You're no longer one of the sides who are viewed as top drawer either domestically or in Europe, that's the reality of it. When you're up against top CL sides you'll come out second best unless you offer more dosh. City only managed to get the premium players at the start of their quest due to cold hard cash. Unless you're going to pay silly wages then the creme de la creme will not be realistic targets for you currently.
To foreign people it's not. I know as a footballer you can buy a house in a nice area of Liverpool or outskirts but people would rather live in London than Liverpool because of the reputation, especially foreigners who see London as brilliant city and obviously the capital. If you were to move to France I bet most people would want to move to a nice part like Paris or on the south coast rather than some industrial city with nothing else there. Yes footballers are different to normal people as they can afford nice things in nice places but happiness is a factor when it comes to moving and family reasons etc.
I never said we were, I was responding to a comment about why players would opt to join Spurs over us. They're not exactly a top drawer side themselves are they
I think this is the point we all agree that for the top notch players to even consider, we need to pay the going wages. For so long Arsenal have had a strict pay structure that was a reason many of their stars moved on. Even now Sanchez is on 130K. I'd rather we paid the going rate of 150K plus to 4 super players rather than pay over 200K for Balotelis and Lamberts while supplementing the squad with the talented youngsters. We have paid Milan 16M and Balotelli 100K a week for one PL goal. That is scandalous and I am willing to bet an academy player would have done much better on less investment.
I read Lacazette chose to stay in Francethis season because he wanted to beat Ibrahimovic to the golden boot. That suggests to me that he wants to be the centre of attention or the main man, not second fiddle to some one like Costa. I definately think you have a good point there.
Schalke have released Sydney Sam and KP Boateng after the sides terrible defeat at the weekend. No reason has been given as to why these 2 have been released, though the manager has said more may follow them out. Sydney Sam is supposed to be a decent talent and they have just flushed a lot of money down the toilet. Either of them worth a punt on a free deal?
Boateng rumouredto have had an agrument with a fan in the tunnel. Both are decent but not world-class, and given that they've just been fired with immediate effect sugests that they'll come with baggage. No thanks.
I like both players there. It depends how Rodgers plans to set up. 433, 41212, 4231, 3421, 3412. Rodgers needs to build a proper spine to the team this summer and add a top striker. Only choosing players we have been linked with this squad looks good. Mignolet Montoya Papa Sakho Moreno Henderson Carvalho Can Sterling Coutinho Aubemeyang Jones Manquillo Skrtel Ilori Flanagan Milner Lucas Allen Markovic Lallana Sturridge Its not spectacular but its improvement. I expect Carvalho will not choose us but we have been linked with a few good DM options. I definately expect us to get one this summer.
Suarez bites Liverpool defend to the hilt among other indiscretions. Why? He was a very good player. Cantona/Ferdinand etc same applies The fact that they are not bothering to keep them should tell you more.
Boateng's performance, in particular his lack of effort, in yesterday's game was shocking, apparently. Sam's had quite a few injury problems this season. I think both were due to leave anyway, however, another player, Höger, has also been suspended for a week, but is expceted to stay at the club, which makes it sound like there was some sort of incident that happened.
some points. 1. I agree with the spine comment and top stirker too. 2. formation. I am thinking right now that if you look at it.......... mourinho stuck with 4-3-3 all year and his sole flexibility was dropping oscar for mikel any time a decent side played them... no plan b? oh no... just he wont he league so you can't criticize can you? If rodgers wants a 4-3-3 or whatever fine. no problem but the difference is quality of player 2. This season and last season LFC ran out of full backs. Last year we had 4 cbs v southampton and lost the game. he tried 5-2-3 formation with moses in the team and we still ended up second cos we scored goals. This year we've run out of full backs again.. but had one out on LOAN! WTF. We need a proper squad 3. rodgers keeps saying tis about style and emphasis not formation. so why the F were we sitting off cheslea at 1-1 and not pressing hard? I just don't get the inconsistency in messgae and application of supposed style. Any player arriving surely to god must fit the style. did any of the summer signings meet it? can.. maybe, lallana.. nope.. balotelli. F no. lambert? nope cant run.. Lovern, not applicable to him. manquillo, not applicable either. so we've a pressing game and we bought players who can't/won't press. We need high energy players.
His name is actually Sidney Sam, Flappy just ****ed up. Not like you to bully someone for making a mistake
