A few weeks ago, the Agent of Real Sociedad star Antoine Griezmann claimed that Liverpool are interested in signing the exciting left-winger this summer, but when asked recently about a possible move to the Premier League, the 22-year old winger appeared to rule himself out of a transfer.
Speaking to Reporters in May, Filippo Vergani - Griezmann's Agent - claimed that a host of top clubs across Europe want the 22-year old attacker:
"Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are constantly watching him, as are Marseille and PSG in France; and Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina in Italy"
Griezmann seems to be happy at Sociedad though, and last week, he told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo:
"It is just rumors. I'm happy here at this club and I have a contract until 2016. I do not think about anything else, and I do not see myself in any other club."
What a breath of fresh air. Based on his Agent's comments, it's possible that Griezmann may privately plan to leave, but instead of speculating about his future, or sending out a subtle 'come and get me' message, he emphatically reiterated his contract status, and made it clear he's happy at Sociedad.
Note to Pepe Reina and Luis Suarez: this is how it's done. Griezmann's response to media questions about his future is classy and respectful to his club, whereas Reina and Suarez brazenly and shamelessly tout themselves out to other clubs at every opportunity.
When asked to describe Griezmann's playing style, Vergani waxed lyrical about the youngster's attacking versatility, and insisted that a 433 formation - Brendan Rodgers' preferred approach - suits him perfectly:
"Griezmann can play on either flank, but is better on the left. He is fast, and one-on-one situations are his strong point, and tight-marking doesn't work on him. He has the ability to open up defences and change games"
Speaking to Le10sport in March, Real Sociedad boss Montanier Philippe Montanier heaped praise on Griezmann:
"He is a complete player. One of the best in La Liga. He is able to play multiple positions, and he is crucial to us. He has a lot of potential, and I think he has a great future"
£10m-rated Griezmann is one of five players (M’Vila, Ben Yedder, Mavinga and Niang currently suspended from international duty with France for visiting a Parisian night club the night before an U21 Qualifier.
Griezmann grabbed 9 goals and 3 assists in 29 starts last season, which is good, but not great. If he does become available this summer, is the Frenchman a realistic option for LFC...?
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Speaking to Reporters in May, Filippo Vergani - Griezmann's Agent - claimed that a host of top clubs across Europe want the 22-year old attacker:
"Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are constantly watching him, as are Marseille and PSG in France; and Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina in Italy"
Griezmann seems to be happy at Sociedad though, and last week, he told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo:
"It is just rumors. I'm happy here at this club and I have a contract until 2016. I do not think about anything else, and I do not see myself in any other club."
What a breath of fresh air. Based on his Agent's comments, it's possible that Griezmann may privately plan to leave, but instead of speculating about his future, or sending out a subtle 'come and get me' message, he emphatically reiterated his contract status, and made it clear he's happy at Sociedad.
Note to Pepe Reina and Luis Suarez: this is how it's done. Griezmann's response to media questions about his future is classy and respectful to his club, whereas Reina and Suarez brazenly and shamelessly tout themselves out to other clubs at every opportunity.
When asked to describe Griezmann's playing style, Vergani waxed lyrical about the youngster's attacking versatility, and insisted that a 433 formation - Brendan Rodgers' preferred approach - suits him perfectly:
"Griezmann can play on either flank, but is better on the left. He is fast, and one-on-one situations are his strong point, and tight-marking doesn't work on him. He has the ability to open up defences and change games"
Speaking to Le10sport in March, Real Sociedad boss Montanier Philippe Montanier heaped praise on Griezmann:
"He is a complete player. One of the best in La Liga. He is able to play multiple positions, and he is crucial to us. He has a lot of potential, and I think he has a great future"
£10m-rated Griezmann is one of five players (M’Vila, Ben Yedder, Mavinga and Niang currently suspended from international duty with France for visiting a Parisian night club the night before an U21 Qualifier.
Griezmann grabbed 9 goals and 3 assists in 29 starts last season, which is good, but not great. If he does become available this summer, is the Frenchman a realistic option for LFC...?
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
I agree to some extent, however the guy is hardly a star player by any stretch. It's easier in my opinion for a player of a lower standard to pledge loyalty as they will have different career prospects to players like LS or PR, just a thought.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, me and someone else on here mentioned him in the last few days. Really good young player. First watched him a few seasons ago, slowly but surely been improving. Has passages where he has slacks off but that is par for the course for most young players, especially in his position. He isn't necessarily a winger that looks to constantly stick to the wing (although he can provide and hold width when necessary), he can come inside and does well in finding those awkward channels. Can play on the wing or in central positions. Not sure where I prefer him though. Got a big future me thinks. Those 'stats' aren't much to worry about, especially of his age, as well as the narrow minded nature of stats. Him, former Arsenal player Vela & co are really good on the counter attack. I can see why he wouldn't leave just yet, they have qualified for CL. Would make more sense for his development to stay there. One of the best young left footed attacking players around, imo.
ReplyDeleteThey should have asked him, the player, not his agent, what he would do if Real Madrid or Barcelona came calling. By the way, in his recent interview Suaréz has also stated that he has a contract with us and loves to play for us, too!
ReplyDeleteReina has said to europapress.es I have a contract with people in any case I just want to expand it,my future is at Liverpool,with Barcelona's nothing there. I'm happy there(Liverpool) and my wife and children(I) do not know if my agent know something,but I did not"
ReplyDeleteReina has said to europapress I have a contract with Liverpool in any case I just want to expand it,my future is at Liverpool,with Barcelona's nothing there. I'm happy there(Liverpool) and my wife and children(I) do not know if my agent know something,but I did not"
ReplyDeleteI'm shaw Reina said he was flattered by the interest but he has a contract with LFC and is staying at the club?
ReplyDeleteBut this won't create any headlines. Why would the press pick up a story like that?
ReplyDeleteOh I see.
ReplyDeleteSo a classy player says he doesn't want to leave, whilst privately he may be plotting just that. Giving his club no time to get a good replacement?
A bit like Torres, for instance. Or Owen.
The only way it will be classy is if he doesn't leave.
.
http://www.europapress.es/deportes/futbol-00162/noticia-reina-futuro-liverpool-barcelona-no-hay-nada-20130603201319.html
ReplyDeleteYes, like it makes a difference. Your zeal to paint Suarez as some kind of media victim just doesn't wash. Griezmann was asked directly about rumours linking him to the Premier League, and he gave the right response. It doesn't matter what club is mentioned - Suarez could've done the same, as could Reina. They didn't because they want to leave, and they're using the media to make that happen.
ReplyDeletePlayers leaving is normal. Part of the game. Who cares if Torres left? Get over it already. It's his life; same applies to Suarez. It only becomes a problem when the player goes out of his way to say he loves the club' isn't leaving etc etc and then does a 180.
ReplyDeleteIf Suarez/Reina want to leave, fine, but they shouldn't be fanning the flames of speculation publicly with their unsubtle 'come and get me' cobblers. It's disrespectful to LFC.
*spectacularly misses the point*
ReplyDeleteJust how much better is it when players pretend they want to stay then leave after secretly arranging a move.
As for being over Torres, are you serious? He still hasn't scored more than a handful of goals since he left. I miss him like I miss chickenpox...
I do believe Reina, yet again has come out today to say he has a contract with LFC and is actually looking extend it and not in fact leave. Does that mean you will now drop it buddy?
ReplyDeleteAnd what about all the other times over the last few months (and years) when he's nakedly put himself in the shop window with his comments? Suddenly, what he says today takes precedence, and the fact he said last week that he'd 'find it hard to say no to Barcelona' just vanishes into thin air, lIke he doesn't think that anymore?!
ReplyDeleteIt's clear to me why Reina has changed his tune: he realises that a move to Barca is off the agenda now due to Valdes staying another year.
If your girlfriend repeatedly tries it on with some other guy, but backs off when he gets married and pledges her allegiance to you, I doubt you'd lap it with a spoon like you're doing here.
While I admire your analogy with my girlfriend I really don't think it is the same. Anyways lets not forget all the other times he has said he will still. Lets be honest for at least 4 transfer windows you have been going on about how he is leaving, yet he is still here....strange that.
ReplyDeleteBut I guess you are right, he's such a shameless whore, bad whore!
No, Mike, there is no 'point' to miss here.
ReplyDeleteYou point about players pretending to want to stay is utterly irrelevant in this context as you don't know that's true. You don't know what's in Griezmann's mind (privately), neither do I. What we *do* know is what he said publicly, and the same applies to Reina/Suarez.
Griezmann responded in a way that is respectful to his club, team-mates and manager. Suarez and Reina have repeatedly disrespected LFC by nakedly touting themselves to Real Madrid and Barca respectively.
I'm sorry but you're wrong on the Reina thing. If you were offered a job at a better company for higher wages, would you not also find it hard to say no to? Nowhere has he ever said he will go - he is just, rightfully, showing that he, like millions of others, thinks Barca is a great club.
ReplyDeleteGet over it.
No, you are missing the point, and you do so because you have zero ability to look at things objectively.
ReplyDeleteNo one is denying that players will have their heads turned by other clubs, but they do NOT have to admit this in public. That is disrespectful to LFC, and if you actually supported the CLUB over the INDIVIDUAL you would see that. Clearly, like so many others, you support the individual first.
Loyal and feet-to-the-ground kind of footballers are hard to come by these days. Whether he's genuinely so I don't know. But from his words, he has suggested he is. Sadly, I'm very sure the name of LFC was once a very big pulling force for players but now we are no longer the same force we once were. But still, as long players are wearing the red jersey of LFC, they should not prostitute themselves to 'bigger' clubs, at least publicly.
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is his home club, and he obviously has close ties to them so his comments are understandable.
ReplyDeleteReina and Suarez are asked questions and they respond to it honestly. When they wear their red shirt they give 100% and that is out counts. By no means have they disrespected the club. No transfer request has been handed 2 days before the window closes: THAT is disrespecting the club. As for Griezmann, well he's not exactly what we need at the moment, we've already got Aspas. What we need now is game changers.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, I'll give you credit, especially for the last part of the response. Griezmann's response was the correct response in terms of how to handle the question; and I wish Suarez and Pepe did the same.
ReplyDeleteMike's point is merely that just because Greizmann says it in public, doesn't mean that's the way he feels.
And the Torres example is a valid one in the sense that we were put in a position where we had to overpay for Andy Carroll because of the last minute nature of the transfer request. This after Torres had previously come out prior stating that he was staying at LFC. I can only find articles from the previous summer but I thought he had even said so in the weeks leading up to the January transfer deadline. Perhaps someone will confirm or correct.
Furthermore, Suarez and Reina have not said a bad thing about LFC. They have merely said nice things about Real and Barca. I could understand how you perceive it as disrespectful to the club; but I simply disagree with that assertion.
It is you who lacks the ability to look at things objectively. If I supported the individual over the club I'd have started supporting Madrid years ago when Owen left us.
ReplyDeleteit's ridiculous for you to suggest that he made his father make those comments, unless you have an insight into the Reina household?
As it is possible he is selling himself to Barcelona, it is just as possible that the club asked him to do this, in order to spark a bidding war.
Just accept the fact that he has just said 'my future is at Liverpool' - a sad fact for you to accept I understand.
Jaimie, please, attack the argument, but not the commentator. How do you know whether or not Daniel has "zero ability to look at things objectively". If you don't stop attacking people on here, I will flag your comments as offensive.
ReplyDeleteIf someone offered me 50m, or even 10m for my girlfriend, I would sell her without further thinking. Where do I sign.
ReplyDelete"They didn't because they WANT to leave". Well, that is your interpretation. I accept that. Others may find different interpretations for it. One interpretation, for example, could be "I generally don't think about moving clubs, because I really like it here and am paid handsomely anyway, but if one of the two biggest names in world football came calling, then I'd consider it".
ReplyDeleteMore shit,
ReplyDeleteanother positive piece of journalism.
Anteater - you are sailing dangerously close to the realms of sniping. Please do not go down that road. You are once again misrepresenting my view. This is not attacking the commentator either. Saying someone is not looking at something objectively is not a personal attack; anyone can see this - including you - yet you still ridiculously claim that I am attacking the person.
ReplyDeleteAttacking the person = making a personal attack on the commentor. Calling into question someone's objectivity re LFC is not a personal attack in any way.
Why should I accept the word of a player who has repeatedly made it clear he wants to leave? Why don't you accept that he said last week that 'it would be difficult to say no to Barcelona'? That statement carries equal weight to his comments today.
ReplyDeleteI'd find it difficult to say no to a free car, doesn't mean I'd take it...
ReplyDeleteIn the case of Suarez, I agree with you 100%, but for Reina, no.
Sorry Jaimie, but on this occasion I think you may have confused yourself.
ReplyDeleteYour statement of "ZERO ability to look at things objectively", suggests that Daniel has no other mind on the matter apart from a very small, single minded one. I certainly didn't pick that up from his opinion. I also believe he has a valid point as much as yours.
I believe Anteater was simply trying to say that, "in his own way"......
Maybe that "misinterpreted" word, zero, is what has led to a misrepresentation of your view....
Looks like we might be bidding 22 million for Henrikh-Mkhitaryan. To me that would be a brilliant signing. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I say 'zero ability to look at things objectively', I am quote clearlyreferring to the subject of the discussion, i.e. 'things' relatedto Reina.It does not refer to DanielMillerLFC's overallviews on everything in life. Considering the fact I'm responding to an LFC-relatedpost on an LFC website, I think that's crystalclear.
ReplyDeleteIn my view, he has is not looking at the Reina situation objectively. I find it odd that I have to spell this out when it's so obvious. Either way, it is not an attack on the person. In his response, DMLFC said the same thing about me; I don't take it personally because it's not a personal comment.
And I in no way inferred you were suggesting Daniel's overall view of life!
ReplyDeleteI was referring to the Rerina incident but didn't make it obvious I presume.
I am not having a go at you Jaimie, just attempting to point out how easily one's words can be taken out of context resulting in a confusion of points actually being made by the individual; as is so apparently the case here....
We're just having a discussion - I don't think you're 'having a go' (!) You gave your view, I gave mine.
ReplyDeleteYep, just the ticket, although it probably means Eriksen is off to Dortmund after all.
ReplyDeleteJamie still doesn't seem to understand that I was simply making the point that lots of players over the years have said they had no intention of moving and that they had a contract.... right before moving and tearing up said contract.
IF a player does that, then he is doing as much a disservice to his club as Suarez has with his Real comments, which, whilst not as bad as has been made out, were unnecessary and ill advised.
IF he wanted to leave he should have quietly informed the LFC hierarchy and allowed a deal to be sorted respectfully.
But hailing Griezmann as some sort of fine example- well, we'll see if he stays first shall we. Agger was a better example to have used last year....
And what we also know is that players also claim loyalty like that then drop their clubs like a hot potato . Saying that in itself is no guarantee of class or respect.
ReplyDeleteUseful stick to beat Luis and Pepe with though eh?
I agree this guy will be brilliant to watch, also our attacking options will be better. And coutinho said the same thing in Janaury then still moved to us, and I was just thinking the same thing haha! Names are confusing and hard to pronounce :-)
ReplyDeleteI really, really hope so. Then I hope he performs and ive been backign this guy for a while, and will have massive egg on my face if he dont lol.
ReplyDelete22mil is a bit step though, 16mil would have seemed about right, but if FSG have done the sums and can afford it, then great. I`m guessing this is a clear sign Suarez is off as we would have spent 31mil so far. Or maybe Carroll?
haham yeh I just write Henrikh now lol
ReplyDeleteSame he very good! And 20 mils fine rather spend it on him than another downing aha! And I don't think it depends on Suarez, Carroll gone by the end of the week so it be some of his cash going in. But hopefully money well spent
ReplyDeleteI think with Coutinho, it was the case of maybe Inter wanted to sell him, even if he wanted to stay, going from the vague comments at the time by Inter. Seems they needed to make room in the squad and generate funds, probably for a player they failed to get anyway (Paulinho).
ReplyDeleteThat's unfair to Reina. He has always been a classy player. I remember CL team Arsenal wanted him for 20mn and LFC rejected to keep the prized asset so that the previous owners could sell club at high price. That's how disgusting LFC was back then but Reina stayed very classy throughout the period. He has been with Liverpool when he could have gone literally anywhere in the world. If you want to teach a lesson to someone its Suarez. After his recent antics, I can now say our boy Fernando Torres was much more decent while leaving then Luis Suarez and I will remember Torres with a good feeling not so sure about Suarez. Pathetic.
ReplyDeleteCurrently Griezman is better than Tello but I really think that potentially Tello is much better. Tello does things on his own ...somewhat like Ronaldo..!!
ReplyDeleteYou should know best on here that I am not sniping. You may claim that I am a bit touchy at times, but IT IS MY OPINION that it is not all right to claim that someone else is bereft of a certain ability. A mental ability at that. I would find it very offensive indeed, if someone said that about me.
ReplyDeletePersonal opinion is hardly ever objective. Your opinion isn't, mine isn't and so on. Though we all tend to think that we are right most of the time.
Thanks, and yes, exactly.
ReplyDeleteYou have every right to have that opinion, but equally, IU have every right to surmise that a person lacks objectivity about a certain issue, and having such a view is not in any way a personal attack.
ReplyDeleteIt came across, to me at least, as if it was aimed at Daniel in general. And no, I didn't find it crystal-clear that you were referring to what he had to say about Reina, because then it would have included the words, "in this case" or something like that.
ReplyDeleteDaniel responded in the same way. That shows me, a philanthropic anteater, that your remark didn't go down too well with Daniel, but we are getting into psychology again.
Well, to be honest, I have avoided posting my personal opinion about certain other regulars on here, because they COULD be seen as personal attacks. It's a very thin line between voicing one's opinion and attacking someone else.
ReplyDeleteNo, he did not respond in the same way; he said the same thing about me, i.e. that I lack objectivity, and I didn 't give it a second thought because it's not an insult.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, it is perfectly clear I'm referring to Reina:
* My reply is in response to post about Reina (!)
* It was made on an article *about* Reina
* Prior to that statement, I said 'you are missing the point', which is a direct reference to the issue at hand.
You have made a gigantic mountain out of a non-existent molehill.
That is not the full quote. He also referenced Barcelona AGAIN, saying that any player would love to play for them.
ReplyDeleteThat's fair enough. I suppose you'd be happy if all LFC players 'said nice things' about different clubs all the time?
ReplyDeleteSo, when I voice my opinion it is making a gigantic mountain out of a non-existent molehill. Sometimes, Jaimie, I think (and that is my opinion) you lack some consideration for others and their opinions, should they differ from yours.
ReplyDeleteWhy am I not allowed to have the view that you've made a mountain out of a molehill? Are you going to tell me that's a personal attack now, too? I think you've blown this out of all proportion - it has nothing to do with lacking consideration for others. If we were sat in the pub discussing it I would say exactly the same thing. If you (seemingly) take the exceedingly tame things I've said personally, I dread to think how you'd react if I threw a genuine insult.
ReplyDeleteThis is the cut and thrust of debate. It's not always genteel and 'softly softly'.
Jaimie, you are allowed to have whatever opinion you want to have. I simply find that you started being a bit self-righteous at times. And if we sat in a pub, knew each others personally, I would tell you a few other things, as a friend. You changed your ways a bit, but we all change with time, don't we, we evolve, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. What can be considered as a personal attack differs from person to person, too, by the way. Well, it's your site, you call the shots, on here it is you who decides what is a personal attack, what is considered sniping and what is friendly banter. We better stop this discussion here, as we are not getting any further.
ReplyDeleteSelf-righteous? Why, because I have the temerity to have a different set of views to you and most other people. I am just like every other fan: I have my opinions and I argue them. With the greatest respect, you and others need to man-up and stop taking patently inoffensive comments so personally.
ReplyDeleteJust look at my unforgiveable crimes:
* Suggesting that someone lacks objectivity about Pepe Reina.
* Cruelly suggesting that you've made a mountain out of a molehill over something.
Yes, I'm really out of order.
Funny enough, that is how i would describe most of your articles on this site... Making a mountain out of a molehill. Before you say that i should go somewhere else then, it doesn't mean i don't enjoy your particular brand of molehillship
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't tell you to go elsewhere for suggesting I make mountains out of molehills. I may not agree but it's a perfectly acceptable comment.
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Galaxy Note
-------- Original message --------
I never said I was "happy" about their comments. I don't think anyone is "happy" with it. I am not angry about it (yet) unless they start saying bad things about LFC or put the club in a weaker negotiating position (which hasn't been the case here yet in my opinion).
ReplyDeleteThe second part of your comment I agree with.
Liverpool are going to miss Suarez with his brilliant skills but Pepe on this seasons form is definitely replaceable him wanting to leave bothers me little.
ReplyDeleteBut considering how much support whether it be blind or not Luis got from Liverpool just makes me sick that he would turn his back on the club oh well bugger him.
Griezmann obviously seems happy but true loyalty can only be measured in time and that will tell.
In regard to PR and LS;let them say what they want,you cant expect them to follow any morel or ethical rules anyway.You have 1 who writes an autobiography HALF way thru a career,"imo egotist".And the other treating opposing players like happy meals.As much as i enjoyed watching them in the past-enough is enough.
ReplyDeleteNo problem. I'm just glad someone understood what I was trying to say!.... :-)
ReplyDeleteWasn't I the one supposed to have problems expressing his thoughts in English?
ReplyDeleteYep, that is funny enough, indeed!
ReplyDelete