Is Steve Finnan the man to make the right flank his own? There really are not many other options within the current squad. El-Hadji Diouf has been put on the transfer list and Anthony Le Tallec is rumoured to be heading out on a loan deal. Richie Partridge has never been the man for the job before - is he even going to be given much of a chance to prove his merit at this point? Apart from Finnan, it looks like Vladi Smicer (who has already gotten off to an inconsistant start in our pre-season friendlies) is our best remaining option. Who are some available players that would be reasonable signings to push Finnan or be outright superior in a right midfield role? If we continue to play a 352 - and especially one without wingbacks - the right midfield position will require a pacy player who is most comfortable along the touchline and not drifting into the middle of play as recent right-mid cover players such as Spud and Smicer are more inclined to do. My picks: 1) Geremi - the Cameroonian is an excellent defensive player and has tremendous attacking skills (crossing, long-range shooting, etc) as well. He is comfortable in a variety of roles along the right side of the field and thrives when required to work hard. Several other teams are rumored to be interested in the man, and one has to believe that he is available with Chelsea's midfield being so ridiculously large (Duff, Robben, Parker, Cole, Lampard, Makalele, Geremi, Tiago, Smertin . . . ) 2) Sean Wright-Phillips - Could be the missing link to a world-beater attacking team. Imagine an attack that could boast Harry Kewell, Djibril Cisse, Michael Owen, Sean Wright-Phillips with Steven Gerrard and Danny Murphy directing traffic. I think that we would have a chance to be as dynamic as we were in the days of Barnes/Colly/Macca/Fowler. I think that S W-P would spread the field so much that we would see a completely different Harry Kewell especially. Think how difficult it would be to plan a defensive tactic to contain a team with this much width and pace in the attacking half? Obviously it would be very difficult to get S W-P away from Citeh. It would probably require a terrible opening part of the season and more money freed up by the transfers of some of our makeweights before we could make a credible offer. But at that point, we would have a solid young squad signed to fairly long contracts (pull out your pen Michael Owen, or miss your chance) and athletic and skilled enough to give any team in Europe a run for their money. 3) Fabrice Fernandes - A bit inconsistant and frustrating at times and also a bit more inclined to cut into the middle of the field (left-footed) then remain along the touch line. Still, the Frenchman has good crossing skills, great acceleration and change-of-pace and he can put a strong shot on goal. 4) Stephen Clemence - A player who could likely be had for a reasonable fee, he just might be the best poor man's version of Sean Wright-Phillips. Quick and dangerous with the ball at his feet and very difficult to tackle. He is also a Scouser with a natural tie-in to the club. He may not be such an ever-present with Jesper Gronkjaer joining the club and may be available. He could also face competition from David Dunn, should Muzzy Izzet displace him from his preferred spot in the center of midfield. 5) Lauren - Geremi's best mate in his national team setup is not a tremendous player, but I doubt he would be much inferior to Finnan either. With Arsenal so enamored with Trabelsi, one has to believe that Lauren would be available. He is not perhaps the most exciting candidate, but he is a smooth player who would slip right into the squad and perform his role well. He would probably be fairly inexpensive as well. Very athletic and with enough defensive skills to be very helpful along the sideline as well. Who has some better suggestions?
I imagine if Blackburn start slowly, Emerton may be available. And then he can talk Australian with Kewell.
Of the players you listed, Wright-Phillips is the only decent option. I don't think Chelsea would sell Geremi (or any player) to a team that will be competiting for the title. I still wouldn't rule out a major sigining from Spain. Reports have said that Parry is in Spain working on a deal, so you never know. Murphy was great last night, but right midfield isn't his position.
I picked OTHER and believe we can and will go after a Spanish right wing. Here is my choice: http://www.realbetisbalompie.es/jugadores/ficha.html?id=16 chances are realistic I think. anyone else?
All that means is they would be forced to sell him at 30M. If he wants to leave and they are willing to cash in, he would go for half that.
See, that is where I disagree. I think you are probably right that it would be expensive, but we are playing in a world where our rivals are now spending 200 million pounds in two years! I think we have to go out and get players like that or else we won't be able to win the league. That would be one GREAT signing and one very good signing (Cisse) and an ok signing (Josemi) as opposed to 12 so-so and overly expensive ones (Che$ki). Maybe I am just overly optimistic after my first Liverpool game last night (so amazing) but I feel like we have a great Spanish coach who won their league, maybe we can land a great Spanish league player. ??
I actually think Landon Donavon would be perfect (providing an instant injection of much needed speed and creativity) and is a more realistic option than Mr. Sanchez. if Leverkusan were to let him go Liverpool probably could afford him as I'm guessing a $5-10 Million transfer fee would be apporiate and surely Liverpool could afford that? I don't see i happening, but then again I never thought the Jazz would get Carlos Boozer so who knows?
or on the list at all. he has shown no desire to leave the USA (unfortunately for us...) I think he needs to play in Europe, but Liverpool is not the place.
From last nights performance, I'd say Murphy. He delivered two great assists and looked threatening at all times. I would love to see SWP at Liverpool, he would be the ideal attacking player for this team, especially with the current set of stars.
Face it Danny's not as pretty as Beckham, sometimes he's downright ugly and his play shows it. BUT when he's on, he's beautiful. Manure must be terrified when they see his name on the line up. Those two goals against Celtic were really pretty. Plus many other touches during the match. Might be harder against a real defence but right now, He's the man.
I still don't consider Danny a right midfielder. He should be playing in the middle of the field. Danny tends to drift to the center even when he is supposed to be playing on the right. I still think we need someone who can run at defenders and play in crosses for our defenders. The center of the field gets to crowed when Murphy or Smicer plays on the wing and they only get in Gerrard's way. I think Murphy can be a very useful player, but not as a winger. At the moment he is still our best option because we have literally nobody that is a right winger by trade. With Kewell possibly having injury problems, and no right winger as of yet, width could be a problem for us this season. Just remember that Vincente and Rufete played key roles in Rafa's teams at Valencia because the center of the midfield was reluctant to push too far foward. They needed their wingers to do a lot of the creating. I wouldn't be suprised if Rafa makes one or two more splashes in the transfer market before the window closes.
Landon apparantly watches the Weather Channel and owns a globe so I don't think Liverpool is on HIS list. But, LD would probably be the best RMid available this winter.
LD the best right mid available for Liverpool? Uhhhh.... not even close. SWP is far better. My bet is STILL on the Spaniard, Joaquín. I see Rafa pulling a BIG deal off and putting his stamp on the club. Only time will tell. <fingers crossed> As for Landon himself, despite his popularity in the MLS, he needs top division European football experience. I am sure the Bundesliga would be fine for him-- but weather and globe ownership aside (I have no idea what that has to do with football prowess?), he could only be so lucky as to play at Anfield. I love the NATS too, but let's get real.