Winter Transfer Speculation and Shit.

Interesting thoughts on the striker options we are left with.

Balotelli is someone I'd be hesitant to sign. There's no question that he's talented, but hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard, and he doesn't. His best ever goal scoring league return is 13, and he's only got into double figures twice in the league after seven years of playing for clubs like Inter, City and Milan. Having said that he's still obviously still young, so can't be blamed too much for his poor return so far. Our squad right now is actually a model of professionalism, hard work, teamwork, and team spirit. Non of these are words I'd associate with Ballotelli. I'd far rather go for someone like Benteke who smashed in 23 goals in his debut season last year for a struggling Villa, despite being on a bit of a current drought.

Pragmatically, signing Berbatov for 2m and then going all out for Costa/Falcao over summer would obviously be the best idea, and would certainly be my preferred choice all things considered if we can't get a superstar in now.

Morata on loan I wouldn't bother with. What can you expect from a kid in a new league, only here for a few months? I'd be far more interested in a permanent deal, purely based on how highly rated he is.

Pato I'd hate us to sign, for reasons I've explained previously on GW.

Berba would be a great and realistic buy this January. Whoever it is, lets conclude the deal ASAP. No point dilly dallying around like muppets till the last minute! Berba will give us the extra edge when we look clueless around the opposing box. Sure, he can be lazy but for all that talent, I can look past that!

And WHY havent we got Sanga signed on an extension yet?!! If we let him leave on a free, it will be stand out among the many shit decisions our club has taken in the last few years. Sagna has been tremendous this season and us not having a super deal for him seems stupid and senseless!

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Originally Posted by Globalgunner

Balotelli, it's a no brainer for me as he is basically, the most talented and more importantly, the only quality striker available in the known football world. Don't forget that we are in desperate need of his quality as I can see our bid for honours stalling if we refuse to improve the squad. Also and this is important. Balotelli himself is fast running out of options. Outside ourselves and the 2 Spanish giants, there are really no A grade clubs left that the can go to. In England he would feel at home and free of the racist B.S in Italy.
It's a big risk I know especially as he would easily be our highest earner, I believe he was on 180k at City, so there's that, but if available, even on loan, I think we should.

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That's a little OTT don't you think....
There's nothing to be gained from AC's point of view from a loan deal.... and as much as we think he is some desperate lost soul just waiting for Wenger to turn him into Pele, he has openly stated how much he loves AC Milan many times and before he was back there he was quite candid about that too. He's not exactly seeking a way out and with his undying love for our media I'd suggest getting him over here would be slightly more difficult than a few think.

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Originally Posted by I_Killed_Kenny

gotta say I am a big fan of Balotelli's. yes he is a nutter but is top top talent. no one can tame him but I think he is worth it. considering he may be available for around 20m I think its a great deal ( I just pulled that figure out of air btw). costa is smashing it right now but release clause of what, £38m????

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Costa's clause fee is 32 million of your Queen's gold nuggets gov'nor.

One thing I do love about Balotelli - that technique!

There are some good youtube vids of Man City training - him vs Joe Hart from outside the box. No one was smashing it as consistently, ferociously and emphatically past the GK more often than Balotelli.

I'd LOVE to watch a similar sort of training session with our team. I reckon Chamberlain, Poldi and Rambo would be pelting the goal. I'd love to see if Walcott really does bury free kicks in training like you'd assume he does.

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Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice

That's a little OTT don't you think....
There's nothing to be gained from AC's point of view from a loan deal.... and as much as we think he is some desperate lost soul just waiting for Wenger to turn him into Pele, he has openly stated how much he loves AC Milan many times and before he was back there he was quite candid about that too. He's not exactly seeking a way out and with his undying love for our media I'd suggest getting him over here would be slightly more difficult than a few think.



Costa's clause fee is 32 million of your Queen's gold nuggets gov'nor.

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Costa is no saint and comes with baggage as well. He's just as much of a risk.

Every promo/training session/clip I see Chamberlain in, he looks like he is banging them in from all over the place. With the recent hype around Barkley I have actually been wondering how people feel the two compare.

I would be slightly concerned about Berbatov's ability to keep up with our counter attacks.....such is the lethargy of his game at times these days. I'd still take him over nobody though, because if you give him the ball in front of goal, he is capable of coming up with that little bit of skill, footwork or a strike to make the difference.

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Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice

Costa's clause fee is 32 million of your Queen's gold nuggets gov'nor.

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Cheers for that blink. Even at 32m i would still take balo. Someone has said about his strike rate not being great but as also pointed out, he is young. Plus was he a starter at all those teams? He wasnt a definate at city and still got a 1 in 2 record for them i think. Proven to hold his own in the prem. Physically strong, tekkers, eye for goal. Can play lone man.

I dont think he is project at all. He will come in and get right in there. Unlike a costa or someone who will need the time to adjust. Cant afford that if we are going for title this year.

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Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice

Every promo/training session/clip I see Chamberlain in, he looks like he is banging them in from all over the place. With the recent hype around Barkley I have actually been wondering how people feel the two compare.

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I think they're fairly similar. Both quite powerful runners and physically very strong for their age. Barkley is playing in his natural position though while Oxlade was cutting his teeth on the right before his injury. Would be good to have him back ASAP because he's more direct than our other midfielders, so he'd add something new and fresh hopefully.

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Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

Costa is no saint and comes with baggage as well. He's just as much of a risk.

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Costa is a petulant, just as bad if not worse than Balotelli.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTeVf0I_JmA

Watch 01:05, dirty fucker and I am not Ramos's fan at all.