Liverpool are closing in Southampton centre-half Dejan Lovren, and although reports suggest that the Saints have rejected two separate offers, it seems like it's just a matter of time before the transfer is agreed.
On Wednesday, the Liverpool Echo claimed:
* Lovren has put in an official transfer request.
* Liverpool FC have offered £20m for the defender.
* The Croatia international is Brendan Rodgers’ 'No 1 defensive target'
* Lovren is 'desperate'. for a move to Anfield
Today, the Daily Mail reports:
"Liverpool who have had two offers rejected so far [but] Lovren believes an agreed figure of £20million has already been bid by Liverpool but Southampton have stalled while they seek replacements".
I frequently called for Liverpool to sign Lovren last summer (and in the year preceding his move to Southampton), but £20m+ is daylight robbery for a player who cost only £8.5m a year ago. It's hard to blame the Saints for holding out for the highest fee possible, though. That's standard practice, and Liverpool are employing the same strategy with Luis Suarez.
That said, this deal does stick in the craw a little, and it's just another example of Liverpool's lack of foresight in the transfer market.
* The Reds were heavily linked with Lovren, but ended up spending £10m more on Mamadou Sakho, who - so far - has shown nothing to suggest he's the long-term solution. Indeed, the mere fact that Liverpool are planning to spend big bucks on another centre back is strong evidence to suggest that Rodgers is not happy with Sakho's performance.
* Admittedly, I supported Sakho's signing last summer, but not for a ridiculous £18m (!) Plus, I wanted Lovren *before* Sakho, but when it became clear that LFC were leaning towards the Frenchman, I gave my opinion on his effectiveness as a player (based on his performances in the comparatively slower-paced Ligue 1).
* If LFC sign Lovren for £20m, that'll be £45m splurged on centre-backs in one year (including Tiago Ilori).
* If Rodgers had just signed Lovren last year, the club would've saved £29.5m (£18m on Sakho; an extra £11.5m on Lovren).
In my view, this is simply negligent transfer planning on a par with:
* Sending Suso on loan and spending £7m on Luis Alberto.
* Sending Borini on loan, and spending £9m on Iago Aspas.
Liverpool could've just kept Borini and Suso - two players with Premier League experience - and saved £16m (or used the money to buy one top-quality player).
As for Lovren vs. Sakho: when it comes to stats, there's not much separating them, but the Croatian has proven to be a more confident, assured central defender, and - importantly - he is a real leader on the pitch, something that's desperately needed at Liverpool.
Lovren vs. Sakho: 2013-14 (PG = per game)
* Passing Accuracy: MS 92.4% | DL 82.1%
* Duels won: MS 58.8% | DL 62.9%
* Aerial Duels Won: MS 56.5% | DL 60.8%
* Recoveries: MS 6PG | DL 6PG
* Tackles Won: MS 92.6% | DL 78.7%
* Clearances: MS 7.5 PG | DL 7.7PG
* Interceptions: MS 0.8PG | DL 2.7PG
STATS: Opta
Additionally, Southampton:
* Conceded fewer league goals.
* Achieved 5 more clean sheets overall.
Man United legend Gary Neville is a fan of Lovren - nicknamed the 'Animal' by his Southampton team-mates - and in a recent column for Sky Sports, he raved:
"For me, he [Lovren] is the one I've been most impressed with. He's been absolutely brilliant the way he's marshalled that back four".
Can the same be said of Sakho? Defensively and offensively, Martin Skrtel had a fantastic season, but he also lacks the organisation/leadership skills needed by the Reds. Ditto Agger.
The deal seems nailed-on, but if it was down to me, I'd spend a little more and pull out all the stops to sign German defender Mats Hummels.
Author: Jaimie K
On Wednesday, the Liverpool Echo claimed:
* Lovren has put in an official transfer request.
* Liverpool FC have offered £20m for the defender.
* The Croatia international is Brendan Rodgers’ 'No 1 defensive target'
* Lovren is 'desperate'. for a move to Anfield
Today, the Daily Mail reports:
"Liverpool who have had two offers rejected so far [but] Lovren believes an agreed figure of £20million has already been bid by Liverpool but Southampton have stalled while they seek replacements".
I frequently called for Liverpool to sign Lovren last summer (and in the year preceding his move to Southampton), but £20m+ is daylight robbery for a player who cost only £8.5m a year ago. It's hard to blame the Saints for holding out for the highest fee possible, though. That's standard practice, and Liverpool are employing the same strategy with Luis Suarez.
That said, this deal does stick in the craw a little, and it's just another example of Liverpool's lack of foresight in the transfer market.
* The Reds were heavily linked with Lovren, but ended up spending £10m more on Mamadou Sakho, who - so far - has shown nothing to suggest he's the long-term solution. Indeed, the mere fact that Liverpool are planning to spend big bucks on another centre back is strong evidence to suggest that Rodgers is not happy with Sakho's performance.
* Admittedly, I supported Sakho's signing last summer, but not for a ridiculous £18m (!) Plus, I wanted Lovren *before* Sakho, but when it became clear that LFC were leaning towards the Frenchman, I gave my opinion on his effectiveness as a player (based on his performances in the comparatively slower-paced Ligue 1).
* If LFC sign Lovren for £20m, that'll be £45m splurged on centre-backs in one year (including Tiago Ilori).
* If Rodgers had just signed Lovren last year, the club would've saved £29.5m (£18m on Sakho; an extra £11.5m on Lovren).
In my view, this is simply negligent transfer planning on a par with:
* Sending Suso on loan and spending £7m on Luis Alberto.
* Sending Borini on loan, and spending £9m on Iago Aspas.
Liverpool could've just kept Borini and Suso - two players with Premier League experience - and saved £16m (or used the money to buy one top-quality player).
As for Lovren vs. Sakho: when it comes to stats, there's not much separating them, but the Croatian has proven to be a more confident, assured central defender, and - importantly - he is a real leader on the pitch, something that's desperately needed at Liverpool.
Lovren vs. Sakho: 2013-14 (PG = per game)
* Passing Accuracy: MS 92.4% | DL 82.1%
* Duels won: MS 58.8% | DL 62.9%
* Aerial Duels Won: MS 56.5% | DL 60.8%
* Recoveries: MS 6PG | DL 6PG
* Tackles Won: MS 92.6% | DL 78.7%
* Clearances: MS 7.5 PG | DL 7.7PG
* Interceptions: MS 0.8PG | DL 2.7PG
STATS: Opta
Additionally, Southampton:
* Conceded fewer league goals.
* Achieved 5 more clean sheets overall.
Man United legend Gary Neville is a fan of Lovren - nicknamed the 'Animal' by his Southampton team-mates - and in a recent column for Sky Sports, he raved:
"For me, he [Lovren] is the one I've been most impressed with. He's been absolutely brilliant the way he's marshalled that back four".
Can the same be said of Sakho? Defensively and offensively, Martin Skrtel had a fantastic season, but he also lacks the organisation/leadership skills needed by the Reds. Ditto Agger.
The deal seems nailed-on, but if it was down to me, I'd spend a little more and pull out all the stops to sign German defender Mats Hummels.
Author: Jaimie K
Would Hummels be available for transfer this summer ? spend an extra 10m and get him, better value.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - Hummels would be a dream signing.
ReplyDeleteDon't really give a s*** if it's 'daylight robbery'. It's not my money they're spending, it's theirs.
ReplyDeleteHind sight is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteAlso JK I need to ask, where do you find all this time to research all these statistics? Or does this program you have just make things infinitely easier?
ReplyDeleteNeed to get in:
ReplyDeleteAleksander Mitrovick
Stephan El Shaarawy (if actully recovered from injury)
Nico Lopez
Mario Fernandez
Matio Kovacic
Ricardo Rodriguez
Roberto Firminio
Steven Caulker (If we cant get in Lovren for under 22m - which is still overpaying them - for 2 players, for 2 players they will scam us the dodgy southerners)
Not over spending means we have funds to buy perhaps a better quality player in other positions
It is sad that Alexis Sanchez does according to reports does not want to come to us, perhaps he prefers the London lifestyle or maybe even he sees that ARSENAL will guarantee him CL football for many years to come - whereas our first priority this season is to get in the top 4 again.
I just make them up. Much easier and quicker ;-D
ReplyDeleteAlways thought you're full of s***
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on with DC signing, i mean yeah sure we need a more solid defense but with the youngster we've brought i don't even want to start counting the number of DC 20+ of age we'll have at the start of the season.
ReplyDeleteSeems like Rodgers is loosing it with his transfer now that he have more money (like it has been said the Aspas/alberto while we had Borini/suso is just a proof of it).
i think Hummels lacks concentration and has regressed over the past season.
ReplyDeleteWe need defenders and a keeper if Pepe isn't an option. Far more than we need the likes of Shakiri. Lovren would be a decent start.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a higher probability that Lovren is being targeted to partner Sakho rather than replace him.. Agger will surely be on his way out now while Skrtel besides getting on at 29 also blows hot and cold, for example he was prolific for a defender to score 7 goals but then he scored another 3 at the wrong end.
ReplyDeleteIt makes more sense to buy 25 year old Lovren to potentially partner him with 24 year old Sakho and have 21 year Ilori as back up for a long term solution while looking to offload the 29 year old trio of Skrtel, Agger and Johnson as well as senior statesman Kolo who are all either presumably slower for our quick breaking and pressing game or just too old to adjust to the new system along the school of thought that goes you can't teach an old dog new tricks. No ageism intended to offend anyone but merely reflecting the widely held view about youth and speed.
Good fcuking riddance to any player who doesn't want to play for the club . Just need to play hard ball over transfer fee.
ReplyDeleteHindsight is a wonderful thing Jaimie, how could anybody foresee that Lovren would have a great first season and Sahko would be average? When we signed Sahko I was really pleased, I thought he was exactly what we needed, a strong, fast and dominant cb. He hasn't been brilliant but he hasn't been rubbish either, I honestly believe he's struggled with the language barrier. Lovren on the other hand was excellent but he's just not worth £20m. We can't blame Southampton for trying to get top money for him and they must be fed up of us but if they really want 20 then we have to walk away.
ReplyDeleteEver thought about, that we want Lovren to partner him with Sakho ...
ReplyDeleteWe would have 4 really good senior CBs going into the season, which is the depth we gonna need.
With Ilori possibly going out on loan to get much needed experience for another season, the planning for the future should see the sales of Skrtel and Agger afterwards.
So for me, if we buy Lovren and he even would cost us 20m+ pounds, that's not bad buisness at all.
Should Lovren arrive, our first choice CB pairing will be Lovren&Sakho, of that I have no doubt.
Im not sure who is running the transfer department at Liverpool but they are hopeless, I don't know why Lovren chose Southampton, maybe because when we should have bought him we were in a mess, i remember being gutted he chose them, it's about time the club sorted out what and who we need, who we need to sell, who we need to keep and which players we should pay top dollar for, BR has been promised quality signings and we need world class players if we hope to do well in the CL and EPL or it will end in tears, £8 million full backs that can't get into the first team is not the way to go, once we lose Suarez we had better buy some class or we are in big trouble.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the transfer "board" ever actually sit down together and talk about transfers, the amount of players we have bought and the money spent on them smacks of buying by "trial and error" anyway, it needs sorting and not soon NOW! John Henry should step in and "kick some ass"
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we could go back over a host of transfers over the years and say "if Liverpool had signed ..." and probably come up with a world-beating team for under 50 million. Hindsight is great, isn't it? It's not negligent to have not signed a player who turned out to do well at another club, it's just the way things often turn out. If we went back over every team's transfer history and highlighted similar situations I'm quite sure we'd have an entire league of "negligent" transfer dealings, profilgate spending and wastage. Relatively speaking Liverpool are probably well down the line and these kinds of "failures" don't bother me in the least.
ReplyDeleteIf we sign Lovren then someone else will be sold, that's almost certain, and it'll probably be Agger. We'll then have Lovren, Sakho, Skrtel and Toure to cover two defensive positions across 4 tournaments for next season. Ilori can fight with Toure to see who is worthy of a regular spot on the bench. One injury and we're down to just one quality backup. Two injuries and we have no backups. We've been in that situation before and to have that kind of depth is vital for a team like Liverpool, aspiring to be back up amongst the greats. To me it sounds like a well balanced squad and none of the money has been "wasted". At the end of the day we'll have a very solid and deep defensive line-up and I really don't anything to complain about.
This all small potatoes. Who are we going to get to replace at least some of the 31 goals we're losing?
ReplyDeleteSakho will go on to prove himself world class - remember, that was his first season and coupled with the fact he had a couple of injuries and wasn't starting regularly, it is taking him longer to gel. When he does, he will be a colossus. His former club PSG certainly thought so, making him the youngest skipper in their history at 18 years of age. As for Lovren, is 20 million stupid money as in he isn't good enough to be considered to be worth that. OR do you just not like the idea of paying that much? If he goes on to become an amazing defender (and he certainly has the potential to become one) then won't £20 million seem a snip? Especially if you compare it to the price of someone like David Luiz.
ReplyDeleteLovren is a right footed CB and Sakho left footed. If we are going to sign Lovren it's to partner up with Sakho, unfortunately Agger will probably be sold.
ReplyDeleteSpeed is not related to youth. You got it or you don't.
ReplyDeleteAleksander Mitrovick
ReplyDeleteStephan El Shaarawy (if actully recovered from injury)
Nico Lopez
Mario Fernandez
Matio Kovacic
All not good enough. Why people keep saying Shaarawy is beyond me. Ridicilous.
I can't say it once let alone keep saying it
ReplyDeleteVery true though at 96 myself Ii am not quite as fleet of foot as once I was
ReplyDeleteWe are going to lose to Suarez, our main man in almost every department and people are seriously thinking of Shaarawy to replace him.... I'm actually quite worried that Sanchez prefers Arsenal and Juve, because without Suarez and without a decent replacement we are going to struggle. We have enough experience with overpriced, overhyped players. In today's media everybody seems to be a superstar or very talented.
ReplyDeleteAlso very true. I was thinking of Robben.
ReplyDeleteWho seems to be even quicker since he became 30...
It's true Suarez is our main man in almost every department. Hell he's even a better goalkeeper than Mig, But I am sure we will sign a big name player and it might still be Sanchez so relax.
ReplyDeleteDo u think he will come? F@@cking Tello didnt want to come to us
ReplyDeleteWhy would Agger be sold? If Sakho gets injured you aint gonna replace him. Agger will
ReplyDeleteThose nicknames just keep on coming
ReplyDeleteWhy would Agger be sold? Kolo, Coates, and MAYBE Skrtel if Ilori steps up, but why Agger? He's our only other left sided defender... Plus he seems to have more loyalty and passion than the others anyway.
ReplyDeleteFunny. I hope so mate.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we replace him after he leaves? Everything is still up in the air right now. Look what happened to Reina... I'm sure BR has his targets if/when Suarez leaves.
ReplyDeletewhat do u mean?
ReplyDeleteI agree Sakho hasn't really produced anything convincing so far but he's young and will develop hopefully. Hummels would be a dream signing but I think he pretty much has his pick of European clubs and I don't think we'll be too high on his list. I agree 20 mil is too much. If we'd doubled the 8.5 mil they spent in him last year that would still represent a good bit of business for Southampton. At 20 mil we're being held to ransom a bit
ReplyDeleteF@@cking IS his Christian name. Christian is his middle name and for some reason he prefers to be known as Christian rather than by his Christian name. See it's quite straightforward.
ReplyDeleteWhat (if any) signing? It's only just barely into July, which means the transfer window has only just barely opened. Rodgers has stated he has signings in the works, but don't expect them to be done by tomorrow. Be realistic, already we have made some very good signings, there is no reason for us not to make some more good signings during the transfer window. In Rodgers I trust and so should you.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, we had a crazy amount of goals last season, third best in Premier League history in fact, bettered only by Man City and Chelsea under Ancelotti. However, without Suarez's 31 goals, we still we would have had the third best attack in the league and the best three attacks were Man City with 102, us with 101 and Chelsea with 71. We have bought Lambert and Lallana, last season, they scored a combined 20+ goals. That's not even taking into account the players we can potentially bring in. The answer isn't about buying one player to replace Suarez, the answer is buying two or three players who combined will provide more than Suarez does by himself.
ReplyDeleteF@@cking Alexis Sanchez
ReplyDeleteYou must be English...
ReplyDeleteThing with Dortmund is, they cannot hang on to players like Hummels indefinitely without risking losing him they way they did Lewandowski. So I'm sure that if we match Bayern's fee for Götze last summer we can get him. That would be 37 million of the Suarez money but money well spent imho.
ReplyDeleteIf we reduce goals conceeded by 15-20, which is not only possible but a prority, we wont have 31 goals to make up.
ReplyDeleteI hope we sign Lovren,very strong and composed defender and also leads the back line.life moves on goodbye Suarez thenks 4ur goals and tireless effort,we wil find a replacement for him
ReplyDeleteSilly billies, haha... Googled it..
ReplyDeleteIt was a transition situation, but they were on the same level as Belgium in some matches (including big chunk of the match against them). Serbia always has problems with Coaches- it is probably seat as hot as the one of Scolari. Plus coruption, mentality.. But they have players worthy of our club...
PS not Jovanovic, repeat, NOT JOVANOVIC...
Please count in few more from Sterling and Lallana.
ReplyDeleteThus far - Allen, Johnson ,Lucas and the dross remain. The best player in the world has left. Nobdy seems to rate Allana and, anyway, he's English. Most people feel Can can't. Ricky is all right but will struggle to put away eight goals. Alexis is determined not to go to Liverpool. And Mr Blunder Reina seems to be coming back. Well done BR - looks like a great season ahead.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Hummels would consider leaving BvB for Anfield, sadly. The thought of us signing Lovren for 20m after signing Lallana for 25m sickens me... Extortion to the highest degree.
ReplyDelete10000% agree. I think this is the way a club crumbles. We go out of UCL and the cycle repeats. Gerrard retires , Sterling and Coutinho leaves the club in next 2 years. RIP
ReplyDeleteBorini could do very well if given a chance. Strange how LFC give endless opportunities to some players and virtually none to others. Never understaood that.
ReplyDeleteThus far we are two months away from closed window.
ReplyDeleteRicky and Lallana will have 30 goals and assists.
no he isn't..he is left footed
ReplyDeleteDoes keep the faith mean anything? And being so gloomy after this season is just beyond me...
ReplyDeleteOnly part that I agree with there is about Suarez. I don't think he's as easily replaceable as JK makes it out to be. Yes, no one player is bigger than the club.
ReplyDeleteBut the idea that we can simply sell Suarez and replace his goals/assists by spending 80m, well I think Spurs learned the hard way last year with Bale that it's a lot easier said than done.
Spot on. Absolutely agree with you, especially about Borini and Suso.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest issue I had with the Sakho deal was the fact that we spent so much on a center back that was riding the bench for his own team.
ReplyDeleteIf he was starting regularly and PSG were going to suffer because of losing him, I would understand. But he was not starting consistently.
The price, coupled with the fact that he was rusty, then injured, then rusty again at times. I think if he stays healthy and gets a solid run of games in, he'll turn out good for us.
Gaz, As can has stated numerous times he is a centre midfielder. Not attacking midfielder, Not Defensive midfielder but a central midfielder. Our club has been screaming out for a Hamman, Mascherano or Sissoko type defensive midfielder for last 5 and half seasons.
ReplyDeleteThe deal with S Aurier(21) has not been done yet or finalised, until the player has been signed and in Arsenal jersey we can still bring him to club. QPR had 5M bid rejected this week, so if he was so Arsenal bound. Why would QPR even bid for him? Because he is still available, he has agreed personal terms with Arsenal supposedly but he Arsenal have not met Toulouse Value of the player. So If B Rodgers offers 7-9M for him, we could bring him to club.
Ship out Injury prone Kelly(23) and Heart not in it anymore Johnson(29) and let Aurier(21), Flanagan(21) and Wisdom(20) Battle it out for RB Position.
Gaz, Skrtel(29) and Agger(29) are the two best defenders at club by a country mile, but both have 2-3 years of top class quality football left in them.
T Llori(20) will loaned out again this season, he may have the attributes, ability, class, quality, mobility and pace to do well in premiership. But he does not have the size, frame or physicality needed to be a top class premiership defender.
D Lovren(24) and B Indi(22) both have the frames, size's, physical attributes along with mobility and pace to do well for club. Whereas Man United Paid 34M for L Shaw(18), B Rodgers could bring in these Class quality two CB'S for 32M
What are you all, including Jamie, complaining about, this is the market now, higher fees an our poor position in the league late doesn't help. Once were back in cl regularly than fees will drop, if we get lovren for 20 an that's too much what do you call the fees paid from other top clubs like psg?
ReplyDeleteRobben being a case in point.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree that Liverpool are using the same tactic with Suarez! £56m (€75m) is disgraceful! Well overpriced.
ReplyDeleteFunny that a lot of fans thought it was in pounds though! Lmao
Ochoa GK - Rodriguez/Rojo LB - Serge Aurier/Seamus Coleman RB - mangala and hummels CB- Vidal/Pogba and Barkley CM- 2/3 from Firmino /Rodriguez/Griezmann/Sanchez/Shaqiri/Markovic to cover wing forward and AM positions... Luis Muriel CF- DStudge can be the main man now, so Muriel could be a hidden gem from Serie A. That's a transfer list. Not Bertrand, over priced Lovren etc etc etc why didn't we buy Lovren for £8 when we had the chance?
ReplyDeleteSell: reina, 2 centre backs, Johnson if he doesn't sign new contract, Allen, aspas, borini, assaidi . No messing around anymore. Suarez looks like he's going. £70/80m plus what we sell and what fsg invest... That's a shed load of transfer kitty.. We are back in champions league. We need a stronger first XI
Hummels all the way for me, clubs know Suarez is on his way an they taking advantage, money is burning a hole in Rodgers pocket and he seems too eager to splash the cash, time for LFC to be shrewd. Maybe our scouts need a kick up the arse
ReplyDeleteLovren is right footed
ReplyDelete20M? Yeah right. Liverpool have probably offered 12m + add ons to reach 20M. Be nice if the Liverpool press reported things accurately.
ReplyDeleteShut up know-all, Jaimie... the finest exponent of the 'what ifs' in football. You're boring and in need of a review of your attitude or, indeed, hobby?
ReplyDeleteSure, Robben's diving adds to his speed too
ReplyDeleteWhy would BR line them up like that? wouldnt it make much more sense to have the 4 at the back with a 3 man midfield of Gerrard, Hendo and Lallana and a front 3 of Couti, Sterling and Sturridge? Obviously Lallana and Coutinho can alternate between attacking mid and wing. And I dont think Bertrand is a step down from the others at all, hes a very promising full back with PL experience. I'd take him for under 10m than any of the aforementioned. I think Rodriguez is decent, Moreno is ok too, but not for the prices they are commanding. With the suarez money I'm sure we'll get a top CF and another AM/Winger, just believe in the gaffer
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Glad there are some people out there who think the same as me. I'm a fan of Sakho and I'm sure all his haters will be eating their words next season. Hopefully. He hasn't been amazing at all but no defender in our leaky defence would have great stats. Agger was one of my fa our it players but has been a huge disappointment. He kept clean sheets cos he wasn't trusted in the big games. Sakho was. N sakho came off in games when he had kept a clean sheet n then they conceded once he went off. Lovren would b a great signing but Iv always said that these guys use hindsight alot to their advantage in this room
ReplyDeletesako is awful ..im trying to like the guy but he just looks poor......i like lovren and i dont mind Bertrand at least they want to play at anfield what i dont want is another aqua man fiasco where the player doesn't want to join that is why im not interested in sanchez and moreno
ReplyDeleteyou have to be realistic we are not real Madrid or mega bucks city...we will only attract a certain ilk of player..what we need are team players who will buy in to rogers ways what we dont want is overpaid prema donnas who would rather be else where...Sanchez wants arsenal because of the night life in London ....
ReplyDeletefor me last year the players we missed most where hendo and sterling because without them rogers pressing system didnt work
ReplyDeleteThe guardian are reporting that the offer for Lovren is "far less" than the reported £20m.
ReplyDeleteon another note id like ballotelli i think him sturridge and sterling would be electric
ReplyDeleteAh! You're from a 'silly billy'-less culture, eh? Where are ye from, if you don't mind me asking?
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame (purely from a footballing perspective) that there isn't a Yugoslavian team, because they could be an additional super power in the game.
It's a shame that we lack a strong Eastern European side. Some good sides (Croatia and Bosnia are both good and were unlucky to go out in the group stage) but nothing compared to the teams of yesteryear (old Hungary, Czechoslovakia, the USSR and even surprise packages like Bulgaria in '94 or Croatia in '98).
Guardian are saying it is far less.
ReplyDeleteI hope he stays, we need his style of play but I have a gut feeling he will be sold.
ReplyDeleteIts funny how the bbc and pretty much all reliable sources seem to know it is in pounds. Still laughing?
ReplyDeletePosted this on another article but realised that it would be more relevant here, so:
ReplyDeleteHave you considered his injury record JK? You're usually against signing injury prone players, but he has averaged 28 league starts a season.
I know they only play 34 games in the Bundesliga so it might not seem as big a deal in terms of number of games missed, but injuries at centre-back, I think, are the most destabilising ones a team can suffer.
Also, of the 3 sample seasons (a figure picked reasonably arbitrarily, but I think a more representative picture of his current health than a larger sample size) he started the most games in the earliest of these two seasons. If you consider just the two most recent seasons, he only starts 26 league games a season.
Surely the physicality of the Premiership and the more robust schedule would only exacerbate this?
Interested to know your thoughts.
Oh and apparently it was far less than £20m. The guardian's words.
ReplyDelete...or you have and then you don't, 'cos you got old.
ReplyDeleteHe lets gravity do half the work. He loves his physics Arjen.
ReplyDeleteWe built it all around Suarez and he has totally destroyed it all to go to 2nd place in Spain ...
ReplyDeleteThought he had more about him and would relish at the challenge but instead hes opted for the chusty league.
Im hoping next year we get to play Barca in the CL and he can come to Anfield and hear what a true stadium sounds like, non of that whistling rubbish
Then he can watch Studge smash a hattrick in before biting one of our players.
In regards to this article we need LB and RB more than anything its about time we see Agger back on the field BR is seriously mismanaging him
1 Month ago we were walking the title next season with defensive improvements now we are seeing what we can do to keep top 4, Suarez has totally ruined it all and I say congratulations you managed to mug off millions of fans, knock out England and drop your value by about £30m in about a week.
Hate to say It but JK was right .... He is a (lets not get this post deleted eh)
It's because he's spent his whole life trying to match the speed of his rapidly receding hairline.
ReplyDeleteProbably just buy a load more attacking mids.
ReplyDeleteMarkovic seems likely to me.
They haven't got a source, they've just met Ian Ayre.
ReplyDeleteDo they have a winter break? Because that would be a very hard period to get through.
ReplyDeleteThey do. That is what I was trying to say. If he's struggling to stay fit with a winter break, I wouldn't fancy his chances in the Prem.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't actually run he glides. He has spent so much time diving he learned how to fly.
ReplyDeleteGood point. I'm sure Sakho and our defence struggled due to his injuries. Hummels might be a better player but the struggles could be the same.
ReplyDeleteI would look at Rodriguez over Moreno. I think if Suarez goes for £80m then they should invest £20m on a centre back £20-£25m on a world class CB and £35-40m on a Striker to replace Suarez.
ReplyDeleteThen use the rest of the original transfer budget to sign Origi as well as a winger- either Shaqiri or Sanchez
I don't often agree with JK but on this I do! But don't blame Brendan Rogers as I believe reports of 'better value' in Bertrand comes from the money guy Ian Ayers. Brendan spoke in the press some weeks ago about wanting to buy players who would strengthen the first eleven, but it is Ian Ayers who does the negotiating and presumably when to change targets due to cost. Rogers should be given a budget and the final say on targets, I don't believe he has that power and it probably cost us the league title last year.
ReplyDeleteAnd keep Robinson - who will no doubt given the chance perform at least as good as Bertrand
ReplyDeleteYou are right, this team will not get a top four place....
ReplyDeleteWith a starting budget of £60m + player sales revenue + Suarez fee we should have a budget in the region of £150m this summer. We won't replace Suarez with one player so we need to strengthen several areas of the team, especially the full backs! Lambert and Can strengthen the squad not the team and if Lallana replaces Couthino so does he. We need players superior to what we have to strengthen the TEAM, not happening so far.
ReplyDeleteI actually feel fot the Saint in a wa. They have allready lost 3 og their best players. What if we lost Suarez,Sturridge,Sterling and Couthino in 1month. OMG!!
ReplyDeleteFull backs these days need to have an attacking skill, Wisdom does not, I remember one game he played, when he brought the ball from the opposition corner flag, all the way back to pass it to our goalie, enough said.
ReplyDeleteJump on Sanchez and don't worry about the price. We have at least 6-8 players whose sale would not alter the chemistry at all like Tottenham did:
ReplyDelete1. Reina
2. Toure
3. Coates
4. Jones
5. Johnson
6. Leiva
7. Allen
Then get aggressive for another playmaker so we can phase out Gerrard who just has too little gas left in the tank to play every game. Like the Lovren idea, but yawn at the Bertrand idea. Bring up Ibe and Texeira! Give Flanno right back slot; he has earned it. I like the Aurier idea if its not too late.
Stop wastin time on an overpriced Lovren and Go for Costa Rican defenders !!!!
ReplyDeleteProblem for LFC is, BR is buying too many squad players for cash. He is buying lots of 5-10mn players who are just not good enough for starting place & eventually been sold out at a loss. For a club like LFC, we should hardly buy players for bench, rather every window, just a single buy to strengthen the starting XI. Otherwise, there is no point maintaining such a highly spoken Academy. Despite Starling, I don't think our academy is delivering enough or BR isn't utilizing properly. There should be at least 5-6 players every season coming from academy for first team, hopefully 1 to be someone like Starling, Carra, Owen or SG, even every alternate year.
ReplyDeleteLoveren might be good, but I would have spent double to get one of Hummels or Varane (I know, he 'll not leave RM). So far, though over priced, I think only Lallana could be a logical buy; but I don't get any justification to buy Can. I don't think he is better than some of the Academy boys (Suso, Rossitier, Brannagan, Coady or Taxieara); instead of Can, I would have paid double/triple money & would have tried to get one of Vidal, Matuidi, De Jong or Wistel.
Hope, for Suarez's replacement, they don't by 4 Borini or Aspas.
He is a defensive midfielder, he was bought as cover for Stevie. Hamann himself says that Can's best position is DM, which is where he played the majority of last season for Leverkusen.
ReplyDeleteDo you know Martin Kelly personally? If not, how can you say his heart is not in it anymore? I would personally rather Flanagan battle it out for LB. As far as Aurier goes, maybe they had the bid rejected because Arsenal have made a bid that has been accepted and it's all getting finalised. Pure speculation I know, but as is what you are saying.
Ochoa best GK at world cup? No, he has been one of the best, but Navas has been better. Being that they were seen as the whipping boys going into the tournament and came out of the group in first place and having conceded only the one goal, not to mention while losing to the Dutch, keeping a clean sheet in the process, he is the standout keeper for me.
As far as purchasing an LB, I would rather pay the money on buying someone who is proven at the top level like Ricardo Rodriguez, David Alaba or Marcelo, even the likes of Marcelo Rojo. As far as Shaw costing Man Utd 34M, where did you get this figure. 27M has been the fee touted, even by JK himself.
As far as CB, are you forgetting about Sakho? He is still only 23 and after a solid world cup, he has the confidence to go on and have a good season with us now. You say that Skrtel only has a couple of seasons left in him, all I can say is look at Carragher, look at Yepes, there are other examples of defenders being at the top of their game well into their mid-late 30s. Skrtel has had his best season for us and there is no reason why he shouldn't keep performing for us. There is no point overloading each position, 2, maybe 3 players per position, the third being a youth player, this is what we need, not 4 or 5 players per position as this breeds discontent.
Oh dear!! Hummels, you do realise he's going nowhere, he's even stated that himself! Think you've been spending too much time on football manager again. Lovren is the most overrated defender in the league, much better value for money out there?
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with Jaimie in relation to our transfer policy, it's been woeful, we either penny pince or hugely over pay, and neither option has provided with real value (Sturridge and Courinho being the exceptions)
ReplyDeleteAllen, Borini and Sakho look poor value at this point as we've pAid good money for squad players.
Aspas, Alberto and llori have made little impact but to be fair to them they have been offered little or no opportunity to prove themselves, but ultimately have offered no value.
If Lovren is worth £20M plus now, he was surely worth more than the 8.5 the saints paid las year and we should've signed him then.
I think we have a real issue with identifying talent as the players that have performed the best or made the greatest improvement were all here before Rodgers arrived and been either written off or marginalised by him at some point.
Our best signing could be some of the talent spotters at Southampton as they'd save us a fortune!!
Crna Gora. Or Montenegro as you guys call us.. Well Yugoslavia was gonna be a super power in everything, that is why it had to be broken down to litle countries dependeble on EU or USA.. But that is not what this site is about, so yes- from the same country as Jovetic...
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