Think I'll buy me a football team - Transfer Thread

Seems like Ade is on a one way ticket to Spain, the Guardian is usually quite an accurate source for news like this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jul/04/premierleague.arsenal

 

Huntelaar is a decent player, but if you believe he could replace Ade in your system, then you clearly have never seen him play.

 

The mind boggles...

 

Santa Cruz? WTF? When exactly are you guys going to break the bank? You can't expect to buy every piece on a bargain...

 

Oh but Wenger does. Honestly, I'd be scared to see who we replace him with.

 

If I remember correctly Hleb did say he has decided to move on. We just haven't heard anything out of his camp as the only 2 teams chasing him were Inter (who dropped their interest when Mourinho came in) and Barca who tried to lowball us.

I still think Hleb could be great for us and just needs the right combination of players on the field to make his intricate play work. Problem is it seems like he has had enough of England and wants a change . If he was fully committed to staying I'd love to keep him, but I distinctly remember him saying that he is done with us.

As for Ade, I don't think we can resolve his future in the long run. I see a 1 year bandaid solution like we had with Cashley, and we will see him leave next year.

Either he goes back to his old self next season and we regret not taking the 30m when it was offered, or he improves upon this season and wants even more money and we repeat the last 2 weeks all over again next year.

 

Noooooooooooo
EDIT:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_3775725,00.html

 

not to be an asshole... but there is nothing in this article that is anywhere different from someof the previous articles about Barca upping there offer... nor are their any quotes...

by this time next year, Diaby will be the subject of big clubs wanting to sign him and everyone will be crying for him to stay...

 

I've always liked Abou. Obviously he is crap when he plays on the wing, but he isn't meant to be there. Once he gets a run of games in his natural position he is going to be solid as ever.

 

Problem is his natural position is Cesc's position or just in front of Cesc in a 4-5-1. He won't get a run of games there, and telling him to stay home, do all of the defensive dirty work and be the shield in front of the back 4 is just asking to be murdered.

 

we have no idea what his natural position is because we have never seen him there... if he can be a box to box mid, like Flamini was last season, then our CM partnership will be great and possibly better since Diaby is more talented than Flamini...

people are writing off Diaby too fast because of him playing out wide and struggling...

 

We already saw him excel, and thats when he played an attacking role through the middle. He played in the hole just behind Adebayor and thats where he was most successful.

Even if we played him further back, he has shown that he is an attacking player, not a box to box player as he doesnt have the stamina and work rate, and not a defensive player as he has no defensive ability, I mean Rosicky provided better defense on the wing than he did. When Diaby is out of position on the wing I expect him to look lost going forward, but defending is defending, you either can do it or you can't, and even Eboue still provides defensive cover while failing to be productive going forward.

 

defending on the wing is different from defending in the center tho...

and a lot of this is just speculation because we have not actually seen him partner beside Cesc yet... all I say is wait and see... obviously Wenger believes in him...

 

You know he is going to cost like £20 million right? Ajax doesn't usually sell cheap.

 

He isn't as tall & athletic, but it's possible that he is a better finisher.

 

Work rate is ultimately a function of dedication and effort--assuming he can achieve these two goals, couple all that with pre-existing athleticism, flair and skill, Diaby will do just fine in the middle with Cesc and will represent a significant step up, all around, from Flamini, who is nothing more than a souped up squad player, in the end. I'm excited. I think we can win something with the players we have, and I already like the two yung-ins coming in. Don't count out Denilson, either.

I have a feeling Ade has already seen his best year, and the only place he can go is down, unfortunately. Last year was tailor made for him, particularly with RVP out much of the season. I hope we can get Eto'o back in exchange to take his place. What are the chances of that? That would swallow up the bulk of the 30 million lbs coming our way. However, Arsene has always said, the purpose of a football club is not to store money in a bank, but to win games with flair and consistency.

Not sure what's going on with Alexander if both Inter and Barca are out of the picture. Either remain here or back to the Bundesliga, maybe??

 

Defending on the wing is easier, you just need to have pace. Diaby wasn't failing on the wing because he lacked pace, he just doesn't have much of a work rate. He did best when he got to hang around up top and we would pass him the ball at which time he got to do his thing and play off Adebayor.

Players don't suddenly become defensive rocks overnight. Flamini had shown defensive competency for 2 years before his "revelation" this season. It's on thing to pin your hopes on a player who has always been promising defensively to play DM. Its quite another to make some random wish that a player who has exhbited no DM qualities will suddenly become a DM next season.

 

Out of all the midfielders, Diaby has the worst natural defending skills. He isn't a DM and we'd be absolutely stupid to force him to play there.

 

FYI pounds are generally abbreviated as GBP.

But I agree with what you say about the young midfielders needing a run-out. I think there are some really good options already available. Some people on this board sound like little kids whop are bored with their toys, whining because mommy and daddy won't buy them new ones.

 

No Huntelaar or Santa Cruz...neither is a fit.

 

I think Diaby can be a good partner with Cesc and until he gets a good run of games at that position then there is really no use arguing for or against because there is simply no evidence supporting either cause.

I'm gonna trust the boss on this one because he will be the one seeing the partnership everyday on the training ground and if it isn't good enough then he won't throw Diaby out there.

 

The argument shouldn't be whether he can or can't do it... but rather if we should or shouldn't bet our season on his being able to do it.

At this point, one of Diaby, Denilson, or perhaps Gilberto has to emerge as at least a CL caliber central midfielder or else you can pretty much kiss trophies goodbye. I think that is not a smart bet to make. It is possible, but the fact that it happened with Flamini is not proof that it will just magically happen again.

 

Good point. I definalty wounld't be against the signing of potential CM partner for Cesc because we don't know if Diaby will work out.

But that leaves the question, who is available?

 

Everyone that doesn't play for AC Milan, Inter, Manchester United, Barca, and Real Madrid?