sid lowe says we should sign david villa

[Stevie H]

Crowd shows up well, as does Torres' perfect partner

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/20...england-benitez

Rafael Benítez may have been worried about his striker's fitness, but he'd be better off wondering how to get David Villa to Anfield

 

With every minute Rafael Benítez grew more concerned but, like those who feared a repeat of the racist chanting that marred the last meeting between these two countries in 2004, he need not have worried. Fernando Torres did not break down last night. Instead, he was withdrawn after 64 minutes to a roar of approval from ­Andalucía and a sigh of relief from Anfield. Vicente del Bosque insisted that he will return to Liverpool in "perfect" condition, more than capable of playing two games a week for the rest of the season.

 

The credibility of Benítez's insistence that his team have the attacking power to maintain a title challenge, even in the absence of the offloaded Robbie Keane and the injured Steven Gerrard, was not stretched further by a setback for the man on whom much of their hopes now rest. Nor was Spain's reputation damaged further by racist abuse. Instead, there was a fiesta; whistling of God Save the Queen and mocking of David Beckham was as bad as it got.

 

But if Torres survived unscathed, he did not carry his usual dynamic threat, that little burst of pace and assuredness of touch still to return after a season in which he has suffered the same hamstring injury three times. Unlike the man who replaced him, Fernando Llorente, Torres did not score; more importantly, though, unlike Llorente nor did he depart hobbling. "Torres played 70 minutes and was fine; our only concern is for Llorente," the Spain coach said.

 

Torres was a willing runner at the England defence. Lively, he drew blocks from John Terry and Glen Johnson, and almost found a way through with a sharp turn. But he was not the striker who scored 33 club goals last season and then Spain's most important goal in 44 years, to win the European Championship. Small wonder Benítez is so keen to protect him; no surprise Seville was so keen to see him.

 

Del Bosque spent much of the build-up defusing rumours of a falling out with Benítez. The Liverpool coach complained bitterly that Torres was not ready for a call-up; Del Bosque picked him to start, while his suggestion that giving Torres a long run-out "might be good for him" would have positively infuriated Benítez. As the second half started, Spain boasted four Liverpool players including, perhaps unexpectedly, Torres. The week's accusations provided the backdrop to Del Bosque's broad, mischievous smile as he reported the striker's clean bill of health afterwards.

 

Rather than vent his fury at Spain, Benítez's energies could be better channelled into persuading David Villa to reproduce his partnership with Torres on ­Merseyside. A huge outlay and subsequent loss on Keane looks folly against talent like this; Villa might cost more, but he is certain to leave Valencia and goals come guaranteed. Privately, he prefers to remain in Spain but England has not been ruled out.

 

The top scorer at Euro 2008, Villa has 145 goals in 269 games at smaller clubs. Forever on his toes, swift and alert, Terry and Jagielka simply could not deal with him. He slotted home coolly from Andrés Iniesta's clever pass after 25 minutes, only for the linesman to rule it out. But he was not to be denied. A pass from Xabi Alonso took him well beyond Terry, then he turned Jagielka inside out and finished smoothly.

 

It was his 25th goal for Spain in 42 games and he set a national record by scoring in his sixth successive match. Villa did every­thing Benítez would have liked to have seen Torres do – including walk off after 55 minutes. Torres would have wait a few minutes more. So, too, would a concerned Benítez.

[kop205]

Good player, but:

 

a) They want stupid money for him.

 

b) If he prefers to remain in Spain then it is probably better for all concerned that he does.

 

c) Although I didn't watch last night, during the Euros it seemed to be that Torres' role when Villa is in the side is quite different to what it is for us. Rather than bringing someone in and then changing our system to accomodate them, I think we've actually got the spine of the team that we need and would be better getting back-up for Torres/somoene else who can play the lone striker role, and strengthening our wide. We know that Torres is suited to England, he's proved it. Villa would represent a gamble and a very expensive one at that. If it brought the team success for us that it has for Spain then it wouldn't matter about Torres' role being changed, but I'm not totally sure it would bring that in England - not without other significant additions as well.

[Maldini]

If we had DIC money I'd go for him, but I think wide positions are more of a priority this season. Plus we are stone broke.

[Stevie H]

If we had DIC money I'd go for him, but I think wide positions are more of a priority this season. Plus we are stone broke.

would be a lovely option to have if we had the money.

 

agree about the wide man, am buggered if i know who the top class right sided attacker we need is though.

[Benitez]

I haven't seen Torres and him play that many games together, but of the ones I have, they haven't played well as a partnership in one of them. Villa has looked very good as the sniper, but Torres just doesn't seem to fit in with his play, Villa is the focus, and Torres has to play 2nd fiddle, which he shouldn't be doing for us at any point.

 

Considering his cost, I'd rather the club spent the money (if they had it, ha!), on other players.

 

This suggestion, as seen again by one or two on the match thread last night of 'Buy David Villa and we'll win everything' baffles me tbh! If it where that easy eh.

[Magic8Ball]

I haven't seen Torres and him play that many games together, but of the ones I have, they haven't played well as a partnership in one of them. Villa has looked very good as the sniper, but Torres just doesn't seem to fit in with his play, Villa is the focus, and Torres has to play 2nd fiddle, which he shouldn't be doing for us at any point.

 

Considering his cost, I'd rather the club spent the money (if they had it, ha!), on other players.

 

This suggestion, as seen again by one or two on the match thread last night of 'Buy David Villa and we'll win everything' baffles me tbh! If it where that easy eh.

 

This is always the question when they play, I think Spain even tried a 433 - I'm getting the feeling its and either or

 

would be a lovely option to have if we had the money.

 

agree about the wide man, am buggered if i know who the top class right sided attacker we need is though.

 

Yeah this is the problem, the only wide right that looks right for us is Ribery and he's way too expensive now

 

we could go for Walcott in the summer, but I suspect he'll he no better there than Babel

[anny road]

i agree with Bran

 

It doesnt get the best out of Torres....

 

He prefers to play with players supporting him from midfield (a la gerrard)

 

It is no coincidence that we saw the best of Torres in the Euro's when Villa was injured and Fabregas played in a 5 man midfield

[adiman]

This is always the question when they play, I think Spain even tried a 433 - I'm getting the feeling its and either or

Yeah this is the problem, the only wide right that looks right for us is Ribery and he's way too expensive now

 

we could go for Walcott in the summer, but I suspect he'll he no better there than Babel

Agreed. Spain only clicked during EURO when Villa got injured and Fabregas came in behind Torres.

[Ramón Benítez Hernández]

B.A.Baracus says we should sign David Villa.

[Chili Palmer]

No chance, he doesn't even like the Beatles...

[psl]

Agreed. Spain only clicked during EURO when Villa got injured and Fabregas came in behind Torres.

 

Wasn't that the final?

 

Anyhow, Torres and Gerrard are the perfect partnership up front and shouldn't be changed. We should build around them.

[DanielS]

would be a lovely option to have if we had the money.

 

agree about the wide man, am buggered if i know who the top class right sided attacker we need is though.

 

If you have a team who can pass and move like Spain did last night you don't need "pacey wingers", "top class right sided attackers" or even "low fat mayonnaise". In the final third, with our current best XI, we have one too many players who trap a ball as far as most people kick it and can't play enough killer passes. We don't need a turbocharged version of Kuyt, we just need one who can keep possession and pass better.

Alonso was all across the midfield last night, sometimes it seemed simultaneously if you were poor Lampard or Carrick, showing just how devastating pass and move still is.

Edited February 12, 2009 by DanielS

[johngibo YPC]

Agreed. Spain only clicked during EURO when Villa got injured and Fabregas came in behind Torres.

 

i wouldnt go that far. But Torres certainly played better

[Cunny]

is he a boyhood red?

[DanielS]

is he a boyhood red?

 

Funny how its only Keane's brother who was a boyhood red now...

[Chili Palmer]

Funny how its only Keane's brother who was a boyhood red now...

 

I'm telling ya, he only signed to get the free tracksuits for his brother.

[Stevie H]

If you have a team who can pass and move like Spain did last night you don't need "pacey wingers", "top class right sided attackers" or even "low fat mayonnaise". In the final third, with our current best XI, we have one too many players who trap a ball as far as most people kick it and can't play enough killer passes. We don't need a turbocharged version of Kuyt, we just need one who can keep possession and pass better.

Alonso was all across the midfield last night, sometimes it seemed simultaneously if you were poor Lampard or Carrick, showing just how devastating pass and move still is.

nah - totally different pace of game that, miles slower than the english league. we still need a quick ball-carrying sort on the right to stretch opposing defences more.

[DanielS]

nah - totally different pace of game that, miles slower than the english league. we still need a quick ball-carrying sort on the right to stretch opposing defences more.

 

I think we're too hung up on out and out pace. The ball is still faster than any player.

 

Arsenal have proved this season that if the opposition sit back in their own half and let your pacey wingers run really, really fast down a blind alley you're not going to get much out of the game.

I know Villa are benefitting from a pacey counter-attack, but they also stutter when sides sit back. I'd rather we didn't go down their route of actively playing for a fast break away as I'm not a fan of inviting pressure and conceding possession.

Edited February 12, 2009 by DanielS

[Magic8Ball]

Agreed. Spain only clicked during EURO when Villa got injured and Fabregas came in behind Torres.

Get Fabrigas and play 4321 (xmas tree)

 

Now if Villa COULD play link striker for Torres

 

 

Gerrard --- Villa ---Fabrigas

-------------Torres

 

 

;) say no more

[Hassony]

Agreed. Spain only clicked during EURO when Villa got injured and Fabregas came in behind Torres.

 

 

thats rubbish

 

they were excellent against russia and sweden in the first round

[Magic8Ball]

thats rubbish

 

they were excellent against russia and sweden in the first round

so how come Torres never scores when Villa's on the pitch?

 

DanielS

Re Villa - they're only doing so well as most people don't/didn't dee them as title challengers. Now they are, they should find it increasingly difficult.

[Hassony]

so how come Torres never scores when Villa's on the pitch?

 

DanielS

Re Villa - they're only doing so well as most people don't/didn't dee them as title challengers. Now they are, they should find it increasingly difficult.

 

 

I think torres plays better on his own, but to say spain only clicked when villa got injured is wrong

[richwilks]

We should do this.....

 

----------------Reina

 

-------Skrtel - Carra - Agger

 

Arbeloa - Masch - Alonso - Dossena

 

---------------Gerrard

 

-------------Villa - Torres

 

 

Best front 3 in the world. Would ideally need to get 2 better wing backs in but we ain't made of money!

[Doyler3000]

I think torres plays better on his own, but to say spain only clicked when villa got injured is wrong

 

Absolutely... Spain looked like champions from very early on in the Euro's.

[adiman]

Maybe overstated. They easily beat a shellshocked and Arshavin-less Russia in the opener and a poor Sweden but failed to score against Italy and were struggling to break down a better prepared Russia in the business end until Villa got injured and Fabregas took his place in a 4-4-1-1.