Spanish newspaper AS recently claimed that Real Betis playmaker Beñat Extebarria - one of Brendan Rodgers's 'favourite' players - is a January transfer target for Liverpool and Arsenal. Betis` majority shareholder Bosch Valero then confirmed that the Spanish star could be sold in the transfer window. Liverpool have been linked with a move for Beñat several times over the last few weeks, but when asked recently if a move is on the cards, the 25-year old didn't give much away.
In an interview last week, Beñat - who has three goals and six assists in fourteen games this season - was asked about speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool. He gave the standard non-committal response:
"At the moment I'm only thinking about Betis and the next game. My agents take care of that [transfer talk] and they know what is best for me. I speak to them regularly, but I'm just doing my utmost for the team right now"
Valero recently confirmed that the Spanish star could be on his way out of the club. He said:
“We do not rule out the possibility that Beñat could leave this winter. Contract negotiations are ongoing, but there is no progress or agreement from both sides. Wolfsburg offered more than €10 million for him, but we decided that it was not a good time to sell him".
Beñat - dubbed the 'next Xabi Alonso' reportedly has a €20million release clause written into his current contract, but the fact that Valero considered selling the player to Wolfsburg for €10m suggests that he could actually be available for a lot less.
Real Betis’ are currently battling against administration, which could ultimately force the club to cash-in on their prized asset.
Beñat led Betis to a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid last week, scoring the only goal of the game.
Jaimie Kanwar
In an interview last week, Beñat - who has three goals and six assists in fourteen games this season - was asked about speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool. He gave the standard non-committal response:
"At the moment I'm only thinking about Betis and the next game. My agents take care of that [transfer talk] and they know what is best for me. I speak to them regularly, but I'm just doing my utmost for the team right now"
Valero recently confirmed that the Spanish star could be on his way out of the club. He said:
“We do not rule out the possibility that Beñat could leave this winter. Contract negotiations are ongoing, but there is no progress or agreement from both sides. Wolfsburg offered more than €10 million for him, but we decided that it was not a good time to sell him".
Beñat - dubbed the 'next Xabi Alonso' reportedly has a €20million release clause written into his current contract, but the fact that Valero considered selling the player to Wolfsburg for €10m suggests that he could actually be available for a lot less.
Real Betis’ are currently battling against administration, which could ultimately force the club to cash-in on their prized asset.
Beñat led Betis to a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid last week, scoring the only goal of the game.
Jaimie Kanwar
Completely off topic, and for that I apologise.
ReplyDeleteBut I find it funny that Cazorla made a blatant dive this weekend, and no one really seems to be talking about it.
Back on topic, not heard of this guy. I think we would need to ship out some CM before we brought any in.
What about the next Jaimie Kanwar? :D When is he coming?
ReplyDeleteWhat about all the rumours of the real Xabi Alonso coming back?
ReplyDeletethere is only one Charlie Adam!!, only one Charlie Adam!!! sorry this was sarcastic but really we have a player who is similar to Alonso and that is Sahin and Rogers doesn't seem to play him that's why i don't see this transfer happening, remember folks there always have to be place for Roger's love child Allen in the center of the team
ReplyDeleteI don't think the midfield is a problem at the moment. Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Sahin, Shelvey, Henderson that's enough surely!; Gerrard although not scoring goals is spraying some great passes around the field. Lets break the bank on a quality striker to supplement Suarez !!!!!! PLEASE BR !!!!!.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. The midfield lacks real guile and creativity. No dribblers; no one capable of great skill and trickery. The club needs at least one player in that mould.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to say that Gerrard hasnt yet played the standard he has set from himself , and what us the fans expect. and hasnt been supplying the killer balls to feed suarez. Allen and Lucas are incapable to play such role and are both exelling on their current role. Any attacking playmaker who can test defence opposite defence and break it passing is welcome. I myself would be delighted if club went in both for striker and quality playmaker. im keeping fingers crossed for Belhanda to Anfield.
ReplyDeleteObviously we can always improve midfield by adding creativity but it certainly ain't a 'top priority' right now. Given the limited resources we have, we need to make most of it by buying wingers and a top notch striker. I don't want us to waste 15mn odd on another midfielder. Joe Allen is a wasted money, he is getting worse day by day, perhaps needs a rest. I only wished if BR would have gone for a 'real' striker for 27mn who can hit the ground running and help us qualify in Europe instead of relying in future prospect of Borini and less than useful Allen.
ReplyDeleteI don't really see a point of Allen in the team when Lucas is playing. Initially, he had to defend and play an anchor role to cover up Lucas but what now? I really think Allen is holding back Gerrard and vice-versa, both are a bit similar but no one is given a defined role. I thought Gerrard will play as a second striker after Lucas is back but Stevie is everywhere on the field which is great but not that effective as he could be up just behind the striker. And on the other hand, Allen is still finding his feet with his new role, or the lack thereof. BR needs to sort out the chemistry in the midfield. For me ideally, it should be Stevie up (I mean literally up) just behind the striker, Lucas anchor man and a speculative midfielder - Sahin in the sense that he should attack only when he sees the opportunity but most of the time he should feed crosses, passes and support attackers including Stevie G. I would also not mind Shelvey playing Stevie G role with Lucas anchor man and Stevie playing Sahin's role as I mentioned above.
Steven Gerrard is second only to Leighton Baines in relation to chances created, so how has he played badly?. Check the OPTA stats for yourself, he is Liverpool most creative player FACT!!!
ReplyDelete2 goals 3 assists and if i recall right the assists are mainly from freekicks? all i am saying he hasnt blown my mind so far this season. and he is not getting any younger. we will need playmaker very soon. why not now?
ReplyDeleteAllen has done better than i expected from him but he has played way too much. give the lad a rest and play henderson , ive been impressed with his last two performances. there might be useful player in him still. terriffic engine.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, just goes to show how incomplete and skewed statistics can be. Fact, my backside, more like subjectivity and perception. Stats will rarely fully explain how well or badly a player has played.
ReplyDeleteI've watched Real Betis since I spent two years working around Seville in the late 1970s and even back in the dark days of no internet and a Sky-less TV system I tried to keep up to date with what was going on with my "second team".
ReplyDeleteBenat is probably the best midfielder Betis have had since Denilson (no, not the one that's pants at Arsenal, the REAL Denilson) and I would love him to come to Anfield. No question. He'd be a revelation over here.
The new Xabi Alonso? Nah, probably not because in my opinion Benat is probably a better player at 25 than Xabi was.
Benat is definitely a champions league quality player and we would be stupid to miss out on a player of his quality, if he is available at such low price. IMO he is an upgrade on Allen who is too light weight.
ReplyDeleteAnd Alonso is "tricky"?
ReplyDeleteExtebberia is a solid player, but I'm not sure if he's LFC quality.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure whether we can attract LFC quality at the moment...
im just wondering how many midfielders we ll need to succeed..
ReplyDeletetha fact is gerrard, as mucg as i love him, isnt the same any more, he doesnt get younger, we all see that. hes mentaly wonderfull for our team.
if we ever get in a new midfielder than an offensive one , like holtby or honda, we have enough players in thr holding and defensive midfield positions. in addition we need to get rid of some midfielders if we get in a nnew one. sahin is an excellent player but our team doesnt need him at the moment.. i wouldnt buy him after this year.. Ofc Gerrard allen and lucas will have to stay. ( our ar first 3 midfielders in the 11. so theres still henderson and shelvey on the bench with coady comming threw the academy. if we get any other midfielders pls an offensive one + getting rid of one and dont buy sahin. An offensive one would be a great addition, but then we havrto sell at least one or two!
I don't think Steve's been terrible nor do I think he's lit it up. As LFC fans we have Gerrard on a pedistool because of what we have seen him do and we expect superman performances week in and week out. The reality is, stevie can no longer play at a superman level but he is currently playing at good level. He still is spraying the ball around and picking out some good passes, but he isnt driving into the box and scoring like we're used to. The days of Stevie taking the game into his hands and saving us are behind us, its time for us to realize we are a team that only a whole team effort will bring victories. IE. Everyone is more accountable now for their perfomances and if passive players like Downing would stop moaning and put in performances when given the chance, we can go far with this team
ReplyDeleteI don't think Steve's been terrible nor do I think he's lit it up. As LFC fans we have Gerrard on a pedistool because of what we have seen him do and we expect superman performances week in and week out. The reality is, stevie can no longer play at a superman level but he is currently playing at good level. He still is spraying the ball around and picking out some good passes, but he isnt driving into the box and scoring like we're used to. The days of Stevie taking the game into his hands and saving us are behind us, its time for us to realize we are a team that only a whole team effort will bring victories. IE. Everyone is more accountable now for their perfomances and if passive players like Downing would stop moaning and put in performances when given the chance, we can go far with this team
ReplyDeleteI don't think Steve's been terrible nor do I think he's lit it up. As LFC fans we have Gerrard on a pedistool because of what we have seen him do and we expect superman performances week in and week out. The reality is, stevie can no longer play at a superman level but he is currently playing at good level. He still is spraying the ball around and picking out some good passes, but he isnt driving into the box and scoring like we're used to. The days of Stevie taking the game into his hands and saving us are behind us, its time for us to realize we are a team that only a whole team effort will bring victories. IE. Everyone is more accountable now for their perfomances and if passive players like Downing would stop moaning and put in performances when given the chance, we can go far with this team
ReplyDeleteyeah I have to agree here. We have midfielders but we have the wrong type of midfielders. We do not have the danger men that can turn a game on it's head coming out of midfield.
ReplyDeleteFor all the love i have for Allen or Lucas none of them has successfully replaced Alonso. None of them possess the ability to penetrate defenses when spaces appear and none of them possess the long range passing accuracy of Alonso. What we need almost as bad as we need a clinical finisher up top is someone who like Wilshere of Arsenal , Samir Nasir of Man City even Paul Scholes of United is proficient in the art of the dribble. These players are good in one on one situations and therefore good at probing stubborn defences. We need a technical dribbler on our squad in central midfield.
Hi Chirag,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you regarding Allen, what he does well is recycle the ball and move it. But apart from that I don't see much from him. Maybe it will take a few more games on his natural position to pick up speed.
I do think though that we lack a real attacking threat from our midfield in open play, although we have scored a few.
We need an advanced playmaker who is direct, creative and is not afraid to shoot. The only player that was trying to have shots was Sterling.
Def play SG behind the striker.
Seem to remember when bruno cheyrou was touted as the next zinedine zidane, lol, that first post about cazorla was spot on, if our luis had done that he,d have been crucified!
ReplyDeleteOne name jaime, ISCO. Let's not get carried away here but if we stay intouch with the top 4 I.E. 3-4 points by january, and we bring in quality players (fingers crossed) I don't see any reason why we cannot get into CL for next season. Keep working hard redmen we are behind you. YNWA!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat player, great news. And he's Basque!
ReplyDeleteI agree, starting to be disappointed in Allen, you never know what Henderson will give you and Sahin is a loanee who is not playing recently.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that statement Jaimie we are missing that creativity in midfield with the qualities stated above every good team needs one to be able to make the team tick. Spurs had Modric, Arsenal Cazorla - Arteta Man City Silva Chelsea Hazard etc
ReplyDeleteHe is maybe can be great replacement for Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano......tough defensive and creatif assist or able score the goal. Only Suarez and Gerrard able to making goal from free kick,others??? hahahaha......
ReplyDeleteCazorla didn't dive! It was all Suarez! He had one of his henchmen in the stands who yelled BOO! at Santi and that's why he fell over. It may have looked like a dive but it was all Suarez again. That evil, cheating genius...
ReplyDeleteBack on topic, in his position we only have Lucas and I like the Brazilian but his injury record over the last two seasond means we need to get backup in to be consistent. We don't want to start next season the way we did this one eh?
Gerrard should be used wisely for tactical reasons. He should not be used for the entire 90minutes. At best 60mins and then substituted with fresh legs. his lung bursting runs have dried up as he tries to conserve energy for 90mins. Gerrard should move to the right of MF. Sterling to the left. Shelvey taking the middle. Suso, hendo can come in to replace Gerrard later.
ReplyDeleteAnder Herrera & Markel Susaeta
ReplyDeleteMuch better options..out there
Quality player sign him quick YNWA
ReplyDelete