Having a number of options improves our chances of top four. Sides are judged on the strength of their bench rather than just their first 11.
sahin lucas allen gerrard suarez borini surely this is the line up? shelvey spearing henderson tello carrol downing you have to say adam/henderson and cole and even carrol just start to look to not fit in when you push gerrard forward into the front line.
That's definitely the way i'd see us line up if we signed Sahin or A N Other Personally though I think Mandy would benefit from having Stevie G up with him. Gerrard can drift out wide either side and whip the ball in plus being part of a front 3 would give Mandy more options around him when holding the ball up whereas he was too isolated at times last year. Still think Mandy can fight his way into the team if he really trains hard and proves he wants it, just not sure how effective he'll be with players like Allen and Sahin who'll be looking for quick through balls a lot of the time.
Billy even calls himself and also responds to nicknames such as twatface, dickhead or thundercunt. It's in his nature.
Tello was reluctant to move abroad, given that he's already left Barca once in his career and he doesn't like the idea of not playing for them. However, and this was unfolding last night according to my Spanish connections, he's also not happy at all with his situation in Barcelona anymore. Senior player love having a dig at him (his style of play is slightly too selfish for Barca, but it works) especially Messi who he does not have an excellent relationship with to say the least. The fans have picked their young fan favourite already and unfortunately - it's not him. Cuenca is slightly above him in the pecking order, as well as Pedro and he knows he's not going to get as much leniency or playing time under Vilanova as he did under Guardiola. As it stands, Barca offered him a B contract, with slightly higer wages, and verbally promised him that he would play a minor role in the first team this season. He's not at all happy with that because he knows his situation wont be in his favour in terms of playing time. He wants a written promise to play in the first team or to be on the first team squad but Barca are very reluctant to do this. Atletico want him but he doesn't want to go there, it's another Spanish club and he doesn't really feel as if it's a challenge he wants to take. He would be restricted in appearances there as well. Liverpool he has definitely considered as an option and he likes the idea of coming here to get some game time. He also feels that if he were to leave Barca permanently it would be to the EPL and he figures LFC is a perfect fit for his style and first team ambition. The only thing that is keeping him from rejecting Barca is his love for the club and loyalty, but given that they didn't even register him with a squad number he knows he could be the next Jeffren or Bojan. The deal is certainly still on, it's really up to Barca and how much we want him.
great, other "reluctant" spaniards are silva and mata who both said the same. he can stay and rot like bojan or he can move and grow. i reckon another trophyless year (copa doesn't count in spain) will have a lot of guys wanting out. 4mil = easy deal and has to grow in value, if he's not wanting a move fine.... who cares.
Its a bit of risk. He could settle within 5 minutes like Xabi Alonso, or be like Jesus Navas, and get home-sick if he's further than 5 miles from home. I believe the first scenario to be the case. The Liverpool manager is fluent spanish, a few of the players speak spanish including the non spanish players ie Lucas and Luis Suarez.
Turkish TV are reporting Nuri Sahin's loan move to LFC comes with an option to buy him permanently next summer
There could be truth in that. Look at the players that are ahead of him in the Real Madrid squad? There is Semi Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Mezut Ozil, and they are only ones I can think of off the top of my head.
If I recall correctly Glen Johnson also speaks fluent Spanish and the youth coaches Segura and Borrell are both obviously Spanish. The Benitez link is still strong at LFC and thats a great thing in terms of Spanish speaking players. They'll feel at home
Does Lucas speak Spanish? Being Brazilian his native tongue would be Portuguese? I'll get my coat... GKRK
