Looks like Dickov may well be going back to Leicester: http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1796_3941248,00.html But the BBC has just revealed that the Hammers have just released Ljundberg: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/7545703.stm Now, I was not a big fan of TFC getting Dickov (I would've loved to have seen Huckerby sign instead), and I know Ljundberg is not a striker, but surely Freddie would be an excellent signing for the mighty Reds, especially since we will be without Edu for a while. Question is though - he will likely command DP money, but is he worth it? What do you guys think? Should Mo try to lure him over? Can Carver make it work fitting Freddie into a midfield that is allegedly "already packed with talent"? What state does this leave TFC in with regards to cap space and IS spots if Mo can sign him?
I'd rather not waste the DP slot on a player who plays in our strongest area on the pitch, out wide. Ricketts and Robert are two of the better players on TFC. We'd be better off spending the money on a proper striker.
Surely you guys need a proven regular goalscorer? Ljungberg has scored goals yes but he is not prolific (46 goals in 216 league games for Arsenal) and is of course a winger. Seems like Dickov may well end up at Leicester City as said. Blackpool got fed up waiting for him and his damn agent to make a decision over where he was going. I suspect Toronto were also getting fed up waiting too and he has ended up having to go to Leicester anyway. I'm sure he will be on good money there, but Mandaric the clubs owner is an oddball to say the least.
It sounds like Dickov's agent has been a bit of a pain in the butt to deal with. Ljungberg? 5 season ago yes....but now, no way. Far too injury prone, and he would be after a HUGE amount of money. Not worth it in my opinion.
He's a player who is a. fairly famous b. not that far downhill yet (admittedly, nowhere near his peak, but still easily good enough, albeit with the odd injury issue last season). It might not be as high a priority as a striker but it wouldn't exactly be that bad, plus a 1-in-4 scoring rate in the Premiership isn't too shabby. More like he's decided that he can't get any more cash and Mandaric has been stupid enough to throw loads at him. Apparently, he's on enough to be right at the bottom end of DP money in MLS, so something gives me the feeling that the cash was what it was about for him. I don't see how Mandaric's irritating habit of messing about behind the manager's back (which essentially sent us down) can cause Dickov problems. If anything its more likely to guarantee that he gets put in the starting lineup at the expense of players who aren't past-it. Pity really, Fryatt finally stopped looking like a pie and Campbell finally looked like understanding the concept of offside, plus players like Ashley Chambers coming through and so on, it wasn't looking too bad.
www.football365.com Leicester have re-signed veteran striker Paul Dickov on a two-year contract. The former Scotland international rejoins the Foxes on a free transfer after being released by Manchester City at the end of last season. Dickov secured cult status with the Leicester faithful during his first spell with the club - scoring 37 goals in 89 games between 2002 and 2004. City boss Nigel Pearson said: "Paul has all of the attributes you require to succeed as a footballer. He has tremendous spirit and I am delighted to have been able to bring him here. "He is the sort of player who never believes the team is beaten. He breeds fear into defences and I am sure he will be a tremendous asset for us. He will give us everything and I am sure he will be a big favourite with the fans here once again." You got 8 days Mo. 8 days to upgrade this team or lose your job, assuming there is justice in the world. The transfer window closes in 192 hours and the clock is ticking.
is this Ljundberg talk just mere speculation, or is there any fact to the matter that he would even sign here? peace
These pure speculation threads drive me up the wall. It's bad enough when there is all this talk of guys signing, that even show up to practice with the team and watch a game, but to pull a name out of the air, well. Like I have said before, until the guy is on the field playing for us, I am skeptical that he will play for us.
It wouldn't be a problem much. Even if you could convince Ljungberg to play in your midfield he would break down on the turf after a few games. Just check out his injury history over the past 3 or so seasons.
apparantly someone big has agreed to terms already or is very close. nobody precisely knows outside the upper echelon of MLS&E and TFC management but people are talking "big time". fingers crossed.
ives says that he wants 1.7 million for the rest of the year if he comes to MLS. Thats as much as Angel makes a year. Not worth it for any team
Freddie - from what I understand - is considering retirement from football, period. He cannot stay fit, loads of injuries, and past his performance prime. I don't think paying Freddie the money he would surly want, for limited appearances and ultimately retirement after a year with more astro turf aggravated injuries would be in anyone at TFCs interest. I would think our best option would be going down to South America, and finding some bright young potential star who is not perhaps good enough to play for the starting XI of the team he is playing for -- but would be very good up here. The bonus of getting a South American player, is they will be able to handle the heat during the summer months, and not lose steam. I don't think dropping a few million on a 30+ injury prone, and past their prime striker is the way to go.