A signing that will have a big impact? A signing that will be a thrill to watch? A signing who the whole world will admire? How about An Italian Named Alberto Aquilani? Because if he stays it will be just like a new signing.
I understand why you are questioning that, and I debated whether to put it, but I do feel that when the world see Aquilani play they will love him.
I can't see how Aquilani will fit into the system.He's a decent passer of a ball,but you can't use him in pressure cooker games due to the fact that he won't put a boot in.Its not that he won't tackle...like Raul Mereiles...he won't tackle. Now my question is,Is it justified to have two players that do exactly the same thing?Mereiles and Aquilani.I could say the same thing about Maxi and Joe Cole.Now if we got rid of two of the four,it may create the space to sign two different types of players.As far as I'm concerned 4 into 2 doesn't go.Then there is Spearing and Shelvey.Who should be kept and who should be moved on.I reckon it depends on who wants it most and who performs.Instead of 4 into 2,I think its 6 into 3.
Sorry KPR but I disagree with your analysis of Aquilani and Mereiles. They are not the same kind of player. Aqua is a creator and a tormentor of defences. he can find holes and create spaces from which to play inviting balls - Suarez and Carroll will love him! Mereiles is a marauder, he will press though defences. However, I do agree that neither will be there why the boots start flying. I doubt the Kenny could, or would, pick them both at the same time. As for Cole and Maxi then, from what we saw last season and during the 2 games so far, it has to be Maxi. I really want Cole to come good for us but it's still not happening is it? So if we have to lose one body then it's Cole for me.
You couldn't pick both at the same time,However you coudn't pick one over Gerrard if you wanted Gerrard to rampage.You would pick one and allow Gerrard to tuck in and let the other bomb forward,or you could pick neither and let Gerrard rampage and put Charlie Adam in beside Lucas.Gerrard would play as an inverted right sider with two up top,with a natural outlet wide left.It would start as a 4-4-2 but could be a 4-3-3.
Considering how paper thin our selction options have been what a sweet headache for Kenny to have! It's part of the reason why I believe that we are building a squad that can be strategically changed at any point in the game. This will make us very difficult to plan for.
If Kenny can somehow get the left back and centre back in.I reckon our squad will be at its strongest since 2009.
Thats exactly what I meant. I can't really see why a manager would keep both of them.Thats unless one of them plays on occasions as an inverted winger something Raul Mereiles can do as part of a midfield trio.Henderson right,Gerrard in the middle and Mereiles on the left with Kuyt,Carroll and Suarez up front.
still not convinced by Aquilani. Sure, he's played well in two pre season games against very poor opposition but I just get the feeling that when it comes to the premier league he'll just get kicked off the pitch! He is technically very good and can find a final ball very well, like he showed today, but he won't get that sort of time come August and I can see him moving on after this season if that's the case. Of course, I'd be happy to be completely wrong and watch him have a fantastic season! Prove me wrong Alberto!
I would love him to prove people wrong even myself.Well Lucas has managed to prove a lot of people wrong..He's gone from a joke figure to one of the first names on the team-sheet.I'm delighted for him,He deserves it.Aquilani has the talent without a shadow of a doubt,his passing range is brilliant,I just feel that he may get strangled in the premiership in a similar way to how Lucas strangles Carrick.
I think it could go either way. He's got the talent and I've seen him make tackles in a compo clip of his 2010 season, though that's in Italy. But maybe he's toughened up now his injury is dealt with.
He didn't do it today...then again no challenges were made today...maybe it had to do with the heat.His passing today was spot on.I would like to see how he gets on against Hull next week before passing judgement.Now there may be a few challenges flying about in that game.Today was nothing more than a training exercise.
How many PL players in Aquilani's position (attacking midfield) really tackle though? Van der Vaart/Modric don't really put in many tackles nor does Nasri. I don't think it's really a case making tackles so much as having the strength to keep on the ball and ride challenges. He's a ball player rather than a ball winner.
for me, i see aquilani and adam as the most similar pairing- deep lying playmakers- who wouldn't likely be on the pitch together. meireles is slightly different being more of a box-to-box/standard cm type player. a narrow 4-man diamond midfield could be: -----------Gerrard---------- Meireles------------Aquilani ------------Lucas----------- Adam could swap with Aquilani or if Gerrard was injured, Aquilani or Meireles could take up the more advanced role. Personally, I would love to see them all stay and see what Kenny can achieve with a squad of considerable depth
