25 Feb 2015 14:37:07
Hi Eds and reds!
Having read through numerous posts regarding Rodgers' future, a potential D.O.F. and whom we may b interested in for the summer, it got me thinking 'what would be the perfect summer' whilst trying to retain some realism.
Ideally I would like to see the following;
Rodgers kept on as head coach.
Cruyff employed as D.O.F.
Ings and Khedira in on 'free' transfers.
Ilori, Wisdom, Origi recalled and regularly involved in first team squad.
Balotelli, Aspas, Borini, Lambert, Allen, Alberto, Johnson, Gerrard, Enrique, Mignolet all sold/released.
Use funds raised to buy Begovic or Cech and Higuain or Benzema.
4 players recruited, 3 recalled ready for first team. So not major overhaul or transition period required.
Imagine the strength in depth we would have, as well as the potential starting XI's we could use depending on which system deployed.
4 CM's of Henderson, Khedira, Can and Lucas(praying he stays) and 3 out and out strikers of Sturridge/Ings/Higuain or Benzema (I see Origi as similar to Ibe and Sterling in that he can be utilised in any of the attacking roles) would be as strong as anything else in the league, in my opinion!
Also, between now and the end of the season I would like to see Can pushed forward into midfield with Hendo and give Lovren a run of games to see if he has settled now.
I doubt even 50% of this will happen, but if it did I would be one very content supporter!
Would like to read other peoples thoughts and opinions.
25 Feb 2015 15:00:40
So we actively leave ourselves in the exact same situation of not having a viable 2nd keeper in case one happens to the first, but the first being a bit older and more injury prone?
We wouldn't get enough from those sales to buy that lot anyway
25 Feb 2015 15:23:55
Have Ward as the long term 2nd choice. Play him in cup games and give him experience being around the first team full time, we won't know if he is a viable option unless we give him that chance. I only say to sell Mignolet as I believe he is not quite up to the standard we need, nor would he settle for being 2nd choice. One of either keepers would cost £10m-12m roughly. Benzema or Higuain between £30m-40m I would say. I think selling Balo, Borini, Mignolet, Allen, Lambert, Enrique, Aspas and Alberto we wouldn't be too far from the figure required for the transfer fees.
25 Feb 2015 15:47:18
Alberto is playing extremely well on loan. Why would you want to sell him? I don't care for Benzema or Higuain as strikers.
I really wish people would just watch some of Stoke's games before asking for Begovic, he hasn't come close to the performances of 2 years ago when every one was raving about him. He's been at fault for a fair few goals this year, and as a keeper that would improve us significantly.He won't do this.I'd rather stick with Migs, also Begovic turned us down.
Khedira is so so as a DM. Slow, poor reading of the game, not brilliant at tackling IMO, heading weak. He's seemingly only ever available for at best 2/3rds of the season going by his games per season, either due to not nailing down a place or injury.
25 Feb 2015 16:16:29
Don't think Khedira is going to be good in the fast pace prem. Don't need either Benzema or Higuin, but either would be class. Balotelli, Borini, Lambert sold and no Ings would have to happen to consider striker of that level. Although made of glass, Sturridge is our no.1. Origi and Sterling as well as Markovic can play upfront.
Wouldn't just sell Alberto, would want to see him given a chance or a loan in the prem.
Neither GK choice thrills me here. If we could afford the incomings mentioned on top of wages etc, I'd use that to buy one top amazing GK. If any cash left over a CM and LB would be ahead of any forward player. Even then I'd like to see some youth introduction, Rossiter or Wilson, is Chivilla a CM?
25 Feb 2015 16:28:21
Regardless of how well Alberto is playing, would he get in our squad let alone starting line up ahead of Coutinho, Lallana, Ibe, Markovic, Sterling? I cannot see it. He shouldn't have been bought in the first place and I would say he's far more suited to la liga than the premier league. The fact he is playing so well will only benefit us in recouping more of the transfer fee we paid out for him!
Why would you not want a top class goalscorer such as Benzema or Higuain? We have seen this season we cannot rely solely on Sturridge. Do you think Ings (if he signs) or Origi would be able to produce the goods week in week out for a sustained period if DS was to get injured again?
Khedira was a regular for Real and Germany prior to injury, that on its own tells me he is good enough to play for us and would be a better option than Allen. He'd need to prove his fitness, as I have seen one of the Eds state previously, but as a free transfer we would be mad to turn down that opportunity in my opinion.
Healthy debate is what I am after so please keep the replies coming!!
25 Feb 2015 17:11:47
We need a natural goal scorer, last night saurez showed what were missing.
Sterling although he's done ok upfront is not a natural goal scorer and god help us if we think markovic will be.
We are back to we're we were 2 seasons ago, a lot of chances but struggling to put the ball in the net.
25 Feb 2015 17:22:17
Aberto is only doing average. Not getting in the Malaga team most days. Too slow and poor defensively.
25 Feb 2015 19:09:43
Alberto is doing well when he plays. I can't really think of too many top div to top div players on loan that play week in week out. We never really played, cissokho, sahin, moses,, manquillo, athleti don't always start torres. Everton haven't once started atsu in the league I don't think, falcao is barely getting a full game at UTD even when fit, but he's world class(IMO) so i take loan playing time with a pinch of salt.
I don't rate Benzema because I think he's lazy, doesn't close int he final 3rd(which is what we need) I don't think he's a natural finisher, In a league where he's played for Madrid for several years I've always felt he should have achieved a higher return than a goal every other playing main striker.
I personally think if we're gunna spend that sort of cash Falcao may as well be 1st choice.
I will stand by firm on my points on Kehdira. Would just rather promote youth there.
BTW I think Alberto could be much more suited to a deeper role.Watching him play he seems strong, confident, with a great set of skills and range of passing. He doesn't duck out of too many 50/50s I've seen, and tends to give back. I think he could fit anywhere in the midfield (He's also decent at dead balls) I really think he's got a bright future personally
25 Feb 2015 19:54:05
I think a decision needs to be made.
Either Alberto or Texaira.
I would go with Texaira and sell Alberto.
We can't keep both in my opinion.