Free transfers are never quite that, the player and agent usually get a chunk of the transfer fee they could've had to pay.
Unquestionably a yes to signing Xabi. Even a £5mil spend would be peanuts given the creativity he'd give the team with his passing from deep. With Coutinho playing his brand of creativity further forward and Alonso deeper, we'd avoid the problems we have at the moment with limited creativity in the team. And even on top wages for a 3 year deal, it'd be nothing as compared to the CL spot I'd expect him to help us secure.
The bigger question would be, if we were to sign Xabi then who plays in the middle of the strongest eleven? Two of Gerrard, Alonso or Lucas. Coutinho is recognised as our number ten now, Suarez and Studge need to be part of the front four. Do we try Gerrard on the right or go 433?
We could look at a 4-2-2-2. Studge and Suarez up, Coutinho and Gerrard/Moses behind, Alonso and Lucas/Henderson sitting deeper. Width from the fullbacks in this situation
I'd go with... Migs Johnson - Toure - Agger - Enrique Gerrard - Lucas - Alonso Suarez - - - - - - - - - - - Moses Sturridge
the only problem with this is the lack of Henderson. Its been noted that when Henderson is not playing the midfield lacks energy. Aslo, you've dropped Coutinho...
Very good point. I am one of those that usually says Henderson is vital to our system too so no idea how I've managed to forget him. In that case, I'd stick with the 4321 system and drop Gerrard (or sell Johnson and play Stevie at RB )
I've not seen Alonso play for a while. Alonso at his best was better than Gerrard is currently. Alonso may supplant SG or LL. 2 of the 3 rotating wouldn't be bad. I like the 'problem'.
I suppose Gerrard could also rotate with Coutinho if needed too. I don't think Gerrard and Alonso would be a good combination considering we like attacking FB's (bar the last game of course) Very definitely a good problem to have
I think my best would be this ----------------------Mig----------------- --------------Sakho-----Agger-------------- Johnson---------Lucas-----------Enrique ---------Gerrard---------Alonso------------- -------------------Coutinho------------------ ----------Sturridge--------Suarez----------
I think that maybe you are being too rigid in your formation thinking. Just ask yourself why we are looking for competition for places? It's not only to cover injury or loss of form but also to bring another dimension into play. Just because we might start with Lucas/ Gerrard from the start does not mean that we might not end with Alonso/Henderson if the latter combination is more effective for us. We are getting closer to having the possibility of 3 rotating units B4, CM and AM. Perhaps Rodgers can achieve what I think Kenny was trying to build.
Gerrard is trying to play the Alonso role. Get Alonso back so we can have a natural deep lying playmaker in our midfield. It then allows Gerrard to play further upfield. Adds experience, cool head and also a decent physical presence in the midfield.
And it will stop short the the inevatable "Gerrard in decline?" threads that I can see on the horizon. We all know Gerrard looks more lost when playing deeper, which he is having to do this season, yet his class oozes when he is pushed forward to a more attacking care-free role.
