Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:23 pm  

El Pac Carnegie wrote:

Surely it makes far better financial sense to sell Torres now? Liverpool can get an auction going in January with the clock ticking. In the summer any potential suitor could sit in and wait patiently for Torres. He's worth more now than he will be in the long summer transfer window surely?

Nah, as more teams would be willing to 'accommodate' a big player in the summer. January is far too risky, a lot of money involved, little time to sell players to raise cash/free up wages, etc.

Chelsea will be the only team going for him now, but, come the summer, Real Madrid could well have a punt, same with Bayern, maybe Inter or Juve, and, despite Catalancs' claims, Barcelona may well be interested, too, I wouldn't if I were them, but I've read it mooted for a while, purely for the 'plan B' factor. Citeh would probably be in there as well, just because they can't help sticking their stinky fingers in every pie.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:29 pm  

Could city see him as the replacement for Tevez (should he leave)?

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:31 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Could city see him as the replacement for Tevez (should he leave)?

That would be more of a summer move, I would've thought not a January one.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:37 pm  

74' wrote:

I'd go with that however, I'd play Gerrard just behind Torres and Lucas in the centre alongside Meireles.

If Torres goes, then how would you feeling playing Gerrard in the same role as he played with Torres, just behind him Suárez? Would that work? I'll be honest, I've not seen alot of Suárez, but when I have seen him he's looked a very good player. What are your thoughts on Andy Carrol partnering Suárez, Rob? You say Suárez would suit a hold up striker, Carrol fits that bill for me, should be no.1 replacement.

No, it wouldn't work, IMO. Gerrard is a player that thrives off space, he loves powering into space and he loves playing direct through balls into space. Suarez is a little different, he doesn't have the overall pace to exploit large areas of space, he likes it into his feet and he likes working shorter areas, give-and-go's, 1-2's, shimmy's and drops of the shoulder, he's a second striker who'll look to play off somebody holding the ball up for him, or looks to work shorter areas to create shooting chances. Put it this way, would you put Gerrard behind Tevez in a 4-2-3-1? You'd probably look to play Tevez behind someone, or next to someone, ideally.

As I said, if we go for a player to replace Torres, I'd probably try and look to someone who is less 'individualistic', i.e. a player who links better, who gets involved with play more and doesn't need everything 'his way' to play well.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:44 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Madrid lose to Osasuna. League over I think.
Mourinho has them playing really slow, idealess, one-dimensional football. Be interesting to see what happens in June.

Game was awful. Shame that league is getting like the Scottish one though. Only 2 teams and any dropping the odd couple of points during the season can cost you the title. They said Madrid have blown the title tonight and its only January!

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:52 pm  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

Even if he stays then it will be short term until summer, similar to Tevez, who won't be at City next year.

Any chance of the lottery numbers? You seem to think you know things that will happen in the future.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:52 pm  

74' wrote:

An ideal replacement for me would be Andy Carrol.

Hands off. I doubt he'd want to move to Liverpool anyway.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:53 pm  

Gandy wrote:

Shame that league is getting like the Scottish one though.

Isn't it just. I used to love watching Spanish football but it's gone the way the Italian league went a few years back. A few simply gigantic clubs (In Spain it's 2) dominate and the others don't even attempt to keep up with them (Not that they could).

England will go the same way too. Where will we be in 10 years time for example if Manchester City spend £100m+ on players every season? They could within a few years have a perfect squad, a legion of amazing talent greater even than Barca have and Real are trying to get. A few will keep up, no doubt Chelsea and Arsenal and possibly United will try. The other clubs have no chance.

Me thinks a European Super League really is the only possible solution to the financial disparity that exists.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:56 pm  

ash4hullfc wrote:

Any chance of the lottery numbers? You seem to think you know things that will happen in the future.

Was actually odd. A while back I was reading something about potential January/summer transfers, it read a little like this, to be brief:

Citeh - Dzeko
Barca - Torres
Madrid - Llorente
Chelsea - Carroll

He's generally bob on with his transfers, but I think he'll be wrong if this one goes through. Can you see your lot keeping Carroll?

Re: Football Chat Thread : Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:11 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

Was actually odd. A while back I was reading something about potential January/summer transfers, it read a little like this, to be brief:

Citeh - Dzeko
Barca - Torres
Madrid - Llorente
Chelsea - Carroll

He's generally bob on with his transfers, but I think he'll be wrong if this one goes through. Can you see your lot keeping Carroll?

what would anyone pay for him if £23m is considered derisory based on 6 months in the PL?