4 OUT, 3 IN, Liverpool make £30m transfer bids: Rafa starts summer planning
May 6, 2008
So, here we are just one match from seasons end and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has many irons in the fire. With moves involving a mass of Premier League teams including Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Newcastle among others.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is on the verge of a summer clearout with £30m rated quartet Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant, John Arne Riise and Xabi Alonso all set to leave in order to bring in the cash for bid for the likes of Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry, Borussia Dortmund full-back Philipp Degen and Wigan Athletic’s Antonio Valencia. (various)
So that’s one hell of a transfer mouthful. Some of these deals seem more likely than others but it does seem like the Spaniard wants to make a raft of changes. Are the players linked with moves to and from Anfield the kind that Liverpool fans would agree with?
Aston Villa and West Ham battle it out for £5m Premier League star
May 6, 2008
Gareth Southgate appears to have a big of a problem in the summer, a host of players seem to have made it clear they are on the lookout for a Riverside exit, and this latest target has attracted many suitors.
Aston Villa and West Ham are showing interest in £5m-rated midfielder Gary O’Neil, who is set to quit Middlesbrough just 10 months after signing. (The Sun)
The 25 year old’s career has stuttered somewhat in recent years and his move to Boro hasn’t been a fantastic one. Clearly both Curbs and Martin O’Neill have much to offer the former England Under 21 man but which club would win the race?
Aston Villa team-mate thinks Barry should go to Liverpool
May 5, 2008
In fact, Patrik Berger has said that the midfielder would ‘be mad’ to pass up the opportunity to sign on at Anfield, according to The Sun. Despite Rafael Benitez’s best efforts to try and keep schtum about Liverpool’s £10million bid for the England international last week, it’s clear that the Reds are keen to sign Gareth Barry as they continue to build a title-challenging squad on Merseyside.
The Czech midfielder, 34, said: “If I was in Gareth’s position I would go there tomorrow.
“It is the opportunity of a lifetime — Liverpool don’t come after you every year.
“He is the heart of our team and it would be a massive challenge for him.
“I’m not surprised they want to sign him. He has had a fantastic season and was our main player from the beginning to the end.”
Surely this is a done deal? After all, the player himself has talked about furthering his ambitions and being selfish when it comes to next career steps. Martin O’Neill has talked about his uncertainty of keeping his captain and Liverpool are super-keen. Will Arsene Wenger also start sniffing around now that it’s clear that Mathieu Flamini is jumping ship?
Martin O’Neill throws Rafa over his knee and spanks him (metaphorically)
May 3, 2008
The Sun are telling anyone that can read that Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is in a mouth frothing frenzy over Liverpool’s Gareth Barry bid. Apparently the Anfield club sent over a fax to their Aston Villa counterparts offering some dosh and several anonymous players in exchange for Gareth Barry - a veritable Pot Luck offer.
O’Neill wasn’t happy at all though saying:
“I am disappointed and that’s an understatement.
“I have spoken to the chairman and Randy Lerner is equally disappointed — and that’s an understatement.
“It’s a deliberate unsettling tactic and particularly disruptive the day before a game.
“It’s not how I would like to conduct business. I will be returning the call and maybe speak to Rafa and I will make the point to Liverpool.”
So all in all pretty shoddy stuff from Liverpool!
Liverpool start the bidding for Aston Villa captain
May 2, 2008
Do I hear £11million for this England international? It’s not yet clear whether Chelsea or even Arsenal will enter the race for the Aston Villa midfielder although it appears that Liverpool have wasted no time since their Champions League exit on Wednesday night trying to recruit Gareth Barry. The Daily Mail report that there is a £10million bid on the table from the Merseyside club, who fit the player’s criteria in terms of Champions League football and a likely starting place for many of their matches.
The Reds are believed to have formally contacted Villa yesterday (Thursday) with their bid for the England midfielder.
There has been speculation for the past fortnight that 27-year-old Barry has emerged as one of Rafael Benitez’s major summer transfer targets.
It’s clear that Liverpool supporters would be delighted to land the Villa skipper, who has recently ousted Frank Lampard in the England starting XI, with Capello choose to play him alongside Steven Gerrard. It’s safe to say Fernando Torres wouldn’t be arguing with another playmaker in the middle of the park either, while the 27-year-old would also be good for 10+ goals per season.
Three things can now happen:
1) Liverpool land Barry
2) Another club bids for him
3) He talks to Martin O’Neill and decides to stay
The last option is looking increasinly unlikely, especially with Liverpool looking to steal a march on rival suitors.
Spurs no hoper about to head for 8m exit: Better late than never!
May 1, 2008
Pascal Chimbonda is not a popular man at White Hart Lane it seems, fans have complaints about his consistency, his attempts to orchestrate a way out earlier in the season and above all, his attitude.
Aston Villa and Portsmouth will battle it out for £8m rated Pascal Chimbonda after the full-back was told he has no future at Tottenham. (Daily Mirror)
So £8m for Chimbonda? Ramos would be a fool to turn that down but that apparently is the valuation of the Wigan Athletic man but will either of these clubs pay this kind of money for the Frenchman, I doubt it! Will Spurs fans welcome the exit of Pascal.
Liverpool after FIVE brits for £65m: Rafa finds two good homegrown talents worth bidding for!
April 30, 2008
Rafa Benitez has been linked with a raft of British talents, from current internationals to up and coming hot prospects.
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) £15 rated - The Mirror says there is increasing optimism at Anfield that the chance of playing Champions League football next season will be the key to luring Barry to Merseyside from Aston Villa in the summer.
Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff City) £4m rated - Ramsey is lighting up the Bluebirds side and has already been linked with big money moves to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. (various)
David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers) £20 rated - According to reports in the The Express, Liverpool want to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley.
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) £12 rated - The Daily Mail reports today that Liverpool will compete with Newcastle for the signing of Aaron Lennon.
Michael Johnson (Manchester City) £14 rated - Liverpool are a step closer to landing Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson.
The Sun says Johnson is considering his future at Eastlands over the way manager Sven Goran Eriksson has been treated.
Of these five I think that realistically Rafa would only really be interested in Michael Johnson, a great prospect, and Gareth Barry, at his peak. The others are either not needed because Liverpool has plenty of talent in their given position or is just not really worth considering as a potential Liverpool player. Who out of these five would Anfield fans really like to see in a Liverpool shirt?
Spurs face competition for £5m man: Is he really worth fighting for?
April 30, 2008
Tottenham have been chasing keeper Carlos Kameni for some time now, but now another Premier League side has joined the race.
Aston Villa are ready to beat Tottenham for Espanyol’s £5m-rated Cameroon international goalkeeper Carlos Kameni. (Daily Mail)
Clearly Tottenham need a keeper and the Espanyol man would be a decent, if unspectacular signing, and it did seem a few weeks ago that this was a done deal. There are a number of keepers out there linked with both clubs who have both seen an upturn in fortunes and are both clubs who have been rejuvenated and are far more likely to attract top class names. But is Carlos a top name
Liverpool after £30m midfield pair: One GREAT buy, One BAD buy!
April 29, 2008
It does seem from comments from Rafa and the incessant speculation in the press that Benitez is keen to bring in British talent to Anfield. Some say this is mainly due to the potential rule changes that could stipulate the need for a certain amount of homegrown players who knows, either way it
There is also increasing optimism at Anfield that the chance of playing Champions League football next season will be the key to luring Gareth Barry to Anfield (The Mirror)
The burgeoning rivalry between Chelsea and Liverpool could spill over into the transfer market this summer with the London club preparing to move for David Bentley (The Times)
In case you’re wondering, I consider Gareth Barry to be potentially a great buy and Bentley to be a potentially very bad one. Both players values seem to fluctuate but are around £15m each and to be honest I think forking out that much for the Blackburn man would be an error of judgment I wouldn’t think Rafa would make. However talk of Barry’s potential move to Anfield seems more realistic. I really can’t see the England midfielder, who is having his best season yet, moving to Chelsea where many a English midfielder has failed (Sidwell and Parker being two obvious examples). Who do Liverpool fans feel would be the better investment?
Arsenal fans forget Flamini! Wenger has a perfect £15m replacement in mind!
April 29, 2008
Well it is looking increasingly more likely that the Flamster has done a ‘Marseille’ on them, well he had previous but even I thought he wouldn’t do it again. You have to question a player who has now sold two clubs down the river after claiming he just needed time and all was fine, well worry not because Arsene has a readymade replacement that could fit in well at the Emirates.
The People says Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is weighing up a move for Aston Villa’s £15m rated England midfielder Gareth Barry as he appears resigned to losing Frenchman Mathieu Flamini.
Now Gareth Barry may not instantly look like a ‘Wenger’ like player but I reckon he could be just what the club needs. The guy has bags of experience, good vision, an eye for goal and grit and determination in abundance and above all else he is now at his peak. He could be just the kind of player who will help the Gunners very youthful side tick along nicely, what do Arsenal fans think? Also how do they feel about Flamini’s behaviour!
FIVE to leave Liverpool for £30m as Rafa makes summer plans: Keep ONE, sell FOUR!
April 29, 2008
It appears that this summer will be a busy one for Rafa Benitez as he hopes to steer Liverpool nearer to the Premier League title next time around. The following five players are strongly linked with moves away from Merseyside.
Portsmouth owner Sacha Gaydamak is backing manager Harry Redknapp’s £7m bid for Peter Crouch. (The Express)
Jermaine Pennant is set to leave the Anfield club and move to Newcastle United where manager Kevin Keegan is said to be keen to sign the 25-year-old winger. (goal.com)
Defender John Arne Riise fears he is heading for the Anfield exit in the summer. The Norway international has one-year remaining on his present deal (Sky News)
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will make no decision on whether he wants to keep on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson permanently until the end of the season. The Villa boss was originally sceptical about paying the £9m asking price (PA)
Liverpool are expected to demand a transfer fee of £2million if Bolton Wanderers try to keep Danny Guthrie at the Reebok. (Bolton News)
Of these five I reckon only Crouch is really worthy of keeping. Carson is a good keeper but I think Rafa has made it clear the England man is not part of his plans. Riise and Pennant have had a fair crack of the whip but neither is in my view Liverpool material and Guthrie will find it next to impossible to get a run in a Reds midfield so graced with talent. What do Anfield supporters think?
PFA Team of the Year Shows Why Chelsea Shouldn’t Win The Title
April 29, 2008
David James (Portsmouth)
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
This weeks PFA awards, which named Ronaldo as the best player in the Premiership for the second year, honoured those players who have been the best all season in their respected positions. Awards obviously went to players from Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, and even Aston Villa and Portsmouth got in on the action.
However, not one player from the title-chasing juggernaught that is Chelsea was present.
Does this show how unworthy Chelsea are of winning the title? They have not played entertaining football meaning none of their so-called ’superstars’ have played good enough football to be named as the best in the league. Chelsea fans may claim that winning the league is a team effort but a quick glance back at the list and there are three players from Manchester United, three from Arsenal and two from Liverpool. This shows that these teams are just that: teams.
Granted it all boils down to how many points you get, but when it is this tight at the top and you have to make a choice, I’d rather see a team playing entertaining football win the title. Those are the teams people remember. The teams people are proud to call “the best in the country”. United’s Treble-winners of 1999. Arsenal’s Invincibles of 2004. These teams are remembered as they played glorious football en route to the title.
Will anyone say the same about Chelsea if they win the 2008 Premier League title? The PFA seems to think not.
Aston Villa to decide between two £9m signings: Tough decision!
April 28, 2008
It seems that Martin O’Neill has two keepers to choose from and both will cost around the same and it’s down to the Villa boss which one he opts to sign up.
£9m rated PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is a target for Aston Villa. (The People)
Martin O’Neill sent chief scout Ian Storey-Moore to watch the PSV Eindhoven keeper at their recent UEFA Cup tie against Fiorentina.
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill says no decision will be made over on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson until the summer.
“I will wait until the end of the season. Liverpool are heavily involved now in competitions so we will wait and then all parties will sit down.
“Liverpool have not come on the phone asking ‘what are you doing?’ and I have not gone on to them and said ‘what are you thinking?’ We are prepared to leave it.
“With all the hullabaloo surrounding Liverpool at the moment, I would have been surprised if they were sitting down to have a discussion (about Carson). At the end of the season we will decide - all of us.”
O’Neill added: “I haven’t really said anything to Scott either way. I speak to his agent pretty regularly about things. He always asks how Scott is doing.
“Scott will be given that viewpoint - but I am sure he would like to hear it from a manager!” (various)
Benitez reportedly wanted 9m for Carson, a fee that originally scared off O’Neill. Now he has two keepers in the same price range, who do Villa fans think they should opt for?
Manchester United superstar wins player of the year, Arsenal midfielder is the best young gun
April 28, 2008
It must have come as no surprise to anyone to see Cristiano Ronaldo win PFA Player of the Year on Sunday evening. The Portuguese winger-cum-striker has been nothing short of sensational throughout the season, scoring 38 goals in all competitions to date and helping steer Manchester United towards another Premier League crown and a Champions League victory.
The Guardian report that Ronaldo picks up the award for a second successive season, what price a third next term, providing the Red Devils number seven stays free from injury, something he seems quite adept at doing. The player was suitably chuffed at receiving the recognition.
“I feel very happy,” he said. “When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure. It is a great motivation to carry on like that, to work more and get better.”
It’s clear that no resting on laurels took place last term when Ronaldo won the award, although it’s scary to think that the boy might continue to improve! There was also joy for Cesc Fabregas as he won the young player’s award, which at least will go some way to compensating for Arsenal’s entertaining yet potless season.
“I’m very proud. It’s a very prestigious trophy,” said the midfielder. “Football is a collective game and you prefer to win trophies with team-mates but it’s always nice to have this type of award. I dedicate it to my team-mates because without them I would not have won.”
Fabregas’ Spanish team-mate Fernando Torres can consider himself unlucky not to have won the award, especially as he’s been so impressive during his first season in the Premier League. The Liverpool number nine is one of the reasons why the Reds might yet win the Champions League and will surely have his hands on one of these awards in seasons to come.
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Do you agree with PFA Team of the Season?
April 28, 2008
Especially the decision to not include a single Chelsea player in the line-up? After all, this is a team which could still quite feasibly win the Premier League title, while they are favourites to beat Liverpool and make it to the Champions League final.
Team: James (Portsmouth); Sagna (Arsenal), Ferdinand, Vidic (Man U), Clichy (Arsenal); Ronaldo (Man U), Gerrard (Liverpool), Fabregas (Arsenal), Young (Villa); Adebayor (Arsenal), Torres (Liverpool).
Are there any glaring omissions from the XI selected? Naturally, these things are always subjective, although it’s difficult to argue that any of the above haven’t stood out for their teams this season. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and John Terry might have had more of a look-in if they hadn’t been injured for chunks of the season, while the likes of Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and Glen Johnson have all performed extremely well for their respective clubs.
Who would feature in your team of the season?
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