19 Jun 2024 10:23:04
Hi Ed2
Hope you are doing well. Are the rumours relating to Diaz meeting Barcelona reps true? If so do you see us signing an attacking player this summer to replace him? Although we are well stocked on the left I fear jota would spend a considerable amount of time on the sidelines.
Could this also affect any potential deal for Salah, in that are we more likely to keep him for another year if we lose Diaz.
{Ed002's Note - I am fine thanks. I am not aware of the player meeting anyone from Barcelona but his agent certainly has. It is unreleated to Salah although an exchange of Luiz for Raphinha plus some cash may suit all parties.}
19 Jun 2024 11:38:32
Can’t see how a swap with Raphinha would suit us. He’s a complete downgrade from Diaz. Cold hard cash only, just say no to Barcelona rejects.
19 Jun 2024 11:29:43
Ed, I assume Raphinha would be a Salah backup/ replacement rather than signing somebody like Bakayoko. If so do you think that we would then look for a LW to replace Diaz (e. g. Summerville) or stick with what we have as Jota, Nunez and Gakpo can all do a job on the left?
{Ed002's Note - Yes and he is a club target but perhaps Slot will not be so keen. Chiesa would be an option at LW but I suspect Summerville will head elsewhere if Leeds agree to a sale.}
19 Jun 2024 11:49:22
VV, if you take away your subjective dislike of signing players from Barcelona it suits us in quite an obvious way.
We have Gakpo, Jota and Nunez to play LW even if Diaz leaves, however we only really have Salah for the RW and most people either expect him to leave or play more central next season.
So whilst it might not suit us from your subjective standpoint, in terms of squad balance at least it factually does suit us as we’re clearly light on senior options on the RW and inundated with senior options for the LW. This move would thin out our LW overstock, bolster our RW shortage, and bring in some cash.
In terms of ability, who am I to tell you that you’re wrong and Raphinha is a good player? So by all means maintain that view that he’s not good enough. I personally think he’s a very similar level to Diaz. Both just good players who flatter to deceive a little bit with their flair play, but should score more. Diaz presses much better, Raphinha is much more creative. It’s neither here nor there for me and I’ll not be losing any sleep over it, if this deal came to fruition.
19 Jun 2024 12:33:06
It’s hardly a subjective dislike. It’s objective fact that Barcelona spend money badly on mediocre players then desperately try to get shot of them when they realise how poor they are. See also, Coutinho, Dembele, De Jong et al. Raphinha is the latest in a very long line of poor signings who they over paid for and are on huge wages.
Raphinha is, at best, a very mediocre footballer who Barcelona paid over the odds for. Wingers like him are ten a penny. Why should we make the same mistake for a player who will turn 28 this year and would make zero meaningful impact. He’s nowhere near good enough to be a starter and he's not an upgrade on Diaz or in fact anyone already here, people mention Diaz end product, well Raphinha is worse. Add to that he’s lazy, one paced and only turns up if and when he feels like. He wanted to go to Barca, they were silly enough to over pay, let Barcelona enjoy their stupidity.
19 Jun 2024 13:04:00
Let’s just agree to disagree. You clearly think your opinion is a fact so it’s not even worth debating.
19 Jun 2024 13:08:13
If we adopt the high pressing game again I think he will do really well. Since we went this turgid slow possession ball he has been mostly ineffective. Pressing like we did against city in the 2nd half when we went for the win he was brilliant. Over to you Arne.
19 Jun 2024 13:17:42
Pretty sure Barcelona wanted to keep Dembele. De Jong I would also say is better than a "mediocre footballer". I do agree that they haven't always bought well recently and personally I would not be terribly keen on Raphinha joining, but I can see MKs point. Personal preference would be to get the cash and reinvest on someone better or younger with a higher ceiling.
19 Jun 2024 13:45:26
I find myself agreeing with VV on this one (first time for everything I guess! ) . If we are looking for players that are NOT top level, then at least buy young ones with potential to improve. If things don’t work out at least you can get some money back as they won’t be too old to sell…. bit like what Barcelona are doing with Raphinha!
19 Jun 2024 14:16:46
Given that slot likes his wingers to stay wide and beat people one on one to then cross or deliver cut backs, I think Diaz is perfect for that role, in our old system he played the mane role cutting in to create for himself or others, but I think he would probably give us more staying out wide like a traditional winger (though gakpo would also be great there)
19 Jun 2024 15:46:41
And de jong is hardly a mediocre footballer, I’d say raphinha isn’t either, but between the two I would much rather keep Diaz and look for somebody younger and that we can develop to replace mo, I really rate Chiesa as a player but bakayoko looks like he suits our needs if we need a wide winger who is good one on one, the next right winger we buy probably won’t be expected to produce mo’s goals, which would be more of the number 9’s responsibility (guessing based on slot at feyenoord)
19 Jun 2024 15:56:54
RapHinha would be a resounding"No"for me.
19 Jun 2024 19:03:37
I think Chiesa would be a very good purchase.
19 Jun 2024 19:41:07
Raphinha was good at Leeds and he looks to have done ok at Barcelona. Haven’t seen them play much this season but what’s the problem with him?
19 Jun 2024 20:04:43
Having watched Barcelona a few times last season; rap Gina has certainly improved his all round game whilst at Barca, not a bad player but believe they are open to a €80m transfer…. how much are they wanting Diaz for? They can sod off if they expect us to give them Diaz and money on top for raphina……they the ones who should be giving us money and atleast 20m.
19 Jun 2024 20:16:37
I think you should all wait to see how much cash they offer on top of Raphinha before you make a judgement.
19 Jun 2024 20:56:21
MKS while at Leeds, I wanted us to sign Raphinha (if it was possible) as he was one of these players on the verge of making the step up. However at Barca, not sure if he has improved based on the little I've seen of him so in the end, I don't think he is anywhere near Diaz's all round play and ability even tho, Diaz needs to improve his goals return.
19 Jun 2024 21:10:42
Chiesa looks a top player but Italians in the premier league are so hit and miss. No thanks to raphinha unless we replace salahs goals elsewhere.
19 Jun 2024 21:05:42
I’m sure Barcelona would like to include Raphina into any negotiations for Diaz but in reality it is never going to happen, his age profile, fee and also salary are outside of FSGs model for purchases, let’s be realistic Liverpool will go into negotiations with our own best interests in mind and that is cash sale, if Barcelona can’t meet the asking price we set then Diaz stays! We have been here before with players and Diaz has 3 years left on his contract so all the negotiation leverage is on our side… in my opinion we do sell Diaz to Barcelona but cash sale.
20 Jun 2024 00:03:38
When's the last time a player swap has happened at Liverpool?