In December 2012, reports from a variety of sources suggested that Liverpool were lining up a £12m (€14.7m) deal for Japanese star Keisuke Honda. Nothing came of the interest, but with the summer transfer window in full swing - and the Reds possibly requiring an alternative to Henrikh Mkhitaryan - CSKA Moscow have confirmed that Honda is definitely for sale.
Honda has been linked with a move to Anfield several times over the past three years, and in an interview over the weekend, CSKA general director Roman Babaev confirmed that the club would let him leave. He told Russian newspaper Sport Express:
"Our position is clear. We will let him [Honda] go if we receive a reasonable offer. His expiring contract affects his market value but there is a limit as to how low we can go.
"We are not worried if he ends up leaving the club on a free transfer. It is a difficult decision to make - part ways with Honda now or keep him until his contract expires".
So let's get this straight:
* Honda is available.
* CSKA will definitely let him go.
* He might even leave on a free transfer.
Surely this is a no-brainer? Honda is a superb player, and given the contract issue, the Reds could probably snap him up for £5-£8m.
After losing out on the move to Lazio in January 2012, Honda - nicknamed 'Keizer Keisuke' (Emperor Keisuke) during his time in Holland, made clear his disappointment at the collpase of the deal. He told reporters:
"If moaning about it would get me a move I would have a moan. I waited until the end of the transfer window and I could have gone to the Italian championship. I was hoping for a better future"
Last season, CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky complained publicly about the Japan International's 'anonymous' performances and lack of form. He told the Russian Press:
"Honda can decide the result of a match on his own, but unfortunately games like that with a performance from him haven’t happened. Today we expected a certain contribution from him, but it never came"
Arsene Wenger is a huge fan of €12m-rated Honda, and he lavished praised on the player after the 2010 World Cup. He raved:
"When they get the ball they can give it to Honda – and the magic starts. When they get that genius Honda playing up front, he had shown what a top class player he is. For me he’s the best performer of the competition so far"
It's clear that Honda needs to a new challenge to reinvigorate his career, but would he be a good fit for Liverpool?
I would love to see Honda at Anfield - he's an experienced flair player, and Liverpool can always use more of them. Plus, he'd be available on a free.
Should Liverpool go in for him?
Jaimie Kanwar
Honda has been linked with a move to Anfield several times over the past three years, and in an interview over the weekend, CSKA general director Roman Babaev confirmed that the club would let him leave. He told Russian newspaper Sport Express:
"Our position is clear. We will let him [Honda] go if we receive a reasonable offer. His expiring contract affects his market value but there is a limit as to how low we can go.
"We are not worried if he ends up leaving the club on a free transfer. It is a difficult decision to make - part ways with Honda now or keep him until his contract expires".
So let's get this straight:
* Honda is available.
* CSKA will definitely let him go.
* He might even leave on a free transfer.
Surely this is a no-brainer? Honda is a superb player, and given the contract issue, the Reds could probably snap him up for £5-£8m.
After losing out on the move to Lazio in January 2012, Honda - nicknamed 'Keizer Keisuke' (Emperor Keisuke) during his time in Holland, made clear his disappointment at the collpase of the deal. He told reporters:
"If moaning about it would get me a move I would have a moan. I waited until the end of the transfer window and I could have gone to the Italian championship. I was hoping for a better future"
Last season, CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky complained publicly about the Japan International's 'anonymous' performances and lack of form. He told the Russian Press:
"Honda can decide the result of a match on his own, but unfortunately games like that with a performance from him haven’t happened. Today we expected a certain contribution from him, but it never came"
Arsene Wenger is a huge fan of €12m-rated Honda, and he lavished praised on the player after the 2010 World Cup. He raved:
"When they get the ball they can give it to Honda – and the magic starts. When they get that genius Honda playing up front, he had shown what a top class player he is. For me he’s the best performer of the competition so far"
It's clear that Honda needs to a new challenge to reinvigorate his career, but would he be a good fit for Liverpool?
I would love to see Honda at Anfield - he's an experienced flair player, and Liverpool can always use more of them. Plus, he'd be available on a free.
Should Liverpool go in for him?
Jaimie Kanwar
he has been linked to us for ever
ReplyDeleteHe's worth it for shirt sales alone.
ReplyDeleteHasn't he signed for AC Milan on a pre contract?
ReplyDeletewhat the fudge?! Let's do this now.
ReplyDelete£5 mill might just be in our price range! can't see him coming though as we can only get players that have no ambition for champs league.
ReplyDeleteHe would most likely add goals, and that is one thing Liverpool need. So for around £5 million. It seems like a good deal.
ReplyDeleteseems to blow hot and cold and would have to up his game in the epl but he's a good footballer and would be a great addition to the squad and at a good price, yea go for it
ReplyDeleteYes please :)
ReplyDeletea honda would be fine a porshe would be better
ReplyDeletewould love him here. can play different positions, scores goals is fast and has great technical abilities.
ReplyDeletethis story gets renewed every 2-3 months, and it feels like a deja-vu everytime. same posts, same rumors linking him to ac milan ... whatever please bring this guy to us!
i´d rather have a honde for free than a porsche on an inflated price
ReplyDeletepfft, Porsches suck!
ReplyDeleteif he goes for free why the hell would he choose us no cl ,a club that looks like loosing its best players again ,and no intention of signing players to compete ,just players for the future of coure fsg would like him anything,for nothing and if he cannot hack it we could sell for a garunteed profit
ReplyDeleteis that from your vast knowledge of owning them ;-)
ReplyDeleteYea I have around 30, I use most of them for junk parts now ;-P
ReplyDeletelol for something's you get what you pay for,thats the case here,in a metaphorical sense the Honda could prove the better car :P
ReplyDeleteyou might have a point there
ReplyDeleteyes m8 me two i just gave 50 away to the needy;)
ReplyDeleteThere's no way he's leaving on a free in this transfer window, I agree he would be a cracking signing and would certainly boost merchandise sales in Asia. A definite no brainier but if you think he's coming here on a free you've no brains lol. By the way that wasn't direct at you Jaimie so please don't take offence.
ReplyDeletebut neither will you get the porsches (cavani, higuain etc). thats why we have to try to get the hondas/mazdas and hope that they turn into transformers that set the world on fire
ReplyDeleteDon't they call Assaidi the Ferrari or something?
ReplyDeleterather tractor
ReplyDeleteWouldn't hurt to get Honda when we're generally signing players that are unknown to the world. He has technical skill and would suit the system too and also comes with a vast experience which can only benefit to the side.
ReplyDeletem8 99%of players only care about money honda is going on a free contract he will go to who serves i mean pay him best
ReplyDeletewhat a ferrari that does not start always parked in the garage ,rodgers must be holding on to him till he becomes a vintage and themn sell him for more
ReplyDeleteagree i fear we have already seen this summers marque signings at anfield i will look on with envy at who the other top clubs sign
ReplyDeleteIf failing to sign Mkhitaryan for that large fee instead sees us invest some of that money saved in a physical midfielder, such as Capoue, and a specialist forward such as Sow (or even the guy from PSG!), than I'd look at is a net gain over-all.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a pretty unlikely scenario though. Why look for out of favour/available stars when you can take a relatively expensive, hopeful punt on under-sized, unexperienced guys instead...
It's not even just the top clubs - Southampton (and even Norwich to a lesser extent) look to be trying to make some smart moves that we'd do well to hijack!
ReplyDeleteWill probably end up at Spurs or Arsenal or some Italian club. I have a feeling Rodgers won't go for players like him.
ReplyDeleteTalented player for sure. At the cost mentioned here one to go for! Preferably as a squad player though behind an even better signing :)
ReplyDeleteI think I heard his contract expires next Jan? So if thats true then no chance of a free until then.. but I'd take a punt for on him if he's valued at the same money we sold Shelvey for £5/6m (bar wages etc)...
ReplyDeletethats if he'd come of course...
IDK mate. I've never been this upset with LFC. They really need to sign some good players or I fear we might even get relegated as @Jay Wright said that the lower teams are also making some ambitious moves.
ReplyDeleteLooool!! Relegated?!! Jaysus where did that one come from?! Tad dramatic me thinks lol! Be calm - LFC will not get relegated with BR at the helm - maybe RH might have done, but we are improving on and off the pitch as a brand/team/club - come on all long term Liverpool fans must see that?!
ReplyDeletenorwich may be hijacking some of out supposed targets lol
ReplyDeleteWhat about Wanyama? Be cheaper than Capoue - similar age/physique etc?
ReplyDeleteI agree though Players do not need to be well known to the fans to be a success - whats that financial disclaimer they use ? "Past performance is not indicative of future results" lol!
Lol! But saying that he's got more chance of recouping a higher % of the initial transfer fee when selling Assaidi then on someone like Downing!
ReplyDeletewe will not get relegated we may wallow just above midtable again;-)
ReplyDeleteagree but downing as player is part assaidi as not been given a sniff
ReplyDeleteHonda might be a talented player but why has no big club snapped him up yet? He is 27 and CSKA Moscow is the best he could do so far. Why have LFC, Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea or any other top club not signed him yet?
ReplyDeleteSame with Moussa Sow and Wilfred Bony. A lot gets said about these players especially from fans but none of them are at a big club.
Maybe too much noise is being made about them...
Everyone really seems to be upset we're not making more of an effort on henrikh but its been noted that most haven't event watched him before our link and it seems like cska is overpricing him due to the fanfare that the media has generated (as they have every right to do).
ReplyDeleteNow I've seen Honda play several times and he is the real deal. Watching him play reminds me a little of Zindane and how you could see him deliberate every move, pass, shot before making it. I'm not saying Honda is the next Zindane but in saying he has the same football intelligence and, with so many midfielders on the books already, he is the best value for money that we've been linked to. Plus, IMO, we still need to look to spend some good money on a young CB and a DM before the window closers in order to see this as a successful summer. I don't think we should pay over the odds for a position that isn't out priority right now
I could quite easily look on in envy at chelseas/citys midfield or most Arab owned teams lol but I honestly believe we play the better football! Our time will come! BR has the right idea - if you cant complete financially for individual talents - then be the best coach you can and make sure your team plays the best football. Considering where we were when he came in, the guys only had a year and the football has improved dramatically. And if your playing teams that are on paper better than you (ie most of the top 6) then limiting the amount of time they have the ball for lessons the threat!
ReplyDeleteI remember being a young footballer playing the coaching staff and a few of the reserve players in a small 7 a side game - we relished it as we thought we were technically better, faster etc - but we couldnt get a touch of the ball against people over twice our age! It doesnt matter how good you are with the ball if you dont have it or have it in the wrong positions!
Thanks Jamie, I've been waiting for an updated situation about Honda since the opening of this transfer window. For 5 mill I'd say what do we have got to lose? It's not as if this guy got any baggage. I've seen this guy play so often for his national team and not once was I disappointed with his performances. He has an excellent long range kick for goals, a poacher who likes to get inside the box ad great vision for setting up goals. I'd even go as far as to say he is better Mancs Kagawa. If we get him it'll be the envy of Arsenal
ReplyDeleteQuestion? Would you have Gaston Ramirez at LFC?
ReplyDeletesorry m8 but do not try and make rodgers out to be some genius because is not time will tell if hes any good at all they seems to be 3 types of fans when it comes to rodgers the not overly impressed(including myself)the undecided,and lastly the brainwashed,who seem to be keeping an eye on anfield to see when he feeds the kopwith a couple of loafs of bread and a few fish
ReplyDeleteJust because Real Madrid or Barcelona or even Chelsea have not link with him doesn't mean the guy wil be a flop wherever he goes next. Was Suarez linked by those so called big clubs before arriving in Anfield?
ReplyDeleteYou think we were the only team that wanted to sign Suarez?
ReplyDeleteReally?
I'll rephrase my question to u again since u seems to worship the Catalans & Real Madrid so much. Was any of them linked to Suarez before his performance last season???? And have u seen any of Honda's game?
ReplyDeleteListen mate, you are fooling yourself if you think no other top clubs were after Suarez when we signed him especially if he cost us 23 million! He was y=the hottest player in the Netherlands and he played for Ajax which is one of the best hunting grounds for top clubs.
ReplyDeleteWe see Honda's game on TV unless you are a ticket holder for CSKA Moscow matches. I am pretty sure our scouts have gone to see him in the flesh as well as scouts from other top clubs, The fact that he is 27 and still has not made it to Europe's elite is must give you an idea why he is not playing at top club. Maybe all the scouts know something we don't?
Worth a punt at £5m, if we wanted to get him this summer. As someone else said, commercially we'll be able to cover it. Always wanted him to try a club in one of the usual big leagues. He can play in a few positions but I don't think he has played much on the right. imo, best in the hole
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, I think Atleti have got a bargain with Villa at that price, regardless of question marks over the player.
I'm really sad to hear that Athletico Madrid bought David villa for less than 5 mil euros. Why didn't we go for him? I've always championed for him, even though he's older but he's Spain's top scorer and still has a few years in him. I'm really really upset, my only consolation is spurs didn't buy him and he didn't come to the EPL...
ReplyDeleteHe would have wanted Champions League which we cannot offer right now.
ReplyDeleteLMFAO I also know that won't happen but then we need some drama on here because it gets a little boring ;) :P
ReplyDeleteIDK about others but I am sure about you that you'd get crazy on BR and FSG lol :D
ReplyDeleteWho gives a hoot who Real Madrid or Barca buys or linked and whatever the scout knows. From my point of view in the comfort of my home watching Honda, I'd say he's quality. I'm only interested in Liverpool FC. And if we miss out on HM and Honda is available I'd say why not. At 27 he's in his peak & he could be great addition in helping us get into top 4. Better that other big clubs haven't approach him & we snap him up on the cheap
ReplyDeleteI think he is a good player too and scouts at top clubs also probably think the same but there must be a very good reason why no big club has decided to sign him up to now.
ReplyDeleteJust saying.
if were set to miss out on our top target ( no im not even gonna try spellin his name lol) then to get this guy for free and then spend the money on toby a from ajax wanyama from celtic and eriksen from ajax i would be really happy ...... But i would love to see villa or higuain arrive as i think suarez may be a red for the minute but if hes not happy then let him go coz in order to get back on top we need players that want to wear the famous red shirt !!!
ReplyDeleteAnd car sales.
ReplyDeleteHonda is more a CM isn't he?
ReplyDeleteI fear a no brainer would still be a bit difficult for "the committee". Anyway, Honda plays up front on the wing or behind the main striker. Mhkitaryan plays in midfield behind the front three. So they're not the same player.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if he's still as good as he was, but should be a good squad player at the very least.
ReplyDeletenot really because if we do not do something i expect it
ReplyDeleteDitto what Max but agree, good that Spurs didn't get him. I am disappointed enough that they are possibly getting rid of the handicap on their goalscoring that is Adebayor ;)
ReplyDeletetbh I haven't watched much of Wanyama, but I don't understand why we seem to be overlooking Capoue when he's proved himself to be good on the ball, as well as being physically dominant...
ReplyDeleteI didn't want Ramirez last year, when everybody on these boards was banging on about him, but tbh he's been better than I expected.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I don't think he fits any major need still, so no, he's not a player I'd be after. (I would prefer him to some of his counterparts at LFC still though...)
Side note: David villa to atletico Madrid £4.5M?!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would agree Carr71,midtable again next season,but also winning the Fa and league cups.
ReplyDeleteBR did say in an early interview that he would concentrate on the cup competitions next season.
"No brainer" is the ultimate description of our transfer policy and, by extension, Ian Ayre.
ReplyDeleteNo thank you. Lets get a decent. Player in, or two. Not someone that was good 2-3 years ago. And david villa going for 4 million makes you wince. Thats a top, top player.( who cares if hes 30+)
ReplyDeleteIt depends on how the player sees it. Yes, Liverpool has no CL games but players moving to Liverpool can guarantee they will become a household name world wide which can translate into lucrative endorsement and advertisements contracts especially for an Asian player. Henrikh went for CL games but he does not really realize how big the Liverpool brand is world wide.
ReplyDeleteThere are many many die hard LFC fans worldwide. Just ask them for the team sheet and they can name you every player. Ask them about, say, Borrusia, they will only be able to tell you they are in the German league. Some might not even know who they are.
For clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd, they have a huge base of die hard fans world wide where a lot of us grew up with these clubs. Even Chelsea is nowhere close but their base is fast building up due to their recent years success and the controversial Jose Mourinho. Even Real Madrid and Barcelona lose out to these EPL trio.
In any case, Liverpool has the potential to get back into the Champions League so no CL games could be temporary thing.
Would be good for a year, we'd fall in love with him, then he'll want to leave for a Champions League team.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like we wrapped this deal up last time we were linked to him months ago. I was expecting an announcement on July 1st.
ReplyDeleteso two seasons down the line back to what kenny did,but the rodgers brigade would call it a fantastic achievement
ReplyDeleteFSG are all about cutting costs at the mo, streamlining the wage bill, getting the stadium capacity increased, cheaper than building entire new stadium. new sponsorship deals. Buying young players selling on for profit. I expect them to sell L.F.C rather than take the team on to regular CL qualification and EPL challenge, they just don't have the cash to compete with the top 4 of last season. I don't want us to sign Honda, never seen understood why he's so rated, i think we have enough of his type of player in the first team and in the youth/ reserve team. We need to go for Ilori imo and maybe a left back. If we sell LS we should then get Eriksen and Muriel. I think the money we got for Carroll has covered the purchases so far this season and was doubtful over the Armenian fella Dortmund has just signed.
ReplyDeleteAs long as he has passed an M.O.T buy him! Honda's always have good engines...
ReplyDelete