Good shout but the fee then becomes an issue. Villa paid £24m to Sunderland, would he go in the opposite direction for less than £15m...?
He isn't playing at all and unwanted, for whatever reason, I think he would be about £10m. I fully trust, hope and believe Rodgers wont be looking at bent, he won't suit our style, he is 29 in the new year and I think there are many many better options available.
What I would like to see if judging by BR and the comments on who we will bring in.... Damiao Mertens Muniain What will more than likely happen.... Bent/Sturridge on loan Ince Sturridge or someone to play on the wing on loan ( Jeffren maybe)
Bit like us with Andy Carroll then, but most of us say we shouldn't sell him for less then £20m (57% of original £35m fee). Bent was bought for £24m which 57% would equates to £13.68m yet you say he will go for £10m...?
Since Hodgson was let go, we have had the same problems year after year. We won't learn. I expect Bent or Sturridge on loan and that is about it. Not the quality we need.
If its got to be these two, please make them on loan. I couldn't stomach yet two more young English players "learning the game" while almost contributing no end game for league position. Nothing I've seen from Sturridge suggests he will dramatically add to our goal tally. Ince is another prospect performing well but a league below us. We've plenty of those breaking into the team as it is. At least if its loan deals we can fix it properly in the summer if these two don't work 2nd half of the season; rather than have the owners start talking sell to buy yet again in the summer. I mean does anyone hand on heart think these two players will bed in & start scoring/producing assists quick enough to be worth anything THIS season and if not, what then is the point in buying them in January? Saying we need alternatives up front is not a justification for adding more of the same to the squad. In fact if we've the limited funds everyone suggests then its downright criminal to do so.
I dont think Sturridge is more of the same. He is some thing we currently do not have. Sturridge has a lot of talent, but I think he has some issues with confidence and attitude. If Rodgers can iron out those issues we could have a really good player. If he can knock in the simple chances that all of our players (including Suarez) are currently wasting, he will be worth it. I have seen him put enough of those chances away to feel comfortable with this, as long as the fee is reasonable. I think Chelsea is just the wrong team for Sturridge. Once he finds his club he will become some thing to be excited about. Even if not world class, he will be among the PL's leading scorers. I am not 100% sure that team is us, but I think it could be. It is just a case of wait and see. I dont want Sturridge at Spurs. I think he would be awesome at Spurs. If Sturridge signs for us I think he would play RF. He would use his pace and strength to run narrow and get in the space that Suarez opens up. Suarez is great at opening that space, but no one is taking advantage of it. Its wasted. Sturridhe is very good at little flick and chip finishes. That could work well with the chances Suarez creates. But this isnt risk free. I would be very happy with a loan with a view to a permanent deal.
If it is Sturridge and Ince on loan then so be it, but as Frank said I don't want to buy them unless they show that they belong on the level that we need. Again, Damiao, mertens, muniain would never happen even though they would overall cost about the same as a British player.
Wasn't Bent 18 million rising to 24 million? Can't imagine many of those clauses would have been met. I think Bent is worth around 10 now given he's not even getting in Villa squad's and is approaching 30. He'd be a good but for many P.L clubs but I suspect Liverpool would be looking for a bit more? Sturridge is a bargain at 50 million!!
Like Fernando aye? How would you feel about Sturridge leaving you for Liverpool? Would you feel sad about it, see it as increasing a rivals threat or could you not care less? Give Rafa a hug at the weekend btw.
At least we are not signing Danny Graham and Wayne Routledge. Michu I'd take though. But I doubt him and Rodgers have met.
As you very well know, he normally gets it right. Not sure which. More likely to be buys though, with Ince costing c. 6 mill
