I think we all remember the diabolical transfer policy under Kenny (plus other regimes) where we signed the likes of Carroll and Downing for a combined fee of £55m. I wanted to take the opportunity to spread more positivity on the board by showing us our recent transfers which would suggest that we've learnt our lesson and have finally begun finding better value for money. In addition, I don't think it's a coincidence that our recent dealings have improved since the creation of the transfer committee. Coutinho - £8m Sturridge - £12m Toure - Free Mignolet - £9m Total - £29m £29m for 4 players who have added to our core spine of the first team. Not only that, they've all hit the ground running. Then we have Sakho. At £15m, some would argue that it's expensive for a young central defender, but we are talking about a potentially world class player. Similar to the signings of Torres and Suarez who had great reputations around Europe before taking their games to the next level with LFC. Therefore, I would say £15m is a very good price. Cissokho and Moses have both come in on loans and haven't played a great deal. However, they had strength and pace and directness to our team. And if we wish to sign Cissokho at the end of the season, he will cost £4m. Both players have experience at big clubs, and Cissokho has won a league title, whereas Moses has won the Europa League. Aspas is probably the only signing that hasn't really delivered so far but does show some positive signs and he only cost £7m. Alberto and Ilori are ones for the future who cost roughly £12m for the pair. I believe the net spend came to about £17m this summer (please correct me if I'm wrong) and we managed to bring in 8 players. Really looking forward to seeing our next batch of targets for the next windows, but I am a lot more confident with who we try to sign
Yeah I like our transfers, certainly an improvement from Jan onwards. We got rid of some dead wood too Why is there no room for Alberto on our bench though?
Good point about the deadwood. High earners at the club who simply weren't contributing enough. I know he's a bit lightweight but I would like to see Alberto in the Coutinho role - he's probably the most natural replacement so he should be on the bench IMO.
Think he needs to be on loan as he showed playing with the 21's he is probably too good for that level. Without the cups when would he play? Really don't want to see him go stale this year.
More importantly, our stance on recent transfers means we aren't being seen to be the push overs we once were.. We have a value for a player, if the team selling doesn't accept that, we walk away, instead of in the past where we'd comeback and throw more money at them! #allhailthebicpen
I would like to make sure he doesn't go unnoticed but Suso is growing game by game in the Spanish league and think he could become a much more important player for us next year to replace Moses possibly. Kid is good and seems to be on the right path ( unlike a certain Sterling).
I'd go along with that, especially if we bring in a couple more first team players in Jan, if these players coming in compete with the likes of ibe and Alberto for a place, then I'd like to see both go to a "lower" Prem or top Championship team for regular game time!
Good point - we've stayed strong in our negotiations this summer, for both buying and selling (Suarez). In addition, we now have a new bonus structure when it comes to contracts so hopefully it's a way of ensuring hungry players are joining the club for the right reasons.
...someone who plays the right way. Crystal Palace could do with a couple of saviours. Not sure how this would go down with Palace fans, what with Raheem's previous links to QPR...
I wasn't thinking of Ibiza, but anyway, they're not in La Liga this season. I was thinking of Vallecano, Almeria, Celta Vigo - lower midtable sides miles from thumping nightclubs, wild nightlife and the opportunity of leaving a host of little spanish Raheems all over the place...
Look I measure managers by results not by purchases... however.... I also say most manager shave about a 50/50 ration of hits to misses. So if we put mingolet, sahko and the rest down as hits and put aspas, borini and allen in the miss category you still turn in a positive light on rodgers all in all. the only thing to judge anyone on is results.... the day is coming where that judgement is rightly applied so it'll be interesting so see where we are in May which is the right time to really put this in context. I do have to say it though....3 inexpensive risks like aspas, illori and alberto do not add up to one extremely class player like eriksen. I just wish.... I said it all year and i'll say it now. spurs got a better player in eriksen than they sold in bale. I wish we'd moved on him and left aspas and alberto where they were... thats wishful thinking but it galls me slightly. Bluff is right suso could be better certainly than aspas when he comes back
Will be interesting in Jan, can we pick up some players who have been knocked out of Champs League? And Bluffs right Sterling near Ibiza?!!! Good call on trying Alberto to COuts position, or push Gerrard up there and not ask him to get back therefore his legs wont be a problem In pre season wasnt Alberto playing the 'ball moving' mid position that Gerrard plays now though?
"I wish we'd moved on him and left aspas and alberto where they were... thats wishful thinking but it galls me slightly." Still early days I know but Ericksen looks more cut out in England than Aspas + Alberto. I'd have more faith in Ericksen being more effective than Aspas + Alberton imo
Not sure how true it is but we've been linked with Pastore of PSG - I think he's fallen out of favour over there, so he could be another one of those talented players at a big club with so much money and competition for spaces ...
Yeah, players with a point to prove We need to still be buzzing around the top of the table as this will improve our attractiveness come Jan
Depends on price and he can be a "delicate flower" at times and is so hot and cold. Similar player to Gourcuff who was awesome at Bordeux then moved to Lyon and has struggled since.
Admittedly, only seen him play a few times when PSG are on the box playing CL footy, but when I have, I've been impressed by him, he seems to have a good engine on him, technically very good and an eye for goal! If there is a chance to nab him, I'd be up for it, also, with Sakho here, he could put in a good word for us!
Can't say I've seen him play many times but he does have a reputation of being a talented player and is highly rated around Europe and I think these are the types of player we should be targeting. Finding some hidden gems are great but extremely difficult. I can't remember the last hidden gem we found. P.S - I wouldn't class Coutinho has a hidden gem. As with someone like Pastore, they are highly regarded around Europe.
