Swagger

I reckon Cisse.

What Herbie said.

Very optimistic. I think that Moro will stay another season, as will Robbie, thus there will be room for just one more striker - Kuyt being top of Rafa's list IMO. Lets not forget that Garcia can do a good job there too, so I doubt it will be Defoe and Kuyt/Torres. Joaquin is a winger, not a hole player, so in all likelihood it is between him, SWP and Pennant for our RM. SWP is probably Rafa's top target, but I doubt Mourinho will want to sell to us. Pennant IMO, despite his problematic attitude, is a good option, and will probably not cost too much. Gonzalez and Paletta are in the bag, and Aurelio on a free seems nailed on. That, together with a top striker and a quality RW will make a good summer. Anything over that will be a bonus.

Totally agreed.

Agreed. Doen't hurt that he likes the area, as well as being good friends with some of our players, our captain for one.

He was excellent again today. Just imagine how good he'll be in a couple of years, with more experience and maturity. Just to have him playing so soon after fears that his career could be over is fantastic.

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Milan 1-0. Inzaghi.

Agreed. People conveniently forget Rafa's long association with Real. Also, lets not forget that he has a wife and two young girls, and a move back to their home town would probably appeal to them (schools, family, etc.) Rafa hates others meddling with his team, so as long as Perez was in change, I was calm. Now that he has gone, if the new man pledges to keep out of team affairs - Rafa could well be tempted. Especially since over there he would get funds that he can only dream of here. Rafa seems the loyal type, and there is no need to panic just yet. But am I worried? Sure.

Pure class.

The reason? Perez is nuts, thats the reason. Apparently an elderly, overweight man with facial hair did not fit in with Real's galactico image. And to think that winning trophies is the important thing.

I remember we were strongly linked with him, what with our strong links to Crewe. Good striker, but that is silly money.

Besides, I don't think Torres is worth 20m, and there is no way that Rafa would spend such an amount - if he had it - on one player.

A well-informed member on Koptalk claims that once the Agger deal will be done and dusted, the club will enter negotiations with Anderlecht for Kompany. If true, and should we land him, we shall have two of Europe's most promising CBs.

Spot on. Its all a question of whether he is willing to listen and learn. If the answer is yes, Benitez and his coaches will make a fantastic player out of him.

Exactly.

I have not seen him enough to give a proper assessment, but Figaro speaks highly of him, and apparently he was one of the first players Rafa tried to sign when he joined us, so Rafa too must rate him. Josemi + 3m seems like a good deal, leaving Rafa plenty of cash elsewhere. Figaro, you reckon they will be persuaded to sell in January?

Excellent piece, Leo. Good point about Cisse's injury resulting in Rafa having less time to coach him. If Cisse is willing to learn, I am sure Benitez will transform him into a much better player than he already is.

Not cool. Not cool at all.