Lucas - who's Leaving?

[Leo No.8]

If, as it seems is the case we're paying £8m for a holding midfielder directly from Brazil, he's surely going to be competing for a first team place immediately.

 

The question is, if this is true and the quotes seem fairly concrete, who does this mean the end for? There is absolutely no room for an additional holding midfielder with Mascherano having recently signed and making such a big impression, and Alonso, Gerrard and Sissoko already making it crowded for places in the middle.

 

It surely has to be one in one out in central midfield - I can only think it must be one of Xabi (choice) or Momo (poor form). If it is Xabi, I can only think he's indicated he'd like to move back to Spain. I'd be gutted to see Momo go as well despite his recent poor form.

 

I'm not one for wild assumptions but I really can't see any other outcome here than a central midfielder leaving if we're paying £8m for one.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Leo No.8

[whitewidow]

No one.... and don't call me Lucas.

[Gilps]

Tend to agree. Unless there's issues with Mascherano's fee at the end of the initial deal.

[Bailo]

I wonder whether Mascherano is a long-term signing - Rafa might have though £1.5m for a season and a half is a good bit of business to tide us over until someone like Lucas could be bought.

[Magic8Ball]

If, as it seems is the case we're paying £8m for a holding midfielder directly from Brazil, he's surely going to be competing for a first team place immediately.

 

The question is, if this is true and the quotes seem fairly concrete, who does this mean the end for? There is absolutely no room for an additional holding midfielder with Mascherano having recently signed and making such a big impression, and Alonso, Gerrard and Sissoko already making it crowded for places in the middle.

 

It surely has to be one in one out in central midfield - I can only think it must be one of Xabi (choice) or Momo (poor form). If it is Xabi, I can only think he's indicated he'd like to move back to Spain. I'd be gutted to see Momo go as well despite his recent poor form.

 

I'm not one for wild assumptions but I really can't see any other outcome here than a central midfielder leaving if we're paying £8m for one.

Rafa doesn't consider Momo to be a holding midfielder thought, said as much when we signed Masherano - maybe he just wants cover so he can play 2 holding CM's when ever he wants too

[londonkopite]

I doubt Rafa will let Mascherano leave, after being so clever in getting him here. I think this lad is a replacement for Zenden, with Sissoko also moving on probably to Barcelona or Juventus. With us linked with E'to maybe Xabi is moving to the land of his father?

[Stevie H]

mancs have several centre mids. arsenal do too. chelsea have bloody lampard, makelele, ballack, essien, diarra, mikel. we have alonso, sissoko, mascherano and sort of gerrard. we're just deepening the squad i think. and playing gerrard right mid.

[Bailo]

mancs have several centre mids. arsenal do too. chelsea have bloody lampard, makelele, ballack, essien, diarra, mikel. we have alonso, sissoko, mascherano and sort of gerrard. we're just deepening the squad i think. and playing gerrard right mid.

Mancs and Arsenal don't have four centre mids with the quality and/or young age of ours though. And chelsea have been destabilised all season by having so many centre mids and having to play at least three or four of them.

[Stevie H]

Mancs and Arsenal don't have four centre mids with the quality and/or young age of ours though. And chelsea have been destabilised all season by having so many centre mids and having to play at least three or four of them.

what's your point? surely us having a better squad than the mancs and arsenal is the aim?

Edited May 11, 2007 by Steve H

[bazz]

People have to remember that players do get injured you know!

 

We are trying to win the Premiership which is a long,long campaign where key players can get injured or suspended and we need a strong squad in order to compete.

 

I don't think players as important as Alonso/Sissoko are going anywhere and that will be indicated in their contract extensions. That said anything is possible especially if we are competing with the other top clubs in Europe for players such as Eto'o/Villa/Torres and a cash plus player (Alonso) deal, may just be needed.

 

With the money we think we may have, I think in an ideal world - Rafa will want to keep all his current Midfield players and will only add a couple more attacking midfielders (Alves) and Strikers (take your pick)

 

We can't have another pre-season of 4-5 players out and 4-5 players in - it will unsettle the squad/team too much.

 

Im hoping Rafa has learned from last season in that we can't afford to start the season in October after allowing players to adjust - its just not appropriate if we are to win/challenge for the league.

[Gilps]

Mancs and Arsenal don't have four centre mids with the quality and/or young age of ours though. And chelsea have been destabilised all season by having so many centre mids and having to play at least three or four of them.

 

Chelsea always played with 3 centre mids anyway. They've been destabalised because of not playing the wingers, but that's been caused more by trying to acccomodate a second striker than a fourth centre mid.

 

Think we're going to be playing 4-2-3-1 more often than not next season. If that's the case then I can maybe see the reason for bringing in another holding player, as Gerrard would rarely (if ever) be one of the 2 in that formation.

[Leo No.8]

I understand the Mascherano queries - but I can't see it being him.

 

Reason I can't see it being him is that we've signed and paid for him for next season as well as this, so again I can't see an outlay of £8m for Lucas to play in the reserves for a year before Mascherano leaves and keeping Masch knowing he'll be replaced. This kid isn't at the Leto level, he's in the full international squad.

 

For me if a central player is to leave it has to be between Momo and Xabi. I'm worried the pull of Barca may have been too much for Xabi, and this kid would be more of a replacement for him in terms of playing style, he's more your classy playmaker from the defensive area than a Mascherano tough tackler IMO.

 

He's very, very highly rated in Brazil; He's a different type of player but more of the level of the likes of Kaka when they left Brazil than the players we've signed from South America recently, ie he's expected to go on and be one of the best around in his position. He's an exciting signing.

 

I hope none of them are going, but I'm not sure how happy we'll be able to keep all of them.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Leo No.8

[Bailo]

what's your point? surely us having a better squad than the mancs and arsenal is the aim?

Absolutely! And we do in centre midfield, just that I'm not sure we can keep them all happy. Obviously it's a nice choice to have and we don't know if a) this Lucas deal is happening and b) whether he'll walk into the first team but at 8m it looks like he's a main target.

 

Think we're going to be playing 4-2-3-1 more often than not next season. If that's the case then I can maybe see the reason for bringing in another holding player, as Gerrard would rarely (if ever) be one of the 2 in that formation.

Yep, can see that. Which makes one striker in for Bellamy the key, no more.

[Boca]

His name is Lucas

Passes balls along the floor

When he gets a sight of goal

He is going to shoot and score

[Leo No.8]

Think we're going to be playing 4-2-3-1 more often than not next season. If that's the case then I can maybe see the reason for bringing in another holding player, as Gerrard would rarely (if ever) be one of the 2 in that formation.

 

Is a good point actually, I agree we may well play that way more often next season. I think it's the formation Rafa favours if he's got the players to make it work.

 

It would mean maybe just one top striker coming in with Bellamy and Fowler leaving, and also makes the Voronin signing make more sense. He'd be 4th striker cover as well as an option in the 3 attacking midfielders.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

really really hope Xabi isn't leaving.

 

Rafa loves his central midfielders almost as much as he loves youth centrebacks though, doesn't he?

 

edit: It could be that Rafa is lining him up for playing 3-5-2 next season. Having all five would make sense in that light.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Anders Honoré

[Wardy]

We've either had a good offer for Momo or Xabi's off to Barca.

 

Xabi was supposed to be getting a new contract wasn't he?

[Stevie H]

edit: It could be that Rafa is lining him up for playing 3-5-2 next season. Having all five would make sense in that light.

 

not a f***ing chance.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I remember your comments when we played juve.

[anny road]

We've either had a good offer for Momo or Xabi's off to Barca.

 

Xabi was supposed to be getting a new contract wasn't he?

 

 

he is

 

you lot are drama queens

 

1. he hasnt signed

2. even if he does he will add competition...Stevie will play in other positions agast the better sides leaving four to fight it out,,,,,,given injuries it is a wise move

3. Wont Momo be going to ACN?

 

 

Xabi is going nowhere

[Stevie H]

that was a case of needs must due to injuries. no way on earth will rafa play 3-5-2 in the league by choice.

[Guest SteMano]

He looks ok from this compilation. Good soundtrack as well !

 

http://www.recontragolazo.com/?p=339

[Leo No.8]

We've either had a good offer for Momo or Xabi's off to Barca.

 

Xabi was supposed to be getting a new contract wasn't he?

 

This is another thing which concerns me; it seems Carra and Gerrard are close to signing and Reina has made it quite clear he wants to do so, but it seems Xabi's has been put on hold and we've not heard much from him.

 

He'd be a huge loss, but hopefully it's just a lot of worrying over nothing and we're looking at fitting them all in. Gilps' theory over a 4-2-3-1 is something I agree with, and I've thought since the Arsenal game that Rafa may want that as his model for next season. In which case there would probably be room for them all.

 

One thing is for sure, whichever position you expect Rafa to go out and buy for, he usually does the opposite!

[anny road]

This is another thing which concerns me; it seems Carra and Gerrard are close to signing and Reina has made it quite clear he wants to do so, but it seems Xabi's has been put on hold and we've not heard much from him.

 

He'd be a huge loss, but hopefully it's just a lot of worrying over nothing and we're looking at fitting them all in. Gilps' theory over a 4-2-3-1 is something I agree with, and I've thought since the Arsenal game that Rafa may want that as his model for next season. In which case there would probably be room for them all.

 

One thing is for sure, whichever position you expect Rafa to go out and buy for, he usually does the opposite!

 

 

 

eh??? the only comment has been about Gerrard and Carra

 

I take it from your assumption Finnan must be off to as I have heard nothing about his

[Stevie H]

eh??? the only comment has been about Gerrard and Carra

 

I take it from your assumption Finnan must be off to as I have heard nothing about his

or agger.