I think it can be generally assumed that most football clubs like to get their transfer business out of the way as early in the window as possible. For one, most managers like to know what they have at the start of pre-season training and then they can get to work on things fairly quickly on the training pitch, on tactics and organisation, rather than worrying about outgoings and in-goings.
Manchester United have certainly got their business out of the way early, with the signings of David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, and although Liverpool started off well with the signing of Jordan Henderson, since that good start the Reds have been left frustrated in their transfer dealings.
Of course it is not the end of the world that the squad for the upcoming season is not really in place as pre-season begins, as there is the best part of two months to bring in new faces, but it could be said that it is something of a hindrance that you have many in the squad currently who will (hopefully) not be at the club by the 1st September. Another frustration is that negotiations on new players coming in will be taking place later on in the window when the Reds should be focused on preparing for matches in August. Ideal preparation is key for a new season and a few things are frustrating this from happening at the moment.
One thing is very clear; there is a lot of dead-wood in the squad at the moment and there are too many players who look to be surplus to requirements. Philipp Degen, Emiliano Insua, Nabil El Zhar, Christian Poulsen, Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky, David Ngog, Brad Jones and Milan Jovanovic are just some of the names tipped for departure this summer, but the lack of bids for these players so far has been concerning as it is crucial to get these players off our wage bill to free up funds.
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Milan Jovanovic apparently leaving by mutual consent as reported today, which if true probably gets rid of the the worst of the lot and I believe the most expensive.
Joe Cole is a worse player than him and earns more than him – THAT is the biggest deadweight at Anfield, even moreso than the likes of Konchesky, Poulsen, Degen etc
I cannot believe the money they offered Jovanovic Cole and Poulsen, terrible business even if 2 out of 3 were free transfers.
Emiliano Insua is in my opinion not deadwood, Rafa overused him when still just a kid because Agger was and still is so injury prone, he did well until he ran out of steam, then Dodgson sent him out on loan because he wanted to bring in his piece of crap Koncheski. therefore the lad deserves another go.
The rest I totally agree with though.
I agree Bill on Insua! He would’ve improved from the previous year and would have been much better than Konchesky! I’m suprised that Jova, Poulsen and Ngog are not gone as yet! I could understand Cole and Aquilani staying because Cole’s wages and Aquilani’s transfer fee (which we should’ve paid 12m instead of 17!!)…But if we do sell our “dead wood” then it would be easier to buy players (Torres/Babel money flipped for Suarez/Carroll). That’s what every team should be doing…Sell and then buy!! Then we could spend the money in either refurbishing Anfield or towards a new stadium!..Then the money will flow! Buy Baines, Bojan or Adrian and N’Zogbia (wanted Wijnaldum or Dzudzak but they’re both off 🙁 ) and the team will be much more equiped for the upcoming season!! YNWA
Totally agree on Insua as well, don’t know what Woy was thinking loaning him out, you could see he was improving defensively. I recall he was terrible at making crosses but hes still young and did the defensive job.
Totaly agree, I felt it was so wrong of woy to send him out after playing just about the whole season for us and doing a pretty good job at that. He should be given at least the first half of the season to prove himself again.
Shaun,
The only thing holding us back from spending on playing staff is the FFFPR.
This rule does not apply to stadium upgrades or the academy, so the 2 funds are completely separate.
We are not in a position where players whom DC, KD and FSG think are good value and needed will be sacrificed to pay for stadium improvements, academy etc.
Sorry, but I have to disagree.. Insua is not good enough. He has no pace & it looks like he wears lead boots every time he plays. His crossing ability leaves a lot to be desired.
To Will…Then why not just spend and get it over with then??? What we don’t understand is that we need Stevie G to win the league! and he ain’t getting any younger, so get the right players in and the wastes out!!!Its Monday and Preseason has started! I respect ManU for getting players in before the first training session! and I truly believe, the longer you wait, the longer the transition for the player!…Not everyone’s a Suarez!! and to Moocher! You’ve been watching the wrong LFC mate!!! If Insua isn’t good enough, the Konchesky was better!!!..lol…you’re comment is irrelevant at this point! Woy started us off in a bad position, because he couldn’t motivate the players and he brought in the wrong ones!
In my opinion,
Ridda Poulsen, Ngog, and Jova,
Give Cole one more window to impress now he’s back to fitness, Keep Aquilani, send Shelvey out on loan.
Buy Juan Mata, he’ll be priceless for the wing. Kinda gutted we missed out on Cliche, not sure about Enrique yet
Cole was fit last season when he couldn’t even impress playing against reserve teams! Jovanovich is a much better player than him imho – Joe Cole is useless, and I’d much rather see Pacheco or Suso handed any minutes on the pitch that would’ve been handed to such a useless player as Joe Cole is now
Keep insua and cole,the rest of them can leave.then bring in lenon,downing/n’zogbia,enrique and bojan
Bojan went to Roma for £8.8 mil
everyone knows we want rid of these players.better off letting them go for nothing.
Clubs were hardly queuing up for Connor Wickham. If Kenny wanted him, he would have got him as it’s clear he fits FSG guidelines.
The media becomes more impatient with each passing season.
It’s going to be a real task to get our deadwood off those large contracts. I don’t mind waiting for us to sign the right players with due care and attention paid to their contracts. We have enough quality youth coming through to provide cover in the meantime.
I have always likes Insua, he is a young kid with a natural left foot and he tries. He will never be a Jamie Carragher of the left but a good squad and cover player.I dont know why he was sent out on loan because he’s far better than Koncheski, so lets get these big wage players off the pay roll and keep Insua.
insua, degan, elzhar, ngog, pacheco, aqualini, all deadwood as brought to us by the great benitez, we’re paying a quater of a million every week for these alone
poulson, konchesky and jovanavic bought by roy
said at the end of last season, its not who kenny brings in, its how does he shift all this dead wood that benitez left us
I dont think insua is that bad, decent enough for a squad player at least. But am i correct in thinking his contract ends this summer??
when i see jovanovic, cole poulsen ngog on the bench i feel these players can’t win any trophies these players epitomise the standard of the liverpool team… when i see them out that tension inside my stomach will relax… because when i see them getting subbed in…. im like what the F&*k are they going to do to the game they are shi#E
lets be clear if we even want to be that top four club even once again then they all need to be told to find other clubs and as of yesterday.
Inusa – was ok for about 10 and was ok for a young overseas player, but he is slow, and always out of position,id just give him up and get rid, we need better.
cole – just get him out.
jovanovic – same as above.
degen, el zhar, brad jones, poulsen and konchesky, – dear god this club at times does sign s**t players!!! get them out asap.
if we then can bring in;
sakho or lovern = center half
banega or matuidi for center mid
enriuqe of baines or cissohko for left back
mata = winger – all round creative player.
carzola = winger and all round creative player.
my pick would be
sakho, mata, carzola, cissohko and banega, if we can pull that off then we have a chance to get back to close to where we think this grand club should be, if not we have not got a hope in hell….