Dont think of it as replacing Gerrard. That builds to much pressure. Just think of it as keeping up a good midfield. Players are out there. Romulo maybe. Kedira? ilori could potentially do it.
Bournemouth local paper said the fee they received for Lallana deal was £4M. So looks like the initial fee for Lallana was £16M rising to £23M with add ons. Seems like a much better price that way.
Not what was said; Blake told the club website: "The transfer fee was undisclosed which means our cut will also remain undisclosed, but it was certainly not as simple as 25 per cent of any fee which has been reported by the press over the past few weeks. "There were lots of small sacrifices that had to be made by all parties for the deal to happen, but I think each club involved, and the player himself, can be very happy with the final outcome."
Was just going from this: "It has been widely reported that £25million was paid for the 26-year-old but the Daily Echo understands that Cherries, entitled to 25 per cent of the proceeds, received in the region of £4million from the deal." So perhaps Bournemouth will receive the rest of their fee when the clauses are met, thus it not being as simple as an initial 25%
He clearly intimates that they had to be flexible and 'make sacrifices' in order for the deal to go through, so they've patently reduced their share. The fee will no doubt have clauses, but the 'starting point' will be way north of what you're suggesting there.
I'd say a reduction in their share would have to be considered more than a 'small sacrifice' especially for club like Bournemouth. He emphasises the complicated nature of the deal, he doesn't imply that Bournemouth lost out on £2M in transfer fees owed to them.
I can't imagine Bournemouth reducing their share any less than 20%, putting the initial fee around £20m, then add-ons
I think he's a good player mate, but like you lot just not a £25m one. Plus I don't see how he really improves your first XI.
1. "Starting XI" is an outdated concept, especially for a team playing in multiple important competitions 2. For our starting XI last season, the front 6 were so successful in teamwork and individual performances that very few available players would improve it 3. We had just one single viable tactical change last season - swapping Coutinho and Sterling. This was a weakness Lallana helps solve.
Ha! There aren't that many words I can think of that rhyme with Lallana My Llama rhymes, but not sure how you can fit that into a chant
Good player - overpriced but will add depth to the squad. With Lallana, I think he will seamlessly rotate well with Coutinho, which is crucial with the amount of games we will play. However, for £25m, I expect more than just being a squad/rotation player. But he could step up and improve further. I think the money would be better spent on Shaqiri who is younger, versatile, larger ceiling of potential/ability and cheaper.
Neither will Lallana. We play a 41212 system. Coutinho and Sterling compete for the AM role, Lallana will play box-to-box and compete with Hendo and Allen for a starting spot. Unless we are planning for post Suarez of course. Maybe we'll switch back to 433 then so Lallana can play LW competing with Coutinho.
But do you think we will change that now once Suarez goes? i.e. Stick Sturridge up top as the striker, rather than accommodating both SAS?
