19 Aug 2014

Molby tells FSG: BR 'should be allowed' to sign 'world class' £7m-a-year star. Agree?

The search for a new striker goes on, and whilst Liverpool remain favourites to sign ex-Chelsea star Samuel Eto'o before the end of the transfer window, Reds legend Jan Molby has warned the club against bringing the fading striker to Anfield.

Last week, The Telegraph reported:

"Liverpool are considering a move for veteran Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o. LFC have not made an offer as yet, but Eto’o has emerged as a possible target"

Further reports claimed that:

* Eto'o and his reps held talks with Liverpool over a possible transfer.

* The 33-year old striker is 'keen' on a move to Anfield.

In his column this week for the Liverpool Echo, Molby admitted that he 'wouldn't be a fan' of signing Eto'o 'at this stage of his career', but added:

"If the manager believes Eto’o could still do a job at 33 he should be allowed to sign him, but I’m hoping Liverpool look elsewhere and sign a better option".

Molby is right in a way - if Rodgers believes Eto'o is the answer then FSG should trust his judgement. That said, the manager's underwhelming overall record in the transfer market is enough to give anyone pause, and it wouldn't surprise me if Rodgers is receiving internal opposition to this particular deal.

I've already explained why I'm against this signing, but to clarify:

* If Liverpool sign a top class striker (i.e. Cavani, Falcao, Lavezzi etc), plus Eto'o as another back-up, then - depending on the financials involved - I can see the sense in the deal.

* If LFC Sign Eto'o as a stop-gap measure instead of another top striker, then that will be a major cause for concern, especially considering the fact that Rodgers confirmed over the weekend that the 'money is there' to sign another striker.

Ajax are also interested in Eto'o - who reportedly earned £7m for his year at Chelsea - and when asked about the striker recently, sporting director Marc Overmars told reporters:

“Samuel seemed very hungry to play for Ajax. He is fit and has a great drive to succeed once again. If it is possible to sign a world class player like Eto’o, then why not? It will be fantastic.”

World class? Five years ago, maybe, but not anymore. Still, to be fair, 12 goals/2 assists in 30 appearances for Chelsea is a decent record, and with the likes of Coutinho, Sterling, Henderson, Gerrard, and Lallana creating the chances, Eto'o may be able to replicate that record at Anfield.

Plus, his Champions League experience will certainly come in handy.

survey solutions


Author:


41 comments:

  1. We need another top striker, and Eto'o isn't that any more. Having said that, he could still offer something, a few goals here and there.
    Providing Liverpool signed another top striker, and if his wages weren't astronomical, I don't see why this wouldn't work.
    But if there is only 1 more striker to come in, he better not be the one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:03 pm, August 19, 2014

    eto or bony




    however reus should be our first target no other signings should be considered

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:04 pm, August 19, 2014

    can't we pay 5m extra to lille for origi and bring him in now

    ReplyDelete
  4. 7 mn/year for a mercenary who left for Anzhi to ride a Buggati, rather than playing football? & someone who is not anymore a regular starter for even Cameroon. This 'll be the worst transfer deal by LFC, after Carroll. If BR buys another striker (worth of 7mn/year), then I can take Eto as backup, but not more that 70k/week (3.5mn/year). In fact, the great player Eto is, I think he is a trouble maker & 'll create problems.

    ReplyDelete
  5. All we need is a 2nd proven PL striker. If we get a big name, then we don't need Eto'o at all as a back-up because we already have back-ups in Lambert and Borini. Getting Origi early isn't really and option because If (when?) Studge gets hurt, Origi would not be ready and then we're into the back-ups. Reus isn't really a striker and we have MFs aplenty now. Getting a big name for a lot of money presents problems of playing time. Getting a PL proven striker for less money would seem the logical direction to proceed. Time's running out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. At this stage of his career Eto'o is not an upgrade on a very hungry, determined Borini. Plus he's a bit of a diva. Our dressing room could do without any of them

    ReplyDelete
  7. We need better than Origi at the moment he is far from the finished article.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Eto'o could be useful. he showed he could score a couple last season at Chelsea, so why not? 33 is not that old, considering Stevie is 34 and rickie 32 I believe. Strikers can go for long if they are wiley enough, and Eto'o is certainly a wiley customer.

    If we could get him to take a pay cut and get another striker, I don't see the harm being done... also he could share some his experience with the younger players, one can never stop learning (i.e. Sterling, youth team players, sturridge). An extra injection of CL experience and winning mentality can't hurt... Also, being an African, the thought of an African player at Anfield appeals to me ;)

    The key being if we can cut the wage and get another top striker!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would be ecstatic with getting any of our top targets (Cavanni, Falcao, Alessio, Lavezzi, Icardi and Bony). However my concern is that we bring in a big name and our lovely attacking talents then find game time tough due to a price tag pushing them out of the starting line up or match day squad. A lot of people are telling me I'm crazy, but I want Sterling to be our second striker 1st choice!

    So due to this dilemma I am leaning toward us getting Bony, Icardi, Lavezzi or Alessio... (in this order)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Brendan has to buy the right player, not just waste money. Look at the signings in the first two seasons, how many are first teamers? Mignolet, Countinho, Sturridge, Allen, Sakho (£63.5million)? What about Toure, Borini, Assaidi, Yesil, Ibe, Ilori, Aspas, Alberto (£34.6 million)?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can live with that. It allows Markovic into the game imo.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I wouldnt have him. He is way passed his beat and going on last years form im not even convinced he is an upgrade on Borini. Fine he is on a free but the money to be spent on wages would be much better used trying to attract a superior player.
    The Falcao loan deal may be a pipe dream but it makes so much sense for all those involved I hope it has been persued as far as it can be.
    I still hold a sliver of hope this can be done. And the amount it would cost us for a years service from a top strker... Bargain.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Exactly mate! Don't forget Lallana and Ibe ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like a nice dream you were having. Now you're awake what do you really think?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Also Ibe came though the academy. Assaidi was always a squad player and Borini and Yesil have both been injured the majority of the time they've been with us. Ilori was obviously bought for the future so you can't really have him on the list either

    ReplyDelete
  16. Seeing as how these transfers are pipe dreams, I would rather you spend your efforts scouting and employing a new Caps Lock button. Preferably one that can be switched off.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Eto= mercenary with class. Consider his goals against us, Arsensl & Man Utd. He's the man for the big occasions. Personally I don't begrudge him as he only has 2 years left at the top so why not just as a stop gap! We are unlikely to get Falcao or Cavani & we're fumbling abt with Bony!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Apparently we paid £500k for him from Wycombe Wanderers.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Toure might have arrived on a free, but he would have received a signing on fee and wages.

    ReplyDelete
  20. He's being paid?

    ReplyDelete
  21. no more southcoast geeezers6:15 pm, August 19, 2014

    nooooooooopoppe not in a month off Sundays

    ReplyDelete
  22. no more southcoast geeezers6:15 pm, August 19, 2014

    bony and alex song

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gerrard is debatable as is lampard Zola Vieri Henry Shearer Ronaldinho, Deseilly, Nedved, Rivaldo, Del Piero, and players of that ilk.. I'd put Le Tissier in there as well but again I'm trying to be as ruthless as I can here.

    ReplyDelete
  24. When Rodgers was in charge?

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have a feeling your wish will be granted at the expense of Coutihno. But with CL and injuries he will also get plenty of game time. I just think Rodgers go-to team when everyone is fit will be

    --------------------------Mignolet
    Manquillo---------Skrtel----Lovren ----------Moreno

    ------------------Henderson------Gerrard
    Lallana----------------Sterling--------------Markovic

    -------------------------Sturridge


    Like I said I think Coutinho will start his fair amount of games with rotation, injuries etc (he could be starting games out left again this season)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Easily. Money surely isn't the issue, even after what we have spent so far there should be plenty of that around. Not the time to be counting the sheckles. Chelsea look to have strengthened considerably on paper, City look like the could push on from last year. We have too in depth, but one more class act up front is needed. Lets hope it gets done.

    ReplyDelete
  27. it's nice but it will end disappointing like every window. There won't be a Reus or Falcao or even Eto. Maybe Maybe a late big bid for Cavani and then maybe it will happen but probably not.

    There will be Wilfrid Bony and i hope Alex Song and that Lucas leaves. We need a proper DM badly.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Spot on mate, we need a bit more steel in the middle as well as some oomph up front!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Much as I revel in the dissarray at Old Trafford. Shaw may just be worth the fee. There is no real doubt about his potential and that is what the huge fee is about. Une have been prepared to pay huge fees for the best English players for years. Ferdinand and Rooney being the other obvious examples. They think Shaw will repay the investment in the long run and they are probably right. The circumstances in which he joins are of course different. Utd need an overhaul that much is obvious and their assumption that top players would fall over themselves to don a Utd shirt is clearly misplaced. It was SAF's failure to find 'value' in the market which means the policy of buying 1 or 2 top class players in each window is no longer viable. Van Gaal can't win he either buys 5 or 6 not really good enough alternatives and is damned for poor judgement in the transfer market or he doesn't and us blamed for not getting the right players. IMHO they face several years if rebuilding and I don't the Dutchman will get that long - next up club legend......we know how that one ends.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Njuguna Christopher7:52 pm, August 19, 2014

    man u are in the problem we were in trying too much to go back to the top through panick buying their problem is like ours previously(i hope we are over it)when their old guards were out of gas they had no one to take over now they have to fill those gaps thats why they are being ripped off

    ReplyDelete
  31. Njuguna Christopher7:59 pm, August 19, 2014

    unless you are only talking of retired footballers

    ReplyDelete
  32. nailed it right on the head.........no further need be said.................

    ReplyDelete
  33. perfect...........and funny

    ReplyDelete
  34. Rodgers is more mobile than Lambert!

    ReplyDelete
  35. He's gone :) I meant to put in Harry Gregg NOT Stepney but I'm not putting him in either. Though he did rescue five people from the plane in the Munich disaster. Dunno I'll let you decide.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I did not know that I think he deserves his own category.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I disagree with this list on several levels but most of all I think it is very generous to David Weir.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Being great and having talent are two different things. I said talent. They had talent. Sterling has loads of it if he continues under Rodgers he will grow into a great player. Rodgers is developing his tactical awereness...something alot of English players don't get to do. Walcott comes to mind. Sterling runs are very intelligent now, he can switch positions to play in the centre instead of being told go on the wing and run past people. He actually runs in between the CBs. He is not great, greatness takes years of doing it and getting better and opposition start showing you respect. Him and Sturridge have the platform with Suarez. we'll see

    ReplyDelete
  39. If there is absolutely no one else then sure, bring him on board. We're obviously struggling to find exactly the right striker to bring in and maybe that's to be expected. The big players don't want to come here and the others are maybe not what we need. Sometimes it's good to just get a player in, just have a decent striker in the rotation, but if we got someone who wasn't quite right and needed to have some adjustments made in order for him to be effective ... maybe it wouldn't be worth it. I really don't know any more. Rodgers obviously has his criteria for choosing a player and the club has reasonable limits on wages. Those things seem to be getting in the way at the moment and while we all want to see another quality signing we also need to respect the fact that the people at the club know what they are doing. Sure, they make mistakes, but Liverpool is a far more profitable and successful football team than they have been in the recent past. The guys in charge are getting something right.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Maybe Borini could be relied on in the short term. We would essentially just throw him in the deep end and ask him to get the job done. I think he'd score goals. Eto'o could also feature in a squad with Borini, they could share the load. We do need 4 strikers and if we're getting desperate then these guys are not the worst going.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Yes, but Ibe was 15/16 at the time so definitely one for the future at the time. Glad he's getting a loan and regular games, will be ready to fire next season

    ReplyDelete