Juan Mata: best signing of the transfer window? I'm not sure many people would disagree with that, even Liverpool fans, many of whom hoped the Spaniard would somehow end up at Anfield. Jame Redknapp is not convinced, thought, and he Cardiff City pulled off the best deal.
In his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp hailed Zaha as a the 'best signing of the transfer window', adding:
"You would be hard pressed to find a more exciting player than Wilfried Zaha.
He is a talent that gets bums off seats, and in 52 minutes [of his debut] he achieved more than in his two games for United"
Prior to the Man United transfer, Liverpool were linked with a move for Zaha. At the time, the Daily Mail reported:
"Kenny Dalglish has contacted [Crystal Palace] with regards to the Anfield club’s interest in Zaha. Dalglish asked more about his character than his ability. The contact is a precursor to Liverpool’s attempts to lure Zaha to Merseyside".
Zaha made the wrong decision joining Man Utd, and given Brendan Rodgers' confidence in Liverpool's young players, he undoubtedly would've played more football if he'd chosen Anfield instead of Old Trafford.
Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann is not entirely convinced about Zaha's talent, and last year, the German suggested that the winger is a little overrated. He explained:
"I don't like all the hype that's already circling round the kid Zaha. Yes he is exceptionally talented but that's all it is so far. Lessons seem not to have been learnt from Walcott a few years ago. The kid need protecting not hyping up.
Hamann is clearly right. Zaha is totally untested at the highest level, yet people continue to hype him up as if he's achieved something majorly significant in the game. Zaha himself seems to believe his own hype too, and in a recent interview with The Guardian, he explained:
"I want to come up against defenders who will properly test me. I'd never look at someone and think he's better than me, unless it's Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. When I get on the pitch it's my time".
I still say Mata is the best transfer of the window. What a player, and he would've been superb for Liverpool. Alas, given the Reds' fumbling in the transfer market, even if Ayre et al tried to seal a deal, it probably would've failed at the last minute.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp hailed Zaha as a the 'best signing of the transfer window', adding:
"You would be hard pressed to find a more exciting player than Wilfried Zaha.
He is a talent that gets bums off seats, and in 52 minutes [of his debut] he achieved more than in his two games for United"
Prior to the Man United transfer, Liverpool were linked with a move for Zaha. At the time, the Daily Mail reported:
"Kenny Dalglish has contacted [Crystal Palace] with regards to the Anfield club’s interest in Zaha. Dalglish asked more about his character than his ability. The contact is a precursor to Liverpool’s attempts to lure Zaha to Merseyside".
Zaha made the wrong decision joining Man Utd, and given Brendan Rodgers' confidence in Liverpool's young players, he undoubtedly would've played more football if he'd chosen Anfield instead of Old Trafford.
Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann is not entirely convinced about Zaha's talent, and last year, the German suggested that the winger is a little overrated. He explained:
"I don't like all the hype that's already circling round the kid Zaha. Yes he is exceptionally talented but that's all it is so far. Lessons seem not to have been learnt from Walcott a few years ago. The kid need protecting not hyping up.
Hamann is clearly right. Zaha is totally untested at the highest level, yet people continue to hype him up as if he's achieved something majorly significant in the game. Zaha himself seems to believe his own hype too, and in a recent interview with The Guardian, he explained:
"I want to come up against defenders who will properly test me. I'd never look at someone and think he's better than me, unless it's Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. When I get on the pitch it's my time".
I still say Mata is the best transfer of the window. What a player, and he would've been superb for Liverpool. Alas, given the Reds' fumbling in the transfer market, even if Ayre et al tried to seal a deal, it probably would've failed at the last minute.
Author: Jaimie K
I think 37 million is too much for Mata
ReplyDeleteWe will know for sure at the end of the season. Mata is brilliant but United had to spend a pretty penny to get him. As talented as he is will Moyes get the best out of him?
ReplyDeleteThat remains to be seen.
ReplyDeleteas a united fan the answer to that question is No.
ReplyDeleteAnd the author's credibility is shot to pieces when he starts quoting Redknapp. I'd bet good money to say he hasn't seen Zaha play much and is only basing it on the fact he got 2 assists on his debut.
He's a horses for courses opinion man Jamie
I dunno tough to say in today's market. Good value compared to some deals (£33 mil for Pastore for example) and not so good compared to others (Cazorla for £12mil or something like that).
ReplyDeleteI think it will prove to be good business for United though. Their fans have been crying out for a marquee signing since RVP, so their global fan base will probably cover a chunk of the fee with shirt sales etc.
I wouldn't say it damages the author's credibility. He's just reporting what Redknapp said.
ReplyDeleteHe actually agrees more with Hamann, if you read the article. Says he is untested.
Not being snipy but a lot of jerseys are two bob snides in the local market.
ReplyDeleteNah, that's just the quality of United shirts. Did you not see they were wearing tea cloths last season?
ReplyDeleteAnd again not sniping but the quality of those wearing them!!
ReplyDeleteIt's exactly that. Clubs who spend that type of money on players are either being held to ransom because clubs know they're loaded like PSG, Monaco, Citeh, Chelsea or desperate like Real or Man United. Mata is of course a great player but I'm sure there are players out there who would have the same impact for Cazorla type fees. Ferguson would have never spent that kind of cash unless it was a really special player. Chelsea did a good job at identifying two clubs who are desperate for results in Wolfsburg and Man U and managed to sell bench warmers at a ridiculous profit. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for overspending on players that will directly improve your first team like Bayern do every year, but I hope that if we would finally do it in the summer, that it will be on truly great talent.
ReplyDeleteMata is a great player, but for £37M it was a luxury we simply couldn't afford. Other areas of the team were a priority I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Mata was the best transfer, but I was really impressed by Matic for Chelsea against City, he could well turn out to be the best signing in January, only time will tell, but IMO he has improved Chelsea even further.
ReplyDelete