In my opinion, Liverpool actually gave Javier Mascherano a lifeline when he was taken on the books and look what has happened? I think the signs were on the wall ever since he heard of Barca’s interest last season. He has never been the same and as I always say, “if you want to leave – then by all means GO”, I would never sanction a ‘want-away’ player to wear the Liverpool shirt. Never.
One more chance
I can’t believe I’m about to say this but I believe Liverpool must give Lucas another chance. Obviously I mean he can be the backup holding midfielder because it appears that he has done some more soul searching and he now seems to be psychologically prepared to step up to the next level. Incidentally, everywhere in the media right now I seem to be reading that the underachieving Brazilian wants to fight for his place if Mascherano leaves. This could be good, as in a desire to stay in England and avoid what sometimes is the trauma of relocation, whatever the case, “fight for a place on the bench” I say, no disgrace in that. Furthermore, the captain’s armband in the absence of Gerrard and the other senior players in last week’s Europa league opener is obviously a smart motivational tactic by Roy Hodgson. It’s not a guarantee of anything but I honestly like the unpredictable team approach of the gaffer so far.
Who is really coming in?
sssss
On the other hand, Poulsen, my choice of the two, is an absolutely great replacement option, but at age 30, some might doubt the wisdom of this possible deal if we think of building for the future. However, if for the shorter term, I’d think he can give maybe two more years at the ultimate level so Lucas can even continue to grow in the interim while we still search for another long term option. I draw encouragement from the stellar job Gilberto Silva continues to do for club and country at a mature age of 33. I also like the options of Banega and Witsel – Defour’s teammate at Standard Liege, but I simply cannot hide my admiration for City’s Nigel De Jong. If you may, just forget the ‘one-off’ karate impression recently, that aside, he could be the excellent replacement for Masch.
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Poulsen’s too slow for the Premier League. Mascherano’s best position is the anchor man in front of the defence in big matches – we need someone capable of covering the defence like he can and these players need to be mobile.
we need to go and get DEFOUR because he is quality and then we have gerrard, aquilani, lucas, shelvey, defour , spearing in our ranks that would be great and play pacheco as a understudy to cole and sell masch for 25mil and insua also ans get some one with real pace, some one like bale. to be fair i would be most happiest man on earth if we sign arda tudan.Roy please go and get him his skill can create space for torres and the rest of the team a united always do before from that ass h*** ronaldo and now from nani
I can see either Banega or Defour being successes at Anfield and the extra money spent will make big returns if sold.
I cannot say the same for Poulsen who is a waste of money also the extra change left over could go into a kitty to buy a striker.
I still don’t understand why Defour and Banega are being mentioned as potential replacements for Masch. Those 2 aren’t even considered ‘defensive’ midfielders. Defour is simple a highly rated playmaker, he wouldn’t fill the void left by Masch. If we are to replace Masch directly, we need someone like de Jong or Toulalan.
The only reason Roy is possibly going to sign this player is because the yanks are taking out as much cash as they can get their hands on before we are sold. Selling a £20 million plus player and replacing him with Poulson who will cost no more than £4 – £5 million is crazy. This is not Roy’s fault because he can only act within the confines set by the club. In other words what those scumbags in control will allow him.
The club has only spent £4 million since last summer (2009) on Shelvey and Wilson. In 2009 after players bought and sold (including part payments for Aquilani) the club had a surplus of £30 million net. This year we have sold 2 players (Yossi and Riera) for approximately £10 million. With the sale of Mascherano for a reasonable £25 million and another payment to Roma for Aquilani (£4.5 million),so far the club would have generated in the last one year approximately £65 million with £15 million or so being paid out for Rafa, Shelvey, Wilson and Aquilani(part payment due). There is £50 million net floating around somewhere, and we all know it wont be spent on players.
The fact that Cole, Jovanovic and Aurelio came on free’s is just pure luck. If we had to buy them then it’s clear we would’ve not of been able to. Lucky for the club and in a sick way for the yanks to, because the big summer Hicks (the snake) promised he can say he’s delivered now.
I honestly believe Gerrard and Torres were never going to leave LFC, it was the media and talkshite that hyped it all up into frenzy. They were always going to make the yanks stew before they committed to the club but I was never in any doubt they would stay. The fact there is an impending sale probably made it easier to.
Defour or Banega would be my preferred choice, but this is unlikely to happen. So don’t expect anymore signing after Poulson unless we get new owners before the end of the transfer window.