Football (EPL, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1) player recruitment

Ranieri seems to be a hot property right now. Word is that both Man City and Juventus are now in the hunt for him.

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Originally Posted by rdawson808

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Ranieri seems to be a hot property right now. Word is that both Man City and Juventus are now in the hunt for him.

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Being a Utd fan, I think City are pants and a team full of ruffians, but I still think letting the Thai ex-PM take it over is a big mistake, this guy is suspect, surely...

Ranieri to Juventus, confirmed today.

Any other news or are we just too soon into the transfer season? Is the window even officially open?

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Steven Gerrard 120,000 pounds a week. You have to be joking.

Originally Posted by chobochobo

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Steven Gerrard 120,000 pounds a week. You have to be joking.

I'm not sure how you mean this, but if you mean that he's not worth it, I agree. I have literally never seen him play a particularly good game. Some Liverpudlian will surely disagree with me (and try to hurt me if they found me), but that's what I see.

He plays with much heart and determination but very little skill from what I've seen. And I go for the Edgar-Davids-is-a-bulldog kind of play, not necessarily the flash. The England-Brazil game was a good example. Btw, Joe Cole was absolute **** in that game too. And Shorey is a new fixture on the back line, imo.

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For Liverpool I think all we need to are sign 2 wingers and two forwards.
For wingers I'd go with Vicente and Joaquin, each would be about 10-15m each.
As for forwards it would be nice to get 2 world class ones, but we probably can only afford to buy one. Any one or two of Torres, Villa, Robinho, Adriano or Owen. Best value if Owen at 10m

Prices

Vicente 10-15m
Joaquin 10-15m
Torres 20-25m
Villa 20-25m
Robinho 20-25m
Adriano 20-25m
Owen 10m

Buy

Vicente 10-15m
Joaquin 10-15m
Owen 10m / Torres 20-25m / Villa 20-25m / Robinho 20-25m / Adriano 20 - 25m

Spend 30 - 55m
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As for Stevie G, I think he is one of the best players in the world. Excellent on the attack, better than Lampard when they are both at their best, 23 goals in 53 for Stevie and 20 in 50 for Lampard last year. Excellent on defense as well, on par with the best defensive midfielders now. Excellent passer as well. Probably the best all around player now.

Originally Posted by rdawson808

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I'm not sure how you mean this, but if you mean that he's not worth it, I agree. I have literally never seen him play a particularly good game. Some Liverpudlian will surely disagree with me (and try to hurt me if they found me), but that's what I see.

He plays with much heart and determination but very little skill from what I've seen. And I go for the Edgar-Davids-is-a-bulldog kind of play, not necessarily the flash. The England-Brazil game was a good example. Btw, Joe Cole was absolute **** in that game too. And Shorey is a new fixture on the back line, imo.

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I disagree. Gerrard is like Michael Ballack with more brute force and better consistency. His style is definitely not flashy like Ronaldinho and such, but under the right scheme, his presence could change the game as much as anyone out there.

Originally Posted by whacked

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I disagree. Gerrard is like Michael Ballack with more brute force and better consistency. His style is definitely not flashy like Ronaldinho and such, but under the right scheme, his presence could change the game as much as anyone out there.

Ballack was hardly player of the season, was he? Not quite the best person to act as a benchmark. Granted he is one of the best on the team, but then the rest of the team is pretty mediocre.

Originally Posted by chobochobo

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Ballack was hardly player of the season, was he? Not quite the best person to act as a benchmark. Granted he is one of the best on the team, but then the rest of the team is pretty mediocre.

That's because Chelsea don't (has yet to) know how to use him next to Lampard. A better reference would be his performance in the German national team or during his time in Bayern Munich.

Speaking of Bayern, apparently they are getting ready to sign Ribery.

I'll take your word for it about Gerrard--I've just not seen him play particularly well.



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Originally Posted by Kopite

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For Liverpool I think all we need to are sign 2 wingers and two forwards.
For wingers I'd go with Vicente and Joaquin, each would be about 10-15m each.
As for forwards it would be nice to get 2 world class ones, but we probably can only afford to buy one. Any one or two of Torres, Villa, Robinho, Adriano or Owen. Best value if Owen at 10m

I'd go further than that. Vicente is, like Fabio Aurelio, an injury prone luxury. Joaquin is lazy in tracking back, so rule him out of contention in Rafa's plans.

We're looking at the likes of Mancini and Malouda, when a Taye Taiwo from Marseille, or Arthur Boka, from the German league would be cheaper and readily suited to the Premiership. They're not high profile players, though, which will not placate fans.

Both play as defenders, and in Taiwo's case, can also operate in midfield.

Instead of Alves, who looks headed for Chelsea for 16 million quid, Miguel from Valencia would be a defensive option. Simao/Mancini would remain frontrunners for the right side.

As for forwards, Owen's time has come and gone. He owes Newcastle at least a full season before justifying his wage demands, irrespective of what Gerrard and Carra prompt Rafa into doing.

Eto'o for Xabi, plus cash was something I thought might happen, and I'll take that deal.

Still want Cisse back in Anfield- he's not been given a fair go, and is young enough to make the grade. If he has to go, then swap for Simao. Nothing less.

What do Arsenal fans make of the potential loss of Henry? You guys are too quiet on the transfer front.

rdawson808, transfer season has no start dte during the offseason, more like open season on anyone who's available, or intimating he is.
Players go on leave, agents step to the plate and do the negotiating, before taking it to their respective clubs.

According to FSW, AC Milan are now in the hunt for Eto'o as well.

I wouldn't mind some big player trade plus cash thing to happen w/ Liverpool if only because I watch the Prem more than the others (somewhat out of convenience).


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Originally Posted by strazzaque

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Eto'o for Xabi, plus cash was something I thought might happen, and I'll take that deal.

I heard before that they were also keen on Sissoko. I think we should keep Xabi and maybe sell Sissoko, while Xabi isn't as good as Sissoko on defence, Xabi can pass and aid in the attack. Anyway we basically have another Sissoko in Mascherano. Although I do think we should keep all of them as we need quality cover, which we lack in some positions and what would be vital to winning the Premiership.

Roberto Carlos to Fenerbahce!

Originally Posted by strazzaque

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rdawson808, transfer season has no start dte during the offseason, more like open season on anyone who's available, or intimating he is.
Players go on leave, agents step to the plate and do the negotiating, before taking it to their respective clubs.

Thanks for the insight. I thought there was an official FIFA or UEFA "window" when it was okay to sign players, though.

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