Agreed, Gerrard is a fine player, but he's not our man. I would like to see us buy a player who works hard at both ends of the pitch like him, but we're better off getting someone for far less money than that. As for those AS predictions, how many people actually think that Sergio Ramos and Helguera are going to make a better pairing than Samuel and Helguera? I know Samuel has had his fair share of problems this season (and I'm all for selling him), and I also know that Sergio Ramos (who I wouldn't mind us buying) is a player of great promise. I just don't think that pairing would be any better than we had this season...or in any recent season for that matter.
Last season I thought Gerrard would be a good buy as a "defensive" midfielder. Of course, I thought Xabi Alonso was better still, but ironically, there is less chance of getting Xabi than Gerrard.. We know how good he is at attacking at times as well, but under Rafa he has spent more time as a joint DM than as an attacker, it seems. I don't know, I am not sure about Gerrard, I think he would be a good player for us and would even slot into the squad pretty well, but I agree that the money he might require is a tonne.. However, everyone should keep in mind, that Perez buys with financial ideas in mind too, so if we pay a lot for Gerrard, you can be sure we would earn it all back from shirt sales, et al. Lastly, Alma.. Good point with Casillias, he might be someone who could take over from Raul.. problem is, he's not such a leader (yet) but in future.. perhaps he will take that role. Nevertheless, I don't think he's ready for that yet.
Some nice comments around, I'll respond to MrMan's in particular: Gerrard might make up his transfer value in t-shirt sales, but if Perez wants a transfer done for business purposes, Gerrard is still not a good idea. a much better choice would be Ji-Sung Park, who plays left-sided mid for PSV. He's been consistently performing at a high level since Korea's breakthrough in the WC, and he was one of the best players in an already impressive PSV team this year. He's 24 years old and will definitely not be overpriced. Besides, it's about time Real started flirting with their Asian fanbase -- I know Beckham was bought partially for that reason, but it wouldn't hurt to have a local boy on the team too. Sergio Ramos I think looks like a very probable signing, and that's not a bad idea. Maybe he'd partner Woodgate in central defense, so Helguera could be moved up to a d-mid role, where I think he'd be better placed. I actually think that was the plan last summer, before it turned out that Woodgate couldn't play. Also, on a side note, Arsenal just put a 15 million Euro price tag on Cole (according to The Sun. I'm not sure how reliable they are, tho'). So hell, you could get Cole and two other strong players for the price of Gerrard. I mean, seriously, doesn't anyone else think this is a better idea?
Alas, he is non-EU, and we are having trouble with that already - unless Samuel leaves or Samuel or RC get a EU passport, we can't even sign Robinho, let alone Park. Great player though. Not elligible for a dutch passport yet, is he? Hmm, we don't believe in Woodgate too much - can't blame us. Helguera's a bit disperse as a midfielder, he's a better defender. This guy needs to be signed before he changes his mind
rumours aroun dhere (liverpool) are that gerrard is on his way out, chelsea or madrid for 50m however i do not think it will be 50. 1) i personallly dont think chelsea are that interested in him now, mourinho has said this himself, their midfeild partnership of lampard and makelele is probably one of the best going and mourinho know this 2) if chelsea dont offer this 50m and gerrard still wants to leave what can liverpool do if real only offer 30m+. were living in the days of player power, liverpool wont want an unhappy player and a captain who doesnt want to be there. the 50m quoted will be the classic liverpool askig price. real will offer 25/30m n negotiations will commence from there. gerrard would be good for real, but not as a dm, and not for 50m. what we would have in gerrard though is a box to box midfeilder who will do evrything for the team!
Yes, he was great against Paraguay. Perez needs to buy him now or never. After performance liked that, someone else will take him this summer just liked Ronaldinho two years ago. I can only imagine Barcelona or Chelsea can folk out the transfer fees. He might not be an immediate need, but he should be an asset for many years to come.
Actually, the interview does not mention Zidane being in the starting 11. It says either Joaquin or Cristiano Ronaldo.
The thought of Robinho linking play with Zidane, Ronaldo and Raul, is a most exciting prospect! Robinho said after the Paraguay game: "It is good to play with such _intelligent_ players as Ronaldinho and Kaka." Which says a lot, shows he is a thinking player.. He thrives when combining with people who can think at or above his level: and few players in the world have the genius that Zidane and Ronaldo have!
I hope the deal is done. Most of the press is saying that the deal is done but will not be announced until after the Libertadores. I read somewhere that Santos is looking for financial support from the government and some corporations to keep Ronbinho there. Gerrard is a very good player, but I don't know if he is the guy to anchor the midfield, especially with Gravesen and, potentially, Pablo García there. I think there is only one more WC qualifier before the summer, then the Copa del Rey final, then the Libertadores. Hopefully we'll see some signings soon. ¡Hala Madrid!
Regarding Ashley Cole: I read that Real Madrid would consider signing him next year. However, since he does not want to stay at Arsenal, it looks like Juventus will offer the 15 million for him. Similar rumor with Adriano. He said if he doesn't win anything with Inter he would look for a new team after the World Cup. ¡Hala Madrid!
Well Madridians you've signed the holy man Peter Crouch for £150M, thats a bargin i tell ya, you've signed a guy who can heel the sick, walk on water, change the climate and charm any girl into bed and he's the best player ever, pretty cheep if you ask me p.s he will be training on his own has he dosn't want to train with the lesser talents like Zidane, Ronaldo, Rual, Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Owen. good buy https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5155118#post5155118
I followed the link & read about the parades, the exclusive training area and all that. I just am not impressed. You should check out what the Galacticos already get!
I bet the other galacticos can't walk on water, heel the sick, change the climate and raise people the dead?
The annual Solari to Italy rumor Marca says Inter's Massimo Moratti is close to a deal to buy Santiago Solari. If this one actually turns out to be true (AS is also saying Inter is interested) than it would make me think it more likely that we're actually going to buy one of Reyes, C. Ronaldo, or Joaquin.
One question here. What about the substitutes? I don't know if you realized but we're running out of them. Guti's probably going, Solari, Figo, Celades, Borja, Portillo...
good point. i sincerely hope that we don't see another off season like we did a couple of years ago, when perez and valdano sold or loaned almost all the 'middle class' players on the squad (flavio, macca, etc.) but didn't replace them for depth. i seriously doubt that sacchi would let that happen, however. Marca Marca mentions Capello being interested in Guti, but Juve has reservations based on his price tag. Article states Madrid has received no offers to date.
Both As and Marca say Solari is probably gone. I'd like him to stay, but if Luxe says he doesn't play with wingers and we get an awesome offer for someone who will 29 next fall, well, I think we should take it, and wish him the best. Moratti is as famous as Abrmovich for throwing money at people (he sold Adriano to Parma in co-pro and rebought him a year later for 3-4 times the amount...)... I think that now that we have a serious team management and Perez is going to stay out of it, that we can afford these kinda moves...
Yes. But who will come after? We need back-ups. Zidane is getting old and he can't play every match and also he cannot play a whole match. We need to cover the left wing, the right wing, the place of Zidane, the defence, ect...
If Santos goes out next week, then we will know. Meanwhile, goal.com mentioned Diego Lugano. http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=65480&progr=2
if they gonna let figo,guti and solari go all together they better hv planned out 3 other mf to replace them in squad. besides i think they shud sell hem only after we hv acquired our transfer targets coz we r not in dire need of money so as to sell all these players as though they r subs they worldclass personally i wudnt want solari to leave. he's gr8 multi-purpose player