Chelski have apparently triggered the release clause in Demba Ba's contract (as of this afternoon's BBC website) so presumably this means Sturridge is on his way to us. Why we don't just try to sign Ba I have no idea. Really don't think Ba will be the same player if he does sign for them, down to increased pressure, not as much game time and no longer being a top star or focal point of the attack.
i don't know how true this is, but i have been told the clause is only for CL clubs of which sadly we are not, so Newcastle could say whatever they liked to us, and as Pardew(for obvious reasons in fairness) is trying to do all he can to keep him, we would have to offer quite a lot for them to sell him, and probably be no value then as we would need, not hope, he hits the ground running.
Yup, done deal. At least we are moving early, whether the target is everyone's cup of tea or not. Hope the Gameiro one is true as well.
IF we could see this.... -------Gerrard----------- Sturridge--Gameiro----Suarez with the front three always interchanging, **** I would take that in a heartbeat. We shall see though.
Well it's another striker I guess, and we need another striker, that's about as much enthusiasm as I can muster. Hopefully he wants to prove a point with us!
Thats a nice xmas jumper there Dan... Dont like the way the number 5 is done on the shirt though... But who gives a shiny ****e as long as he bangs in the goals...!!! Can only be a good thing to have a extra front man, I wish him well. May his feet do all the talking now and score us loads of goals...
someone said to me about a 24 hr rule so i don't think he can. next game if selected is the cup game.
Good news... now the question on everyone's mind. Can Rodgers successfully convert him to a LB? Will be interested to see him play... shame we didn't get him in the summer.
I think there are a lot of risk attached to Ba and he does not come as cheap as everyone believes: The main risk is that he cannot get insured because of his dodgy knee. He has been injury free for the past couple of years but it's still a big risk. The minimum fee clause is around £7.5m, of which a big chunk will go to the player himself. Then there are the associated agent fees which are said to be high in this particular transfer. Then there are the wages which are rumoured to be about £100k+ a week. Before you know it, this deal is worth around £20m ...
We've signed Sturridge? Really... that's out the blue. Think he'll be a good signing personally, hes scored goals in the Prem for Bolton and was Chelseas top scorer last year even though he played 3rd fiddle to Drogba/Torres and wasout wide most of the time. He can play out wide or through the middle but also thinks it means there will be plenty of itnerchanging between Suarez & Sturridge as neither like to stick in 1 position. The one good thing will be when Suarez does end up drifting out wide he have a natural striker who will move into the middle and be in the box, unlike Sterling/Suso/Downing who tend to stay out of it.
This is the key bit for me. It's evident that we have a lack of bodies in the box and it doesn't help when Suarez is outside the box and trying to create something for others.
