Liverpool FC Forum

[Bad Bob]

After many quiet weeks with respect to the Mark Gonzales situation, it looks like his move to Betis will finally proceed as originally planned:

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SOURCE: Soccernet


New Betis coach keen on signing Gonzalez


Newly appointed Real Betis coach Hector Cuper has approved the Spanish club's move for Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez.

Betis narrowly avoided relegation from the Primera Liga last season after finishing in 16th place, and are currently busy rebuilding their squad.

Gonzalez, who previously spent a year on loan with Real Sociedad, is thought to be close to finalising his transfer, along with Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo and Argentina striker Mariano Pavone, after failing to establish himself at Anfield.

'We will do everything possible to create a team that is strong but that also has a winning mentality,' said Cuper, who was confirmed at Betis on Monday after signing a one-year contract.

'The important thing is that this team has a strong personality.

'They (the club's prospective new signings) are all very good players. Ricardo has a great mentality, Pavone has played well for two years in Argentina and Gonzalez can improve a lot.'

Gonzalez could be presented alongside the other transfer targets later today.

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Good luck, Gonzo...we hardly knew ya!   

[tubby]

Good luck to him but I wont be sad to see him go. I think we all had high hopes for him here and many thought he would be given another year to try and prove himself but it was never going to work out was it?

Ah well. Any idea how much we would get for him? Considering he played pretty well in his last stint in Spain I hope maybe around 4-5Mil isnt out of the question.

[NiftyNeil]

It's a good statement that Rafa is getting rid of Gonzalez.
Two years ago when we first bought him, he was denied a work permit. Rafa was annoyed and said that if the deciding panel knew how good this boy was, then there wouldn't be an issue. Rafa had high hopes for him and was willing to wait for him to get his Spanish passport whilst constantly banging the drum in the meantime. When we eventually got him to the club last summer, Rafa was telling us all that he was looking even better than anticipated during pre-season training.
After just one season, Rafa has in effect held hands up and admitted he was wrong. Compare this behaviour to his predessesor Mr Houllier. Houllier didn't like to be proved wrong, and at times stood steadfastly by his poor signings - even persisting with them season upon season.
I know this isn't a first for Rafa. He's already been as ruthless with his fellow countrymen Josemi, Nunez and Morrientes, while also axing Pellegrino after just four months. But I think this has been more significant due the the protracted transfer and the surrounding hype.
With that said, I'd like to wish Gonzo all the best. He didn't do much wrong, other than was simply not good enough.

In Rafa we trust! (I do anyway )

[kazza]

Could he have been involved in the drunk night out before the Barcelona match?

[NiftyNeil]

Could he have been involved in the drunk night out before the Barcelona match?

I think most of the team broke curfew that night.
Maybe he was Belammy's caddie. 

[Well Red]

yep, that's him there with the Betis shirt. Goodbye and good luck.

[grayghost]

I think Liverpool need a new whinger now that Mark has left we seem a bit short on that side.

[stmichael]

maybe around 4-5Mil isnt out of the question.

If we've got anywhere near £4m for Gonzalez than I think it's good business regardless of how much we paid for him.

[tubby]

I thought the amount we paid for him from Albacete was around 4 or 5 Mil wasnt it?

Considering how influential he was to Socieadad when he was there i wouldnt rule that figure out of the question.

[Big Niall]

another poor spanish speaking signing.

[KRobbo10]

I thought gonzalez was gonna be great signing for us aswell ................ pitty

[westhamrob]

was he given much of a chance, or was injured for a while?

[Owzat]

was he given much of a chance, or was injured for a while?

The site I've checked reckons he cost £4.5m

Gonzalez - 36 appearances (16 as sub). 3 goals
Zenden - 47 appearances (17 as sub). 2 goals

I just hope we don't make too many changes and the team takes time to settle with some of the signings proving as disappointing as last season (overall, one or two exceptions)

[weringo]

yep, that's him there with the Betis shirt. Goodbye and good luck.

Betis have a sh*te strip.

[HacksawJimDuggin]

Gonzales cost us something like £2m - £2.5m so we've made a wee profit on him

Sad to see him go as, like others on here, I had high hopes for him.

Good luck Mark