Sahin AS.com (Spanish) mentions that Sahin has refused to join Spurs in deal involving Modric and that Alonso has persuaded him to join Liverpool http://www.as.com/opinion/articulo/xabi-persuasion-sahin/20120814dasdaiopi_6/Tes Tello Guillem Balague has us down as favourates to sign Tello on loan with Atletico second favourites https://twitter.com/GuillemBalague
Selling Agger would be a disaster....mark my words. Not only for the player he is...not only for the passion he has for LFC but also for the message it sends out to players, supporters and other clubs (come help yourself to Suarez Chelsea, City or PSG). If we bring in a decent replacement...how much do we sell them for the year after??
It's a shame Sahin hasn't played much for Real, hope he hasn't lost too much confidence. Was a big fan of him watching BVB before his Real days. Lucas, Allen and Sahin in midfield would be frickin' awesome. If the part about him not wanting to go to Spurs is true.... Small club.
Sahin and Tello would be two very good signings (even if we get them on loan). Sahin will play an Alonso role whilst Tello would give us some much need pace on the wings. Pleased to see Rodgers targetting these types of players...
Indeed, not really sure on Tello's ability. But can't have harmed him too much being amongst the plays he's with now. If we got Sahin, I would be feeling really good about our midfield for the first time in a long time. 3 man midfield to pick out of Lucas, Sahin, ALlen, Gerrard, Shelvey and Henderson....not bad at all.
Have heard Tello is insanely good and a very hot prospect, which is why a loan would suck if we had to give him back after the season! Afellay, however, is less appetising as he has less ability and has been injured a lot, plus is older, glad we're looking at Tello isntead!
Tello seems to be more direct than your typical Barca player who are more technical, slightly slower but have more game intelligence. But that is something that will come with time! I believe LFC are looking at a permanent deal for around €4m. Just been looking at some stats (By Dan Kennett) for Sahin compared with Lucas and Allen. Bear in mind that the stats for Sahin are based on 10/11 season with BVB, Lucas stats in 11/12, and Allen in 11/12: Tackles p/game Lucas - 5.8 Sahin - 3.7 Allen - 3.4 Interceptions p/game Lucas - 2.8 Sahin - 2.3 Allen - 2.3 Successful Passes p/game Lucas - 51 Sahin - 59 Allen - 62 Successful Long Passes p/game Lucas - 4 Sahin - 5.5 Allen - 6.1 Chances Created p/game Lucas - 0.9 Sahin - 3.5 Allen - 1.5 Through Balls p/game Lucas - 0.1 Sahin - 0.3 Allen - 0.1 It shows that Sahin is pretty good defensively, on par with Allen and Lucas. Honestly, if we were to get Sahin, I think our midfield will be extremely strong for next season as all 3 possess good technique both offensively and defensively. Lucas will be enforcer, providing the stell and protection for the defence and will release the ball to Allen who will ensure we keep possession and Sahin will start the attacks.
so the 3 would complement eachother well it would seem with Sahin being more chance creating, Lucas better as CDM and Allen as an allrounder. --------Lucas----- ---Sahin---Allen--- With Gerrard pushed up to the front 3
Think we have to consider that Gerrard will get injured and rotated - perhaps saved for big games and cup matches. Adam is likely to leave and Spearing will return to his role under Rafa - whatever that was. Otherwise, Tello rumours are really hotting up. From what I can tell from Barca fans, Tello likes to do his own thing sometimes, but he does manage to score. Not as bad as say Daniel Sturridge but he's not completely selfless. For 4M euros it's a good deal.
If that. Seriously though, Allen's stats never cease to amaze me considering he was playing for Swansea. I don't just mean his passing stats...but his tackle success rate, one on one challenges. Him and Lucas could form a partnership that could be as good as Alonso and Masch. His long range passing is impressive too.
Exactly, so Gerrard would be ideal upfront meaning he could be swapped in and out with the likes of Tello, Ramirez, Borini (if we get the first 2) Could have an attack looking like this with some real depth --------------------------------Lucas/(Spearing)------------------ ------------------Sahin/(Shelvey)---------Allen/(Henderson)------------ -------Ramirez/(Tello)----------Suarez/(Carroll)--------Gerrard/(Borini)
I hardly saw Allen play but I knew of his reputation of playing simple but accurate passes. Since we've been linked with him, I realise that he's a very good tackler and now he has a good range on him! Excited!
I dont see Gerrard in the front 3. He will play AM week in week out. His link up play with Suarez against Gomel was incredible. That will be a big part of Rodgers plans. Gerrard's age isnt that much of an issue. I dont feel we need another midfielder this summer. Left back and attack should come first and the midfielders we have given a season.
In theory Gerrard could work out wide left, cutting inside... But does he have the legs or discipline to stay wide? We need pace to stretch the opposition so that we can move the ball past them. Don't think we should be pencilling Ramirez in just yet - Dempsey seems like the most realistic option still (despite the recent calm).
you forget though that in Rodger's system players can roam, Gerrard wouldn't have to stick religiously to the wing IMO. Didn't he also play on the wing the year before his partnership upfront with Torres? Seem to remember him doing well then. One thing's for sure, Gerrard is wasted if not in attacking positions
Our midfield. -------------------P1---------------------- ----------------------------P2------------- ---------P3-------------------------------- P1 options: Lucas, Allen, Spearing, Carragher. P2 options: Allen, Henderson, Spearing, Adam, Shelvey, Gerrard. P3 options: Gerrard, Shelvey, Henderson, Downing. Most likely first choice IMO: --------------------Lucas------------------ ----------------------------Allen----------- ------------Gerrard------------------------ Our attack: --------P1----------------------P2-------- --------------------P3--------------------- P1 options: Suarez, Borini, Downing, Sterling, Cole. P2 options: Suarez, Borini, Downing, Sterling, Cole. P3 options: Borini, Suarez, Carroll. Most likely first choice 3 IMO: ---Downing---------------Suarez--- ------------------Borini---------------- I can see Gerrard coming up from midfield and creating a front 4 as we attack.
I don't think the wing players can roam as such - they can move freely, but they can't move in the way a false nine can. You need them to stay within their proper zone so that you can spring the offside trap (Barca constantly do this - Xavi plays the ball with Busquets a few times before flicking the ball towards Sanchez etc). They need to start out wide and then cut inside to allow the fullbacks to run into space, also. That's my understanding of it, anyway. Gerrard would be good if he could cut in with pace and use his quality on the ball. I wonder though if he's got the legs for it, or the positional awareness - would he be as comfortable as an intelligent winger like Afellay?
08.42 BST: In Spain, AS reports that Liverpool director Ian Ayre is poised to clinch loan deals for Madrid’s Sahin and Barcelona’s Tello. Tello’s future has been the subject of speculation this summer because he remains on a low Barca B contract. Liverpool could offer €4 million for him, AS says – but Mundo Deportivo begs to differ, saying the club would not let him go either on loan or permanently, and Sport says he will sign a new Barca deal this week.
