I have standards.. I want arms crossed, right arm over left and with the legs crossed too.. with said player looking fondly into the distance!
Carlo Ancelotti's dismissive comments about Xabi Alonso have sparked rumours he will move to one of England's top clubs in the summer. The former Liverpool man's contract at Madrid runs out in June 2014, and his manager claims they can cope if he continues to stall on a new deal. "The club has no further information regarding his [Alonso's] renewal," Ancelotti revealed. "But if he signs or not, he is our player until the summer of 2014 and if he is available, he will play." The former Chelsea boss was also keen to dimiss suggestions that Madrid would struggle without someone with Alonso's ability in midfield, claiming that his team has no dependence on the Spanish international. "We have other important players," Ancelotti said. "We have played half of the season without him and the results have been good." Alonso moved from Real Sociedad to Liverpool in 2004, where he won the Champions League, Super Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield before joining Madrid in 2009. ---------------------- wasn't there something about him signing a new contract with Real the other day, and now they come out with this?
Think Xabi is going to MLS ... Interestingly, Graham Hunter has said that we have scouted Costa and Koke a lot this year. Don't expect to sign them in January but watch this space in the summer perhaps? ...
never said he was <insert flan smiley> lol be nice if he did though, the experience that Allen,Henderson and Lucas could learn from would be good for us in the long run.
I never said you said he was My response was more in retaliation to seeing the Alonso links nearly every time I look at this thread, it wasn't a direct attach at you It would be very nice to get him back but I just don't see us signing him because of our recruitment criteria. The only plus I can give is that we've said a 30+ freebie on big wages in of the last three summers; Bellamy and Toure. I also think we need the Mascherano type more than the Xabi player.
could get both types lol and a CF like Benteke etc( may want a move and could capture his form with us like Sturridge has) price could be an issue though, as it was silly before he lost form, not sure Villa would let go cheap considering where they are, so may have to look for alternatives grity midfield player ie Masch type, Alonso type for the experience, passing, luxery etc, and a Benteke for when someone gets injured or suspended and be a good window lol, also add Hughes just to be greedy
I didn't and still don't want Benteke. His drop in form is exactly why. He did the same thing last year and played well at the right times to get noticed; doesn't matter if you play well at the start of the year, the awards go to those that finish well. It was also his first big season so I wanted to see if he could perform to a high level again, same goes for others such as Michu and Lukaku, only one of them is doing it IMO and unfortunately the bitters are getting the benefit! If we got both Mascherano and Alonso type players, we'd certainly have options but it would also wipe out our budget without addressing other areas such as LB and the wings. I obviously would but I'm not convinced BR would want a Mascherano type either. I don't know anything about the Hughes lad other than he's a sheep shagger (Derbyshire, not Welsh) and that he'd be one for the future rather than now, not sure that is what we should be aiming for this window.
The key targets for the 'Mash' role are Fernando and M'Vila who are far more than just the destroyer types. Both can play the ball intelligently and retain possession. Will Hughes is a serious talent - similar to Ross Barkley in the sense that you wouldn't guess he was English given his playing style. Two footed, classy in possession and fantastic vision. All combined with great work ethic and tackling ability. Agree - he's one for the future but he is special.
well you do need to worry about them type of players now before the value goes up, ie Barkley etc, esp being English as premium added lol. not bothered about lb to be honest as Flanno does a good enough job covering, if him and Enrique between them cover that we can concentrate on mid and attack. i only said Benteke in the sense, he is playing for a team who are ****e at the moment and wont be heavily sought after, always be the question of if he can retain the form he has shown, but then we will be looking for them types anyway i should imagine, took a chance on Sturridge, never know could get lucky twice if the price is right.
Costa only moved in the summer, surely his price would be too high? Koke is wanted by alot of top European teams and similarly would be high value.
M'vila, Mata and Salah would be a great January. Doubt it would happen though (Mata especially) ---------------Mig New RB Toure Sakho Enrique ----------M'vila Lucas ---Suarez Coutinho Salah ----------Sturridge Think that line up is pretty realistic, ofc it would be amazing if we got Mata, but that won't happen. Could always take out Lucas, just have M'vila at DM, move Suarez up front with Studge and have Mata, Coutinho and Salah behind them. That would be orgasmic, but also unrealistic
Mata's a realistic option because he's available, but I can't see Jose selling to an English team because they're struggling. Shame. Salah could be a great little signing, but he's being touted around 15mill which is probably too much...
well he might if it had a say in either Spurs or utd not getting top 4 finish. i doubt sadly we are seen as a realistic threat to the title, but stopping either of them getting top 4 would be good for his ego, they have money to replace him anyway on whoever they want. he just may my xmas wish lol
Pedro has a buy out clause of £125 mill lol, fecking ridiculous that is considering he is a player who has been moaning about game time.
