13 Aug 2014

' Exciting' Star Returns: LFC receive massive £20m boost ahead of Prem kick-off

Since completing his move to Liverpool, injury has restricted 'exciting' £20m signing Lazar Markovic to just 45 minutes of football during the pre-season schedule, but it looks like the Serbian attacker may be fit for Sunday's premier League opener against Southampton.

Over the weekend, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Markovic is still recovering from a tendon injury, and according to the Daily Mail today:

"Lazar Markovic took part in training [today], raising hopes that he may be fit for Sunday"

This is good news, but where's the fire? There's no great need to rush Markovic into action. In fact, it's arguably better if the 20-year old sits out the first Prem game of the season and allows his injury to heal 100%. It's surely better to be safe than sorry, and the last thing Markovic needs is an injury relapse so early in his Liverpool career.

A similar situation arose last season. After an injury in early September, Rodgers rushed Daniel Agger back into the team for a Premier League game with Southampton, and promptly made an error that led to Saints' winning goal. He then suffered an injury relapse, and had to leave the field.

After the game, Agger admitted that he 'shouldn't have played', and that it was a 'mistake to say that I was ready'. This time, Rodgers will hopefully make a responsible decision about whether Markovic features (as opposed to just taking the player's word for it).

In any event, with Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge, Henderson, Suso et al, Liverpool are more than covered in the final third, so there's no need to rush Markovic back.

Author:


76 comments:

  1. Still think we could have put Markovic money towards Reus, especially with Coutinho and Sterling set for world class status. But he's here and we gotta deal with it. Tbh BR has optio s but he won't know his best team with so much players, a lot similar ages

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  2. Medical aside Moreno is signed (arguably LB wasn't the priority).
    We have creators we have defenders we have midfielders
    What we're still lacking is another competent striker (and for the record not Lavezzi who is a winger cum striker) and a good back up keeper.
    Get those and I really do think we'll be able to push on this season

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  3. We are still nowhere near being able to get Reus, and he only became a possible transfer after we got Markovic

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  4. 'Problems' any manager would love to have. Too late to wonder what woulda happened with Reus. We have Markovic and I believe we'll be happy with him. Still need that 4th striker though...Bony for me.

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  5. I am beginning to come round to Bony looking at the only other likely option.

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  6. If we do a Moreno and pay substantially less than originally mooted, then Bony would be good. He doesn't really fit our pattern as well as he might though. Damned medicals, Remy was just right..

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  7. Me too. Bony over Eto'o any day.

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  8. Yes quite right Remy was the one I really wanted

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  9. I would want us to take a punt on Lacazette but that does not seem to be working. Bony seems like the best option right now.

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  10. We do not need him at all to play in the first game. Maybe coming off the bench for the last 10 mins.

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  11. That Agger decision cost the club 25mn in Sakho and Ilori. Deadline day desperate deals.

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  12. Release clause.

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  13. Mate, I think it was Sktel last year who we were going to move on so we got Sakho to replace him and Illori to replace Coates who was injured at the time. But, due to poor planning, this is what resulted.

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  14. I still think both of those two can play their part in the next few years

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  15. Just because there is a release clause does not mean they have sell i.e. Suarez last season.


    The player himself also has the say in the matter where he wants to play. release clauses are nothing but an 'insurance' package.

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  16. What gives the inclination that we are indeed "rushing" him back?


    All it says is that he took part in training, raising hopes he could be back.


    I don't see the phrase "rushing him back" anywhere in the article or the quote.

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  17. I don't see the point of your post. It is obviously my personal inference and I'm sure you can see that. Plus, Rodgers said the other day that he hopes markovic will be ready for Sunday.

    Sent from Samsung Mobile

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  18. I'm sure the medical staff at Melwood know what they're doing.

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  19. If we are going for a short term fix then i would look no further than Huntelaar. Power, still has reasonable pace and will without a doubt score goals.

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  20. The Hunter will make a great addition to our side.

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  21. Spirit of the Shadows6:16 pm, August 13, 2014

    I hope br plays Can along with Stevie and hendo against the saints , as they have.a strong midfield with wanyama, schniederlin and ward prowse

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  22. Mate, I do not think Schneiderlin would be playing.

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  23. Here is the thing about Remy.


    If he is such a low risk why has no other club gone for him?


    At that price he is a steal. He is a proven goal scorer, he has pace, he has power, he can go past people yet other then us nobody else has put a bid in.


    There is lots of speculation but so far not one actual bid.

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  24. I don't think Cavani gives a damn, here will go where ever the money is.

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  25. The problem with Rhodes is that he is unproven in the PL and I doubt anybody will take the risk of spending that much on a Championship striker.


    You name me 3 Championship Strikers who have been brought by a Premiership Club and scored more then 10 goals in their first season.


    Considering the amount of money he would cost you would expect at least 10 goals.

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  26. From and article by Neil Jones from the Liverpool Echo

    WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? RUNNERS-UP IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE ERA

    1992-93 – Aston Villa (following season; 10th)
    1993-94 – Blackburn Rovers (CHAMPIONS)
    1994-95 – Manchester United (CHAMPIONS)
    1995-96 – Newcastle United (2nd)
    1996-97 – Newcastle United (13th)
    1997-98 – Manchester United (CHAMPIONS)
    1998-99 – Arsenal (2nd)
    1999-00 – Arsenal (2nd)
    2000-01 – Arsenal (CHAMPIONS)
    2001-02 – Liverpool (5th)
    2002-03 – Arsenal (CHAMPIONS)
    2003-04 – Chelsea (CHAMPIONS)
    2004-05 – Arsenal (4th)
    2005-06 – Manchester United (CHAMPIONS)
    2006-07 – Chelsea (2nd)
    2007-08 – Chelsea (3rd)
    2008-09 – Liverpool (7th)
    2009-10 – Manchester United (CHAMPIONS)
    2010-11 – Chelsea (6th)
    2011-12 – Manchester United (CHAMPIONS)
    2012-13 – Manchester City (CHAMPIONS)
    2013-14 – Liverpool (???????)

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  27. Question is…who else is there to go for? All that's availbile is either uproven or overrated and both are over-priced. I'm starting to wonder if we're better playing Markovic or Sterling as a second striker instead.
    Honestly, I want us to go back in for Remy. He's been fit for 4 years post dignosis and, lets say he plays for 2 years and is forced to retire, he's the kind of player that can be a huge difference in games and help us win silverwear. And for only 8.5mil, I think it's worth the gamble especially when you consider Aspas' fee was slightly less

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  28. Spirit of the Shadows6:53 pm, August 13, 2014

    I hope we go back for Remy, only reaistic option now. I believe we have previously risked ourselves with players who have injuries. He's well worth the pricetag anyway

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  29. Poyet told Sky Sports News: "The idea was to have the deal done a few weeks ago, but for different reasons it was impossible, but we are confident that maybe in the next few days we can do something about Fabio.

    "I'm always thinking that we can add quality players, especially the ones we know, and let's hope that confidence I am trying to bring to the club is confirmed...with the signing of Borini."



    If and when the Borini deal to Sunderland is announced then we will find out only will we be made aware of who his replacement will be. If Borini does not go then chances are no other forward will join...

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  30. If a player has failed a medical then it is advisable to walk away. Doubt there is any chance of us revisiting. We would look like fools.

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  31. I know it's your personal inference.


    My point is, I don't know where you are inferring that from... other than just one case with Agger last year (an oft-injured player historically).

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  32. Well stated... if Coates doesn't get injured early, I think Skrtel gets sold.

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  33. Considering we tried to sign Moreno for almost 3 months, I'd say that LB was the top priority this summer.


    Now it's replacing Suarez's goals.

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  34. I wouldn't say reasonable pace really mate.

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  35. It doesn't come in to activation until next year so I hear. Also Logan is right the player would have to want the move.

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  36. I think it is the other way around. I think Rodgers has been stung by the Carrol Dempsey situation and Borini is still about as we want to make sure a deal is done before he goes. I think something is on the cards in the background.

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  37. Surely whoever we want to sign now is going to cost more than what Borini is sold for meaning we screw ourselves if the Borini deal does not happen.


    Borini is a better option than Aspas after all.

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  38. I don't understand why so many people say that bony is proven quality. He only had one good season in the premier league. Reminds me a bit of benteke! And also he does not seem to fit the liverpool style of football at the moment. I really dont know who liverpool should get but I really dont want them to waste 20 million pounds!!! in a guy that had one good season in premier league. But i rather have him over Eto!!

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  39. Looks like it's going to be one or the other. Better start praying for Bony.

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  40. I think it is about numbers rather than money.Sunderland will know we are willing to sell and only need to do some finalising ourselves. This is just speculation on my part like but Poyet seems a bit too calm about the situation.

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  41. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:41 pm, August 13, 2014

    if eto can come in
    hopefully he can do as well as kolo as stop gap he has pace and can get on the end of coutinhos through balls


    then the season after origi will come in and maybe a new player will emerge that plays similar to sanchez and liverpool can buy him a bit like lovren situation
    now we have got a proper replacement rather then wasting all the money on papadapalous

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  42. He did have a good season in the dutch league before going. He has a year of good football under his belt in the prem which is 100% more than any player who has not had any time in the prem. £20m does seem high to me too but perhaps a Moreno type situation can be done.

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  43. He would be a great signing. as at the moment sturridge is effectively the only player that is not in competition for his place. Lambert is a good signing but he is no competition. BR has ensured that each player will have to fight for their place which automatically brings in consistency as every player will want to play, Hopefully if this happens, people will remember that we actually took man city to the final day and really should of won the league. you see reports and the man utd band wagon of they will win the league is in full motion and the pundits are saying Liverpool will be back to 5th or 6th. i hope to god utd have a shocker again starting this weekend!!!!!

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  44. Yeah, you're probably right…just trying to find this ellusive striker that'll complete our team. Hope BR's having better luck than I am

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  45. Bony doesn't have the pace, likes crosses put into him prefers to play through the centre, not enough flexibility, he cannot play across the front and that would put push Sturridge wide, so it cannot work IMO, Decent player but not in this setup

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  46. Absolutely spot on! I've a feeling he'll have a great season & we'll kick ourselves!

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  47. Good news he's fit but I doubt he'll play any part next week. Last ten if anything

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  48. Tesoman you're 100% spot on ! If his heart defect was significant he would have been advised to retire. Like you stated he's played top level footie since the diagnosis in 2010 & was selected for the WC. There is no other striker who fits as well: 1. No adjustment time required 2. Pace & power comparable to Sturridge 3. Under 10mill 4. Will score atleast 15 goals per season 4. Hitting peak years 5. International pedigree 6. Versatility- lone striker & front two

    The perverse thing is that we're willing to pay twice/thrice the amount for strikers who can't offer all the above. Either too old, too expensive, unproven in EPL, not quick enough! Sturridge & Remy would have been deadly!

    I'll say it now we'll regret it especially if the Chelsea rumours are true! They need to replace Drogba who is out for 4months.

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  49. Bony has pedigree. He was top scorer in the Dutch league, people said it was a poor one. He's continued that in the EPL without really needing time to adjust. That's sign of a class striker!

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  50. I really don't see Cavani coming to Liverpool. His wage demands would bust the scale and, potentially, cause disruptions in the team. How do you pay him 300k per week (more than what Suzrez was getting) with Sturridge sitting right there (neither is worth 300K/wk)? Plus, he would not be in his preferred central role at LFC. Unless, you put him in middle and Sturridge outside. I suppose you could run the diamond like last year...but Sturridge was more central in that scheme. Methinks this is just more journalistic fodder. Although, I really don't see a quality striker out there that LFC could realistically get at this juncture. Think they will have to take a flyer on a "young talent" - which will still cost 18-20mm. Reus is a fan pipe dream, just like Hazard was a few years ago.

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  51. difference today is,top players want to be part of a squad they can be carried if need be to pick up trophys . liverpool dont offer or guarentee that. thats what made suarez special, never say die attitude never give up. few and far between. tevez was another. we need a player like that, none listed are like that. sturridge isnt made to be that type of player, he will end up injured more often.
    still think remy was our best option as a decent squad player, not eto.
    giuseppe rossi could be worth a punt, would suit our style

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  52. Obviously Marcovic won't be rushed into the starting line up. Sturridge, Henderson, coutinho and sterling are first choice.

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  53. Rodrigues - making good progress at Southampton following injury BUT FOR once lets agree how well IAN AYRE has done - MOST IMPROVED - Got loads of stick in the past - me included but done brilliant this time - I think we should be 6/4 to win Prem

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  54. Hey Jamie, what happened to my Reus comment?

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  55. You haven't posted any other comments.

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  56. So at worse we will finish 13th

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  57. Agree, thats why i'd have Reus. GOALS !!

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  58. I hope we stay in for Bony regardless of whether we get Reus or Cavani. We need 4 strikers and have Sturridge and Lambert at the moment. The schedule and sturridge history of injuries dictates 4 IMO.

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  59. I meant right now. Enrique Flannagan and Johnson are all fit and can all play on the left, which is why I said arguably LB wasn't the priority right now.
    As for Enrique he doesn't lose the ball that often, and Johnson actually looked decent on the left in pre season.

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  60. Hey don't get me wrong - Bony is better than nothing, and better than other options - Wickham, Borini, other strikers possibly on the market. But don't think he adds up to Cavani - his passing (74%) isn't that great - considering Swansea is a posession team. His defensive contribution, and experience. Had 16 PL goals in 34 games as main striker, to Cavani's 16 in 30 games on the wing.

    Also - doubt he'd want to be played out of position either. Same dilema as Cavani - and most other forwards.



    As for the nickname Bone and Studge does have a nice ring to it - but if he doesn't perform people will start calling him Boner.

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  61. Since 2007/8 Bony scored 110 goals in 210 appearances on 4 teams in three leagues...that's better than a goal every two matches. If that doesn't say pedigree I don't know what does. I honestly don't even understand what the debate is about...just get him.

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  62. Part of life at club that wants to compete, more than a slap in the face. It would be better for the team to have two top strikers working together, making a compromise etc. It's not ideal, but in this market there are no ideal players - Suarez, Messi, Sanchez are all unavailable - there aren't that many very versatile strikers out there that perform equally as well on the wing as they do centrally. That's not to say that Cavani is not versatile, he is. I think Sturridge is probably just as versatile if he put his mind to it - they could rotate.

    This issue of pushing Sturridge out wide is a non-starter, and most other options would probably prefer that role - as was done before something could be done to accomodate the 2 strikers as was done with Suarez and Sturridge.

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  63. Exactly. All the opposition to Bony is unfounded and is not based on any credible reasoning.

    Sent from Samsung Mobile

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  64. I'm sure that the LFC front office knows this because it isn't rocket science. Maybe it's nothing but a negotiating tactic to get Bony's price down. I know there's time yet...but if Sturridge manages to get hurt in August, well then every striker's price is going up when LFC comes calling. I think we LFC should just sew up the deal soon.

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  65. As much as I would also like to see Remy, I'm pretty sure BR has said NO to that deal...so we should just move on.

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  66. Sounded more like the medical staff advised the club not to sign him as everything else was in place. I've tried to move on, problem is, I can't seem to find anyone else who fits the mould we're looking for

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  67. Seriously...what is a "marquee" signing anyhow?

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  68. Respectfully (re: your final point), Cavani and Suarez are not interchangeable and should never be viewed as such. CAS would not and could never be what SAS were last season, despite whether or not a compromise could be reached (which I doubt).


    How is what I said about Sturridge playing out wide a "non-starter"? He was clearly unhappy playing out wide at both City and Chelsea. I believe he signed for us because we promised not to push him out wide, and instead play him as the central striker--a position he favors. Renege-ing on that promise would leave him passionless and us with the husk of a once-great player. Not worth it, in my opinion.

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  69. Would be awesome if this could happen. I don't think we are far off from having another really go at the prem this season. Just need to get another striker and if lucas leaves then maybe another CM.

    Also i like kelly but i think a move for him is good and surprised Toure didn't leave- i wouldn't see him getting much action this season

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  70. Moreno IN already Get also Cavani and Eto;o we need goals since we dont no longer have Suarez

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  71. who hired this Buck Rogers?he was luck last year. but not this year. LFC will finish 7th or 8th after wasting 100 million pounds. and Buck Rogers will be gone by march or april.LFC will finish below Everton.LFC should have gone 4 Roberto Martinez or 4 the current utd manager from beginnig..hello t break.

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  72. A player who is world class and a lot of top class quality clubs are after them.

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  73. How will they play all games? But we are in four top competitions and they further we go the competitions? Man City had Aguero out for most of their season injured , but Dzeko, Negredo and Jovetic helped score goals that won them two trophies last season.

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  74. its good to see that akin to the likes of Chelsea and Man.Utd over the past few seasons, Liverpool are now attracting , once again, the attention of the top flight players, im a great believer in chances, so i think any player that is interested in or has stated theyd like to play for Liverpool, bring it on, as a club Liverpool now have a champions league spot and can now draw to them a large pool of talent who dont get regular places at their current clubs, its a great thing to be able to pick and choose from this pool the players best suited to the style of football that Brendan Rodgers has instigated at the club, as for Eto'o and Cavani, any player with such a wealth of experience has to be a must at Liverpool if only to show the up and coming young talent how it should be done.

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  75. Cavani sucks!!!!!!!!! He Misses the not 10 times a game he no Suarez!

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  76. I had to revisit this now that Super Mario is in town. He offers a similar style of football to Cavani and will have to be accommodated to some degree in the centre of the attacking third. One of Rodgers' answers to some question or other about how he'd fit in was to mention the diamond formation as an option. However he works it, it involves Coutinho/Sterling at the point and probably Henderson and Lallana in those wider regions. So as much as Sturridge could lead the line himself as a lone striker I think we're going to see plenty of the two of them playing together. Given the choice now I think Cavani is clearly a better option that Batotelli but it's quite likely if we had genuinely gone to PSG we were told politely where to put our enquiry by both club and player. None the less we've gone for that out and out striker and it's not entirely by accident. Is 4-3-3 really going to be our preferred formation?

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