Lovren, two inquires. Number has been bandied, but no official bid. Both from abroad. The club want to keep Lovren, but if he goes, would rather it was not to go to a direct rival. Shaw, still can't talk about. Sorry. Interesting that Koeman was said to have loved the training ground from the moment he laid eyes on this. Instead of doing a Columbo and pointing out that the timescales don't add up, I instead asked today whether they meant by email. Gave them an out. Koeman soon to start talks with all players who are away, not just those who want away. He also has a '****load' of player DVD's to watch, and our own matches! As everyone may have noticed, Kreuger has been scaled back, Reed given more camera training and prominence. 'Im just the Canadian hockey guy' was only a half joking admission, group meetings are thankfully back, and things are far less tense. Club slightly worried about empty seats opening day and perception upon the new appointment - looking at ways to improve season ticket sales. KL hoping that people will now take her at her word she is here for the long haul! But she knows that may depend on how many goals the new striker scores Lallana a thorny issue. The club will effectively be building bridges with a player who has gone outside the club to demand a move, but not handed in a transfer request. , also reported comments in brazil. Difficult to justify this against club discipline in the recent past, Osvaldo, Ramirez, Puncheon etc. Club feel that they have done nothing wrong, and that they will have a hard time justifying positive PR to other players, Koeman will speak to them before making decision on captaincy. Also cortese is not leaking (obvs). Club hope that desire to speak to new men and the club looking forward will help stop Tabloid Journos looking for bad news stories, even if it is just linking us with every player looking for a raise!
I can imagine how Koeman's conversation with Lovren will go: "So what's it like playing for Barcelona then Gaffer?" "Awful. You'd hate it there. Their training facilities are nowhere near as good as ours"....
Cheers Beefy. Looks like Adam situation is going to get messy. If they take the armband away soon then he gets given a reason to moan; tricky. It sounds like he's being a little naughty. I would like him to stay but think we may be close to that not being possible. Actions to take: - Ronald to sit down with Adam first day he's back. Have a long chat to let him see what his plans are and tell him he is needed. - If Adam still whines or says he wants out, tell him he needs to hand in official request. Then tell him the fee will be £30-35m and that anything less will just be binned. He can tell Stevie G what the score is and he can tell the scallies. -if he does anything from then that is unprofessional or difficult, fine him or follow disciplinary procedure. If he accepts it, great we can move on together. If he doesn't, build the team around someone else. I'll wait now to be told Adam hasn't said he doesn't want to leave.
Thanks Beefy, looks like there is quite a bit of bitterness towards Adam. If he loses the armband he will certainly leave but the club has to be strong on discipline and always has been since our recovery
Much as I like him I dont think Adam is unreplaceable. Rickie's are the most difficult boots to fill.
Sorry but I think that's sentiment talking. The most difficult thing to replace with Rickie gone is the penalty taker. If Adam goes, we're losing our most influential creative player.
If Adam does stay and i personally think he will, as he is never worth £30 million to a top side. I believe that he will be the oppisite of Suarez and his performances will be less innfluential, i see koeman bringing in a creative midfielder what ever the outcome.
It may well be, but getting a decent striker who may or may not take penalties is a big ask. That £15m we spent on that Italian Argentinian is evidence of that. (Just a thought - do you think refs might start giving us obvious penalties now that we don't have the unfair advantage of Rickie?!). For a replacement for Lallana, maybe we'll be shopping in The Netherlands?
I don't think there's a club out there that would pay £30m for Adam. However, I don't think for a minute that after this he should be given the honour of captaining the club.
If we don't accept an offer then he has to stay, and I can't see a player who has been with the club for 14 years suddenly deciding not give 100%.
Exactly, and he's not going to convince any bigger clubs he's worth £30m without giving 100% either.
True. Perhaps I'm being a little harsh there (although I'm not sure he's a great captain anyhow. On the if he stays front, I'd rather see Lovren as El Capitan).
Hence the "if he stays"..... Mind you, I'm being slightly hypocritical there if Lovren did hand in a transfer request.
If there is no acceptable offer and he stays, we should not forget that Gerrard came close to leaving Liverpool but changed his mind. It can all work out fine given enough time. I can understand him wanting a high profile move but simply cannot imagine Adam being disruptive.
