This summer's targets?

[bax]

Given that all the talk from Gillett and Hicks has been (on the surface) positive, and given that Hicks has got a track record of splashing the cash when he signed A-Rod to Texas (albeit there was a salary cap in place and it didn't work out), who do you think Rafa's primary targets will be in the summer? Hicks and Gillett have stated that they would support Rafa for whatever players he goes after which kinda means that no-one is off limits. Now, being sensible we can't say that Ronaldinho, Kaka etc will all be coming to Anfield but I think we can realistically raise our hopes for this summer above other summers.

 

Personally, I'd be happy with a new right back (Finnan is fine but we're desperately short of cover) and some much needed creativity in attack - whether that be from midfield, out wide or up-front. I hate to say it but a player of the mould of Ronaldo - hateful wee diving cheat apart - would be ideal. In an ideal world we'd sign Alves who looks superb every time I see him, Villa who would cost a helluva lot of cash but is gettable and an attacking midfielder but I'm at a loss to think of a realistic target that would excite the fans. The best players of this type, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo are simply not options. Players in the tier below that - Ribery, Joaquin, Robinho don't exactly set the pulse racing.

 

Aside from that it's possible that Sami will be moved on as well but I'd like to see us keep him as cover. If he is sold we'd need a new centre back if Rafa doesn't think that Paletta is ready/will make it. IMO, on the way out will be Kewell, Robbie, Pennant, Zenden and Dudek. Any thoughts?

[Hassony]

Given that all the talk from Gillett and Hicks has been (on the surface) positive, and given that Hicks has got a track record of splashing the cash when he signed A-Rod to Texas (albeit there was a salary cap in place and it didn't work out), who do you think Rafa's primary targets will be in the summer? Hicks and Gillett have stated that they would support Rafa for whatever players he goes after which kinda means that no-one is off limits. Now, being sensible we can't say that Ronaldinho, Kaka etc will all be coming to Anfield but I think we can realistically raise our hopes for this summer above other summers.

 

Personally, I'd be happy with a new right back (Finnan is fine but we're desperately short of cover) and some much needed creativity in attack - whether that be from midfield, out wide or up-front. I hate to say it but a player of the mould of Ronaldo - hateful wee diving cheat apart - would be ideal. In an ideal world we'd sign Alves who looks superb every time I see him, Villa who would cost a helluva lot of cash but is gettable and an attacking midfielder but I'm at a loss to think of a realistic target that would excite the fans. The best players of this type, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo are simply not options. Players in the tier below that - Ribery, Joaquin, Robinho don't exactly set the pulse racing.

 

Aside from that it's possible that Sami will be moved on as well but I'd like to see us keep him as cover. If he is sold we'd need a new centre back if Rafa doesn't think that Paletta is ready/will make it. IMO, on the way out will be Kewell, Robbie, Pennant, Zenden and Dudek. Any thoughts?

not really

[fyds]

Well, I'm stimied...

[RafaShanks]

I'm surprised it took this long for a thread like this to rear it's ugly head.

[smurfinaus]

I guess everyone has their own wishlist... but who would Rafa target aside from Alves and possibly Villa?.

Its about time we got a decent LB imho.......

[anfield]

Rafa's not helping

from soccernet

 

 

Updated: Feb. 9, 2007

Benitez planning 'world class' signings

 

Rafael Benitez accepts that life will be easier for him in the transfer market under Liverpool's new American owners.

 

 

But although he claims the club will never be the same again, he insists he does not feel any extra pressure working for owners who do not know his qualities and track record intimately.

 

 

And the Anfield chief believes the club is in for a major transformation following the midweek takeover by new co-chairmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

 

However, at the moment very little has changed. The American circus has returned across the pond and former chairman David Moores, still a director, will be in his usual seat in the directors' box when Liverpool face Newcastle on Tyneside in a crucial Premier League match.

 

Benitez sees only good in the future and, even if he has not been told how much money he will have to spend, he does reveal that he 'will only now be looking to signing top class players'.

 

Benitez, who will be missing the suspended Xabi Alonso at St James Park but expects to have Mohamed Sissoko finally back from injury, said: 'It has been a very important week and something that will change everything.

 

'We talked about the future of the club, not money or this player or that player. We talked about who we had in the squad and ideas for the future.

 

'They were nice people and good businessmen. That is a good mix, they can then do the right things for the club in terms of money and how we grow.

 

'They will try to do the things they are doing in the States with regard to marketing. That is what they are really good at. We can grow and improve.'

 

He added: 'It could be a problem of inflated fees now, but I am happy with my scouting department and we are doing a good job now without any big money.

 

'We have enough money to do business now and if we have more in the future it could be easier. If we have two players we like and one is more expensive, maybe now we can consider signing him.

 

'We are doing the right things now and maybe we will not need to spend big money in the summer.'

 

Benitez, who takes his squad to Portugal on Monday for a five-day warm-weather training camp, dismisses talk of extra pressures on him, saying: 'I do not feel under any more pressure. When you sign for a new club they may know something about you but they do not really know you.

 

'So this situation is no different. They know enough about us, they are clever, certainly not stupid.

 

'They know how important it is to keep the same things, the players, the manager. They will be calm and give us support.

 

'Everything is positive, the future of the club is brilliant and I had a very good meeting with the new investors.

 

'They will do their best for club. Not just with money for signing players, they will try to improve everything.

 

'They know they do not have experience in football, but they are people who know about sport. That is important.

 

'We talked a lot about the ideas for the club, they will do the right things. They understand the passion of this club and our supporters.

 

'We have not talked about budgets, more ideas and how to keep the team at the top of the table to remain contenders.'

 

He added: 'But I will have more money, normally that will make things easier. But I have said to them that it is not a problem of money, more to do the right things at the right moment.

 

'I have no figures in mind. But we have always been watching top class players, who we believe can improve the squad. We have a really good squad now, but to make the next step higher we can only sign top class players.

 

'More money will make it better for us. Manchester United have spent big money on key players, and now we have the spine of a team maybe we can approach the market like they have done. But it is not going to be a Chelsea-situation here.'

 

Benitez said: 'We have plans to improve everything. The stadium, the squad, young players, everything that can be really good for the club.

 

'If we get a bigger stadium we will have more fans supporting us in every game and that will help. It will also bring in more money, and that is very positive.

 

'What we must do is to take the atmosphere from Anfield to the new stadium.

 

'We will continue doing the same things. I am talking to (chief executive) Rick Parry every day, we cannot stop doing what we have always done.

 

'First it is Newcastle, then the rest of the season and then what we will do in the summer.

 

'I read that I will have £100million in the summer, I know nothing of that. At the moment we do not have any money. We are just preparing for the future.'

[Guest Linton]

I would like to see a new LB before a new RB. We already have Arbeloa and Peltier capable of filling in. A new LB would be in more need. Lahm anyone? We also need to sign a world class striker and a player capable of locking up the Everton's of this world. Alves, Lahm and a striker would do it for me. I know I don't ask for much...

[G Richards]

Alves

Bale

Villa

Woodgate

Mascherano (already here)

[cArLiTo]

Given that all the talk from Gillett and Hicks has been (on the surface) positive, and given that Hicks has got a track record of splashing the cash when he signed A-Rod to Texas (albeit there was a salary cap in place and it didn't work out), who do you think Rafa's primary targets will be in the summer? Hicks and Gillett have stated that they would support Rafa for whatever players he goes after which kinda means that no-one is off limits. Now, being sensible we can't say that Ronaldinho, Kaka etc will all be coming to Anfield but I think we can realistically raise our hopes for this summer above other summers.

 

Personally, I'd be happy with a new right back (Finnan is fine but we're desperately short of cover) and some much needed creativity in attack - whether that be from midfield, out wide or up-front. I hate to say it but a player of the mould of Ronaldo - hateful wee diving cheat apart - would be ideal. In an ideal world we'd sign Alves who looks superb every time I see him, Villa who would cost a helluva lot of cash but is gettable and an attacking midfielder but I'm at a loss to think of a realistic target that would excite the fans. The best players of this type, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo are simply not options. Players in the tier below that - Ribery, Joaquin, Robinho don't exactly set the pulse racing.

 

Aside from that it's possible that Sami will be moved on as well but I'd like to see us keep him as cover. If he is sold we'd need a new centre back if Rafa doesn't think that Paletta is ready/will make it. IMO, on the way out will be Kewell, Robbie, Pennant, Zenden and Dudek. Any thoughts?

 

I think it would be ridiculous if we were to get rid of Pennant.

 

Don't know how people cannot see what a neat player he is..

[meepins]

Kakaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[abc]

Kakaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

According to a friend who's Portuguese, Kaka is a nickname for Carlos. But if spelt with the c, caca actually means cack in Portuguese...

[Hassony]

According to a friend who's Portuguese, Kaka is a nickname for Carlos. But if spelt with the c, caca actually means cack in Portuguese...

so we shouldn't sign him then?

[Guest anfieldanfield]

Two top class wingers and a goalscorer.

 

A left back and another center back would be handy too, but are not essential.

[alias75]

Id love Alves here because hes such an exciting player but its a bind cos right side isnt a priority at the moment, but imagine a right side of Alves and Gerrard pretty unstoppable.

 

A top quality left winger is probably our #1 concern at the moment not too many names spring to mind though, maybe Simoa.

 

Todays game also showed up the need for a real top quality striker, Villa and Torres are 2 possibles, we need someone that is clinical in front of goal, if it means sacrificing someone like Crouch then so be it.

 

Should Mascherano sign central midfield is very strong and that also frees Gerrard to play wide right making that position in less need of fixing with Pennant being used more as a backup.

 

Central defence i also think is strong enough providing the new guy is up to scratch.

[windy city red]

 

A top quality left winger is probably our #1 concern at the moment not too many names spring to mind though, maybe Simoa.

 

 

Simao is predominantly right-footed and cuts into the right a little too much for my liking. Pires was fantastic for Arsenal like that but I still think I would prefer a left winger who stayed wide.

[alias75]

Simao is predominantly right-footed and cuts into the right a little too much for my liking. Pires was fantastic for Arsenal like that but I still think I would prefer a left winger who stayed wide.

 

I know that but he does play wide left a lot, more than anything we need wide players that will attack their full backs and provide a goal threat too. How many goals have we got from our wingers this season?

[Bootle Buck]

Miroslav Klose from Werder Bremen

[passater]

Given that all the talk from Gillett and Hicks has been (on the surface) positive, and given that Hicks has got a track record of splashing the cash when he signed A-Rod to Texas (albeit there was a salary cap in place and it didn't work out), who do you think Rafa's primary targets will be in the summer? Hicks and Gillett have stated that they would support Rafa for whatever players he goes after which kinda means that no-one is off limits. Now, being sensible we can't say that Ronaldinho, Kaka etc will all be coming to Anfield but I think we can realistically raise our hopes for this summer above other summers.

 

Personally, I'd be happy with a new right back (Finnan is fine but we're desperately short of cover) and some much needed creativity in attack - whether that be from midfield, out wide or up-front. I hate to say it but a player of the mould of Ronaldo - hateful wee diving cheat apart - would be ideal. In an ideal world we'd sign Alves who looks superb every time I see him, Villa who would cost a helluva lot of cash but is gettable and an attacking midfielder but I'm at a loss to think of a realistic target that would excite the fans. The best players of this type, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo are simply not options. Players in the tier below that - Ribery, Joaquin, Robinho don't exactly set the pulse racing.

 

Aside from that it's possible that Sami will be moved on as well but I'd like to see us keep him as cover. If he is sold we'd need a new centre back if Rafa doesn't think that Paletta is ready/will make it. IMO, on the way out will be Kewell, Robbie, Pennant, Zenden and Dudek. Any thoughts?

There's no salary cap in baseball.

[Mr Makaveli]

I'm surprised it took this long for a thread like this to rear it's ugly head.

 

whats so funny?

[oran]

while ronaldinho and c.ronaldo might not be realistic targets,i think kaka is a possibility.the way milan are doing they wont be in the champions league next season,and football in italy looks very unstable, i think we can pull a surprise.but...

i dont think we will splash the cash on him as we have gerrard (and i prefer gerrard).

i also think that rafa plans on gerrard on the right wing (given there arent many top class wingers) hence mascherano,and alves is planned to be a RB.

as for LB,if we are looking (and i believe we are) then lahm would be the best i think (never saw bale).

 

now,the two positions that look most important to improve are LW and a striker.

for LW,i cant think of too many who i would really "drool" over.vicente would be great,but too injury prone.i think quaresma may be our "ronaldo" and he can play both flanks.

as for striker i would want torres.i know some of you dont rate him,but i think he has the biggest potential.villa would also be great.i dont think we will go for klose.

and another thought about striker:ashton.

was always impressive when i saw him,and with west-ham situation,i think he can be a great,young,english striker for a low cost.

[Stevie H]

According to a friend who's Portuguese, Kaka is a nickname for Carlos. But if spelt with the c, caca actually means cack in Portuguese...

kaka got his nickname because his younger brother had a speech impediment and couldn't say 'ricardo'.

[T@Z]

 

and another thought about striker:ashton.

was always impressive when i saw him,and with west-ham situation,i think he can be a great,young,english striker for a low cost.

 

Even if West Ham go down still think they would want 10 million+ for Ashton!!!! English = inflated prices Ashley Young for 9 million your having a laugh!!!

[Magic8Ball]

what would you pay for Tottenhams Lennon ? - seems Tottenham are still after Kewell ... any chance of a Part-Ex ?

[R A Softlad]

Imagine...

[RafaShanks]

what would you pay for Tottenhams Lennon ? - seems Tottenham are still after Kewell ... any chance of a Part-Ex ?

 

I'd rather have Alves thanks.