Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit.

[AFC Leveller]

Henry and Giroud are close according to the French rezs.and giroud's comme.ts were tongue in cheek as much as anything.

But I agree with henry obviously because giroud is not on the same level as a guest, Costa etc and the minutes he goes on a poor run, we suffer as a result (last season. And this season towards the end, his form dipped and we went a few games without scoring.

[Power n Glory]

Rosicky signs 1 year extension!

[Niall_Quinn]

Rosicky signs 1 year extension!

That's excellent news, pleased about that. Now if only Wenger can find away to utilise his squad rather than flog his favourite team to death.

[Power n Glory]

Barca want Ramsey for £50m :lol:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/barcelona-weighing-up-50m-move-5739191

[Penguin]

Giroud should have responded to Henry on the pitch rather than take a meaningless swipe at him. Instead of getting fired up and scoring loads of goals, his performances have got progressively worse. He has proven Henry right.

Signing a new striker should be the number one priority. Even if we do nothing else in the transfer market, we need a striker.

[milla]

Rosicky signs 1 year extension!

Brilliant, love Rozza. Underrated by his own manager. :coffee:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

One of my favourite Arsenal players, been very useful for us and if it wasnt for the injuries I think he would have become an all time great with us.
Love watching him play, sometimes even more than Sanchez
Also means he will get his testimonial end of next season

[Power n Glory]

One of my favs as well. Brilliant player and glad he's signed again. So underrated and underused.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Glad to see Rosicky sign even if he's been criminally underused this season. He seems to love it here and I hope we win the league next year so he gets the medal he so deserves.

Fake Yank :haha: ...... another shocker from him.


Also fuck off Barca. :lol:



Giroud should have responded to Henry on the pitch rather than take a meaningless swipe at him. Instead of getting fired up and scoring loads of goals, his performances have got progressively worse. He has proven Henry right.

Signing a new striker should be the number one priority. Even if we do nothing else in the transfer market, we need a striker.

Yes this. Clearly Henry was being controversial for the sake of controversial (and I said it at the time) but do the talking on the pitch instead of in the media man. You can't react to every single, tom, dick and harry that criticises you

He's been dire since the Chelsea game.

[Power n Glory]

I think it's worth watching those Henry comments again because they weren't that bad. He said he was doing a good job as striker but won't win us the league. Everything said has been said before on here and still remain true today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9c5espXpKM

Is it really controversial when most people on here would take Aguero over Giroud in a heartbeat? When we knew we had top quality, we wouldn't swap them for anybody.

[Kano]

I think it's worth watching those Henry comments again because they weren't that bad. He said he was doing a good job as striker but won't win us the league. Everything said has been said before on here and still remain true.

Is it really controversial when most people on here would take Aguero over Giroud in a heartbeat? When we knew we had top quality, we wouldn't swap them for anybody.

It's only controversial because it's a soundbite from a famous Arsenal fan to a player and turned into a headline. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the players secretly thought so too. I mean, the guy hasn't scored since early April, despite playing every game. His spurt after returning from injury made it look like he was turning into something else but they have levelled out now. He is a good striker but we need at least another one like him to push on. I think getting another striker should be the priority over every other position. But it won't be of course.

[AFC Leveller]

I think it's worth watching those Henry comments again because they weren't that bad. He said he was doing a good job as striker but won't win us the league. Everything said has been said before on here and still remain true today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9c5espXpKM

Is it really controversial when most people on here would take Aguero over Giroud in a heartbeat? When we knew we had top quality, we wouldn't swap them for anybody.

Journos and pundits who know giroud say he is fragile mentally and he doesn't have the belief that top players have. I think he has improved this season because of the extra competition but intimately, he is not a30 goal striker.

[Kano]

Out of the top 3, we've scored the fewest. City, despite having what many view as a poor season, are way ahead in the goals column. It's their defence that's let them down. We've got a decent defence now, which has perhaps affected our strike rate, as we are more vigilant about what goes on behind the attack. We'll end with a similar amount as last year, a time when the whole defensive thing was starting to come into effect. Previous to that we scored more goals per season, when we were more gung-ho.

So if our defensive is relatively stable, the sharp edge of our team has to be improved. Sanchez is perfect where he is and Welbeck will rarely get a shout or offer enough. A 12-15 goal Prem striker will make a huge difference when Giroud is going through one of his spells. He needs real competition for his position and if the rumours are true regarding his mentality, then it would be time to toughen up or stand aside for someone else who can soak up the pressure. Oh and in this league, Ozil should be contributing more in the goals column too. Just shoot for God sake.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

One of my favourite Arsenal players, been very useful for us and if it wasnt for the injuries I think he would have become an all time great with us.
Love watching him play, sometimes even more than Sanchez
Also means he will get his testimonial end of next season
Absolutely agree.

On Wenger's comments about adding another 10-15 goal a season player (or whatever it was he said) what is that actually going to add? If Chamberlain, Walcott, Welbeck or even Gnabry play wide and get enough games you'd expect them all to contribute goals in that region.

It's better we focus on getting a top notch forward or at least somebody who has that kind of potential. If we add another Welbeck I don't see what it really adds.

[mastermind84]

Sanchez should be moved to the right.

[Injury Time]

Ramsay to Barca, at least we are back to normal transfer wise :scarf:, in the papers with headline "hates being a wiseman"

[Japan Shaking All Over]

To be fair......Rambo has a point, he us not a wide man pure and simple and it frustrates me to see him deployed as such......need to play him central with Santi moving to the #10 as he has more energy than Ozil......Ozil really needs to look around him not just in our team but in others Chav and Citeh to see that a hot and cold approach to the game does not cut it in the PL......I am not saying in needs to going flying around the park a la Sanchez but he needs to show more guile, more desire!

Metro, which is the worst source to follow.....has us in for Martinez and Morgan.....I say get those deals done......stop phaffing around waiting for Benzama or Khedira......

[Power n Glory]

It's only controversial because it's a soundbite from a famous Arsenal fan to a player and turned into a headline. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the players secretly thought so too. I mean, the guy hasn't scored since early April, despite playing every game. His spurt after returning from injury made it look like he was turning into something else but they have levelled out now. He is a good striker but we need at least another one like him to push on. I think getting another striker should be the priority over every other position. But it won't be of course.

No, I don't think we'll sign a new striker either. Henry's comments probably made things worse. Wenger will dig his heels in and stand by Giroud.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wenger rarely goes a summer without signing a striker, he's addicted!

[Globalgunner]

Wenger rarely goes a summer without signing an AM, he's addicted!

The only strikers he`s addicted to are flops like Chamak. Last decent striker we bought was the bald French guy that won us the title at OT....name escapes me suddenly, with Kanu jumping 6 ft in the air over his outstretched arm....unless you add RVP, of course, and the Croatian Brazilian who got his leg blasted by an oaf.......Ah dang it, Wenger almost always buys crap.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I didn't make any comment of the quality, just that he signs strikers. :lol:

And Wiltord! How can you forget his name?!

[Globalgunner]

I didn't make any comment of the quality, just that he signs strikers. :lol:

And Wiltord! How can you forget his name?!

Brain freeze...
I just hope he doesnt bring Sanogo back claiming he is a new signing. Giroud has reached his ceiling and will never get more than 20 goals a season especially not in the tight games. Sadly improvements on Olivier are not readily available

[Penguin]

I just hope he doesnt bring Sanogo back claiming he is a new signing

Oh god, I wish you didn't put that thought in my head...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If the report about Vidal is true then forget that Morgan kid at Southampton.

Wenger will probably add another attacking player, but he probably won't be a centre forward as such...

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I'd prefer Morgan to Vidal tbh.

Probably cheaper, PL ready and doesn't have Vidal's injury record.


I reckon Vidal would pull a Falcoa, Schvechenko, Veron etc etc if he came to the PL.

[Syn]

From what I've seen Vidal's a different class of player. Not confident that Schneiderlin would dominate a Real Madrid midfield over 2 legs. But if he has injury problems then forget it. That is the class of player we should be aiming for. No more projects, utility players or decent hardworking talents. Would rather have Arsenal spend £50m on Sterling and sign nobody else. Better to have 1 top player than a collection of squad fillers.

That said, Schneiderlin would be a welcome signing. About the same level as Coquelin, but adds a bit more height and gives us cover in that position. We have cover for all the rest.

Cech and a worldie in any position. Sterling, Reus, Vidal, Bale, Cavani whoever. If that doesn't work out then start looking for Bentekes and Schneiderlins.

[adzzzbatch]

I think not having to play a play off to get into the CL next season should help are bargaining power and make us a more attractive prospect for the top players.

[Penguin]

Isn't Vidal a box to box midfielder? He's much better than anything we've got but I can't see Wenger forking out for him when he's struggling to give games to the ones we already have. I said the same thing about Ozil though, so what do I know.

Schneiderlin is probably better suited but, if the past tells us anything, Wenger is never going to spend big on a DM. Just thank the footballing gods that we lucked out with Coquelin and pray he doesn't get a long term injury.

[dostoy]

Good comments above but what if Coquelin is out for 3 weeks or more, who would fill in.

I hope Flamini and Arteta are gone in the summer but they are not good enough anyway, especially against the big teams.

It might fall to Chambers but we need somebody better and I think Wenger will do it, but I doubt it will be Schniederlin.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'd prefer Morgan to Vidal tbh.

Probably cheaper, PL ready and doesn't have Vidal's injury record.


I reckon Vidal would pull a Falcoa, Schvechenko, Veron etc etc if he came to the PL.

Based on what? It's far easier for that kind of outcome with a forward than a midfielder. There are less examples of midfielders with the quality of Veron going to another league and failing to live up to expectation to that extent.

I think beyond the Pogba hype (which is mostly justified), Vidal has been the stand out player for Juventus the past few years and I'd include their strikers in that. As a midfielder he can do everything. He can provide the defensive cover we need under instruction and in games where the opposition are parking the bus he can provide the impetus going forward. He is a much better footballer than Morgan imo, should rightfully cost more and we should be willing to pay it, unless we simply want an 'understudy' to Coquelin rather than somebody to genuinely improve the team and squad. I would also say in Vidal's favour, he tends to move the ball pretty quickly and will be used to a quick tempo game with Chile.

I think Juventus tend to have a solid yet flexible midfield because Marchisio, Pogba, Vidal and to some extent Pirlo have excellent all round games....that will also mean they would probably be willing to lose one of them.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I would probably sign Benteke ahead of Cavani too.

[AFC Leveller]

I would probably sign Benteke ahead of Cavani too.

Cavani is top drawer. He is the kind of striker that would get you the first goal in a big game. Benteke is decent and is mostly a form player but isn't at that level yet imo.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Ever since he left Italy I've been less and less impressed with him....honestly, I've seen him miss more chances than take them. Had he taken the sort of chances his price tag suggests he does, PSG may have stayed in the CL a little longer and Uruguay might have done better He has been shown up by Suarez countless times and shown up by Diego Forlan a couple of times. Benteke will get better. He had a goal drought as most strikers do from time to time, but under the right guidance he can be amongst the top 3 forwards in the league imo.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

...and Cavani would cost 20 million more and is far from certain to adapt to this league. Watch FatCow stumble about the place sends alarm bells ringing....

[Dein-machine]

Need to improve the spine of the team & be more ruthless in the market.
Cech in - sell Sir Ches.
Vidal in - get rid of Famini ( didn't need to give Arteta another contract either )
Benzema in - sell Giroud to help fund.
Sterling in - use Theo as swap deal.

We also need quality CB to partner Kos - with Gabriel as 3rd choice. If Merts can't play at Interntional level anymore, he shouldn't be playing Premier League.

People will say that we shouldn't sell Giroud or Theo but they have had more than enough time & opportunities to prove that they can consistently produce the quality required at the top level. Unfortunately, neither has. Giroud single-handedly knocked us out of the Champions League with a shocking display of finishing. This will happen time & time again with him.
Sterling is a younger version of Theo & we know Theo is built like a Chocolate teapot. He will spend large parts of most seasons injured. Sterling has already shown a degree of consistency at Liverpool & I believe with the players we have he could become an extra special player.

We have put up with players that lack actual quality for far too long. We will never win a title with Giroud as our main striker so why keep him. We won't win one with Welbeck either but he's got better physical attributes than Giroud, can play in a wider position & he helps fulfill our English quota.

Lets start having proper quality in all positions, not be happy to put up with mediocre players that Wenger hopes will one day turn into something good - he has lost his magic touch in that department. The signing of Alexis should prove that you get quicker & better results when you spend on quality. We are now in a position to do so.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Based on what? It's far easier for that kind of outcome with a forward than a midfielder. There are less examples of midfielders with the quality of Veron going to another league and failing to live up to expectation to that extent.

I think beyond the Pogba hype (which is mostly justified), Vidal has been the stand out player for Juventus the past few years and I'd include their strikers in that. As a midfielder he can do everything. He can provide the defensive cover we need under instruction and in games where the opposition are parking the bus he can provide the impetus going forward. He is a much better footballer than Morgan imo, should rightfully cost more and we should be willing to pay it, unless we simply want an 'understudy' to Coquelin rather than somebody to genuinely improve the team and squad. I would also say in Vidal's favour, he tends to move the ball pretty quickly and will be used to a quick tempo game with Chile.

I think Juventus tend to have a solid yet flexible midfield because Marchisio, Pogba, Vidal and to some extent Pirlo have excellent all round games....that will also mean they would probably be willing to lose one of them.

Mainly based on his age (28), his recent injury record and the type of player he is (high energy, box to box). In Italy where the league is a lot slower and also considerably less intense & competitive he's been able to get away with the latter, but I think it would punish him in England. Yes he has been impressive at Juventus, no doubt about that but Seria A is dog shit these days and a poor way to judge players. We'd steamroller that league every year if we were in it. He's been good in the CL this year but I disagree with Syn's assessment of him being outstanding against Madrid; it was more Madrid's incompetence and wastefulness that cost them.

Maybe saying he'd flop as bad as them is a bit harsh, but honestly it wouldn't surprise me if he deteriorated significantly after a few years. I think we'd get one or two years out of him which for me, considering the ridicolous money and resources we'd have to spunk on him just isn't worth it for a club like us. Maybe for a Man City and their infinite resources and short-termism but for us no.

In fact I'd generally avoid players 28 or over in midfield or up front. I think 22 - 25 is the age bracket we should be shopping for in those positions.

[Power n Glory]

It's unfair to judge a player based on the quality of the league. Sanchez earned his stripes in Serie A, Luis Saurez was killing it at Ajax before he moved to Liverpool. Sometimes you just have to judge on talent and buy based on what's required for your system. It's the teams that stock pile and buy players that have they have no business buying that have really good players looking suspect when coming over to a new league. When buying, you need to make sure you have a need for that player and you have a system for him to play in.

[fakeyank]

Benzema in - sell Giroud to help fund.


Benzema will not suit the PL. He is good because he plays for Madrid.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Mainly based on his age (28), his recent injury record and the type of player he is (high energy, box to box). In Italy where the league is a lot slower and also considerably less intense & competitive he's been able to get away with the latter, but I think it would punish him in England. Yes he has been impressive at Juventus, no doubt about that but Seria A is dog shit these days and a poor way to judge players. We'd steamroller that league every year if we were in it. He's been good in the CL this year but I disagree with Syn's assessment of him being outstanding against Madrid; it was more Madrid's incompetence and wastefulness that cost them.

Maybe saying he'd flop as bad as them is a bit harsh, but honestly it wouldn't surprise me if he deteriorated significantly after a few years. I think we'd get one or two years out of him which for me, considering the ridicolous money and resources we'd have to spunk on him just isn't worth it for a club like us. Maybe for a Man City and their infinite resources and short-termism but for us no.

In fact I'd generally avoid players 28 or over in midfield or up front. I think 22 - 25 is the age bracket we should be shopping for in those positions.

You have a point about the age thing....I'd not considered that too deeply. All I would say is that there comes a point when a player is so good he negates his slightly advanced years. After all, none of us would turn our nose up at somebody as good as Suarez because he was 28.

The Italian league is a lot slower, the Spanish league is less physical and every other league is plainly not as good (though I know it's fashionable these days to do the Prem down) so there's always going to be a reason not to buy abroad....so I'm not sure how much actual weight him coming from the Italian league carries. I would agree that of course it factors in any appraisal though.

Monaco have shown that we aren't at Juventus' level never mind Barca/Real's so why would we steamroller the Italian league? I think we would probably finish a very comfortable second. Juventus seldom lose a game in any competition.

Juventus and Italian clubs in general are far from flush and have been modest on their spending for some time now. I think Juventus would only dismiss an offer of less than 20 million. That's not to say we'd get him for that figure but it would certainly bring us to the table. People are talking around the 25-30 million mark for Morgan at Southampton so I don't see that Vidal must be attained for an astronomical fee.

If you want to sign an established certified ready made world class player of experience, but yet not, over the hill age who has won titles then 20-30 million is certainly not unreasonable.

They would win the league without Vidal and it would help keep them ahead of the pack in Italy at least. I wasn't overly aware he had a poor injury record and I don't know what the numbers are so you may well be perfectly correct there?

[Sanchez]

Would love Cech but think Jose will heavily influence him to go anywhere but us.

[Niall_Quinn]

Would love Cech but think Jose will heavily influence him to go anywhere but us.

It's so cool you have picked GW to post on. It's an honour. Brilliant first season btw, one of the best I have seen!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

You have a point about the age thing....I'd not considered that too deeply. All I would say is that there comes a point when a player is so good he negates his slightly advanced years. After all, none of us would turn our nose up at somebody as good as Suarez because he was 28.

The Italian league is a lot slower, the Spanish league is less physical and every other league is plainly not as good (though I know it's fashionable these days to do the Prem down) so there's always going to be a reason not to buy abroad....so I'm not sure how much actual weight him coming from the Italian league carries. I would agree that of course it factors in any appraisal though.

Monaco have shown that we aren't at Juventus' level never mind Barca/Real's so why would we steamroller the Italian league? I think we would probably finish a very comfortable second. Juventus seldom lose a game in any competition.

Juventus and Italian clubs in general are far from flush and have been modest on their spending for some time now. I think Juventus would only dismiss an offer of less than 20 million. That's not to say we'd get him for that figure but it would certainly bring us to the table. People are talking around the 25-30 million mark for Morgan at Southampton so I don't see that Vidal must be attained for an astronomical fee.

If you want to sign an established certified ready made world class player of experience, but yet not, over the hill age who has won titles then 20-30 million is certainly not unreasonable.

They would win the league without Vidal and it would help keep them ahead of the pack in Italy at least. I wasn't overly aware he had a poor injury record and I don't know what the numbers are so you may well be perfectly correct there?

Got to see a bit of Vidal through Juve march to CLCF and he seems to play with the same energy level/passion as Sanchez which could be immense for us and on that he is worth keeping tabs on.....only just saw the age thing and I must admit it did make me think but not for long enough to change my mind however if it means paying a bit more than I think Morgan has to be DM target #1 - I can see him becoming a quality player for us and one that can strike the right balance in the centre of the park.......

[Master Splinter]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32904961

Liverpool :haha:.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32904961

Liverpool :haha:.

1 goal all season. Why don't they sack him? It would be perfectly legit.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Someone has to take over from Enrique as Chief Party Organiser.

[Dein-machine]

Benzema will not suit the PL. He is good because he plays for Madrid.

He's more suited than Giroud.

[Power n Glory]

I don't get this 'not suited for the Prem' argument. No basis for such claims. If lightweight Ozil can roll his sleeves up in this league, surely a guy as big as Benzema can do the same.

[Globalgunner]

I don't get this 'not suited for the Prem' argument. No basis for such claims. If lightweight Ozil can roll his sleeves up in this league, surely a guy as big as Benzema can do the same.

Dont mind Benzema beats Giroud in every possible category except GQ poster ability

[Niall_Quinn]

If we're going to stick with the type of game we play then we need an Aguero or Suarez rather than a Benzema or Cavani. I think the club should start spreading false stories about Suarez and hire some old lady to pose as a long lost relative from London, proving he has Arsenal DNA. Next time anyone from the club meets him we should force an Arsenal shirt over his head. Your typical transfer activity.

[Niall_Quinn]

We can only pray this one is pure media bullshit without an ounce of truth.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3100729/Arsenal-consider-Swansea-City-midfielder-Ki-Sung-Yeung-Arsene-Wenger-searches-midfield-reinforcements.html

Ozil, Sanchez, then this guy? It would be classic, classic WUMger.

[Marc Overmars]

I would like Jackson Martinez. Tall, strong, agile, explosive finisher, ticks all the boxes really. He's averaged 30 goals a season for a few years now, ok granted not in the strongest league but he scored 8 goals in the CL this year as well. Most of the strikers we buy tend to come with average scoring records and I think it's time we took punt on someone more prolific.

[GP]

The only issue I have with Martinez is he'll be approaching 29. Ideally I'd like someone younger but if he can improve us then why not?

[AFC Leveller]

as NQ says, we really need an explosive type striker, obviously the likes of Aguero and Suarez are impossible to get but someone of that ilk would push us to the next level.

I havent seen enough of this Martinez guy to pass judgment but it sounds like he is the kinda striker we need and has a god scoring record. For those who say Portugal isnt the strongest league, look at Giroud who got 21 goals in France before he came here and has since improved and managed to get a decent scoring rate going, so i dont think Martinez would have any issues really.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We can only pray this one is pure media bullshit without an ounce of truth.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3100729/Arsenal-consider-Swansea-City-midfielder-Ki-Sung-Yeung-Arsene-Wenger-searches-midfield-reinforcements.html

Ozil, Sanchez, then this guy? It would be classic, classic WUMger.

The Daily Heil will link us to a different player every single day, just like last summer.

It is bollocks.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32904961

Liverpool :haha:.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32926238

Liverpool :haha: 2

[The Emirates Gallactico]

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32926238

Liverpool :haha: 2

Do Liverpool realise that they can buy from other clubs outside of Southampton? :doh:

[Master Splinter]

Rodgers has a bigger full-back fetish than Rafa.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I do wonder about the people at Liverpool sometimes.

Absolute amateurs.

[fakeyank]

I don't get this 'not suited for the Prem' argument. No basis for such claims. If lightweight Ozil can roll his sleeves up in this league, surely a guy as big as Benzema can do the same.

Benzema is going to be 28 this year and I cannot see him hustle and bustle with the GHEL's of the league. I have not seen one game of his in which he has stood out as an exceptional talent. He is a good striker playing for a very very good team... Of course he could come and hit the ground running but I do not see him having what it takes to succeed in the PL.

Most importantly, he is not worth it for the cost he'll come at.. I'd rather we go for someone like Lewandowski for that price. I'd even take Benteke and Lukaku over him, and I think they'd be cheaper than him too.

[Gooner23]

I do wonder about the people at Liverpool sometimes.

Absolute amateurs.

Clyne is decent though, better than most of the dross Rogers has bought.

Ings and Milner though :haha:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Clyne is decent though, better than most of the dross Rogers has bought.

Ings and Milner though :haha:

He's a good player, but then so were Lallana and Lovren.

Not just that though. Generally the way we seem to go about our transfers seems comical. £10m? Even as a lowball tactic that's just pointless.

[Master Splinter]

Was Lovren really ever that good?

And Lallana always seemed to be a technically accomplished English big fish in small pond so the praise went into overdrive when in reality he's not much better than say, Adam Johnson.

Clyne generally plays well in a well-drilled Southampton side, but has shown some deficiencies in his international appearances and is probably not a huge improvement over Johnson in the long run.

Ings is just another in a long line of meh.

Milner would be decent for a more disciplined side, but with the type of football that Rodgers has often tried to implement, I don't see how exactly he'd fit in.

You could probably get players from the Dutch, Portugese and French leagues for a quarter of the price and thrice the potential. Although tbf, Liverpool have fucked up with their fancy foreigner signings too recently.

[Power n Glory]

Benzema is going to be 28 this year and I cannot see him hustle and bustle with the GHEL's of the league. I have not seen one game of his in which he has stood out as an exceptional talent. He is a good striker playing for a very very good team... Of course he could come and hit the ground running but I do not see him having what it takes to succeed in the PL.

Most importantly, he is not worth it for the cost he'll come at.. I'd rather we go for someone like Lewandowski for that price. I'd even take Benteke and Lukaku over him, and I think they'd be cheaper than him too.

Hey, a few months back you'd never see Walcott scoring a hat trick as a striker for us. I hear you on the price and age factor but if Wenger can get some use out of an average player like Giroud then he should be able to work wonders with Benzema. Players will either rise or fall to the challenge in front of them.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Was Lovren really ever that good?

And Lallana always seemed to be a technically accomplished English big fish in small pond so the praise went into overdrive when in reality he's not much better than say, Adam Johnson.

Clyne generally plays well in a well-drilled Southampton side, but has shown some deficiencies in his international appearances and is probably not a huge improvement over Johnson in the long run.

Ings is just another in a long line of meh.

Milner would be decent for a more disciplined side, but with the type of football that Rodgers has often tried to implement, I don't see how exactly he'd fit in.

You could probably get players from the Dutch, Portugese and French leagues for a quarter of the price and thrice the potential. Although tbf, Liverpool have fucked up with their fancy foreigner signings too recently.
Well, they were considered good players in a good team, but were both hyped by being flavour of the month in a flavour of the month team. A bit like Clyne. He's alright but he's not that good. Saying that, it's not so much that we're going for Clyne. More how we're seemingly going to go about it. And tbf to Lallana, he actually did ok for us at times. Just not £25m worth of good!
Ings, yeah, he's a mid table striker who scored a few because he was literally the only player in that team who could. He will improve, but not when he's third choice.
Milner I actually don't mind. He's a good player. Not fantastic, or somehow being made out to be the most important part of the City team, but he seems like the type who will do exactly what the managers says. Need him to play at right back for a game? He'd probably do a decent job. Need him to run his bollocks into the ground pressing? He probably would. At out best we were pressing like that, this season not so much. Calling him a utility player would be harsh but that's how I see him. Certainly not at £165k/week, mind. That's only if he joins us though. If he doesn't, he's shit and always has been.
Benteke is the one that worries me most though. Fantastic target man who is great in the air. For a team who can't play with a target man and who barely crosses it. £32m you say? Oh great. I can't think when we last spunked a fortune on an aerial target man. We need another pacey striker who will make runs in behind, open up space and give us a passing option for the 47 trillion through balls we attempt every game.

We've fucked up with most of our transfers though. Not just necessarily the players themselves, I still think Markovic will be a good player for example. But at wing back? What's the fucking point of that? Can at right back? How about when Lambert comes on, shall we cross it or play it up to him? No. Play in exactly the same way as with Sterling. Good one, Pascoe.
I don't think Rodgers knows his best team anymore, or even how to play the players he has. Everything has just become muddled. Instead of putting the players in roles they feel comfortable with, it's all just a little too awkward.

[Master Splinter]

I don't think Wenger knows his best team anymore, or even how to play the players he has. Everything has just become muddled. Instead of putting the players in roles they feel comfortable with, it's all just a little too awkward.

Pretty much.

[Maestro]

GOALKEEPER (Our keepers are good, but quality can be improved in this area)
1. Ospina
2. Chez
3. Martinez

RIGHT BACK (All good)
1. Bellerin
2. Debuchy
3. Jenkinson

LEFT BACK (Okay to good)
1. Monreal
2. Gibbs

DEFENCE CENTRAL (Very comfortable with Kos and Gabriel. BFG is on his way out as he gets older and slower, Chambers is too young and naive. Need another good young CB)
1. Kos
2. Gabriel
3. BFG
4. Chambers

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD (We all know we only have le Coq in this position. If he's out we're fucked, considering how he's held it together for us as a team. Need a second DM)
1. Coquelin
2. Flamini

CENTRAL MIDFIELD (Enough numbers here and competition if rotated properly, should consider culling Diaby)
1. Ramsey
2. Arteta
3. Wilshere
4. Rosicky
5. Diaby

ADVANCED CENTRAL MIDFIELD PLAYMAKER (Two brilliant players here, no problem at all ..with Carthola very capable further back in CM. Again decent rotation would be good.)
1. Ozil
2. Carzola

LEFT ATTACKING MIDFIELD (Covered if we keep Theo, but quality admittedly goes down once Sanchez is out, as he's the only natural we have for the position)
1. Sanchez
2. Theo
3. Danny
4. Gnabry

RIGHT ATTACKING MIDFIELD (Ox seems to be on the cusp of something great, Theo and Danny is okay for cover but only Ox is natural for the position)
1. Ox
2. Theo
3. Danny
4. Gnabry

STRIKER (We're fine here but not great, we simply don't carry the same threat as our top competitors in the league and in Europe. Area of concern for me)
1. Giroud
2. Theo
3. Danny
5. Podolski
4. Akpom
5. Sanogo
6. Campbell

[Maestro]

GOALKEEPER (Our keepers are good, but quality can be improved in this area)
1. Ospina
2. Chez
3. Martinez

RIGHT BACK (All good)
1. Bellerin
2. Debuchy
3. Jenkinson

LEFT BACK (Okay to good)
1. Monreal
2. Gibbs

DEFENCE CENTRAL (Very comfortable with Kos and Gabriel. BFG is on his way out as he gets older and slower, Chambers is too young and naive. Need another good young CB)
1. Kos
2. Gabriel
3. BFG
4. Chambers

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD (We all know we only have le Coq in this position. If he's out we're fucked, considering how he's held it together for us as a team. Need a second DM)
1. Coquelin
2. Flamini

CENTRAL MIDFIELD (Enough numbers here and competition if rotated properly, should consider culling Diaby)
1. Ramsey
2. Arteta
3. Wilshere
4. Rosicky
5. Diaby

ADVANCED CENTRAL MIDFIELD PLAYMAKER (Two brilliant players here, no problem at all ..with Carthola very capable further back in CM. Again decent rotation would be good.)
1. Ozil
2. Carzola

LEFT ATTACKING MIDFIELD (Covered if we keep Theo, but quality admittedly goes down once Sanchez is out, as he's the only natural we have for the position)
1. Sanchez
2. Theo
3. Danny
4. Gnabry

RIGHT ATTACKING MIDFIELD (Ox seems to be on the cusp of something great, Theo and Danny is okay for cover but only Ox is natural for the position)
1. Ox
2. Theo
3. Danny
4. Gnabry

STRIKER (We're fine here but not great, we simply don't carry the same threat as our top competitors in the league and in Europe. Area of concern for me)
1. Giroud
2. Theo
3. Danny
5. Podolski
4. Akpom
5. Sanogo
6. Campbell

Sell, release and give away the following if they are not good enough or not in our plans ...no more flawed projects and failed experiments:

Flamini, Sanogo, Campbell, Podolski, Diaby. Would open up a few slots in the team and free up some wage funds. Transfer fees would not amount to much from that lot, maybe total £10-15 mil.

[dostoy]

What about Tyrone Mings from Ipswich as the young centre back ?

He is 22, 6'5 and has lots of potential.

He can play left back so is not slow but surely could be converted to being a centre back.

His father is a Chelsea scout, that is the only problem.

[Globalgunner]

What about Tyrone Mings from Ipswich as the young centre back ?

He is 22, 6'5 and has lots of potential.

He can play left back so is not slow but surely could be converted to being a centre back.

His father is a Chelsea scout, that is the only problem.

Chelsea have plenty of young, good potential CBs, planted all over Europe, Mings would be a mong to go there.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGWK4p7WwAEe4Uk.png

Does this make Wenger say we have 'internal solutions' again?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

tbf to Chesney if he could sort out his clownish antics and his ego issues he could become a WC keeper. The season before this one he was amazing; didn't make any mistakes, saved us a few times and won the golden gloves iirc.

That being said, we can't take any chances. If Cech is available it's a no brainer.

[Marc Overmars]

According to "Sky sources", Milner has held talks with us and Liverpool. :lol:

[Bumble]

According to "Sky sources", Milner has held talks with us and Liverpool. :lol:

Liverpool probably offer more money and he would get more playing time, but money doesn't bother him as he would have signed the city contract if it did matter and with us he would get to play CL football. He would add depth to the squad and he is a very versatile player.

[AFC Leveller]

Milner would be a good addition i reckon, although i cant see him improving the first 11 that much.

[AFC Leveller]

If Chelsea offered us a swap deal, Cech for Theo, would you guys take it? personally id tell them to fuck off but i can AW going for it. Theo and his reps have previous with the club and AW will say we have the Ox, Gnabry and of course Alexis who can play wide right and Cech would improve the first 11 drastically.

I just think we have to hold on to Theo, what he can offer us, noone else in this squad can and i can see him being a success at Chelsea.

[LDG]

If Chelsea offered us a swap deal, Cech for Theo, would you guys take it? personally id tell them to fuck off but i can AW going for it. Theo and his reps have previous with the club and AW will say we have the Ox, Gnabry and of course Alexis who can play wide right and Cech would improve the first 11 drastically.

I just think we have to hold on to Theo, what he can offer us, noone else in this squad can and i can see him being a success at Chelsea.


No. Cech would be rubbish on the right wing.

[GP]

He'll have to lose the spaz hat first.

[Niall_Quinn]

Guardian reckons we are after Benzema. But we'd have to send Kos the other way to get him.

So fuck that then.

Mancs are after Schneiderlin, £25mill asking fee. They'll pay it, easily trumping our £12,500 offer.

[Dein-machine]

Why are we happy to spend alot of money on Cech - how many years will we get out of him? - are we happy with Chelsea rejects? - why arent' we signing the next De Gea or Courtois.

[Master Splinter]

Who said we're spending money on Cech? John Cross and his hack cronies?

And who is the next De Gea or Courtois?

[GP]

And who is the next De Gea or Courtois?

Wojciech Szczesny

[Niall_Quinn]

Why has Ospina been written off so quickly? Has he really been that bad? Our record was pretty good with him until we chucked the last few games of the season.

[Master Splinter]

Ospina did little wrong up until the last few weeks, where he looked really dodgy in all aspects. He would have devolved into an Almunian wreck if the season had continued another month.

Concentration issues aside, Sir Chesney is still a much better keeper I think.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's what I mean. The last few weeks was party time and holiday plans, you can't blame the last line of defence too much if all the other lines have scarpered. Can't judge anything on the last few weeks bar Wenger's inability to drive the team until the final match.

[selassie]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGWK4p7WwAEe4Uk.png

Does this make Wenger say we have 'internal solutions' again?


Why are we happy to spend alot of money on Cech - how many years will we get out of him? - are we happy with Chelsea rejects? - why arent' we signing the next De Gea or Courtois.

Cech is a world class keeper, he's been playing at a high level for over 10 years and even when called upon this season he put in top class performances. I find unbelievable that some on here are turning their noses up at him, he would be our best signing by some distance if we managed to pull it off.

[Heisenberg]

Cech is 33, which isn't really old for a goalkeeper. Van der Sar went on for United until he was 41.

I would be delighted if we were somehow able to sign Cech.

[Niall_Quinn]

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, aka Judas Cunt who could have been a legend but is rapidly becoming a has-been, has admitted he may have to leave Old Trafford after what he described as a 'strange and difficult' season at the club.

WHO?

Grass is greener - cunt face!

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Why has Ospina been written off so quickly? Has he really been that bad? Our record was pretty good with him until we chucked the last few games of the season.

Our record was down to our defence more than him
I think the goals we conceded that he should have saved or at least done better with outweigh any good saves he made
Whether he improves with time is irrelevant, he is too short to be a top class keeper.
Although Szczesny is an arrogant prick, he has naturally more ability than Ospina and actually I still think he has a future with us.
I personally would get Cech in because he would be a strong role model for Szczesny and can take over from him when he's developed a bit more maturity.

[Power n Glory]

I can understand RVP wanting to leave. He wasn’t the first. But what really pissed me off is that story about the ‘little boy screaming for Man Utd’ and then celebrating like a madman when scoring against us. He’s won his title now his career can sink into the abyss and forgotten. He won’t be remembered as a Man Utd player and he won’t be remembered here at Arsenal.

[Marc Overmars]

Fergie for doing one and leaving RVC to rot. :bow:

[GP]

Hope he dies.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Who cares, don't really think about him anymore was incensed at the time both with him for going there and with us for not insisting on either selling him abroad or letting his contract run down.
Nasri, Fabregas, Sagna. Adebayor, Van Persie...they are all just ghosts to me

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Hope he dies.

He's going to, as are all of us...one day
Couldn't give a tuppeny fuck about him

[Dein-machine]

Who said we're spending money on Cech? John Cross and his hack cronies?

And who is the next De Gea or Courtois?

I'm not paid vast amounts of money each year to unearth quality players in positions required to strengthen your team - thats Wenger job.
There are 1000's of professional teams around the world with goal-keepers who had come through academies, been good enough to get 1st team football & maybe even represent their countries. In recent years we've seen our competitors buy Courtois, De Gea & Lloris - why is it we don't seem to be on this continous conveyor belt. Instead we buy a guy for a few million because he's cheap, had a half decent world cup & when we realise he's not actually that good we think a 33 year old Chelsea substitute keeper is the answer to our prayers. Many on here are singing Cech's praises but you've been Wengerised into accepting 2nd best - or normally 4th best.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

No we have just seen how Cech has performed in goal for Chelsea, yes he has lost his place to Thibault Courtouis but that was based on the number of match saving performances given by Courtouis for Atletico Madrid rather than Cech dropping off.
Mourinho wants to keep him but they recognise that if he wants to leave he can't

[Dein-machine]

No we have just seen how Cech has performed in goal for Chelsea, yes he has lost his place to Thibault Courtouis but that was based on the number of match saving performances given by Courtouis for Atletico Madrid rather than Cech dropping off.
Mourinho wants to keep him but they recognise that if he wants to leave he can't

But Herby - thats my point. You state that Courtouis was given his place due to a number of match saving performances, maybe making saves that Cech wouldn't have made. He's also a lot younger & you can build a defense around hom knowing it has longevity. Why aren't we looking for the younger guy making regular match saving performances - buying Cech is just painting over the cracks that we re-appear in the not too distant future.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

But Herby - thats my point. You state that Courtouis was given his place due to a number of match saving performances, maybe making saves that Cech wouldn't have made. He's also a lot younger & you can build a defense around hom knowing it has longevity. Why aren't we looking for the younger guy making regular match saving performances - buying Cech is just painting over the cracks that we re-appear in the not too distant future.

The point I'm making is if you have two world class keepers and one world class keeper is slightly better which one are you going to pick.
The fact is that Cech is miles better than what we currently have and clearly would still be capable of the saves to win us points Szczesny or Ospina wouldnt.
There won't be any shortage of suitors for Cech, wouldn't be surprised if United come in if De Gea goes.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Where is this keeper out there with big league experience, a record of constant match winning saves and is the same age as The De Geas and Courtouis' of this world?.
We aren't after a prodigious potential, we want the ready made product now and the potential can be brought in to understudy Cech.

[Dein-machine]

When Cech returned to the Chelsea team after his serious head injury - it was widely suggested ( even by Chelsea fans ) that we wasn't quite the same as before. This would have been another reason for replacing him with Courtois. Cech is a good keeper but if he went to Utd they would be worse off. He has played behind the best defense in the league for many years which has obviously helped with his goals against record & to pay £15 mill for a 33 year old knowing that we will have to paying more again in a few years to replace him seems to much of an expensive quick fix.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Cechs head injury occurred in 2006 if it had really been that detrimental to his performances in goal would they have really waited so long before replacing him?.
True Courtouis has the age advantage over Cech, but I do remember rumblings that he insisted he wanted to play as first choice or be sold by Chelsea after his Atletico loan spell.
And again who is this keeper out there who can stay between the posts for us for years?, I don't disagree that there may be prodigious talent out there but if we have an available keeper who I think most people would argue is still one of the top keepers in the world and could make the difference between us challenging and not challenging for the title, even if it is a short term fix who could argue that it wouldn't be worth it?.

[Marc Overmars]

I don't think there have been many keepers better than Cech over the last 10 years, certainly not in this league anyway. I personally think he would be a cracking signing but I don't think getting a keeper is a priority, if someone like Cech wasn't available would we even be having a discussion about a new keeper?

Jury is still out on Ospina but I don't think I would categorically say he's not good enough. Chesney is a good keeper, the better of the 2 I think, but he's attitude is questionable to say the least. I think having been booted out the team he'll be better for this experience next season, perhaps the kick up the arse he needed. I remember Lehmann came back as a beast after Wenger dropped him in 2005.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

RVP :lol:

Honestly reckon he genuinely regrets the move now. We were just at the precipice of doing something amazing and he decided to leave a year early all for one league title.

Can't blame him too much either (remember how bad we were at the time) but had he showed a tad more belief in Wenger he could have stayed, probably helped us win a league title last year (consider the end points difference) as well as a couple of FA cups. He'd be playing alongside the likes of Ozil and Sanchez as well.

As PnG says, he's not going to be remembered or welcomed anywhere once his career is over. Won't be welcomed or revered here the same way the likes of Pires, Freddie, Henry and even Vieria is despite his current Gypo connections and he's barely a footnote for Man Utd. Might not hit him now, but I suspect he'll fully recognise it once he retires.

The cunt deserves it. Perpetually injured every single with us having to waste so much resources to rehabilitation only for him to fuck off the first chance he gets. Motherfucker.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

As MO says, Cech has consistently been one of the best goalkeepers in the league for the past decade. He had a dodgy season after he hurt his head but apart from that he's been one of the best, up there with the most clean sheets even in the times Chelsea have been crap.

I don't think it's impossible to win the league with either Chesney or Ospina, in fact I don't think either of them are worse than Bravo at Barca and the latter is about to win the treble for them .... however it's a lot more difficult to do if the league's a lot tighter and you don't have the riches up front that Barca do. Mourinho, LVG and Pellegrini aren't going to bend over and let us walk the league next season; it's probably going to be uber tight which is why a world class keeper is essential. A good keeper can on his own win you about a dozen or so points over the course of a season - without DDG Man United would have not finished top four and without Courtois Chelsea's final gap would have been a lot tighter.

I agree that Chesney has the potential to be one if he sorted out his attitude and antics however he also could not. Frankly it's not a risk worth taking and despite Chesney's appearing to show some humility and wanting to stay (facebook message) the club doesn't revolve around him. I really hope Arsene shows some of his old ruthlessness doesn't cave into sympathising with Chesney if Cech becomes available.


P.S. - I've been banging about this for ages but I think it's the time the club looked at seriously replacing Gerry Peyton (The GK Coach). I don't think our shit run of keepers and him being GK coach is any coincidence.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I don't think there have been many keepers better than Cech over the last 10 years, certainly not in this league anyway. I personally think he would be a cracking signing but I don't think getting a keeper is a priority, if someone like Cech wasn't available would we even be having a discussion about a new keeper?

Jury is still out on Ospina but I don't think I would categorically say he's not good enough. Chesney is a good keeper, the better of the 2 I think, but he's attitude is questionable to say the least. I think having been booted out the team he'll be better for this experience next season, perhaps the kick up the arse he needed. I remember Lehmann came back as a beast after Wenger dropped him in 2005.

I don't think the Jury is out on Ospina I think a lot of people just don't want to accept the verdict. Apart from the fact that he's too short, he has essentially cost us points (and in the case of the Chelsea game would have done if the referee hadn't chosen to exercise extreme lenience)
It's worrying that I think of every goal we have conceded with him between the sticks and almost every one I think at the very least think a better keeper would have done better there.

Szczesny we have at least seen has the capability to be a top keeper, but the jury is out on whether he will meet his potential.

[Globalgunner]

RVP :lol:

Honestly reckon he genuinely regrets the move now. We were just at the precipice of doing something amazing and he decided to leave a year early all for one league title.

Can't blame him too much either (remember how bad we were at the time) but had he showed a tad more belief in Wenger he could have stayed, probably helped us win a league title last year (consider the end points difference) as well as a couple of FA cups. He'd be playing alongside the likes of Ozil and Sanchez as well.

As PnG says, he's not going to be remembered or welcomed anywhere once his career is over. Won't be welcomed or revered here the same way the likes of Pires, Freddie, Henry and even Vieria is despite his current Gypo connections and he's barely a footnote for Man Utd. Might not hit him now, but I suspect he'll fully recognise it once he retires.

The cunt deserves it. Perpetually injured every single with us having to waste so much resources to rehabilitation only for him to fuck off the first chance he gets. Motherfucker.
If he had stayed with us, still wouldnt have won the league. Maybe 2 cups but who knows if Wenger would have bought Ozil if not for the fans meltdown after RVP left. The thought of RVP playing in front of Ozil instead of the languorous Frenchie is a drooling thought. Dont forget 250k pw.....wouldnt have got that here.

[Dein-machine]

Agreed - RVP & Cesc must have got fed up with continually having to carry a team full of Wengers basement buys. Ofcourse the money plays a big part but Wenger had let the gap grow significantly between us & Utd by that stage at most players would have chosen them if they had ambition. Rather than blame the players that leave, our manager should take the major blame in not providing a team that could challenge. If we don't buy the quality needed in the summer & find ourselves 12 points behind the likes of the Chavs & Gypos next year then some on here will soon be slagging off Sanchez - the same people that currently worship him.

[GP]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/petr-cech-asks-for-arsenal-move-to-keep-his-family-in-london-10294099.html

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGm0DoQWQAACNNb.jpg

...

[selassie]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/petr-cech-asks-for-arsenal-move-to-keep-his-family-in-london-10294099.html

If there is any truth in this then I want us to get this one wrapped up early. No need to haggle or draw out the saga over the entire summer. Just get it done and move onto other targets.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Agreed - RVP & Cesc must have got fed up with continually having to carry a team full of Wengers basement buys. Ofcourse the money plays a big part but Wenger had let the gap grow significantly between us & Utd by that stage at most players would have chosen them if they had ambition. Rather than blame the players that leave, our manager should take the major blame in not providing a team that could challenge. If we don't buy the quality needed in the summer & find ourselves 12 points behind the likes of the Chavs & Gypos next year then some on here will soon be slagging off Sanchez - the same people that currently worship him.

I reluctantly agree.

At some stage venting our spleens about players gets old. In an era when players are a despicable, greedy and hold all the cards we should no longer be expecting loyalty from them, instead, we should expect the club to protect the clubs interest. Hold the fuhking player to his word/contract for once if that is what's necessary.

Sneezy in terms of raw talent is as talented as any keeper and I'd include De Gea in that but our patience should not be a bottomless well and I'm not convinced Cech is yet a has been. Ospina hasn't done an awful lot wrong but my feeling is that he is isn't top drawer and if Cech can be procured with a good deal, we should seriously consider it.

That said, as Marc Overmars suggests, the key to our title challenge won't necessarily reside with the goalkeeping situation imo.

[Marc Overmars]

Liverpool sign Milner. :faint:

[Power n Glory]

Not a bad squad player but we don’t need him. We have another cover for central and wide areas. We just need that extra special player up front to really make us contenders.

[dostoy]

Milner has made a big mistake going to Pool.

He is playing for an inferior club for less money and will never play in the CL again.

They will not challenge for the Prem League title either.

He is going to play in god knows where on a Thursday night and he will also be playing with Balotelli again.

Crazy move.

Thank God we did not get him.

[GP]

Milner has made a big mistake going to Pool.

He is playing for an inferior club for less money and will never play in the CL again.

They will not challenge for the Prem League title either.

He is going to play in god knows where on a Thursday night and he will also be playing with Balotelli again.

Crazy move.

Thank God we did not get him.

It was probably the best option he had.

[Globalgunner]

It was probably the best option he had.

He could have stayed. He was offered a new contract. But good luck to him. He will improve Liverpool, but not by much.

[Niall_Quinn]

It was probably the best option he had.

He was offered £165kpw to stay in gypoland. According to the media (which means it isn't true)

But say it was true. Looks like he's not a Sagna so some credit goes his way.

[Power n Glory]

He was offered £165kpw to stay in gypoland. According to the media (which means it isn't true)

But say it was true. Looks like he's not a Sagna so some credit goes his way.

Credit to him for not just wanting the pay cheque but when you’ve won league titles, domestic cups and earned a shit load of money, priorities shift. Being a bit part player coming from the bench isn’t enough. Happens with a lot of players who play for massive clubs but often sidelined.

[Syn]

I like Milner but he would've been pointless for what we need. No more squad players, we need to close the gap to Chelsea with world class quality only. Even one signing this summer would do as long as it's a top player.

I don't think it's a good signing for Liverpool either. They need creativity in midfield. Man Utd should've taken him.

[dostoy]

When will our first signing be announced officially do you think ?

Will it be June, July or August ?

I hope its not September !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marc Overmars]

Deadline day ends at 5pm this year.

Sky Sports News. :rose:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Apparently Benitez is lining up Kosicenly to replace Pepe as his first signing for Real. Understandable as Pepe has been a liability for years now and with a dearth of top CB's around Kosicienly has been one of the best one's in Europe the past few years.


Nevertheless, fuck off you Fat Spanish waiter! :lol:

[fakeyank]

Frankly I'd take him for a straight swap with Bale or Ronaldo.

[sibreen]

Anyone seen Kondogbia play?
Any good??

[Power n Glory]

He was offered £165kpw to stay in gypoland. According to the media (which means it isn't true)

But say it was true. Looks like he's not a Sagna so some credit goes his way.

Just found out Liverpool are paying him £150k a week.

[Dein-machine]

When will our first signing be announced officially do you think ?

Will it be June, July or August ?

I hope its not September !!!!!!!!!!!!

When Wenger's finished his 4 weeks in the French Riviera & someone at the club or in the media reminds him of how the other teams are all strengthening. He likes to do his business with a few weeks of deadline day left meaning those payers don't get pre-season with us & they become increasingly expensive as the selling club would need to replace a top player if they left. Remember he once bought 3 players 3 weeks into the season - did he not realise during the break that his squad wasn't good enough.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Yeah how dare that arsehole Wenger decide to take a holiday and not spend himself chained to his desk at London Colney 24/7 to sift thorough shit transfer rumours from Tribal Football!!!

It's not like the club have things like phones, the internet and other staff to handle things either.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Frankly I'd take him for a straight swap with Bale or Ronaldo.

I wouldn't. And who exactly with we replace Koscienly with? Hummels isn't as good and anyone else on his level isn't simply attainable. Plus whoever would come in would require time to form a partnership with Gabriel/BFG ..... which is the last thing we need if we want to start the season of strongly in order to mount a serious title challenge. It would be the height of stupidity.

Bale or Ronaldo would be good no doubt, but they're hardly problem areas for us now when we have the likes of Theo, Sanchez and The Ox.

[Master Splinter]

I'd swap Koscielny for Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Busquets, James and maybe Varane.

And £50m.

[Niall_Quinn]

Just found out Liverpool are paying him £150k a week.

Well he's probably related to Sagna then. But at least he'll play.

Sagna :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

You have to hope that our days of getting shagged in the transfer window by the Spanish dopers are gone. Two fingers should be the instant reply to all enquiries this Summer, unless they are after Diaby.

Losing Kos would be a huge step backwards.

[Dein-machine]

Yeah how dare that arsehole Wenger decide to take a holiday and not spend himself chained to his desk at London Colney 24/7 to sift thorough shit transfer rumours from Tribal Football!!!

It's not like the club have things like phones, the internet and other staff to handle things either.

Yeah, the phones, internet & other staff have done wonders for us in the transfer markets. Must be a member of staff who has difficulty in spelling defensive midfielder or striker when trying to find players on the internet.

[Globalgunner]

I'd swap Koscielny for Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Busquets, James and maybe Varane.

And £50m.

MS on some serious Meds. someone call 5-0

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Anyone seen Kondogbia play?
Any good??

I thought he looked decent when they came to our place in CL but there again there we would made a herd of deranged sheep look world class that night.......

Little by little we are being linked with every single CM/DM in the world even Wanayama rumours are being resurrected! Vidal and Morgan would be a dream but we are on the brink of midfield overload......bye bye to some is needed

[fakeyank]

I wouldn't. And who exactly with we replace Koscienly with? Hummels isn't as good and anyone else on his level isn't simply attainable. Plus whoever would come in would require time to form a partnership with Gabriel/BFG ..... which is the last thing we need if we want to start the season of strongly in order to mount a serious title challenge. It would be the height of stupidity.

Bale or Ronaldo would be good no doubt, but they're hardly problem areas for us now when we have the likes of Theo, Sanchez and The Ox.

Chiellini? Godin? Bonucci? Frankly I wouldnt mind looking at the smaller PL teams to pick up a couple of CBs either. Kos is great but Bale or Ronaldo will win you matches by the dozen. To me, its not going to happen unless we offload another 50-60 million on top of Kos. Frankly I'd bite their entire body off for a straight swap!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Telegraph reporting that Chelsea have agreed to let us but Cech

[Niall_Quinn]

Telegraph reporting that Chelsea have agreed to let us but Cech

Won't have any effect - he wears headgear for protection.

[Niall_Quinn]

Chiellini? Godin? Bonucci? Frankly I wouldnt mind looking at the smaller PL teams to pick up a couple of CBs either. Kos is great but Bale or Ronaldo will win you matches by the dozen. To me, its not going to happen unless we offload another 50-60 million on top of Kos. Frankly I'd bite their entire body off for a straight swap!

In other words you'd bite cock :haha:

I knew it!

[selassie]

I thought he looked decent when they came to our place in CL but there again there we would made a herd of deranged sheep look world class that night.......

Little by little we are being linked with every single CM/DM in the world even Wanayama rumours are being resurrected! Vidal and Morgan would be a dream but we are on the brink of midfield overload......bye bye to some is needed

He looks a talent, would be happy if we signed him.

I am not sure of the Vidal links and Morgan seems United bound.

I get the feeling we will dither regarding signing a CM/DM as Wenger might think we have enough as it is.

[Niall_Quinn]

There's a danger of falling for big name (re: big salary) hype this summer. I do agree with Wenger when he says quality is of paramount importance. Unless I missed somebody, nobody performed better than Coquelin in his role during the latter half of the season. So are we looking for a replacement or a back-up?

[Maestro]

There's a danger of falling for big name (re: big salary) hype this summer. I do agree with Wenger when he says quality is of paramount importance. Unless I missed somebody, nobody performed better than Coquelin in his role during the latter half of the season. So are we looking for a replacement or a back-up?

I think Coquelin has been fantastic, and we should be looking for good back up at a reasonable price. ....then throw the sink at a top tier striker, and offload Flamini, Diaby stays as our mascot and Arteta is Wenger's son so he's not leaving.

[Dein-machine]

ive been impressed with Coquelin but I do wonder if its because of the dross we had there before. He lacks discipline at times ( close to giving away a silly penalty at wembley ), his passing is average at best & compared to the likes of Schneiderlin he offers very little in the way of final ball or goal threat. However, it may be that in certain games ala Chavski we should be playing with 2 DM's. May sound very defensive but if we can find an out an out striker to play with the likes of Sanchez, Ozil & Rambo then we know we have a massive goal threat on the counter.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm of the same opinion. A top tier striker is what will make the most difference. Top tier. Not potentially top tier. Not top tier in the second division in France. The real deal. £40mill, £50mill or don't bother. Very hard to get the quality though, somebody genuinely at the top of their game rather than living on past glory.

[Dein-machine]

yeh - the striker debate is difficult. Ideally a toothless Suarez or an Aguero are ideal for the way we play but they are not coming & I don't know of another version. Out of all the names we get linked with I favour Higuain, something about him makes me think he would score lots of goals with the chances we create - not sure how old he is now though, again another player we should have paid that little bit extra for a few years ago rather than the likes of Giroud, Welbeck & Sonogo, none of which were or will ever be proven scorers.

[Power n Glory]

ive been impressed with Coquelin but I do wonder if its because of the dross we had there before. He lacks discipline at times ( close to giving away a silly penalty at wembley ), his passing is average at best & compared to the likes of Schneiderlin he offers very little in the way of final ball or goal threat. However, it may be that in certain games ala Chavski we should be playing with 2 DM's. May sound very defensive but if we can find an out an out striker to play with the likes of Sanchez, Ozil & Rambo then we know we have a massive goal threat on the counter.

Sometimes the DM has to make that sort of tackle and pick up the foul to stop a threat. I think the challenge you were talking about was on the edge of the box and not a penalty. I've been impressed with his contribution this season and would like to see him continue on there. Whoever comes in will only offer a marginal improvement on our title chances. We really need a top 30+ goal striker. A striker that only gets 14 prem goals for us can't be a regular starter for us.

[selassie]

There's a danger of falling for big name (re: big salary) hype this summer. I do agree with Wenger when he says quality is of paramount importance. Unless I missed somebody, nobody performed better than Coquelin in his role during the latter half of the season. So are we looking for a replacement or a back-up?

None of the players we have been linked with are big names and I wouldn't think it's unreasonable for us to buy either Kondogbia or Schneiderlin, if either of them come then it's up to them to dislodge Coquelin from the team. I agree Coquelin has been superb in his role but it doesn't mean we should just sit on our hands and bring in an inferior player and expect them to do a job if Coquelin is out injured. We need real quality in that position, there is no harm in having 2 great options for each position.

Edited to add: I agree that a top tier striker would make the difference but someone at the Aguero/Suarez level isn't happening, the best we can hope for is a top class young talent with high potential.

[Niall_Quinn]

I meant their name in the media is bigger than their talent on the pitch, while players like Coquelin don't have that publicity surrounding them yet so are often viewed as temporary or a level lower. I think we already have our starting DM. I agree though, no harm having two quality players for that positon and we should. But player power comes into it. We'll need to find somebody who understands they'll be fighting for a place rather than walking into one.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Just found out Liverpool are paying him £150k a week.

£120k seems to be the prevailing figure. Much of a muchness, but I guess it's fairly standard for a freebie, England international coming from a better-placed club who could, and did, offer him even more.

[Power n Glory]

£120k seems to be the prevailing figure. Much of a muchness, but I guess it's fairly standard for a freebie, England international coming from a better-placed club who could, and did, offer him even more.

Read a few places saying £150k a week. Apparently, he was on £120k at City.

I think Ozil and Sanchez earn £120k for us. Or maybe above.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Read a few places saying £150k a week. Apparently, he was on £120k at City.

I think Ozil and Sanchez earn £120k for us. Or maybe above.

My understanding (and that's all it is) is that they are both on 160k

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

There's a danger of falling for big name (re: big salary) hype this summer. I do agree with Wenger when he says quality is of paramount importance. Unless I missed somebody, nobody performed better than Coquelin in his role during the latter half of the season. So are we looking for a replacement or a back-up?

To be fair in certain games we could do with two DM's as long as at least one can contribute in an attacking sense which I think someone like Schneiderlin can

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Read a few places saying £150k a week. Apparently, he was on £120k at City.

I think Ozil and Sanchez earn £120k for us. Or maybe above.

I've read a few saying £120k (MEN and Telegraph) :lol: Who knows.

The reported figures for Sanzil seem to be around £140k (again, Telegraph*) but even then I think they were something of a pay rise. :wacko: *In the same article it states Wilshere is on £90k/week.

Probably only going to get more mental once the new TV deals properly kick in as well.

[Niall_Quinn]

To be fair in certain games we could do with two DM's as long as at least one can contribute in an attacking sense which I think someone like Schneiderlin can

Schneiderlin would seem to be a decent option. Joining us is a step up for him and might buy us a year before he starts bitching about wanting to play as central striker.

Used to the league. Played in a fairly decent football team, rather than a farmers pub crawl. Wouldn't cost as much as the big Euro equivalents.

If it;s to be him then I can't see why we couldn't get a deal done sooner rather than later.

[A Gunner]

I do think we need a striker who's Giroud with better instinct, speed and finishing. Walcott for me is an instinct player, if you give him time, he overthinks and fail. Personally, I think Sonogo has a potential for this, but we need him to click in training and produce on pitch and not trial and error on the pitch. Our strikers right now only does one specific job, not very multi-dimenstional.

Midfield, I do agree that Coquelin is good enough, but need someone who can be backup in that position when call upon but also good enough to push for a starting place, like Schneiderlin.

Defense, I have high hope for Gabriel from what I've seen this season, so hopefully he can push Mert out and see how he works with Kos. I would also like to bring someone in in central defense for backup to Mert for once he's gone (I know we've got Chambers), and wasn't Jenkinson going to be a central defender?

Goalkeeper, for whatever reason Scezny really stank this year, his reaction was slow, he played like Mert without the World Cup. Ospina did good until the last couple of games. But I'm not too fuzz about goalkeeper, they can be improved, but unless it's real top class, who's definitely better, I don't see the point of bringing a keeper in.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Not exchanging Koscielny for Ronaldo/Bale? That's crazy talk.

[Power n Glory]

Forget Sanogo. He has that problem where he can't get a clean strike on the ball or sort his feet out quick enough to pop off a shot. Every goal of his I've seen have been rollers or he's bundled them in. Plus his injury record is really bad.

Theo's injury record is poor also and that's kept back his development. He's instinctive and does overthink sometimes but when he gets a good run, he gets clinical and it all starts to come together. He stops overthinking and just does what's intended. But again, not sure we can count on Theo with his injury record but out of all the players, he's the one I think that can get 30 goals a season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's a crazy premise in the first place.

Swaps. :lol:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

It is unusual to say the least. If people think a world class keeper rather than what we have would be worth an extra 10-15 points a season, what do they think Cronaldo is worth here?

[GP]

It is unusual to say the least. If people think a world class keeper rather than what we have would be worth an extra 10-15 points a season, what do they think Cronaldo is worth here?

I dunno, we're already pretty good at taking penalties.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Read a few places saying £150k a week. Apparently, he was on £120k at City.

I think Ozil and Sanchez earn £120k for us. Or maybe above.

From the reports I've read, Ozil and Alexis earn about 140k for us, which represents a pay rise for them from their Madrid/Barca days. Understandable as they were big names and we needed a sizeable offer to lure them to the club in the first place. Both worth every single penny though.

The next two highest are Theo and Podolski at 100k. The latter is certain to leave and the former may get an increase in his current contract negotiations.

Think Jack and Ramsey are then in the mid 80's or touching the 90's and then after them you have most of the rest of the first team in the 60 - 75 k bracket.

This is all gross pay before tax though which I'm assuming it's up to the players and their representatives to deal with.


As for Millner, the reports I've read say he's going to be earning 150k at Liverpool after rejecting 165k at Man City.


Not exchanging Koscielny for Ronaldo/Bale? That's crazy talk.

:sulk:

Kosicenly is boss.


It is unusual to say the least. If people think a world class keeper rather than what we have would be worth an extra 10-15 points a season, what do they think Cronaldo is worth here?

Scoring goals isn't that much of a problem for us Blink; keeping them out is though.

Considering the position and the current market, a player like Koscienly is much more difficult to replace than Ronaldo/Bale.

[A Gunner]

From the reports I've read, Ozil and Alexis earn about 140k for us, which represents a pay rise for them from their Madrid/Barca days. Understandable as they were big names and we needed a sizeable offer to lure them to the club in the first place. Both worth every single penny though.

The next two highest are Theo and Podolski at 100k. The latter is certain to leave and the former may get an increase in his current contract negotiations.

Think Jack and Ramsey are then in the mid 80's or touching the 90's and then after them you have most of the rest of the first team in the 60 - 75 k bracket.

This is all gross pay before tax though which I'm assuming it's up to the players and their representatives to deal with.


As for Millner, the reports I've read say he's going to be earning 150k at Liverpool after rejecting 165k at Man City.



:sulk:

Kosicenly is boss.



Scoring goals isn't that much of a problem for us Blink; keeping them out is though.

Considering the position and the current market, a player like Koscienly is much more difficult to replace than Ronaldo/Bale.

What does Football Manager say?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

What does Football Manager say?

Haven't played it since the 03/04 version tbh. :coffee:

[Penguin]

We need a top striker. But so do Man United, so do Liverpool, so do Chelsea (they will want competition for Costa as nobody else has done the job). It will be interesting to see what happens in the summer, but if we don't sign anyone up front we have no chance of winning the league. Or cross our fingers that Giroud/Welbeck/Theo make a sudden, miraculous improvement, which is Wenger's normal plan of action. If Wenger doesn't sign a striker, I think there is a strong case for giving Alexis another shot as the CF (but an extended run this time rather than just one half).

We could do with a goalkeeper too. Ospina is decent, but has actually made a lot of mistakes, including in the games we were knocked out of the Champions league and League cup. If Chesney didn't go full retard mode at the start of the season I think there would have been a strong case of dropping Ospina a couple of times.

I don't think signing a new DM would improve us that much. Coquelin has been brilliant there. He's a defender first and foremost and loves the physical side of the game. He's also deceptively quick which comes in handy when we're defending counter attacks or when he's covering the fullbacks. Ok, his passing isn't the best but a quick, simple pass is all he really needs to do, especially when he has the likes of Cazorla, Ozil and Ramsey available who can do a lot more damage with their distribution. By all means, bring in someone like Schneiderlin for competition and depth, but only after we've signed a striker and a keeper, who will make much more of a difference.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Emirates goonie....

To peddle the popular line.... which I hate to do but is kind of true, we need to strengthen right down the spine. That means down at the back and in attack. Where I differ to others is that I think the mooted 4 world class players down that spine (which is never, never going to happen all this summer) isn't quite the necessity it is made out to be. I think a genuinely world class striker (beats me who!), and an addition like Kondogbia/Vidal alone will put us right in there with a title challenge.

Sure find a world class CB if you can get one and/or a keeper but I think Gabriel and Sneezy are capable to coin a Wengerism 'internal solutions'. To add further weight to the problem with the popular 4 world class addition solution.......if we can't pull off Cech, who precisely can we pick up as a world class keeper? An undisputed world class keeper? Neuer? Lloris? De Gea? It's clearly not an easy thing to do. Similarly at CB.....I'd say Hummels is a world class defender and there are others like you who'd dispute that so that goes some way to showing how difficult it is to bring in 4 undisputed world class players.

If you're going to pick 1 world class player out of any of those positions and lest we forget a genuinely world class player can easily cost 50 million, then you'd pick him to be the centre forward. A world class centre back is a beautiful thing for a long lasting dynasty but a world class forward is more likely to go and win you the game, even the games you should NOT win.

A world class forward covers a multitude of sins. After we score the amount of goals Cronaldo would score us, we may as well play Steve Bould at CB for all it will matter.

[Niall_Quinn]

We do need a top striker, but not a wanker like Ronaldo. We want somebody who will integrate into a team that is starting to come together. A prick like Ronaldo would tear everything apart. It would become all about him and his posing and posturing and moaning when anyone else tries to step up. The striker position is tough, there are so few out there that would genuinely improve us without bringing a ton of unwanted baggage.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Beggars can't be choosers and Cronaldo will go down as one of the greatest, we've signed bigger cocks than him and with half the talent. He's a big ego that's all and whilst he'd do his preening, posturing everything else we'd be winning titles and be in a position to sell if he got completely out of hand. He is no more a despicable human being than Suarez who most were quite happy to see come here.

Either way we're never going to sign, exchange rub a genie in a lamp or lick a charmed toad to bring that sort of calibre through the door anyway.

I wish you lot would just come out with it and say you think Koscielny is the best CB on earth though. You're amongst gooners after all.

[GP]

Koscielny's performances speak for themselves. There's no one int eh premier league I'd swap him for.

[Niall_Quinn]

Beggars can't be choosers and Cronaldo will go down as one of the greatest, we've signed bigger cocks than him and with half the talent. He's a big ego that's all and whilst he'd do his preening, posturing everything else we'd be winning titles and be in a position to sell if he got completely out of hand. He is no more a despicable human being than Suarez who most were quite happy to see come here.

Either way we're never going to sign, exchange rub a genie in a lamp or lick a charmed toad to bring that sort of calibre through the door anyway.

I wish you lot would just come out with it and say you think Koscielny is the best CB on earth though. You're amongst gooners after all.

I already said Kos has been the best CB in the league this season. And he has. He hasn't been playing in the best back five but when he's in the team the difference is like night and day.

[Niall_Quinn]

Beggars can't be choosers and Cronaldo will go down as one of the greatest, we've signed bigger cocks than him and with half the talent. He's a big ego that's all and whilst he'd do his preening, posturing everything else we'd be winning titles and be in a position to sell if he got completely out of hand. He is no more a despicable human being than Suarez who most were quite happy to see come here.

Either way we're never going to sign, exchange rub a genie in a lamp or lick a charmed toad to bring that sort of calibre through the door anyway.

I wish you lot would just come out with it and say you think Koscielny is the best CB on earth though. You're amongst gooners after all.

Ronaldo is everything football shouldn't be as far as I'm concerned. An absolute twat, a cheat, playing for himself rather than the team. The opposite of Messi. The opposite of Zidane, Pele. Comparable to that druggie little cheat Maradona who was another superb talent but with too many fleas to ever be considered in favourable terms.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

To be clear I love Koscielny....and he's even managed to kick his habit of a comical own goal/pen. I just think not swapping him for Cronaldo is madness.

The best on earth?

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm not sure the Messi + Ronaldo + £50mill for Kos posting was serious. Of course we'd swap him for Messi + £50mill (they can keep that cunt Ronaldo)

[Static]

I think we're losing sight of what is important with these hypothetical transfers. The point of this summer is to (hopefully) improve the team and ensure that we have a better team which can challenge Chelsea (and the rest) for the title.

Adding Ronaldo to this team would definitely, definitely improve us. Even if it meant losing Koscielny.

[Niall_Quinn]

The more I read it the more I'm leaning towards the OP taking the piss and not being at all serious. Does this mean Ronaldo won't be signing in the summer? Possibly.

[Syn]

I'm not sure the Messi + Ronaldo + £50mill for Kos posting was serious. Of course we'd swap him for Messi + £50mill (they can keep that cunt Ronaldo)

On tonight's evidence we'd be lucky to get £5 for him.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'm not sure the Messi + Ronaldo + £50mill for Kos posting was serious. Of course we'd swap him for Messi + £50mill (they can keep that cunt Ronaldo)

You think? lol....

I was more addressing Emirates Gooners not swapping Koscielny for Cronaldo/Bale.

There are two players on earth capable of getting 30 goals in the premier league and one of them is a complete egotistical, narcissistic preening twit by the name of Cronaldo.

Pipe dreams though. I tend to agree with P'n'G in that I think even if he is unsuited to it in many ways, Theo would score 20 league goals if he played as the centre forward (and stayed fit). There are probably 3-7 teams in the league he would score at least 2 goals against just from absolutely terrorising them so it isn't hard to imagine.

I like Jackson Martinez, but who knows if there is any truth to the reports. Though he is not seen as world class he is untried in a big league....

[Static]

On tonight's evidence we'd be lucky to get £5 for him.
Internationals don't mean anything. Just ask Crouch.

[Power n Glory]

Liverpool sign Danny Ings! :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

I guess the positive for Liverpool is that they aren't wasting a fortune on average players again, given Milner and Ings are freebies at least.

[Kano]

Charlie Austin available and they plump for Ings? Idiots.

[Syn]

Inge over Charlie Austin any day. Ings will improve and he's already a better all-round footballer. But a bit pointless for Liverpool, they need someone who will use them as a stepping stool for Real Madrid. Lazcerette or whatever his name is at Lyon. Morata. These are the guys they should've broke the bank for. Can't keep collecting a bunch of Rickie Lamberts.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Thoughts on the Zlat rumours......his score for being a duck is through the roof but no doubt Wumger looming at the price quoted.......wages will kill that duck in the water me thinks! Didn't he slag us off in the past?

[GP]

No chance on Zlatan.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Inge over Charlie Austin any day. Ings will improve and he's already a better all-round footballer. But a bit pointless for Liverpool, they need someone who will use them as a stepping stool for Real Madrid. Lazcerette or whatever his name is at Lyon. Morata. These are the guys they should've broke the bank for. Can't keep collecting a bunch of Rickie Lamberts.

I've got more chance of banging Kate Upton tonight than Liverpool have of signing a Lacazette or a Morata tbh.

They don't have CL football to offer, their manager isn't really respected in world football and their brand stock isn't high. The Lyon CEO pretty much ridiculed Liverpool for the tentative rumours there were linking Lacazette to Liverpool.


"The latest rumours are trash," the Lyon president wrote on Twitter.

"Liverpool have never called Lyon about Lacazette and without playing in the Champions League they have neither the money nor [would they be] able to interest him."



As for Ings ...... meh. I suppose as a free signing (minus tribunal payment) there's little risk involved however he's not the type of signing that will elevate them to the top four. Despite the rumours, I'd more expected a mid table club (Swansea, Stoke etc) to get him rather than a 5/6th one. Mind you, if they get Sturridge fit for most of next season he'd be a decent backup however if it's going to be a similar season to this one, I really do worry for them if they have to rely on Balotelli/Borini or Ings to lead the line for the majority of their games.

FSG seem like such tight bastards.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I think it's harsh (plain wrong) to say FSG are tight bastards. We've spent an absolute fortune. The problem is we've spunked most of it up the wall and on the curtains.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Oh Zlatan, would Wenger even consider 11 million regardless of the wages for a 33 year old a good deal?

[Globalgunner]

Zlatan is one of those specially endowed players who could play into their late 30s easily but does he have the mentality of say a Bergkamp and sacrifice self for the team. He has a bigger ego, if that is possible than Chrissy Ronaldo, but somehow manages to be more enigmatic and personable. My biggest fear is that Arsene would not be able to manage him

[Gooner23]

If we were to get Cech, where does that leave us with the other keepers. I can't see Ospina leaving as only had one season but Chez has had a lot of time invested in him and IMO still remains the better longer term prospect. But no way we'd have all 3 of them.

[Fist of Lehmann]

I think it's harsh (plain wrong) to say FSG are tight bastards. We've spent an absolute fortune. The problem is we've spunked most of it up the wall and on the curtains.

Why would you spunk most of your money on curtains? That's just ridiculous.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Zlatan is a league title machine. Do it.

[Dein-machine]

Zlatan is a league title machine. Do it.

Not for us he isn't - he's a lazy player that only thinks of himself. doesn't have the legs to make the runs we need from a striker playing the way we do. He'd be alright in the games where we're dominating & yes he's a better finisher than either Giroud or Welbeck but in the games agianst the better teams he'll go missing - he has nothing to prove at 33 years of age & no real hunger. We need an Aguero/Suarez type of forward to make the runs in behind of tight defences & also do there bit in closing down.

[Dein-machine]

Most on here would agree that the main positions that need strengthening are GK, CB (for an ever slower Merts), DM & Striker. This isn't far of the complete spine of the team. This is far more than the likes of Chelsea or City have to address, they will just add a couple of Worldy players that actually won't strengthen their starting line ups too much. This being the case, why is it we never seem to do any business early - does anyone know if Wenger has a policy of not doing any deals until pre-season has started.

[GP]

That is definitely a question that would be worth addressing if it were true.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Alexis was signed during the World Cup so I reckon it's not true at a pinch.

[LDG]

We all know that the next update we'll get on Wenger, is him in shorts or trunks, doing something creepy.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

We all know that the next update we'll get on Wenger, is him in shorts or trunks, doing something creepy.

You could be looking at libel charges if you'd put this on Twitter :lol:

[GP]

#ChildCatcher

[LDG]

You could be looking at libel charges if you'd put this on Twitter :lol:

https://s.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/L8gv6AeDsuquLymhSvMsBw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NDcxO2NyPTE7Y3c9NjMwO2R4PTA7ZH k9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD00NzE7aWw9cGxhbmU7cT03NTt3PTYz MA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2014-07-11/edcc1730-08f6-11e4-a314-5d16139fc993_Wenger-trunks.jpg


Nothing libellous about the truth!

[Dein-machine]

Alexis was signed during the World Cup so I reckon it's not true at a pinch.

Do we think it would have happened that way if it hadn't been world cup year & Wenger wasn't there working for French TV.

[Dein-machine]

https://s.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/L8gv6AeDsuquLymhSvMsBw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NDcxO2NyPTE7Y3c9NjMwO2R4PTA7ZH k9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD00NzE7aWw9cGxhbmU7cT03NTt3PTYz MA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2014-07-11/edcc1730-08f6-11e4-a314-5d16139fc993_Wenger-trunks.jpg


Nothing libellous about the truth!

Thats not Wenger - its Mr Bean.

[GP]

Do we think it would have happened that way if it hadn't been world cup year & Wenger wasn't there working for French TV.

No chance we would have signed Sanchez during the world cup if it wasn't a world cup year.

[Syn]

:lol:

The mental gymnastics people do to avoid giving credit to that £8m a year thieving blind pedofrog.

[Dein-machine]

No chance we would have signed Sanchez during the world cup if it wasn't a world cup year.

Read the full sentence fuckwit

[GP]

No chance we would have signed Sanchez during the world cup if it wasn't a world cup year and Wenger wasn't there working for French TV.

Happy now, you colossal jizz pong champion?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I think it's harsh (plain wrong) to say FSG are tight bastards. We've spent an absolute fortune. The problem is we've spunked most of it up the wall and on the curtains.

Granted I'm not as clued up on Liverpool's finances as others but wasn't most of the outlay you spent last summer all offset from the Suarez mega deal? In terms of net spend I don't think FSG have really ever opened up the cheque book ever since the disasters of lol Carroll and lol Downing.

FSG seems to have boosted your revenues through signing a raft of sponsorship deals with a lot of Boston based companies which have involved your team doing a lot of shithouse ad's for Nivea and Subway (great way to attract opposing fans innit), however it doesn't seem to have corresponded in a net increase in overall spending.

It reminds me a lot of our situation prior the last two years where we had to make a transfer profit every year on player incomings and departures, though unlike us where there was a reason for plight (stadium) and a clear end game strategy to it, I'm not sure there is one for you guys other than to make the club financially stable. Basically a less cancerous version of the Ashley model at Newcastle.

Thing is that I kind of think you were lured by Ings and Milner more because they were free signings rather than because of the quality of them (would you have bought them if there was a fee?) which isn't a wise way to operate if you want to be a top four club imo.

I dunno, if I was a Liverpool fan I would be growing increasingly annoyed with FSG though coming of the back of the disasters that was Hicks and Gillet, I suppose they'll always be regarded as saints by some and probably afforded a lot more leeway than other owners.

[GP]

Khedira has signed for Juventus.

[alexander]

https://s.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/L8gv6AeDsuquLymhSvMsBw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NDcxO2NyPTE7Y3c9NjMwO2R4PTA7ZH k9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD00NzE7aWw9cGxhbmU7cT03NTt3PTYz MA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2014-07-11/edcc1730-08f6-11e4-a314-5d16139fc993_Wenger-trunks.jpg


Nothing libellous about the truth!

Looks like ET when he got sick

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Compare him to Steve Bruce. Wenger is Adonis by that yardstick.

[GP]

The guy is 65 years old. More than twice my age and he's in better shape than I am now.

[Power n Glory]

Just listening to the Tuesday Club podcast. Alan Davis ripping Liverpool for the way they've hung Sterling out to dry. Ex Liverpool players ripping him in public....nasty club. He's still a kid that needs to protecting is his argument. He'd have him here if it weren't for the price tag.

[Syn]

It's true, usually I side with the clubs on these situations but Sterling's not doing anything wrong. If he signed a contract and wanted to leave then tough luck. But he doesn't want to sign a new contract and that's his choice. Liverpool are shitting themselves because they're going to lose out on about £30m and he might leave to a rival. After the way they cheated Suarez out of the Arsenal move, why would any player trust them? Look forward to your Danny Ings and Hendersons, no world class talent is joining you any time soon.

[Power n Glory]

I agree. You can't force a player to sign a new deal and I hate when clubs do the whole smear campaign thing. It's nasty. If a player signed a new deal and tried to engineer a move away, that's different but in this case a player just doesn't want to sign. I agree with you.

[Marc Overmars]

What about the players who infamously left us?

[Syn]

What about the players who infamously left us?

When has Wenger or the club tried to blame players for wanting to leave? Classy as always, the club have allowed them to leave with as little fuss as possible. A little too classy if you ask me.

[Power n Glory]

Same applies in my book. If we have a player on our hands that doesn't want to sign a new deal, it's up to the club to convince him to stay or let him go.

I've said the same concerning Theo and even RVP.

[Syn]

Same applies in my book. If we have a player on our hands that doesn't want to sign a new deal, it's up to the club to convince him to stay or let him go.

I've said the same concerning Theo and even RVP.

Agreed. I didn't blame van persie for wanting to leave - even to man utd. I was a bit bitter that we didn't keep him for the extra year though. But that was Arsenal's fault. Potentially title we missed out on - he was by far the best player in the league at that point.

Anyway there are two different things here. The fans, and those who are more closely associated with the club. As a club, ex-players etc. have tried to portray Sterling as a disloyal little shit. Wenger and the Arsenal have never had a bad word to say about our players (even after they've left). The club can't control what fans sing though and even then Wenger usually calls for respect to be shown.

[Syn]

That said, if I was sterling I would stay at Liverpool. Not sure what the hurry to move is. He's only 20 and is progressing well at Liverpool.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's right, there are two relationships. With the club and with the fans. Club vs player is business. On the other hand fans vs player is... business. It should have some sort of consideration for the fans but it doesn't. Football isn't like that any more. Which is a very bad thing. Only a few clubs can realistically challenge for the the title, only a few can win the CL. These clubs are buying up all the talent. Of course they are, it makes sense for them. But don't expect any serious competition in the league if this is accepted without complaint. The current arrangement is great for the player, great for the agent, usually okay for the club as they tend to win either way unless they fuck things up. Terrible for the fans, devoid of any sort of payback for their loyalty and personal investment. Players are signing deals with no intention of staying, or letting deals run down so they get maximum financial benefit from a freebie move - we're talking one wheelbarrow of cash in comparison to a larger wheelbarrow of cash, pure greed. And it's the norm. The reality of it can be understood, but there's no point asking fans to accept it without complaint. The reaction of the fans is probably the last barrier between players setting up their own fucking auctions in public. I think it's healthy for the game when the fans give the players a seriously hard time. It preserves that 1% of the old game we are still clinging to. No harm in that.

Basically, speaking as a fan Sterling is a huge cunt as far as I'm concerned.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I wouldn't go as far as Alan Davis and say I feel any sympathy for Sterling (well apart from his murdered father part - didn't know about that). He's a PL footballer, getting paid handsomely already and probably in line to receive another bumper contract soon once he leaves Liverpool.

However I do certainly agree with how awful Liverpool have handled things. The really stupid thing is why they didn't attempt to lock down Sterling to another contract the previous year when he really broke through. Liverpool were close to winning the title, he was playing with top players, the atmosphere was favourable and in his own words, he would have signed without question then.

We've made the odd flub in the past but we always now lock talented young players down when they emerge. Bellerin and Coquelin just got new deals and the likes of The Ox and Ramsey got new ones last year. It's how you make them feel valuable to the club and ensure that you do get top dollar if they were inclined to leave.

Got a feeling it links to my previous point about FSG being tight gits and wanting to keep Sterling on low (relative) wages for another year instead of giving him the wages he really should have deserved for as Rodgers put it, "the best young player in Europe". And now the silly thing is they probably will end up losing a lot more when he leaves on a free than from the saving in wages.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

L'Equipe are reporting that PSG have pulled out of the Cech deal as he's close to signing for us (Arsenal).

[Niall_Quinn]

Is Sterling that good? From his performances this season I wouldn't rate him as top quality. Still very raw, highly likely to make the wrong decision when he's on the ball. He had a good season in the company of Suarez and Sturridge, but he hasn't taken the lead with those two gone. Maybe that's why he's so keen to move? Does he know himself that the hype far outstrips his talent?

Do we know Liverpool didn't try and lock him down? Maybe they did. He has that horrendous agent in tow. He's evidently infected the player with all sorts of ideas to the extent Sterling seems much more focused on where he plays and the cash he'll get rather than putting in performances on the pitch. He's been shit for England too. Is that it for him, one season and then everything blown? Can he come back from this and get down to playing football?

I'd say he's a huge risk for anyone that signs him unless they are the chavs or the gypos where it's common to have super expensive players sitting it out on the bench.

[AFC Leveller]

Diaby released.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHJFOnKWMAEZQxT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JFlPuha.gif

[Power n Glory]

That's right, there are two relationships. With the club and with the fans. Club vs player is business. On the other hand fans vs player is... business. It should have some sort of consideration for the fans but it doesn't. Football isn't like that any more. Which is a very bad thing. Only a few clubs can realistically challenge for the the title, only a few can win the CL. These clubs are buying up all the talent. Of course they are, it makes sense for them. But don't expect any serious competition in the league if this is accepted without complaint. The current arrangement is great for the player, great for the agent, usually okay for the club as they tend to win either way unless they fuck things up. Terrible for the fans, devoid of any sort of payback for their loyalty and personal investment. Players are signing deals with no intention of staying, or letting deals run down so they get maximum financial benefit from a freebie move - we're talking one wheelbarrow of cash in comparison to a larger wheelbarrow of cash, pure greed. And it's the norm. The reality of it can be understood, but there's no point asking fans to accept it without complaint. The reaction of the fans is probably the last barrier between players setting up their own fucking auctions in public. I think it's healthy for the game when the fans give the players a seriously hard time. It preserves that 1% of the old game we are still clinging to. No harm in that.

Basically, speaking as a fan Sterling is a huge cunt as far as I'm concerned.

Has he signed a lifelong contract with Liverpool? When you come to the end of the agreement you’re free to move on. He might not like living in Liverpool, whatever the reason, he’s free to move on.

We’ve just heard what Sanchez has had to say about our season. He thinks we’ve underachieved this season. Say he feels that way throughout his contract with us and we’ve done little to address our flaws that keep us from achieving more? Does he sign a new contract or choose to move on? He chooses to move on to a Bayern, Real Madrid or another club that can win the league and CL, does that negate his recent comments and we then just resort back to the ‘greedy player’ rhetoric?

[Niall_Quinn]

Has he signed a lifelong contract with Liverpool? When you come to the end of the agreement you’re free to move on. He might not like living in Liverpool, whatever the reason, he’s free to move on.

We’ve just heard what Sanchez has had to say about our season. He thinks we’ve underachieved this season. Say he feels that way throughout his contract with us and we’ve done little to address our flaws that keep us from achieving more? Does he sign a new contract or choose to move on? He chooses to move on to a Bayern, Real Madrid or another club that can win the league and CL, does that negate his recent comments and we then just resort back to the ‘greedy player’ rhetoric?

Sterling is 20, isn't nearly as good as the hype merchants are making out, played shit all season but is still a key player for a club that gave him his big break. As an individual he stinks. You don't hear him talking about Liverpool and pushing on to achieve something with them, which is what Alexis is saying in relation to Arsenal. These two players are poles apart and there's zero comparison to be made.

[GP]

City have released Micah Richards

[Niall_Quinn]

City have released Micah Richards

They have Sagna who can fill his role as obscure has-been.

[GP]

They have Sagna who can fill his role as obscure has-been.

Why, were you unavailable?

#SickBurn

[Power n Glory]

Sterling is 20, isn't nearly as good as the hype merchants are making out, played shit all season but is still a key player for a club that gave him his big break. As an individual he stinks. You don't hear him talking about Liverpool and pushing on to achieve something with them, which is what Alexis is saying in relation to Arsenal. These two players are poles apart and there's zero comparison to be made.

Yeah, he's 20! Of course he's not as good as what the hype machines pumping out. You know how the media works but I'm surprised by the way people get swept away by the negative press stories sometimes.

Liverpool have just sold their best player, blown the money on poor players, gone all cheap and made more poor decisions like £150k on Milner, no idea what they're paying Ings, but these players won't get them into the CL yet alone win the League. After seeing Gerrard go his whole career without winning the league, why wouldn't a player consider his options when on board the Titanic?

I don't know why you're comparing Sanchez and Sterling's ability. It's not about that. The common factor is that if a player wants to leave when his contract is over, a club shouldn't be able to stop him. It's a contract. The players held up his side of the agreement and so has the club. If new terms can't be agreed then you move on.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm not comparing Alexis and Sterling at all, you are. There's no comparison to be made on any level, as footballers or men. Alexis is a winner on every level and does his talking on the pitch. Sterling is becoming one of the biggest losers in the game and in record time, and he's gone missing on the pitch and now does his talking through that sick bastard he calls an agent. They are opposites.

I already said, club to player sure, it's business. But the silly little twat has washed his laundry in public. If the club has disrespected him in some way then sure as hell he's disrespected the fans. Whatever the grubby bastards like Abramovich or the Arabs or Kroenke or Murdoch or Blatter or any of the pigs gorging themselves on football wants the the game to be (100% money focused for sure) football isn't there yet. There is still the fanbase, the tribe, the loyalty, the history. Maybe meaningless to those who view everything in terms of cash, but not meaningless to everyone full stop and not made meaningless just because a minority of pigs have the best seats.

If Sterling wants to leave then he can conduct that business in a meeting room and in private can't he? Where does a TV studio enter into that negotiation? There's a difference between negotiating a move and forcing through a move by any means, this super hyped little twat is doing the latter. He deserves precisely zero respect and zero sympathy.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Alan Davies?!


:haha:



In happier news, Marca are saying De Gea to Real is imminent. On the other hand, it is Marca. So he'll probably stay then.

[Power n Glory]

I'm not comparing Alexis and Sterling at all, you are. There's no comparison to be made on any level, as footballers or men. Alexis is a winner on every level and does his talking on the pitch. Sterling is becoming one of the biggest losers in the game and in record time, and he's gone missing on the pitch and now does his talking through that sick bastard he calls an agent. They are opposites.

I already said, club to player sure, it's business. But the silly little twat has washed his laundry in public. If the club has disrespected him in some way then sure as hell he's disrespected the fans. Whatever the grubby bastards like Abramovich or the Arabs or Kroenke or Murdoch or Blatter or any of the pigs gorging themselves on football wants the the game to be (100% money focused for sure) football isn't there yet. There is still the fanbase, the tribe, the loyalty, the history. Maybe meaningless to those who view everything in terms of cash, but not meaningless to everyone full stop and not made meaningless just because a minority of pigs have the best seats.

If Sterling wants to leave then he can conduct that business in a meeting room and in private can't he? Where does a TV studio enter into that negotiation? There's a difference between negotiating a move and forcing through a move by any means, this super hyped little twat is doing the latter. He deserves precisely zero respect and zero sympathy.

We shall revist this conversation if Sanchez ever grows disallusioned because you were saying the same thing about Theo not so long ago.

For a guy that's so critical of corporate greed and media bias, I don't know why you can't recognise a smear campaign. He's 20 years old and he's going to make mistakes but the club should know better to throw him under a bus.

[GP]

Alan Davies?!


:haha:



In happier news, Marca are saying De Gea to Real is imminent. On the other hand, it is Marca. So he'll probably stay then.

Lloris to Man Utd for £40m then.

[Syn]

Alan Davies?!


:haha:



In happier news, Marca are saying De Gea to Real is imminent. On the other hand, it is Marca. So he'll probably stay then.

Trying to play the 'I'm a real scouser me' card because he once said something spot on about hillsbrough?

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Trying to play the 'I'm a real scouser me' card because he once said something spot on about hillsbrough?



As for Alan Davies, he said it in a crass way, he's apologised (and I understand made a donation to the HJC), move on. I'm far less bothered about things like that and far more interested in those who still spout the bile and hatred with regards to Hillsborough to this day. As for the keyboard warriors, they're no better.


Can't really disagree with any of that. Not accepting the donation, no matter how hollow you think it is, just looks petty.

As I say, I'm far less bothered about things like that and more about the complete idiots who continue to spout their own pathetic ignorance especially when they can't even get their facts right about other disasters.


IIRC the only thing that was silly of him to say was something like "this gets on my tits that shit" or whatever it was. When trying to make a rational argument, it usually helps to stay away from starting like that.

Most of it was just a storm in a teacup though if I'm remembering it rightly.

I'm not bothered what he said then, I'm not now.

Not to mention that I repeatedly say I'm not Scouse.

[Letters]

Alright...calm down, calm down...

:run:

[Niall_Quinn]

We shall revist this conversation if Sanchez ever grows disallusioned because you were saying the same thing about Theo not so long ago.

For a guy that's so critical of corporate greed and media bias, I don't know why you can't recognise a smear campaign. He's 20 years old and he's going to make mistakes but the club should know better to throw him under a bus.

Smear campaign?

Get out of it. There's one blindingly obvious and simple way to clear it up if that's all this is. Greed campaign, easy enough to recognise mainly because it's becoming so common.

[Power n Glory]

Smear campaign?

Get out of it. There's one blindingly obvious and simple way to clear it up if that's all this is. Greed campaign, easy enough to recognise mainly because it's becoming so common.

How can this be cleared up?

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Fight!

[Munchies]

https://twitter.com/PetrCech


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHKuve8WkAEThw_.jpg

Some cunt Arsenal fan made a fake tweet about Cech joining us, and got put in his place by him :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

How can this be cleared up?

Fight is a better suggestion than I was thinking of.

But leaving that aside there are two ways. First, come out and set the record straight with the specifics of this supposed smear campaign. He's been happy enough to talk in the past, why so shy now? Secondly, and most importantly, get that dickhead of an agent to shut up or at least instruct him not to contradict himself and state his case clearly. You're right, Sterling is a kid trying to handle a crazy situation (primarily of his own making), I'll give him that much. But is he really too dumb to realise the damage his agent is doing? Has he really got so little control he's not in a position to say shut the fuck up?

I don't really give a fuck about Sterling as an individual, provided he doesn't come to Arsenal. What I'm more worried about is that absolute cunt of an agent and the fact he has his hooks into Ox. Ox has great potential, last thing he needs is this wanker lousing it up for him. So I hope Sterling and his agent crash and burn big time following their antics. It would be good for the game and potentially great for Arsenal in the longer term.

[Power n Glory]

Fight is a better suggestion than I was thinking of.

But leaving that aside there are two ways. First, come out and set the record straight with the specifics of this supposed smear campaign. He's been happy enough to talk in the past, why so shy now? Secondly, and most importantly, get that dickhead of an agent to shut up or at least instruct him not to contradict himself and state his case clearly. You're right, Sterling is a kid trying to handle a crazy situation (primarily of his own making), I'll give him that much. But is he really too dumb to realise the damage his agent is doing? Has he really got so little control he's not in a position to say shut the fuck up?

I don't really give a fuck about Sterling as an individual, provided he doesn't come to Arsenal. What I'm more worried about is that absolute cunt of an agent and the fact he has his hooks into Ox. Ox has great potential, last thing he needs is this wanker lousing it up for him. So I hope Sterling and his agent crash and burn big time following their antics. It would be good for the game and potentially great for Arsenal in the longer term.

What's so hard to understand about a contract? He does not have to sign! It's not rocket science. A club can't force him to sign.

[Munchies]

Wenger is a WUM

https://twitter.com/Bruno_Constant/status/608742702168088576

L'Equipe journalist, saying that Diaby will stay but sign a deal on different terms


#Diaby hasn't been released by #Arsenal. Out of contract. But verbal agreement with the club. Talks ongoing for a new contract.


:rolleyes:

[Niall_Quinn]

What's so hard to understand about a contract? He does not have to sign! It's not rocket science. A club can't force him to sign.

I never once said he had to sign a contract. I said twice that it's a business relationship between himself and the club.

However. I said he and his agent are wankers for the way they have behaved. I said Sterling is a rotten cunt for the way he has played it and disrespected the club and the particularly the fans.

You say he's been stitched up by some sort of smear campaign. I say he's been stitched up by that revolting leech he has in tow who is pretending to represent his interests. But of course he had to allow that to happen.

It looks like we are talking about two different things.

It will be interesting (probably depressing) to see if players run a mile from this "agent" now he's so reviled or if they flock to him.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger is a WUM

https://twitter.com/Bruno_Constant/status/608742702168088576

L'Equipe journalist, saying that Diaby will stay but sign a deal on different terms



:rolleyes:

He missed him after a few hours? Oh well, the treatment room wouldn't be the same without him anyway.

[Power n Glory]

I never once said he had to sign a contract. I said twice that it's a business relationship between himself and the club.

However. I said he and his agent are wankers for the way they have behaved. I said Sterling is a rotten cunt for the way he has played it and disrespected the club and the particularly the fans.

You say he's been stitched up by some sort of smear campaign. I say he's been stitched up by that revolting leech he has in tow who is pretending to represent his interests. But of course he had to allow that to happen.

It looks like we are talking about two different things.

It will be interesting (probably depressing) to see if players run a mile from this "agent" now he's so reviled or if they flock to him.

This is the start of the smear campaign.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-transfers-raheem-sterling-wants-5334889


Rodgers said: “Ultimately, for players and representatives, a lot of the time it’s about two things – game-time and money.
"You see it throughout football, not just here. A player can be really happy ¬somewhere and be content and settled, and the development of the player can take place.
“As a manager, you want to give everything to the player to help them. But ultimately, if a player or their representative – probably more so their representative – decides that the player needs to move, that is normally what happens.

"Raheem has made 118 appearances and has only just turned 20. We’ve got a really strong relationship but, as I said, it is about more than that unfortunately. It isn’t like 20 or 30 years ago, when people came in and sometimes didn’t even look at the contract before signing it.
Rodgers added: “Ian Ayre does a wonderful job here, with the owners, and the model that’s been created is to incentivise deals for young players and not give them too much, too young.
"Of course, you still give them what their value and worth is, but I have seen it with so many young players - real top talents - who are way overpaid, then they disappear.
"It won’t happen here.”

The player rejects the contract and the manager and club go public. You get the old Liverpool guard like Jamie Carragher weighing and warning him about the Kop turning on him and whatever else. They’re trying to put public pressure on the player to sign. It’s a desperate move and just ruins the players rep in the process because the player and agent then respond in public. Even if he’s being led wrong, the backlash goes on to the player and he’s only 20. Shady agents but these clubs can’t be trusted either. You saw how they blocked Suarez’s move to us. He was supposed to have a contract clause along with a verbal agreement. Liverpool have handled this badly once again. Keep this sort of thing from the press and stop idiots like Carragher weighing in.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger has said similar things about agents, his comments related to Walcott are far less veiled than Rodgers'

The theory Sterling won't sign and so the club try to fuck up his image is a rank outsider compared to the probability the player and his agent are fishing for more cash. Of course the media and the pundits have piled in, it's a free lunch and they'll never pass that up. But a "campaign"? I can't think of any reason why that would be in Liverpool's interests. Isn't it far more likely this is just the increasingly common agent/ player thing? Give him a shed load of cash and guarantees on where and when he'll play and he stays, otherwise he's off? Is that beneficial or realistic representation by the agent? For a young player on his way up? I would say no. Don't forget, this agent is also trying to claw his way up. He's just gone freelance and it's pretty damn obvious he intends to make a name for himself, whether it's a good or bad name doesn't seem to concern him.

Money makes the best people do shitty things. Horrible fucking thing, money and I would say that's what's ruining this player's reputation - money.

[Power n Glory]

When speaking on the Sterling situation, Wenger said it may not be the player’s fault but the agent but also said that when things go public it’s difficult to negotiate. Things should stay behind closed doors. I agree with that which is why I’ve never agreed with what he’s said in public about Walcott’s contract negotiations. He knows better and you keep it private. Things could have gone badly because there are guys in the Arsenal camp leaking rumours of a training ground bust up and that’s not cool.

Ian Stone announced on the Tuesday Club Podcast that Winterburn had said there was a bust up between the pair and Walcott came out to deny it. Alan Davis was even saying that Wenger made a joke about the last negotiations and it being about money. It could have turned sour if Theo didn’t want to stay or if he added fuel to the flames with a public statement on negotiations. If we had ex players like Henry weighing with criticism, negotiations would probably go south. If the fans get involved and start booing then it makes it even worse and that’s what idiots like Carragher are calling for. Sterling’s agent is right. He’s a knob. You’re right, it’s not in the clubs interest to start such things but it’s out of desperation. The player isn’t budging so they leak stories.

Think back to the RVP situation. A cunt of a player, yes indeed. But it was Wenger that tried to control fan expectations when he was banging in goals and the press were running stories reminding us he hasn’t signed a new contract. Fans were saying we should pay him whatever he want, papers ran with that but Wenger came out with that comment about paying over the odds for players reaching 30 and out of their prime. Summer arrived, still no deal and PHW makes a statement about not being able to match City’s wages. Why is he making such a statement? One – he’s trying to paint the picture that RVP’s stalling on a contract for higher wages. Two – the clubs trying to attract a bid from clubs like City. Wenger made no secret of the fact that we had ‘no choice’ but to sell to United because they came were the ones that put up the bid. If City came with a bid and RVP was willing to go, that would have been the narrative. He’s a greedy shit that wanted more money or at least the narrative the clubs would have the fans believe.

It’s a shady business. The players play their part in this but the clubs are fucking sneaky.

[GP]

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

Sterling is just a kid and probably a bit thick. He's obviously been badly advised. Liverpool haven't handled the situation at all well, though.
The thing you have to remember is this is Liverpool. Always the victim. I doubt it's any kind of co-ordinated smear campaign, more just a general siege mentality.

[AFC Leveller]

"talks" between Diaby and the club? WTF can they talk about? he is finished as a top level footballer and has had about 250 diferent injuries as well as play very little football. Just get rid, end of.

[Power n Glory]

I can agree with that. It's not coordinated but they really are trying ruin the kid with amount they've said along with ex players. From Phil Thompson, Carragher, Owen today. Even if he wanted to stay he can't now.

[Niall_Quinn]

Explosion of TV and all these ex-player pundits. It's happening with Arsenal too, we have loads of ex-players spouting off. Happily Robson seems to have pissed off at least.