http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/S...tory-18541549-detail/story.html#axzz2OqwJdWXo 24 yr old Spanish centre back
It will be more than a bit ironic if Ash does leave. Just a few days ago he was spouting about how Michael Laudrup signing a contract extension was good for the club in that it gave us continuity and stability. So that doesn't apply to him also? It would be a foolish statement to make if he knew he was leaving and I wonder if this is just ML trying to strengthen the squad in readiness for Europe. This would give us four centre backs if you include Bartley: in line with Laudrup's stated intention of having two strong players for every position. On the other hand, because Bartley seems to have blotted his copybook recently, perhaps he is on his way out, in which case we will be looking for two centre backs. By the way, I fail to understand the logic of using young Ben at centre back, something which has been proposed by a number of posters recently. Isn't Ben just 5ft 7" tall? For me that is nowhere near the stature of a centre back. We are bad enough at defending aerial set pieces as it is. The thought of 5ft 7" trying to compete in the air with a seasoned striker standing well over six feet tall doesn't even bear thinking about - unless your name is Puyol. He's the only "short" centre back I can think of who's really good at the job.
I may be wrong Ivor but I think he's 6ft + I've noticed that he is a favourite out ball for both Swansea and Wales....when the keeper's under pressure and forced to boot it long they tend to aim towards him, he's normally up against a small fast winger and wins the header 8 times out of 10
Thought this guy turned us down in january. maybe paper talk. http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1388252/sevillas-botia-turned-swansea?cc=5739 There is this one as well http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swanseacityfc/swansea-city-fc/2013/03/29/91466-33080743/ Looks like a big shop in spain this year.
MICHAEL Laudrup has admitted Alberto Botia is on Swansea City's list of summer targets — but has once again batted away talk of Ashley Williams leaving the Liberty. Sevilla centre-back Botia has emerged as a possible close-season recruit for Swansea as they prepare to do battle on four fronts in 2013-14. But Laudrup has been forced — not for the first time in recent weeks — to pour cold water on suggestions that Williams is likely to go through the exit door. Laudrup denied suggestions emerging from Spain that Swansea made a six-million-euro bid for Botia during the January transfer window. But the Swansea manager conceded that the Spanish Olympic squad member is on the radar. "He is a good player, but there are a lot of good players in that position," Laudrup said. "He may be on a list but it's a long list. "We have been linked with three or four players already, and this is only the beginning. "There will be a lot of rumours with the transfer window coming up." The Williams speculation does not look like going away any time soon, with yet more newspaper reports yesterday suggesting the Wales captain is a summer target for both Arsenal and Liverpool. Anfield legend Ian Rush, a former team-mate of Laudrup's at Juventus, suggested this week that the Reds should go all out to take Williams to Merseyside. "There is nothing to say," Laudrup insisted. "We know there will be rumours because the players have done well this season, but a lot of our players — including Ashley — have renewed their contracts this season and that is because they want to stay here I think. "I am not saying that if a player signs a ten-year contract he will stay for ten years, but if you sign a new deal, I think you will stay for at least one more season. "I understand the rumours with Ashley, but I think he wants to stay. "I read the story about Arsenal and Liverpool in Denmark — but it's the same story I read four weeks ago. "Nothing has changed. I think they call it old wine in new bottles." Another issue for Laudrup is the future of Jonathan de Guzman, who has impressed since joining Swansea on loan from Villarreal last summer. The midfielder won his first competitive caps for Holland this week, and his progress is unlikely to have gone unnoticed at other clubs. But Laudrup says there is little they can do to sort out de Guzman's long-term future before the season ends. "It's difficult to do anything now because not everyone is as lucky as we are," he said. "Not many clubs have a trophy and 40 points already — they are nearly all fighting to see where they will be next season, whether you are talking about England or Spain. "Ultimately it is down to Villarreal what happens with Jonathan, and they are still trying to win promotion to La Liga at the moment. "There is also what the player wants, and I know Jonathan would like to stay here. "Of course we are not stupid. If someone comes in and offers him three times his salary and his own TV show, he will probably go. "But I can only talk about intentions at the moment." Williams and de Guzman will be among those returning to club colours tomorrow after a spell on international duty when Swansea host Tottenham in the Premier League. Link: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Micha ... story.html
Difficult to tell, Terror. Wiki lists him at 5/7 and I read an article comparing him with Taylor, which stated he was 5ft 9" and Ben was two inches shorter. I've not actually measured Ben personally, so quite happy to be corrected.
Official site profile of Ben puts him as 5' 7" and 11 stone , so quite small but fair play he does like a challenge
I was basing my comment on what Jenkins said:" We were not looking for a centre-half in January, but it could be different in the summer." Suggests we are losing someone but as you say hopefully Kyle not Ash!!
Players move on, we fill our war chest, and bring in better! Though I'm not saying Ash is going, but there is the usual garbage from the tabloids, hell they have linked him to Manu, Arsenal and Liverspuds!................
Yeah, you and Bony appear to be spot on....checked a few sites I'm shocked by this, always looked a decent size too me. Guess he looks on the bigger side compared to the rest of our hobbits. This site was my favourite....http://www.whoscored.com/Players/103837/Show/Ben-Davies Under weaknesses they've got Aerial Duels...which blows my observation out of the water. I must be watching a different game
We need another Center half - Monk doesn't do it - say Chico pulls a tendon again - we're left with Kylw - whether ML likes him or not. Don't think this has anything to do with people leaving. Add Europe and we definitely need more CAPABLE players
This bloke looks the bollocks, http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/ed...no-martins-indi-dutch-footballs-most-talented His name is Bruno Martins-Indi, he's 21 and has just broken into the Dutch team.... The transfer fee and wages may be too rich for our blood mind, and he probably sees himself at a more glamorous club. Liverpool and Spurs are apparently watching him. If we did sell Ash for big money I think we should at least try to land somebody of this calibre as a replacement.
Some rumours; Antoine Greizmann - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Griezmann left winger who has played the odd game up front, speed merchant, French youth international, playing in Spain, 22 years old Diego Perotti - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Perotti Left winger who has also played behind the striker and wide right, 2 footed, Argentine playing in Spain, capped twice a few years ago, 24 Pablo Piatti - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Piatti Left winger who can play on the right or as a "second forward", also a 24 year old short arsed Argentine, has 1 cap, playing in Spain Joan Verdu - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Verdú 29 year old goal scoring midfielder at Espanyol, came through at Barcelona Patrick Ebert - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Ebert 26 year old German winger playing in Spain, capped at u-21 level Also Man City's John Guidetti and Brighton Hove Albion's Leonardo Ulloa are apparently being considered as back up/alternatives to Aspas. Canas is a done deal...... Of course, take all this with a pinch of salt!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-news-brendan-rodgers-1825408 Looks like Ash is on his way!
Don't believe it. A couple of days ago I told the Mirror we were interested in Lukaku... they actually reported it.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/artic...ams-3923271?utm_source=main_feed#.UWfbo6JHI1Q Ash is 28 years old- Another at least 6 years playing 60k a week= 18 million if he stays at the top.What would you do?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...al-to-Swanseas-12m-rated-Ashley-Williams.html If its going to be at least £12 million for him, then we will be the winners of the deal.
I would probably settle at the 40k a week that the Swans can afford from next season onwards, getting the bonus that is playing at a team that can play European football.
