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Sports - September 25, 2007

Well, it’s getting to that time of year again when agents and journalists alike are trying to earn their money. Unsuprisingly, this sees our beloved Reds being linked to a host of players. Including one of about 1,000 youngsters being touted as the next Kaka. However, I, and I’m sure my fellow Kopites, am not concerned about players for the future, it’s now that’s at the forefront of our minds’.

Past couple of weeks, we have been linked with moves for both Carlton Cole and Arsenal’s Eduardo. Both very good players but Cole possibly lacks some experience for a player of his age. Let’s look at the two of them independently of each other.

Carlton Cole – There is no doubt that he is a very talented player but in the 86 games he’s played in for West Ham, He’s scored a total of 22 goals. Is this the kind of games to goals ratio that we need from our second striker?

Personally, I think people still think of Cole as a young player but he is, in fact 26 yeas oold and should be hitting his prime in the next two years. Last season he only scored 10 goals in 27 games. Again, this is just my opinion, but that’s not good enough for a striker. Yes, I do appreciate that he also does a lot of work off the ball but you have to remember that he is West Ham‘s main goal outlet. Is he worth £20million that the Hammers are alledged to have quoted Liverpool and Manchester United? I really don’t think so. He’s not going to improve that much in the next couple of years to warrent a price that high.

Eduardo – There has been a lot of talk over the weekend of about Eduardo joining Liverpool in a £10 million deal. Granted, most of it has been by Gooners fans on various fan boards. Let’s just look at this for a second. Two and a half years ago, he broke his ankle and fibula in an horrific tackle and, despite making a full recovery, has failed to start a Premier League game so far this season. In fact, Thomas Vermaelen, a defender, has scored more goals than Eduardo this season and only two less than Eduardo in his entire career at Arsenal.

Given that Arsenal are yet to open contract talks with Eduardo, I suspect that Liverpool’s interest in Eduardo is a product of his agent’s imagination. Eduardo himself has stated that he wants to stay at Arsenal but that he also wants improved terms on his contract that is due to expire in 18 months time. What better way to get this than to release a story about a team who is in need of a striker, looking to make a cheeky January bid. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Eduardo at Anfield any time soon. That is, unless he plays against us on 12 December

I don’t know what fellow Reds fans think, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a different West Ham player joining us. Of whom do I speak? None other than…..Zavor Hines. The lad has got ability and potential by the bucket full and already looks like a better player than Voronin. Yes, he would be more of a player for the future (contradicting what I said at the start of the article) but I think he would be able to get the game now. Maybe even partnering Ngog on the odd occasion and boosting both of their goal tallies. The problem with this is that he isn’t the 15-20 goal a season striker that we’re crying out for but then neither is Cole or Eduardo. The difference, with the right guidance he could be.

Of course, in any multiple choice puzzle, there’s always a secret option and this is no different. Secret option D is….our very own Krisztian Nemeth. He has so far scored 3 goals in 7 games for AEK Athens (according to Wikipedia). Given that Nemeth has just been injured, would it be worthwhile to recall him from his loan bring him back to Liverpool for treatment and some first team football? Again, he’s not a 15-20 goal a season striker but again, with work, he could be. I also think Nemeth would play much better along side Torres or Ngog than Hines or Cole would.

What do you guys think?

I’ve been Andy Morris and you’ve been reading my musings. God help you.


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