first of all, the situation with Gerrard is problematical. he's been one of the best players in the world, but he gets hurt. the tactical changes that must be made when he's not in the lineup are significant. his ability to take over games is far diminished. so, you've overstated the case on one hand and misunderestimated the actual "problem" on the other. simply stated it's this: when one of your three best players fades, something must be done. Liverpool hasn't figured out what to do yet. i think that's part of the rationale behind the move for McCarthy/Adam. it's an interim fix. the reason Liverpool didn't win the league in '08-'9 ago is that they couldn't score goals when it mattered. two less losses than ManU, but eleven draws. yet Liverpool scored more total goals than ManU and had a better goal differential. the trick is to win matches. the reward for winning so far surpasses drawing that it's almost ridiculous. Liverpool needs a midfielder who can be in the lineup when Gerrard is out who can have a positive impact on the match.
Apparently we are now after Jordan Henderson from Sunderland: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...pool-on-the-hunt-for-jordan-henderson?cc=5901
I'm in. I'll kick in a few bob personally to help meet 16-20m asking price. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, he is the heir to SG's role in our team. He may not end up to be a top 8 player in the world, but he has the same attributes and can contribute mightily to our club.
A player that could potentially be a first teamer for the next 12 years? Yes. I'd love to see an initial 10m, then have up to 10m in clauses. Or put it this way: 15m for Henderson, a player who can several positions and has quite a bit of upside? 10m for Adam, a player who has probably reached his top level, and will only be able to play in 1 position?
Why doesn't your club go for Theo Walcott? With him on the right and Maxi on the left, you all would be deadly. But, why are you all going for another winger? Isn't Kuyt accustomed to playing on the wide right?
Walcott? We need someone who can come in and start and play most of the matches. Walcott's a talented player, but the cost, and injury concerns (and fact that AW won't sell) make it a no go. As for Maxi playing regularly in the starting lineup, not really. Especially if we hope to be top 4. He's a squad guy at this point for us, if he even stays. We need 2 or 3 wide players tbh. Kuyt plays out there some, but he's only so talented at it. As for Henderson costing 15 or so, yeah, probably not, but he's English and young. So welcome to being inflated. That said, I would pay it. Rather pay 12-15 with incentives for McCarthy or Henderson then 8 or 9 for Adam. With buying Henderson we could have locked up 2 of the English NT's key cogs for the next 5-6 years. That's even before some of our young talents on the u21 and u19 break in.
I can certainly see Maxi staying and being used as an option on the bench. If he can come off the bench and perform the way he was late-on this season then he will be an asset.
At this rate we'll enough central mid-fielders to play a match on their own. Henderson, eh? £15 million? I'd rather spunk a few more and get Mata. Shelvey, Coady & co. will do for the next 12 years.
I significantly doubt if we spend on Henderson that there's no money for Mata or other players. Yes, it's a big investment. But I highly doubt that it's Henderson and then a mediocre pickup. We're not buying from the scrap heap again. We've got money, and we're going to buy players that are quality.
Kudos for packing an incredible amount of stupidity into such a concise post. I personally think we should be in for Malouda and play Maxi on the right. Even more deadlier. But maybe, you're right. All of these years of wishing for a winger is a total waste. Kuyt and Maxi are all we need.
Good news. Now that Sepp has promised Clear and Transparent dealings, Zero Tolerance is for everyone! Also, Messi's coming in and hes bringing Xavi and Iniesta with him. and Englands a shoe-in in 2014.
In fact I've been told that we bid £7/8 million for him. Sunderland have publicly rebuffed the offer in the hope of alerting other suitors.
This is where I am on Henderson. For that money I want someone who will make a big difference next year and the year after. Seems we have plenty of "for the future" players at that position in the pipeline. I haven't seen enough of him to make a full assessment, but the drop in Sunderland's form does make me wonder if he has what it takes. My guess on the conversation with Bruce Commoli "Is 10 enough to get Henderson" Bruce "nope, 20" Commoli "Okay thanks, I'll pass"
I hope it went that way, too. By now we ought to be wise to how lower level players struggle to step up. Just look at how ordinary Robbie Keane was. It will be the same for your Downing, Adam, Barton etc., unless they are coming in as squad fillers. Having said that, Henderson at 20, is safer bet to be moulded into a better player-- he does have some pace-- but not at those ridiculous plus English-player-premium fees.
Yeah, it makes sense that they want a lot for him, but I understand. They see him as a a key player for the next decade. Either way, the debate isn't so much the cost, but whether he's quality. They shouldn't just blow money, but they don't have to feel crippled to take a few gambles if they could pay off.
That scenario is contingent on getting rid of the huge detritus we have in the squad. I cant envisage us bringing into many players if we cant find homes for Degen, Konchesky, Poulsen, Cole, Jova, TheGreek, ElZhar and Brad Jones, Kuyts best games came as CF this season. In big games he does a job on the wing but we need a better option. Hopefully Kuyt next season will be used primarily as a forward. Similarily Maxi's best games on the wing have came from drifting in and exploiting space created by Suarez, Kuyt and Rauls running. To get the best out of Carroll and/or Kuyt upfront we need at least one winger who can create. Downing and Adams might not be popular choices but they are both options that will bring the best out of Carroll. Or maybe they actually want to keep on to their player. Sunderland are not a selling club and have shown ambition. Bent made it clear that he wanted out and were forced into selling him for the maximum price.
Probably, but I somehow doubt that. They have sold their key players of the past two seasons (Bent and Jones), and will probably continue to do so.
Both players wanted out. Jones took a wage cut to join Stoke and only went for £8m and Bent had to put in a transfer request before his £24m move to Villa happened.
You can't be serious. You read my post and thought I was agreeing with the sentiment that Kuyt and Maxi make a great set of wingers? I am not sure I could have made my sarcasm more obvious.
Why else would we be interested in them? There are better wingers and better midfielders then Downing and Adams yet we have bid a few times for one and been strongly linked with the other. Clearly Kenny and the scouts think they can improve our play.