front line of Bellamy, Tevez and Suarez is unplayable and the style of play we have suits a Tevez and Suarez pairing perfectly.
ReplyDeletereally? i don't think so. Suarez didn't cause any problem for us.
ReplyDeleteone of your better articles
ReplyDeleteThis alleged swap deal is fiction.
ReplyDeleteyoure lucky we didnt have him or we woulda embarrassed you lot.
ReplyDeleteAre you actually from Liverpool? have you ever lived within 10 miles? Do you have any connection with the City? Because you publish some absolute tripe.
ReplyDeleteSuarez is not a goody goody admitted - but he has added more than he has detracted.
Robbie was occasionally a bad boy, even Stevie has had his brush with the law, and there have been others - Jan Molby did jail time - you can't be as pious as that and say only choir boys should wear the shirt.
Christ - Giggs has been shagging his brothers wife ffs!!
Get real or get tuned in!
No, you're right. I imagined it all.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but the club is more important than the impact of one individual, and signing Tevez would be putting the club's rep at risk again; and for what? Is potential success on the field more important than preserving the club's worldwide reputation?
ReplyDeleteI've attacked the FA repeatedly for their handling of the Suarez case, and I believe the 'finidings of fact' are total nonsense; however, Suarez caused that situation, and it has damaged Liverpool's reputation. If the club hadn't signed him, none of that would've happened.
So you are telling me now that LFC in the past have not had any players who have brought controversy/Trouble etc.....and brought the clubs name into disbute(Fowler on occassion?Who in fact is my Idol) Suarez is a truely world class player who has got a very tricky situation wrong and has paid the price(8 match ban and damaged his and clubs reputation)MOVE On and as for shouldnt have signed him!Get a bloody grip mate!! You moan when we but too expensive British Based players and now with controversial players.
ReplyDeleteWhat players have LFC signed in the past that had the same issues as Suarez (Cheating in a world Cup quarter final; being banned for biting)
ReplyDeleteFowler was already at the club, so the example is irrelevant.
This is a modern phenomenon: Fans and clubs are so desperate for success that they will absolve and condone and negative behaviour it it brings success. That's why fans excuse cheating, and anything else, as long as the player is good.
This is prioritising the individual over the club, whether you choose to accept it or not.
Signing Suarez has directly led to some of the most negative publicity the club has ever received, and it has damaged the club's reputation. Whether he is a good player or not doesn't matter - it was easy to predict that he would cause problems, but the club sold its soul and signed him anyway.
And it wasn't just the Evra situation: he gave Fulham fans the finger too, which also led to a ban.
The fact that you defend him so vociferously ( and tell me to 'move on' in a bid to censor opposing views) just shows that you, like most other people, put the individual before the club.
How much damage can Tevez do in less than half a season? His shenanigans tend to start after more than half a season. Most of his off the pitch misbehaviour also tends to do with management when he is not being played enough. If we were to take him on loan, we certainly wouldn't be forking out 200k a week for him to warm the bench! We have a 35m man warming it for between 60-70k a week.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't think a swap will happen, surely the loan signing of Tevez is very realistic and I'm sure City will be keen to give the go ahead. We no longer play City for the season and if we do get him on loan, he may well feature against United, Spurs and Chelsea. I don't think we'd swap Carroll for him, but he's of the class our owners wouldn't mind paying for just for less than half a season.
ReplyDeleteI can see your point, and you're probably right. For me, it's a matter of principle. I wouldn't want to see a mercenary like Tevez playing for Liverpool. How can his past behaviour be ignored? You're willing to ignore it just because he's a good player?
ReplyDeleteTevez refused to play for man city against Bayern M. My respect for him went down the drain that night. NOOOOO way, he doesn't deserve the red shirt and by the way if hes always homesick just send him home and put him out of his misery, don't even bother buying this idiot and he wants to get paid too much money for what his worth.
ReplyDeleteYou keep arguing "for the good of the club", and yes fair enough the club should always come first. In saying that your article still comes across as being annoyed that Liverpool signed Suarez at all when he is adored by nearly every Liverpool fan, (they've been singing his name at Anfield every game he has been suspended) who are all WELL aware of his past. If we signed Rooney tomorrrow, (i'm shuddering but hear me out) we'd be fuming and raging etc. The moment he pulled on that Liverpool kit and started playing for the Reds it doesn't matter. He's then a Liverpool player, wearing the famous shirt and we stand by him 100%. Would it be "for the good of the club" if we get on our high horse and look down at Tevez and he signs for Spurs/Arsenal who go on to pip us for fourth place with Carlos bagging 15 for them? I'm not saying there's not risks involved with signing Tevez, but he is an absolutely world class player who scores bags of goals wherever he goes. "For the good of the club"... If bringing him in on loan gets us into the Champions League, personally I don't mind him scoring them for us.
ReplyDeleteSuarez has a fantastic attitude,in the world cup quarter final he was stood on the line and instictively handled the ball,he didnt have time to think.How many yellow cards has he picked up since being here,very few.Fulham fans were insulting him in their thousands,i thought the FA dont like players being insulted.On the Evra situation,this is a one off were a court of law would have found Suarez not guilty,in fact it wouldnt of even got to court as the CPS would of thrown it out due to lack of evidence.On the bite,it wasnt a bite as such,he didnt take a chunk out of the opposing player,a psychologist said Suarez is someone who wants to win so much and due to the fact hed had a bad game and he was frustrated something took over him where he lost control for a split second and hes admitted he was wrong and learned by it.Tevez is someone who has no personality and is motivated by money,the complete opposite of Suarez.
ReplyDeleteThat's his history and it's in the past. I personally feel the club has alot to benefit from loaning him. His primary, and perhaps sole contribution will be on the football pitch, but ultimately, isn't that what we make expensive signings for? Our squad will definitely be boosted and much happier if we won the league cup, the FA cup or both. If we do qualify for CL football, Tevez would have been put in the shop window for City and we would also then be able to attract replacements of the calibre we want. It is not about any individual pasts but the now and the future, and in order for that future to happen, a Tevez loan is a definite step forward.
ReplyDeleteYou use a non story as a platform to beat Suarez up again...You have serious issues
ReplyDeleteMaybe there are problems cheating related with Suarez, but tell me about 1 case which was really putting Liverpool into bad light? And if there is any, Luis apologized for it and carried out his punishment.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really important from what Luis does is passion. He plays every single time all the time he is on the pitch with 100% interest in the game and if he would have to cut off his arm and throw it to score the goal, I believe he would do that. He's just that kind of the player who loves football and loves the club he's playing for and that's why I believe signing of Suarez was good deal.
Tevez on the other hand wouldn't be, he's ET of Premier League. I never heard any other player calling home so often and I believe, when he feels that Argentina or Brazil is the right place to go, he should do something about it and ho there.
And Andy, well, lot has been written and said, but I believe that the problem is tactics, nothing more, if we want Andy to score goals we have to adjust the tactics to it and if we don't want to, maybe Kenny shouldn't have signed him. But we need at least 1 fast creative winger to give Carroll full support.
Suarez didn't cause the situation, that was down to Evra diving and rolling around the pitch like he'd been pole-axed. and the video evidence proves it.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree this came about because Kenny said he'd be interested in any other City rejects, referring of course to the free transfer of Bellamy after he ran rings around their defence. Some single brain celled hack put 2+2 together and came up with this story which of course is a load of bollox.
ReplyDeleteFuck it, just sign him, he's quality!!
ReplyDeleteJaimie,
ReplyDeleteFootball is a trade now. Everyone has to evolve with the time unless you want to become extinct like dinosaurs. Modern managers have to be ready to put up with such arrogant players or accept losing a few points.
I would go for a Tevez loan to strengthen our claims for CL qualification but one question has not been asked by those supporting a loan deal : Would Carlos Tevez want to beat Man Utd to give Man City a huge lead in the Premier League? If I were in his position I'm not sure I would!
ReplyDeleteBoth Mancini and Dalglish said this is nonsense. Even if they didn't you should have known this is a non-story.
ReplyDeleteThe Suarez argument has been done to death now, I remember the article questioning us signing Suarez, and I don't think that anyone can argue that it makes some sense now that we have seen what has gone. Well, i suppose some would, but those people would probably back him if he killed someone.
ReplyDeleteAs for Tevez, the pros, he will want to prove Man Utd and Man City wrong and may be motivated for 4 months or so. The cons, he will realise that he misses his family again and will need to be moved on in the summer. I would say loan signing, but I just cannot justify us signing him if we really believe that no player is bigger than the club. In fact, we will soon have so many players who are bigger than the club we may well need more than one manager to control them all.
If we are going to sign Tevez, why don't we ask about Balotelli, Barton, Ravel Morrison as well? They are all meant to be decent players. If the team implodes and gets nowhere, at least we could make a decent movie about it to boost the club coffers. Not sure if it would be a horror film or a comedy. All we'd need is a headcase goalkeeper to make sure not all the excitement is up one end of the pitch.
Call the Police.
ReplyDeleteHas Eric Cantona damaged the reputation of Man Utd?Did they regret signing him? He was never a stranger to controversy and is obviously a legend in the eyes of the fans. The same with Rooney. Thiery Henry cheated for France but that hasn't had much of a negative affect on his reputation. Zidane headbutt? Need I go on!! Passionate players and controversy go hand in hand, that's what gives them their edge!!
ReplyDeleteHas Eric Cantona damaged the reputation of Man Utd?Did they regret signing him? He was never a stranger to controversy and is obviously a legend in the eyes of the fans. The same with Rooney. Thiery Henry cheated for France but that hasn't had much of a negative affect on his reputation. Zidane headbutt? Need I go on!! Passionate players and controversy go hand in hand, that's what gives them their edge!!
ReplyDeleteRemind me: Prior to signing for united, did Cantona unapologetically cheat during a World Cup quarter final, and then serve an 8 game ban for biting someone?
ReplyDeleteYour examples don't make sense: My point is that Liverpool should've look at Suarez did BEFORE Liverpool and been wary of signing him. What did Cantona, Henry and Zidane do wrong before signing for their respective clubs?
Doesn't make sense? You spoke of preserving a clubs reputation so I contradicted it with examples!! You really do need to do tour homework on Cantona's career in France if you think he did nothing wrong prior to coming to England. As for Suarez, know he handled a ball on the goalline but for gods sake, Terry macdermott did it in the league cup final in 1981 and stayed on the pitch, yes its cheating but don't make it out to be such an unusual act unique to the games "bad boys". Phil neville too!!
ReplyDeleteMy point is the players I mentioned have caused controversy but it wouldn't affect clubs buying them and they haven't caused damage to the clubs they were playing for during the controversy.
You are in the minority if you think the club shouldn't have bought Suarez. Likewise, Bellamy has proved to be a shrewd bit of business, but I suppose you disagree with that too because of his history!!
No, you're still missing the point:
ReplyDelete* Suarez had a serious recent history of misconduct (World Cup cheating; Biting ban; constant disciplinary issues)
* My argument is that Liverpool sold their soul for personal gain, i.e. ignored Suarez's history to improve the team.
* Given Suarez's past, Liverpool should've seen that he would be a risky buy, and that he would probably get into trouble at some point.
* This happened. Twice in one year.
None of the players you mentioned caused problems like Suarez prior to being signed. Cantona was a Saint at Leeds; Henry was a Saint at Juventus and Monaco; what did Zidane ever do before his headbutt?
Cantona had disciplinary issues in France, but at Leeds, he proved he'd settled into English football, so on the face of it, he wasn't a risk for Man United.
You're right that the players you've mentioned caused controversy, but my point is none of them did so PRIOR to signing for their current clubs.
I'm not really interested if I'm in the minority; I don't modify my views just to fit in with the crowd.
Having played football I would certainly not say Suarez cheated in a world Cup Quarter Final!!! He done exactly what a lot of people would have done to give his team a chance to go through. More like gamesmanship IMO.
ReplyDeleteNot his fault Ghana striker missed the penalty. Suarez got his punishment, Red Card, missed next game, a world Cup Semi Final (Oh because he broke the hearts of the whole of Africa he deserves to be labelled a cheat!Pathetic!!!)
As for Giving Fulham fans the finger, he took shit loads of vile abuse all game, exactly the crap you are accusing him of (Cheat) and no wonder he reacts, the lad is 23 years old and only human.Hardly brought the club to shame with that!!!
i will continue to defend Suarez on the pretense that he totally got the Evra situation wrong, served his punishment and deserves the chance to put things right and I would not swap him for the world.
JK, you criticise our players for Under achieving(Andy Carroll) and find a way to criticise our world class players for bringing the clubs name through the mud!!!
Can anyone actually do right at LFC at present???????
take him for a year or two and sell him on. Recoup some of the mad money we spent on carroll
ReplyDeleteYou are entitled to your views and fair play to that.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to dislike a quality player just because he has caused controversy and may do so in future, as you say selling our souls for the success of the team.
I LOVE Suarez and will continue to do so should he carry on playing the way he has done since he joined. I love him because he is a World Class player and for a team to be successful you need this type of player, and trust me IMO there are not too many around!!!!
LFC image and reputation will be fine in the long run, just need some loyalty form some fickle fans at this period!!!
Henry is back at Arsenal is he not? You must think they are morally wrong bringing a cheat back. Fowler who was previously mentioned also came back to Liverpool despite previous antics including homophobia. Again we must have been wrong to do so in your eyes.
ReplyDeleteSo Cantona wasn't a risk? By your rationale he was and was proven to be!!
Fickle fans? With respect, i would argue it is you who is fickle. Fans that worship at a player's altar = fickle. Fans that put the individual ahead of the club = fickle.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you actually want or expect of every player then? Just so I can see your expectations?
ReplyDeleteAs for fans putting individuals before the club, come on!! You enjoy being the Martyr and being in the minority but don't knock fans for supporting players as they don't give a shit with all the bigger picture you present or your negativity in your reporting.
P.s Don't want you to change your views to join my crowd, you stay in the minority and worry about where your next negative story will come from.
Maybe we might sign another over rated waste of space British based player or ignorant Foreigner or maybe not sign anyone. Whatever happens, KK will KOP it tomorrow no doubt!!Even if we beat Wolves tonight no positive mention here!!!!
love the debate though so no need to threaten me to look elsewhere
Hey hey hey ... no comparing Cantona and Suarez. Not even in your dreams. Henry and Zidane are okay.
ReplyDeleteLOL.
ReplyDeleteThe comments section just go on to show how desperate Liverpool fans have become. It is one thing to dive/cheat/get sent off on the field. but disrespecting your club (not going on when the manager tells you) is a misdemeanor which can simply NOT be excused. Maybe its too many plastic fans in the game today who just want to win at any cost. As for Suarez he is not in the Tevez league but he has caused Liverpool problems and its only a matter of time before he loses his head. Just imagine the chants he's going to be subjected to now, it will be interesting to see if he can keep his head. I don't think he'll manage though.
ReplyDeleteI want to speak to you when Suarez leaves the club. Words which you will be reminded of will be - LOVE, World Class, fickle.
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't anybody defending Suarez talk about the biting incident. Even Tevez hasn't done that. Please, I wanna see how you defend that ... comebackrafa has already done an excellent job, i nearly fell of my chair laughing. I am sure many of you can top that.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Barry, that was what i was saying on another thread here. Kenny, and the people who thought it was right to stand alongside any racists, and we know that there was at least one, in our crowd and boo a player who reported what they thought was abuse, just don't seem to get it. Kenny has condoned the booing and our man is going to get it at every ground that he visits now. When he decided that he prefers Madrid to Merseyside, i wonder what the supporters will say then. I can see Suarez getting all kind of 'banter', from the stands and from the pitch now, and our attitude in all of this will mean that no one will give him any respite when it gets heavy.
ReplyDeleteAnd to compare Henry or Cantona with the issues that have surrounded Suarez, and i don't mean Evra, is just silly. The fact is that suarez, in both cases, was unapologetic after the event. He took one for the team with the handball and was happy about it. Henry did not celebrate his handball for days in the press and his was far more instinctive than Suarez's effort that Reina would have been proud of. Cantona is no comparison, he lost his head, paid the penalty and never tried to glorify what he'd done or say that he was hard done by afterwards.
ReplyDeleteOf course Cantona draws comparison with what has been said on this thread. You need to know more about his career before making such statements. His team-mates wanted him sacked at Montpellier, never mind his other controversies. Yet he is seen as a legend at Man utd and I doubt any of their fans think they should never have signed him.
ReplyDeleteAs for taking one for the "team", exactly, it was for the "team",. Most players would do the same when the stakes are high. Neville did it in the derby, he's not been slated for it, as have countless others. Its the same with professional fouls.
p.s Henry blamed the ref, hardly apologetic!!
Haha! Your defence of Cantona really does demonstrate your hypocrisy. He was only at Leeds a year, hardly long enough to prove he was settled!! Souness could have bought him but was concerned about the harmony within the Liverpool team. Hence others; Sheff Wed, Leeds and Man Utd took a risk!! He was initially given a prison sentence and banned for eight months due to the seriousness of his actions whilst playing for Man Utd, he even asked for his contract to be terminated! But did they regret buying him??
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell does that mean??
ReplyDeleteNo one knows the exact facts of Tevez case but as for LFC fans being desperate, YES I am desperate, desperate to have LFC back where they belong at the top of the English game, too many years in the wilderness means we need the best players available!!
ReplyDeleteSome of the best players in the world play on the edge, thats what makes them as players!!!