After last night's Capital One Cup injury nightmare, Liverpool's clear priority has to be the purchase of a new central defender, and reports today suggest that Paris St. Germain centre-half Mamadou Sakho could be signing-in at Anfield very soon.
According to the Daily Mail:
"Liverpool are looking to bolster their defence with a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Mamadou Sakho.
"Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Tuesday night that Liverpool are interested in the France central defender"
I've watched every one of Rodgers' post-Notts County interviews, plus his official post-game press conference, and nowhere does he specifically state that Liverpool 'are interested' in Sakho. He would never confirm that in public anyway, so Rodgers either divulged this info directly to a Daily Mail reporter (extremely unlikely), or it's made up.
Either way, Liverpool's overall interest in Sakho is probably legit, and the club has allegedly made a €10m-bid for the 23-year old. Additionally, PSG boss Laurent Blanc recently confirmed again that Sakho is on the way out of PSG. He told French newspaper L'Equipe:
"It is true that Mamadou wants to leave. Until September 2, the situation will develop and there will be time to find a solution that suits both parties."
When asked in July about the possibility of a move to Anfield €13m-rated Sakho told reporters:
"I am flattered by the interest of historic clubs like Liverpool and AC Milan. We will see what happens in the near future.”
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is determined to keep Sakho at the club, however, and last night, he told Eurosport:
"[Sakho] is like Steven Gerrard is at Liverpool. It is hard to imagine him playing for another team, and I'm surprised that he wants to leave. I've spoken with him. My position is very clear and he knows it: we want to keep him and we'll do everything to achieve that."
That's all well and good, but Al-Khelaifi's words won't help Sakho get back into the France national team. If the defender is to retain his place before next year's World Cup, he needs to play regularly, and that probably won't happen at PSG. Liverpool are crying out for a new centre-half, and Sakho certainly fits the bill:
* 23-years old so fits FSG's profile.
* Strong, fast, and athletic, qualities needed in the club's defence.
* Available for a comparatively low fee.
* Apparently wants to join Liverpool.
I'd definitely take Sakho over Toby Alderweireld, and even Kyriakos Papadopolous, but the ideal would be for Liverpool to sign TWO of the above three players before the transfer window closes.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
According to the Daily Mail:
"Liverpool are looking to bolster their defence with a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Mamadou Sakho.
"Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Tuesday night that Liverpool are interested in the France central defender"
I've watched every one of Rodgers' post-Notts County interviews, plus his official post-game press conference, and nowhere does he specifically state that Liverpool 'are interested' in Sakho. He would never confirm that in public anyway, so Rodgers either divulged this info directly to a Daily Mail reporter (extremely unlikely), or it's made up.
Either way, Liverpool's overall interest in Sakho is probably legit, and the club has allegedly made a €10m-bid for the 23-year old. Additionally, PSG boss Laurent Blanc recently confirmed again that Sakho is on the way out of PSG. He told French newspaper L'Equipe:
"It is true that Mamadou wants to leave. Until September 2, the situation will develop and there will be time to find a solution that suits both parties."
When asked in July about the possibility of a move to Anfield €13m-rated Sakho told reporters:
"I am flattered by the interest of historic clubs like Liverpool and AC Milan. We will see what happens in the near future.”
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is determined to keep Sakho at the club, however, and last night, he told Eurosport:
"[Sakho] is like Steven Gerrard is at Liverpool. It is hard to imagine him playing for another team, and I'm surprised that he wants to leave. I've spoken with him. My position is very clear and he knows it: we want to keep him and we'll do everything to achieve that."
That's all well and good, but Al-Khelaifi's words won't help Sakho get back into the France national team. If the defender is to retain his place before next year's World Cup, he needs to play regularly, and that probably won't happen at PSG. Liverpool are crying out for a new centre-half, and Sakho certainly fits the bill:
* 23-years old so fits FSG's profile.
* Strong, fast, and athletic, qualities needed in the club's defence.
* Available for a comparatively low fee.
* Apparently wants to join Liverpool.
I'd definitely take Sakho over Toby Alderweireld, and even Kyriakos Papadopolous, but the ideal would be for Liverpool to sign TWO of the above three players before the transfer window closes.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
i think papadoplous is stronger and more of a character
ReplyDeleteand that is what we need in defence
We want to keep him, that's why we bought Marquinos...
ReplyDeleteJamie , do you know how ]long kolo toure and aly cissoko are out for ?
ReplyDeletejoe allen I don't care can be injured for the whole season
Rodgers said Cissokho 'should be out for too long'. Toure has a groin strain so that usually takes a few weeks to clear (depending on severity)
ReplyDeleteand where is Jamie carr ?, banned?
ReplyDeleteHe was banned, yes, but now his ban is lifted.
ReplyDeletethanks
ReplyDelete+1
ReplyDeleteSakho is a monster and won't be bullied at set pieces, I'd be delighted if he came to us. What I'm not delighted about, though, are the reports that spurs are in negotiations for Eriksen whilst we're looking at loaning Moses.
ReplyDeleteEriksen should have been signed at the start of the window to allow him to bed in with the squad and not have us on tenterhooks all summer with the "are we/aren't we" going to sign this talented kid.
Anyway, 3-1 on Sunday: another 2 for Sturridge and one for Gerrard. RVP will sneak one but I seriously believe we will turn them over this weekend.
jamie brendan said cissokho shouldnt be too long and on kolo toure "his groin opened up a wee bit.he overstretched his groin and it doesnt look so good,to be honest
ReplyDeleteHave you told him it has been lifted?, deep down Jas is a good lad.
ReplyDeleteIf we don't sign any one at least make agger rcb and Let's give Lloyd Jones a chance at cb I'm not all that eager to see wisdom. In cb role again at least not for a few matches......
ReplyDeleteLiverpool have lost 1 game in the last 16, currently 11 games unbeaten. Including pre-season played 10 games since last season, winning 9 of those games. Scoring and playing well without Luis Suarez, we already have quality but need a bit more.................It will happen so don't flap yet!!!
ReplyDeletei think BR should bring new CD before MU clash..
ReplyDeleteWill we get anyone else in? After a good start LFC's dealings this window have petered out. The club, ie FSG, seem unwilling to negotiate on price for many players we've been linked with. Ericsson & Lamela going to Spurs, Willian & Atsu to Chelski, Sakho could end up at Milan or Napoli. We need at least a top defender & midfielder to have a squad to compete for 4th. Rodgers has got rid of a lot of dead wood & wages, so why won't they pay up to strengthen?
ReplyDeleteAh. Can always rely on Gano to look on the bright side, no matter how desperate he sounds. Pre-season, whoo-hoo(!)
ReplyDeleteSakho would be an excellent signing. He ticks all the boxes for the modern defender, but I will go as far as to say we need to defenders. Currently we are a few injuries away from buckling (Coutinho & Sturridge).
ReplyDeleteTottenham are really going to be a force this years, their squad is really strong, on paper it's stronger than United's and Arsenal's but of course games are not won on paper.
I am hoping we sign an attacking midfielder, defender and a winger.
People get all worked up when players join other clubs instead of ours, like we have some devine right to claim them. But they forget that we have not been in the CL for a few good years now. So when a CL club competes with us it's no surprise they won't chose us. Even Tottenham are far more attractive than us due to their manager (Won the treble with Porto) and potential of the squad. Also London is a big insentive for them.
Don't get me wrong, I am dissapointed we have not gotten HM, DC, CE but I am not that bothered about Willian. In fact I think he will struggle at Chelsea but that's just me. He's stats are pretty poor too.
PS United vs Liverpool Cap(ointless)ital One Cup 3rd round...seems like a fix to me lol! The game Suarez returns but anyway.
The above stats say it all, read again son!!!
ReplyDeleteWho said they won't pay-up????
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see Sakho at LFC ahead of Papa and Toby here, one helluva defender with a lot of potential and talent and the experience is just a bonus.
ReplyDeleteJK!!!.........Reports in Portugal are saying Tiago llori is about to join Liverpool, fee close to £6m they say????...........you heard about this???
ReplyDeletesuch a short time wont make debut against Man U...
ReplyDeleteBrendan for one.
ReplyDeleteFSG don't want debt, it's harder to SELL the club. That's the reason they won't pay up, don't think they really wanted to buy any of our 'top' targets, just a rouge to keep us fans sweet.
ReplyDeleteerrr...didn't we lose to celtic (minor point cos I agree with the rest of it ).
ReplyDeleteCan anyone explain the logic of waiting so late in the transfer window to make your deals? It has been said that players might be acquired for less. Unfortunately, I think we are now in a slightly desperate situation, not just because the window is winding down, but also because of our growing injury list and the fact that we have lost a couple of natural wingers. Surely we will now have to pay the asking price for the players that we want
ReplyDeleteThere are several parties involved in a transfer. LFC might have wanted to sign a player in July, but if the selling club and / or the player and his people only want to do business in or close to September, then they're going to have to wait.
ReplyDeleteSKY reporter Pepe O'Rourke is confirming Liverpool agree a 7m euro fee for Tiago llori, we have our new CB..............stingy FSG eh????
ReplyDeleteSensible point, but is this the case with all our targets? Tiago Ilori, for example, has seemed ready for a move for a while, but we refused to pay the asking price. It looks like we're going to have to pay it anyway whilst also risk losing him to another competitor.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, whilst the chapter on Willian is now closed, apparently Chelsea payed £25.5M for him. How much did we really offer? Some reports quoted £15M. It's obvious that you have to pay up and get the deal done quickly, or face losing your targets. The great fortune we had in acquiring Coutinho for a knock-down price is extremely rare.
No he didn't.
ReplyDeleteMake that Pete O'Rourke.
ReplyDeleteAccording to SKY Tiago llori is the man???
ReplyDeleteMy faith in FSG has dwindled dramatically over this summer window, again!
ReplyDeleteWhat is so frustrating, is the constant spouting from them about top four, can financially compete with anyone, etc, etc......
I have a hope though, which is they have been extremely busy behind quiet doors, finalising deals that are about to be announced and are already working hard at acquiring more of BR's targets in time for the Jan window.........Hmmmmmm.............
As for the no brainer that is the Eriksen deal....Really FSG? At such a young age and with the potential he has, even if we bought him in for such a low fee and he didn't make the grade, we would not lose any money on him; if though, he becomes a star for us, we would make a financial killing on him, no?
(btw, three points on Sunday would be so wicked.....! Would set me up for work on Monday morning with a major grin...... :) )
Transfer deadline is approaching fast... I'm almost certain we'll get the right signings in time. 2 CBs and an attacking wide player, then we'll be set till January... (Sakho, Llori, Moses? Who knows)
ReplyDeleteA lot of clubs have looked at Eriksen and only spurs have put a bid for him.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think the lad is over rated.
Yes that's why we won 9 out of 10, simple really!!!
ReplyDeleteOver the years Liverpool have over paid for too many players, personally I think it is about time that we tough up and stop being taken for a ride.
ReplyDeleteAs being linked with players, that has nothing to do with the FSG or anybody else at the club but the media.
If you get upset every time we get linked with a player then nothing will make you happy.
I agree with those players mentioned, sounds about right!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree with you.....
ReplyDeleteI just believe that on this deal a financial loss either way would not be a factor...
Don't worry too much about players we don't sign mate. Eriksen is a good player, so is Lamela and Spurs have/will have signed both. There aren't many players in the world that are very special though and of the ones there are, we have two in Gerrard and Suarez. Then we have Sturridge and Coutinho who could be very special, very soon. Having four of those players in one team is quite a luxury. The level below that you will find the likes of Lamela and Eriksen. There are many more of those though. You saw the Ukranian lads on here last week and I'm sure 98% of posters on here had never heard of them before. There are players like that in pretty much every league on the planet but there aren't that many clubs that can buy them. We are still one of those clubs. The frustrating thing is, we don't and we won't. Because we're not willing to pay market value. So it's not like Lamela and Eriksen are the last good players available, it's that we don't but the ones that remain. Aside from Willian, there were a lot of players available at Anzhi. I can't believe we didn't sign any of them.
ReplyDeleteCan't remember the entire quote but he was saying something about, "it's the owner's money and they will spend it as they deem fit...."
ReplyDeleteBlatantly a frustrated message after losing another of his targets.....
I understand the whole, getting fingers burned previously etc, (which, by the way is getting very boring), but for a team supposedly challenging and seeing others strengthen their squads, we have trimmed ours yet again and are leaving it very late to sign additions. (Not to mention now into a profit as far as transfers concerned...)
Is there any wonder some fans will appear a little pessimistic. After all, our fine start has increased the dream and could actually be realised this year if we get in the strength needed......
Some people whine and always will, our record when spending heavily is not that good, we have bought some guff, for ridiculous fee's...............we are doing very nicely so why blow money on players?
ReplyDeleteWonder how much PSG really want for Sakho. It'd be a dick move from them to deny the player the chance for first team football seeing as he can barely even make their current squad. If we can get him and Ilori for a combined 15 million euro I'd be happy. But that rules out a big spend on an attacking midfielder so a loan move for Moses would be the best we'd get. It's not a bad option, not at all, but will Chelsea really go for it?
ReplyDeleteI guess before Coates got injured Rodgers was willing to use him in the squad. You don't usually plan for a defender to be out for a whole season, hence the late need for more than one defender. Ilori is an upgrade on Coates, so only injury or a sale of the current player would make it happen. Turns out it was injury that forced our hand.
ReplyDeleteI agree with lot of what you said. Personally, however, I believe that having 4 quality players at Liverpool needs to be seen as a necessity, rather than a luxury, from now on,
ReplyDeleteHopefully, we can now distance ourselves from that 'one-man team' label. However, if we are ever to return to and challenge for the Champion's League, if we're ever going to win the EPL, we'll need 6 or more players of that quality, performing consistently.
From Henrikh to Moses....nothing seems to be happening,
ReplyDeleteC'mon FSG show us some ambition..
I wouldn't call it blowing money as I don't want to give money away..... I would personally call it a real need to strengthen......That is going to cost funds however you choose to look at it....
ReplyDeleteI understand some fans have complete and utter faith in the goings on at all levels from within the club, (blind faith?) whilst others will have completely opposed views... I would like to think I border in between. I am very optimistic in BR's plan and imo think his ideas are becoming very obvious. Only time will tell if the owners are realistic in their own plans of success for the team or not...They are, whether fully optimistic fans agree or not, leaving it very late for some fans, (quite a few I believe) to retain your levels of optimism for our success over an entire season with the squad we have. As has been highlighted with the injuries to three players in one match....
The right players will be signed for the right money, that is not being stingy, It is good business.
ReplyDeleteThere's that optimism I so admire.....
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are tightly crossed my friend....Here's to hope....... ;)
JK thank you for saying BR didn't admit our interest because I was thinking the same thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of the Ilori deal being passed around again?
Starting to look like the Llori deal may have a little substance to it....
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call it whining when fans express a legitimate concern about time slipping away when our need to strengthen is acknowledged by our manager also.
ReplyDeletePlease please send IAN AYRE ON HOLIDAY so swe can get something - anything - done - ALL WE GET IS TALK TALK TALK . Spurs signed 2 this morning. Unless we bring three in we have no chance of top 4. Chelsea also signed 2 - Please send Ayre on holiday with Rick Parry
ReplyDeleteHow is it possible to be 11 games unbeaten then?
ReplyDeleteIs Erikson better than Billy Hughes of Derby ??- No Way Jose .
ReplyDeleteF S G keep reminding us of the money they gave kink Kenny BUT they have recouped 75 % of that money and we still have Suarez. Time to spend Mr Werner
ReplyDeletePlayers can pick other clubs over us that's fine. We don't have the pulling power we once had but regardless the club can still sign proven, quality players.
ReplyDeleteIt's not all about players picking other clubs over LFC though. I'm sure if we were more dedicated and active in the market more players would be interested in signing for us.
We should identify players we specifically need i.e a centre back and not Alberto for example...Pay up and sign that target.
Club X is interested in a player but won't pay the quoted price and is dawdling to save a few dollars. Meanwhile club B comes in and bids an acceptable amount and talks to the player. They show commitment but LFC have been negligent recently. Who would you rather sign for? A club that has both eyes on its financial statements or a club that means business?
I agree with your points Pete.
ReplyDeleteThey, (FSG) seem very capable in the selling of players and seem to get it done with minimum fuss......
We cannot keep crossing our fingers in the hope of another bargain like PT and DS which really doesn't happen that often.
I also agree that certain stops need to be pulled out whilst the good momentum is with us now, not wait 'til it's too late....
dont let facts come in between a good story
ReplyDeleteI understand cutting down the wage bill, no point of paying inflated wages if we are finishing in 8th position. The players sold probably wouldn't have contributed too much this season anyway but the squad is way too thin.
ReplyDeleteWe have a good team, Sturridge and Coutinho were quality signings. All we need is another centre back and a mid because Allen is injured. 2 signings that have had a whole month to take place are now left to the final days of the window. So close but so far, won't be surprised if no one is brought in at all. Just need that cutting edge in the market and we can take more steps forward.
11 competitive games...........duhhhh.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you want Liverpool to do, put a gun to the heads of players to make them sign???. This is the market and we don't have European football...........fact.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly.... Imo you talk a lot of sense..
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it just highlights my own frustrations.
You have hit the nail on the head there mate with your comment, 'so near yet so far'....
I can feel the optimism and am bemused that FSG can't see an opportunity staring at them so intently.
Even though the top teams are strong, there has been management changes that could falter over the season whilst they put their own plans down.
That, to me, is a major opportunity for us and top four.
To build on our early promise is a must if those intentions are to be realised this year. And I am not talking of potentially good players in the next couple of years. As you rightly say, two top players could make a major impact for us.
If we can beat MU on Sunday it will be a huge statement in regards to confidence. The whole squad would be buzzing, fringe players would up their games, competition increases, the fans are happy and the whole process breeds positivity.
Surely there are two decent affordable players still out there to help make this sustainable?
When you put things into real perspective, it's always going to take a while to get our top target while we're a team outside the top 4, and haven't looked like reaching it for the past few seasons.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy with this and because the owners won't spend any real money for world class wingers, how about we make a bid for Peter Obewinge (sorry, if spelt wrong) IMO he is a very good footballer who can score some goals and plays out wide.
ReplyDeleteHonda would be nice too but so would wining the lotto i guess.
I really don't understand it, we have Sakho, Tiago, Honda all are available and within our price range but yet we can't seal a deal for any of them wtf
make an offer give them a time frame to except, then sign them or move on if the owners think that we will be ok for the season, based on what we have then they have confirmed what i already knew & that is, that the Americans should really stick to Baseball & Gridiron.
Regardless of what most of you think i am aware that we don't have an endless supply of money & you guys that think the owners are looking after our club for the future, think again these guys didn't become multi millionaires looking out for everyone else's needs, this is a business to them bottom line, it's all about profit, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ if we are near the top 4 then they won't loose any money when their ready to sell, any thing else will be a bonus for them.
If we don't make the top 4 this season it will be impossible the next, because if they players won't come to LFC now then next season they will treat us like the plague.
Let's look at the European Champions, Bayern. What players do they have that are so exceptional, that it's nearly impossible to replace them? Players that you can deem among the best 10 in the world in their position? Gerrard and Suarez fit right in there. Coutinho and Sturridge could.Bayern have Javi Martinez. Lahm. Neuer maybe. That's it. What they do have on top of that though is a lot of players who are just that level below.Guys like Dante, Ribery, Alcantara, Robben, Gotze, Kroos, Badstuber (when fit). Guys in the 10 to 20 million bracket. There are plenty of them out there but you have to be willing to pay. If we can add to our four and what we have with two or three 10 to 20 million bracket players (real ones, not Downing type buys) we'll have just as much reason to think we can win the league as anyone else out there. Just look at this summer, every time one of our "targets" was bought by someone else, there'd be a new name linked and they seem just as good and just as exciting. The problem is, at the end of the day you need to buy one of them. And that is where we go wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a 'story', it's fact:
ReplyDelete* LFC are unbeaten in the last 11 competitive games (i.e. league/cup). Pre season doesn't count.
* As Gano says, it's only 1 defeat in the last 16 competitive games.
:-)
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer Sakho to be honest. I think there's more of a chance of him coming in and immediately making an impact.
ReplyDeleteMore proof of FSG digging deep then?
ReplyDeleteExactly, the opportunity is there, a bigger one than in the past. Also it's BR's second season, players are performing...most of the boxes are ticked. To be honest I didn't expect to be 2 wins from 2 games.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope we get that win over United and also bring in those players needed :)
Yep, we're going wrong because we're not buying. Hopefully, we will make the most of the dying moments of the transfer window.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't quite compare Bayern to Liverpool when it comes to winning a league, because, much like La Liga, the Bundesliga is a two-horse race. In the last 20 seasons, only 4 other teams have won it outside of Dortmund (5) and Bayern (11). The EPL has more depth and the competition above us is stiff.
The fact that you can name so many players in the Bayern '2nd tier' speak volumes. These guys are more influential and importantly, more consistent than many in our 2nd tier. Hence, the importance, as you state, in acquiring players that are genuinely worth £10-£20M. It's not just the quality you're paying for, but the consistent quality.
The guy's an absolute monster. Furthermore, he plays left centre-back and can play as a left back, which would provide cover for both Agger and Enrique.
ReplyDeleteI'll drink to that my friend....:)
ReplyDeleteWrong, Bayern have more than 3 players that fit the world class type. Ribery is one of the 3 players - with messi and CR7 - who will probably get the European player of the year... Robben is individual class , eventho I hate him, lahm is the best fullback of the last. 5 years neuer is worldclass, schweinsteiger is among the best midfielders on the world, so is martinez. They have proven world class players in combination with the best sub players on the world, for every ribery there's a shaquiri for every robben there's a müller and a götze for every Martinez there's a thiago for every Dante a boateng for every schweinsteiger a kroos - that's the most balanced team on the world, there's much more than a few impact signings between LFC and Bayern - unfortunately...
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more that without making top 4 this season, next summer will be extremely difficult regarding transfers.
ReplyDeleteIt might even cost us a couple of transfer requests...!
75%? Don't be daft.
ReplyDeleteHow could we possible when we lost £20m on Carroll and £14m on Downing? Plus 5m on Adam?
We have only got £28m back so far total
Cost for them 3 ? £63m
By the way ray - where's your bale to ManU and Suarez to Real within the next 48 you stated 2 days ago?
ReplyDeleteI would be happy with Honda for free/£3-4m.
ReplyDeleteBut only if we spent the money getting a back line to die for. That means 2 of Papa, Alder, Sakho and Illori
And only if that meant strengthening in Jan for a final push..
I personally believe that we should hire one of our ex players to do the negotiating for any future buys, someone who younger players can look up to and will respect similar to the role that Marc Overmars has at his current club. I think when players are approached (when their club gives permission) by someone they can relate to or might know they might be able to convince them that LFC is where they should be, no disrespect to IA but if i had someone like him trying to convince me or Marc Overmars i know who i would listen to, players convince other players all the time, just a thought because we seem to be struggling in this area IMO I could be wrong?
ReplyDeleteOK anyway would love for this to happen & Honda would be nice, then make an offer for Lukaku, wishful thinking or maybe Diego Forlan for a season, that would be interesting not to mention him playing with Suarez and how cheap would he be, he still playing for Uruguay, it least it will piss off the Man U fans if nothing else.
I always thought it was a stretch to pay over 20mil for him but I would have because I think we need that guy who can dictate the tempo in midfield and help our transition defence. Spurs are looking to get him for 9mil....9mil!!! That is the steal of the season if those reports are true and while I wouldn't mind passing him for 20mil, I'm pretty upset we ignored the lad for a measly 9mil especially when, according to Babbel, all we needed to do was agree a fee and he would come *smh*
ReplyDeleteIf true it's good news.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to be patient with BR and FSG and while I understand that we need to buy the right players at the right price I think not signing CE for the reported 9mil spurs has bid is just neglegence of the highest order. Fair play to them tho, they know how to get what they want (something I wish we had).
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we need to buy players in those positions but I think we're realistically only going to get a CB with only a handful of days left in the window. I'm upset because its taken toure and cissokho to go down for BR to act when it's been clear since before cara retired that we needed reinforcements in that position
I also agree 100% that spurs have a better team than united and arsenal and have the potential to clinch third. But that means that it would be a battle for 4th with united and arsenal and, in short, its going to be one hell of an uphill battle for us this season.
Ribery is not by a country mile even near to the top ten of players in his position. Messi, Ronaldo, Suarez are players who can turn a game upside down. Whenever Bayern have needed him to do that, Robben had to do it for him. And as far as Robben goes, when he's on fire sure he's a great winger but he's not on fire that much. If he's not injured to behin with.Lahm, Neuer and Martinez I had. Schweini is fair enough although I do wonder how long he can keep on going but that goes for Gerrard aswell. Either way, Bayern have a fantastic team but apart from Gotze who they clearly overpaid for and Martinez all of their players are either youth products or were bought for 21 million or less (Robben and Ribery cost 25 million euro)
ReplyDeleteWho needs Mourinho, I can do it for you: Lloris; Walker Vertonghen Dawson Rose; Sandro Paulinho Eriksen; Lamela Soldado Lennon. Capoue cover for Sandro, Holtby for Paulinho and Dembele for Eriksen. Chadli is a striker and Townsend, Siggurdson end Carroll will have to fight their way in although I expect Sigurdsson to be out of there by the September 3. I just hope it isn't to us.
ReplyDeleteRibery is the best player of the bundesliga by far, unplayable IMO
ReplyDeleteI mostly agree with your opinions but, do you really believ it is BR's failure to act?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion it is the club's.... No doubt BR's and the scouting team's hit list has been on the table for weeks; with more targets mentioned on a regular. The club has so far failed to meet most of those signings apart from the early acquisitions....
Their failure to act sooner can only be their own and not attributed to the manager who has never siad anything other than his desire for new additions.....
Fair enough, I really can't put the blame soley on his feet. But when he says that we''ve finsihed strenghening the squad an now want to strenghen the team and continually affirms that he's in charge of the "transfer committee", it's hard to comprehend how we've missed out on so many of our targets if he's as in-tune with whats going on as he claims he is. Spurs miss out on Willian but had Lamela already poised as a plan B in a matter of days if not hours. Sure they have Bale money which helps, but its more about their desire to get a deal done that makes their process a lot more superior to what we're doing.
ReplyDeleteThere just seems to be either a huge disconnect between manager and Ayre or just a case of an incompetence when it comes to dealing in the trasfer market. For the record, I'm happy with the business we've done but its not enough for a top four finish imo...we've fallen a little short. We had the opportunity to make a statement this window and show our ambition to get back to the top but, in my humble opinion, BR and team messed it up when it mattered and have now put a lot of pressure on DS, PC, SG, and LS to perform week in , week out without an adequate supporting cast (especially when you consider one is injury prone, one aging, one still very young, and one who doesnt want to be here).
I have faith in the boys to surprise many this season, but I'm dissapointed in BR Ayre and the rest involved for not helping our boys out by adding some real quality to the team that was clearly available throughout this transfer window
CE is a strange one. Many reports have come out of Ajax stating that we are interested but as far as I am aware we have never made an approach.
ReplyDeleteNow it could be that the scout have expresses concerns that he has not progressed as many thought he would or should have.
Who knows.
All I can think is that there must be something which we are not happy with to have never made a bid of any kind. Same goes for a lot of other clubs who have been scouting him.
So buy him for the sake of buying if him then?
ReplyDeleteI
You're probably right that we fell into this idea that he's not progressed as much as he should have an passed on him. But I remember a player that many thought had plateaued and nobody was willing to put in a bid for until we took the gamble, coughed up the 20mil, and bought one of the most feared strikers in the world at the time....of course I'll alluding to Torres.
ReplyDeleteIt was exactly the same situation. People rated him highly seasons before; when there was a chance he might finally leave nobody wanted to take the gamble because he scored only 13 goals the previous season or something like that. Eriksen fell into that same trap but, where we gambled and prospered 6 years ago, we cowered away this time. And for 9mil? I just don't understand it especially when you consider we we're quick to buy Borini for 2 mil more...I'm honestly still trying to get over the shock of it all
Have you actually seen both players play? This is not a slight but if you had you wouldn't be saying that. Sakho is the superior defender who, imo, would better compliment agger's style of play (not to mention that papa is a little injury prone which we defo don't need in light of our current situation). This is an absolute gem of a buy if we get him
ReplyDeleteVery well put. And in only a couple of sentences! How people can find something to disagree with on this point is beyond me!
ReplyDeleteNo. But we can at least MATCH offers other teams have made so we can at least get to Talk to the player! Eg. Spuds/Willian! Brendan has said if you sit a Player at a table with him, he is confident he can persuade him to sign for us. (But said it more eloquently than that!) So at least give the man a chance to do that!! Many players have expressed a desire and mentioned us by name but our owners are not matching offers of our rivals so we don't even get a chance to talk to the Player!
ReplyDeleteHow can you argue against wanting to strengthen the team!? We're not talking silly money here but FSG should be able to stretch to £25 mill or so, for the right player!
Five weeks ago I would of laughed at you. (Sorry - lol) But unfortunately I am coming around to this point of view. Even Brendan is frustrated, plain to see if you read between the lines of what he said about our failure to get Willian. Fair enough, Chelsea got him but Brendan didn't even get a chance to talk to him because our tight fisted yanks wouldn't even match Spuds' offer! Sad. Sad. Sad.
ReplyDeleteNo mate......not for the sake of it at all.
ReplyDeleteMy point being that although I agree with you that he is over rated at present, I also believe imo that no one will suffer a financial loss on him if they were to sign him now during this window. I believe Ajax would settle at 12m with TH currently offering 9m. At that price they can't financially lose; as I said, imo.
However, purely in footballing terms, they stand to gain a lot if all goes to plan. A gamble I think imho that we should have taken weeks ago........
He could be as much of a bargain as Coutinho turned out to be.....
Your humble opinion is an honest one mate, and one I totally agree with.......cheers :)
ReplyDeletetorres 50m babbel 6m ring any bells
ReplyDeleteFSG claim to have this model they adhere to with regards to the transfer market. The suggestion is they are looking for players 25yrs and younger with quality and strong potential to improve. Although there have been some very shrewd signings, we are far from challenging (seriously) for the top 4. At moment, Coutinho has had to do a job for us on the left side of our attack and, as suggested by Brendan Rodgers, we will only get the best out of him when he has a free role in the centre of the pitch to pick out intelligent movement in front of him. I agree with this, however the
ReplyDeleteway we have acted in the transfer market has not suggested that the board have taken this seriously. Yes we went for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Willian but those options were always going to be difficult with likes of Chelsea and Dortmund in the mix. That would suggest we had to look younger and more intelligently, but up till now nothing has been done. So I wake up today expecting the same ridiculous rumors circulating the LFC blogs, but today a considerable number of sources have suggested that we have bid £20m for Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv). Personally I have never seen him play, but if you are telling me he is worth a similar amount to Henrikh Mkhitaryan then I would have my reservations. If the guy is worth that amount then someone else (like Chelsea etc) would have tapped him up. If FSG are going to be so tight with their money, then surely spending that amount has to happen because we know we have got it 100% right. It is so frustrating when you see players like Iker Muniain (20) ignored by world football. He absolutely destroyed the Mancs a few seasons ago AT OLD TRAFFORD in the Europa League for Bilbao. I am confident we could get him for max. £15m from a team in a country that is
struggling economically. Alas we go for this Ukrainian kid (23) who is left
footed and seems to be suited to playing on the right side of a team. I thought the idea was to sign someone who could be dangerous for us on the left side of the attack. I am tired of it all, and I can’t wait for the window to shut. Oh yeah, and Real are blatantly going to try a cheeky Suarez bid on the last day. Yet another summer wasted! YNWA
whats funny is i posted that if we had two or 3 key players missing the wheels will fall off...i take that back as apparently we only know need one to be missing
ReplyDeletesame can be said of 6 numbers on the lottery as well
ReplyDeletemore like substance abuse...as you must be tripping if you think hell turn up
ReplyDeletetheres plenty happening in regards to us losing players dont be so negative
ReplyDeleteRibery is officially the best player in the world
ReplyDeleteAgainst minor opposition yes. Anyway, there is no point in discussing the very good or very very good of one single player. My point is that we have special players, just the ones we complement them with are one level below what they need to be. Not all of them of course, I think Touré, Johnson and Henderson qualify and everyone over here in Belgium keeps telling me that Mignolet does too :-) But Jose Enrique, Agger, Lucas and Aspas I don't think so. I was a big fan of Aggers but he does seem to have gone off the boil somewhat. His challenges seem half hearted, his distribution and marauding up the pitch don't seem as confident anymore, there seems to be something off with big Dan and I really hope he gets it back before Sunday.
ReplyDeleteAgreed
ReplyDeleteyeah-competitive games-simple really !
ReplyDeleteNo I don't want LFC to 'put a gun to' players, I. Want them to negotiate & strike deals, which is what they're supposed to do.
ReplyDeletei think he loves you too...:)
ReplyDeleteSuarez £23m Henderson £16m ring any bells?
ReplyDeleteYou said recouped. Got the £101m back? no way!
Those were just the LOSSES on the players, not the spend.
The year we sold Carroll, there was a £5m net gain. The next 2 years under KK and a bit of Roy H were £5 and £40met spends
That's a £70m SPEND. So don't be silly
thanks for your kind words :-)
ReplyDeleteall you need is love;-)
ReplyDeleteSiggurdson stayed. Lucky for him Capoue is long term injured. But you're saying Capoue, Dembele , Chadli Townsend Siggurdson and Holltby will all be happy as backup/on the bench?
ReplyDeleteLike I said, Good luck with that AVB
Siggurdson and Capoué don't play the same position do they? I thought Gylfi was an AM whereas Capoué is a DM. I'm not saying they'll be happy, but it's up to those on the bench to oust those on the pitch. I think AVB likes to rotate anyway. BR seems be of the persuasion that you only need two of each in every position and I think I agree. Especially with us not in Europe.
ReplyDeleteNo they don't, but it means someone like Dembele will now get a game which increases his chances in his favoured position. Dembele can play both, and would likely get in ahead of Siggy as an AM
ReplyDelete