I'm sure Michu's sent a few chairmen booting down their chief scout's door this season, so the 'lesser' sides in La Liga are probably having their attendances doubled by Premier League scouts right now. Everyone in that division's pretty skint, bar the duopoly of FIFA favourites and possibly Atletico, so I'm sure it's possible to negotiate a decent deal anyway. My 'familiar' comment about Belhanda was a reference to Dembele as a few people have mentioned. I've never seen anyone play in the same style as the Belgian, as his movement just seems bizarre at times, so it's quite jarring to see another youngster with such similarities. Yet to see him play though, so I won't try and endorse the club's apparent interest in him, but he does look an interesting prospect. Interesting to see that we've apparently turned down a loan request by Everton for Livermore. Don't want to strengthen a potential rival, but it's nice to see that Moyes rates him. I can understand why he fit into the Glaswegian's philosophy. Hope we don't sell him and use this opportunity to get him regular first team football in the top flight, instead.
Various papers are now going with the EXCLUSIVE that Redknapp wants Gallas to join him in the Championship. Er, I mean at QPR. Sorry. Not very exclusive, really. Might explain why we've been linked with Vertonghen's old teammate Toby Alderweireld again, despite some less than stellar performances this season.
I'd be amazed if we let Gallas go in this window. He might frustrate the hell out of us at times, but he's a leader and a valuable squad player at the very least. Not to mention the experience he brings. - we need players like him kicking about, IMO as we approach a very important part in the season.
Can't see him wanting to go to QPR before the end of the season either. He's probably only got one more season in him and I doubt he'd want to risk his last season playing in the Championship. A move to America beckons, surely?
I honestly think we don't need to replace Gallas should he go. We have 4 top centre backs without him and if push came to shove I'm sure there's bound to be a clause we can recall Khumalo or shove Livermore/ Hudd there OR promote Grant Hall. Most clubs seem to have only 4 CB's and yet we usually seem to go for around 5 and even 6 I think once. Admittedly this has been due to injuries at times but it's still a bit OTT in my opinion. Looking at the top clubs with their recognised CBs: Utd: Rio, Vidic, Evans, Jones & Smalling. 5 Chelsea: Terry, Cahill, Luiz, Ivanovic. 4 City: Kompany, Nastasic, Toure, Lescott. 4 Barca: Puyol, Pique, Barta. 3 (though Mascherona has played there Madrid: Pepe, Ramos, Albiol, Carvahlo, Varane. 5 Bayern: Badstuber, Boateng, Dante, van Buyten. 4 Dortmund: Hummels, Subotic, Santana. 4 Stoke (hate them and although not a top club, you can't ignore their defence): Shawcross, Huth, Upson. 3 Us: Kaboul, Vertonghen, Dawson, Caulker, Gallas I know Kaboul is still a few weeks away but unless two of Dawson, Caulker and Vertonghen get injured for a long spell, we'll be fine. Maybe keep Gallas until the end of the season, he's a leader at the end of the day and while past it on the pitch, can still be of benefit around the club. Just don't see the need of bringing in another CB who'll be on decent wages and want 1st team football. Hope the media are wrong on the speculation to be honest.
very true SOS. not only that but, all our centre backs are of a very strong ability, with versatile attributes, such as Dawson's diagonal passing for example.
Fair enough; Stoke: Shawcross. 1 Yeah we're actually really lucky to have such top CB's in the team. Spurs cap on again for the second time today but I really do rate Kaboul up there with the best in the league. I honestly don't think I'd swap him for any other CB the Prem has to offer and there aren't many in Europe I'd take over him either. Come on leaps and bounds since returning. The prospect of him and Vertonghen lining up together is going to be great, with Dawson and Caulker more than capable back ups.
I think that's over doing it a bit. I'd still question his positioning and concentration. I noticed a few times last season that his he often tends to let his marker go in the area which is worrying as it's so basic. I can't wait to have him back though and look forward to seeing him and Vertonghen line up together.
Although I'm guessing QPR, Villa, Southampton and Reading need someone just like Gallas too! (Surely it must be QPR as he must be after some record for Captaining the most London clubs.)
He's been first choice for us so often this season though, it'd seem like such an odd transfer at a very crucial period, despite his age and the 'Arry link.
"Gallas ne se deplacera pas juste encore" or for those of us that don't read French, this means:- Gallas will not be moving just yet.
He was 1st choice, yet with Dawson, Caulker, Kaboul & Verts, now would be a good time to move on and end his career playing as 1st choice.
Evening Boss I think a lot depends on when Kaboul is expected back. I share the same views on Gallas as you, but I do think it unwise for us to release Gallas if Kaboul's injury is still persisting.
I think i read Kaboul isn't expected back now till the end of Febuary.so i think we should keep Gallas for the rest of this season,as a back up when Kaboul is back
Evening SC! Yes, I guess it may be unwise in that aspect, yet I'm thinking Kaboul & Benny should be back soon, which relieves Verts of cover duty at left back, plus I assume Fryers will be given a chance in the 1st team? so we're going to have plenty of cover at full back.
I just can't see how he's his first choice. I know he's been good for him before but he isn't what we need. Dembele's best position is next to sandro, he's a ball carrier, box to box. Not a number 10. He won't break down a defence. Very similar player mout and him (positions, not style though obviously). Isco I can see being out of our reach. I'd be looking at eriksen, although I understand they don't want to sell now. 20m in the summer? Bring Holtby in early and finally purchase Damiao; that's a fantastic 2 windows in my eyes. But 25m for an unproven striker in the premier league as young as 23... Too much. 15m + Gomes or 20m total is definitely worth it though. Lewandowski etc are valued around that. This is the quality we need. Haven't had a lead the line striker in years. Let's make it happen Levy. Pleased that there are statements saying he wants to go but nothing from him or his management. True professional. Always stated he's happy there and willing to honour his contract regardless of what the truth might be. Don't want another Modric forcing a move.
Wesley Sneijder: Inter Milan accept bid from Galatasaray Inter Milan have accepted a bid from Turkish club Galatasaray for Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder. Galatasaray are believed to be prepared to pay 10 million euros (£8.2m) for the 28-year-old and meet his wage demands. Inter president Massimo Moratti said: "Galatasaray's offer satisfies us. Now it depends on the player." Sneijder, who was strongly linked with Manchester United last summer, has not played for Inter since 25 September because of a dispute over his contract. It remains to be seen whether the playmaker will agree to move to Turkey, having suggested he would only consider one of Europe's top few teams. In November, the Italian side informed Sneijder he would not play for them until he agreed a significant cut in his salary. The player refused, meaning he has been on the sidelines despite being fit for the past two months. he must be desperate if he agrees to that move!
In saying that I just checked his stats on wiki for games played to see if he is injury prone and he has never played 30 plus league games a season and in the last three seasons (before this) his league games have been 26, 25, 20 so while he is talented, I doubt he could hack the premier league without ending up in the treatment room!
