warmkjos
22 Oct 2006, 10:16 PM
I would say that one of the positions we need to get cover for in the near future (other than the well documented defensive midfield spot) is left midfield. Giggs is nearing retirement, or at least nearing the point where he isn't good enough for a European Contender, and we really don't have a player to fill that spot. Neither Park nor Richardson is starting material, Lee Martin is an unproven possibility, but I say we buy someone.
That perfect someone is Portuguese U-21 player, Nani. He has been starting for Sporting Lisbon this year at left wing. He is a livewire type player, similar to C.Ronaldo. He scored a goal in the CL a couple weeks ago and had an assist in the CL this week, as well as an assist this weekend against Porto in the Portuguese Superliga. He is young, tricky, fast, an all around dangerous attacking player.
The whole argument to buy Nani is based on the assumption that C.Ronaldo prefers to play on the right and could therefore play there while Nani roams the left wing. Nani wouldn't start right away for us, as Giggs is still around, and he wouldn't be guaranteed a spot after Giggs retires, as Fletcher will compete for the right mid spot, putting Ronaldo on the left. Lee Martin may also compete to keep Nani out of the starting side. However, for the money it will cost to get Nani (I'm just guessing it would be around 5-10 million pounds), I think it is worth it, based on his potential, and based on the fact that Giggs is getting older and we really don't have a replacement for him.
That perfect someone is Portuguese U-21 player, Nani. He has been starting for Sporting Lisbon this year at left wing. He is a livewire type player, similar to C.Ronaldo. He scored a goal in the CL a couple weeks ago and had an assist in the CL this week, as well as an assist this weekend against Porto in the Portuguese Superliga. He is young, tricky, fast, an all around dangerous attacking player.
The whole argument to buy Nani is based on the assumption that C.Ronaldo prefers to play on the right and could therefore play there while Nani roams the left wing. Nani wouldn't start right away for us, as Giggs is still around, and he wouldn't be guaranteed a spot after Giggs retires, as Fletcher will compete for the right mid spot, putting Ronaldo on the left. Lee Martin may also compete to keep Nani out of the starting side. However, for the money it will cost to get Nani (I'm just guessing it would be around 5-10 million pounds), I think it is worth it, based on his potential, and based on the fact that Giggs is getting older and we really don't have a replacement for him.