Liverpool FC Forum

[Leonmc0708]

Never even heard of Chillienilli (or whatever) and Baines looks good, but here are the options:

1) Opt for a bona fide full International in a top 3 in the World team, who will have no problems with the league or playing in big games or playing for a giant of a club.

2) Opt for a youngster, unproven in this league from fuc.k knows what country who is not guranteed to make it in this league, aat this level or in this country

3) Opt for a young lad who looks good as a big fish in a small pond, played to U21 level for his country proven in this league but might just choke at the big club, or might just not be capable of the step up to Champions LEague football

For anyone that doent know, its (1) Heinze, (2) Chillenili (3) Baines.

[LFC2007]

I don't think at any stage in the past has he been fully ready to play in a meaningful league game, the risk of playing him in one is too much and one we cannot afford. He just has not been good enough, like many I don't rate the guy and I hate to be all Stuish but at 21 you aren't going to develop ability that miraculously appears overnight after a league game. He will certainly improve at some stage but not enough to warrant a place with us IMO. Ideally he will go on loan to a Spanish club, gain confidence, prove to be a decent player and then be sold for a few quid.

But for this coming season Paletta is not the man I want to be relying on in ANY league game, assuming we are still playing for something throughout the course of it - which I think we will be this season.

If that is your stance on things and the stance of the majority then perhaps football teams should spend a fortune signing players who are the finished article. To say a player should be up to a certain level at age x and saying a player at such an age isn’t going to improve further is inaccurate.

Paletta might improve drastically over the next few seasons or he could stagnate and end up not being good enough, what’s the harm in finding out? IIRC Carragher wasn’t exactly well thought of in his youth, look at him now; he has developed four folds underneath Benitez and has shown maturity of a seasoned veteran.

There is little problem with giving Paletta getting some first team action this season, the only way a player improves is by being exposed to first team action. He has spent a season in the reserves, it’s about time he was nurtured into the senior squad and given some matches to improve, build on confidence and gain experience.

If he hasn’t improved after a while and still looks below par, then as I have said sell him or loan him out, but I am not losing faith in the player, as he hasn’t been given the platform to improve as a player.

This is just a ridiculous post IMO, what absolute tripe. You misconstrue my words from the very first sentence.


1) Please tell me in my post where I said that the majority of football teams should only spend money on the finished article? I did not, I never made any suggestion whatsoever that they should. I support the signings of Babel and Agger for example, they are not the finished article.

2) At 21 Paletta is no youngster anymore, his core ability will not change 'drastically' as you put it - you do not become Beckenbauer overnight. You also say that I am wrong in thinking he will not improve further, had you actually read my post then you would see this part:

"He will certainly improve at some stage but not enough to warrant a place with us IMO"

Perhaps your eyes deceive you Willhelmson, thou art but a numpty.


3) The example of Carragher is not valid since Carragher has, was and always will be miles better than Paletta. Carragher was a regular in the league at Paletta's age. He has since developed under Benitez, but his core skills have not changed. He has merely grown in confidence, and now knows the position inside out.

4) I think there is a problem with giving Paletta some first team action. In the league especially. To quote again: 

"I don't think at any stage in the past has he been fully ready to play in a meaningful league game, the risk of playing him in one is too much and one we cannot afford"


In the league this year we need quality and solidity in every position, especially at centre back. Paletta is not worth the risk blooding in meaningful league games when he has shown nothing to suggest he has the ability to be a top class player. In the cups it's a different story.

Overall, your idea that he will drastically improve is a misnomer. At 21 he should be pushing Carra, Agger and Sami. We are looking to sign Heinze, another centre back option. I can't see Paletta having much of a say this season, gladly.

Either sell him or loan him out to a Spanish club, they are the two options I would be most for.

[Emerald Red]

Hmm, it seems that 'ol c*nt Fergie is munching on his sour grapes, and downing that sour Buckfast again. I know I stated that I don't want to see Heinze at the club because of my biased reasons, and I'm being open and honest about that, so don't grill me for saying so *hints at LFC2007* . But if it means that the old b@stard chokes on those sour grapes, and spits out that vino. and possibly causes him to burst a blood vessel or two, then f*ck it! Sign him. Or at least keep trying. If it pisses him off, and the supporters, then that will do me.     

[woof woof !]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

(provided of course someone will take him     )

[god_bless_john_houlding]

Paletta isn't suited to the English game IMO. But as our options at centre half are minimal we'll have to keep him at the club, we can't afford to loan him out just in case Carra/Agger get a long termed injury. We have big Sami as cover but Paletta is there as 4th choice.

[LFC2007]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

I'd say for a few reasons, there is a difference in style and the tempo is slower, he may well adapt better there for these reasons and the fact that he speaks Spanish. I don't think anyone in England would want to loan him anyway.

[Paul C]

Jesus Christ !!

Paletta is a 19 yr old snotty nosed kid thrust into the most physical and fast paced league in the World on the otherside of the planet and he is crucisfied.

He is a really talented kid, and when he matures will be the long term replacement for Carra.

Sorry Leon but you've been watching another player, plus he's 21, he can't defend, he's played the cup games and even struggled with Aliadiere, I rest my point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Paletta

The lad isn't even 'promising'   

Got the wrong age, but no need to apologise PAul, its my fault not yours.

We will see with this kid wont we ?

Lets agree to discuss the issue again in two years.

So thats a date for the diary, July 24th 2009.

lmao, good call dude, I'll pencil it in my diary 

Nice Swan.

PS did you do an offer on that HDTV thing yet mate ?

Yeah I did it mate 

Howm many more do you need?

[JoeTerp]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

(provided of course someone will take him     )

If he is more suited for Spain, he would play more often, play better, and thus increase his confidence and selling price. I think loan to spain is better than a sale right now because what could he possibly be worth?  It could only go up from a positive loan spell. Don't think he will leave until we bring in Hienze or maybe this Italian guy, because (and this is a really bad sign) Rafa seems to put more faith in Paletta than Hobbs or any of the other young defenders that we have.

[Paul C]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

(provided of course someone will take him     )

If he is more suited for Spain, he would play more often, play better, and thus increase his confidence and selling price. I think loan to spain is better than a sale right now because what could he possibly be worth?  It could only go up from a positive loan spell. Don't think he will leave until we bring in Hienze or maybe this Italian guy, because (and this is a really bad sign) Rafa seems to put more faith in Paletta than Hobbs or any of the other young defenders that we have.

Hobbs is only about 18 where Paletta is 21!!!

Paletta is only slightly younger than Danny Agger and look at the difference

[toadinthehole]

I see that Paletta has only scored 1 goal. Must say I like a defender who's able to get in about the goalmouth and put some balls in the net

[JoeTerp]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

(provided of course someone will take him     )

If he is more suited for Spain, he would play more often, play better, and thus increase his confidence and selling price. I think loan to spain is better than a sale right now because what could he possibly be worth?  It could only go up from a positive loan spell. Don't think he will leave until we bring in Hienze or maybe this Italian guy, because (and this is a really bad sign) Rafa seems to put more faith in Paletta than Hobbs or any of the other young defenders that we have.

Hobbs is only about 18 where Paletta is 21!!!

Paletta is only slightly younger than Danny Agger and look at the difference

Well Hobbs turns 19 in less than a months time   

But yes that is my point. Paletta almost certainly (99.95%) will never be good enough to start at CB for this club, and I think it would be ashame if his playing time took away from the development of other younger more promising players like Hobbs, Roque, Insua, Darby, Threlfal, possibly this San Jose guy, and Antwi when he returns from loan. Even Peltier is almost a full year younger.

[Leonmc0708]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

(provided of course someone will take him     )

If he is more suited for Spain, he would play more often, play better, and thus increase his confidence and selling price. I think loan to spain is better than a sale right now because what could he possibly be worth?  It could only go up from a positive loan spell. Don't think he will leave until we bring in Hienze or maybe this Italian guy, because (and this is a really bad sign) Rafa seems to put more faith in Paletta than Hobbs or any of the other young defenders that we have.

Hobbs is only about 18 where Paletta is 21!!!

Paletta is only slightly younger than Danny Agger and look at the difference

Well Hobbs turns 19 in less than a months time   

But yes that is my point. Paletta almost certainly (99.95%) will never be good enough to start at CB for this club, and I think it would be ashame if his playing time took away from the development of other younger more promising players like Hobbs, Roque, Insua, Darby, Threlfal, possibly this San Jose guy, and Antwi when he returns from loan. Even Peltier is almost a full year younger.

carra was 95% not good enought to play centre back for us in 2001.

[god_bless_john_houlding]

Carra was 100% not good enough a centre half in 97 when he made his debut as a holding midfielder

But back to topic United won't accept any bid from us for Heinze so Rafa should be spending his time and money on a centre half who we can sign. I like to look of Steven Taylor from Newcastle. Problem is he'll be looking to get into our Euro 2008 side (if we qualify) and coming to Anfield will mean sitting on the bench for the majority of the season and I'm not sure if he'd be willing to leave 1st team football for his boyhood side than come and be a bit part player at a side who is likely to win things. So if Taylor is out of the question I've heard good things of Rui Albiol (I think) for Valencia, would he worth while? I don't know much about him so I may need some of my more continental friends to inform me on him.

[woof woof !]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

I'd say for a few reasons, there is a difference in style and the tempo is slower, he may well adapt better there for these reasons and the fact that he speaks Spanish. I don't think anyone in England would want to loan him anyway.

I was responding to Red Mikey's assertion that Palleta isn't ready for our league .I still don't see how a spell in another league eg the spanish league with it's "different style and slower tempo" will prepare him for the "English" game , if anything whilst perhaps improving as a player ,more games ,more experience etc etc spending a season in Spain would surely be a step backwards in his acclimatisation to life in the premiership ? Perhaps all the lad really needs is a bit more patience from us and more games in which to forge that all important understanding with his fellow defenders . Lets not forget that this lad was regarded as one of Argentina's best up and coming defensive talents .

reminder (from LFCtv )

A star player in Argentina's under-20 World Championship triumph in 2005, the highly-rated youngster arrived with a reputation for being a strong, decisive and robust defender.

Standing tall at over six foot and weighing in at 80kg, his services had been coveted by a host of top South American and European clubs and when Liverpool fans saw him play in a red shirt for the first time against Wrexham, it wasn't difficult to understand why he was such hot property.

Although new to English football and still only a teenager, Paletta looked like the strongest player on the pitch during Liverpool's first friendly of the new campaign.

While Paletta's tough-tackling style immediately won over the Liverpool fans, the Argentine's impressive debut came as no surprise to Rafael Benitez who was never in any doubt that his new signing would prove a success in English football. "I've worked with other Argentinian defenders in the past and there is a good tradition of tough, aggressive and tactically strong defenders from the country," claimed the Reds boss.

"Paletta is very tough and he's exactly the sort of player we need who will suit the Premiership. When you talk about the Argentinian defenders I worked with in Valencia, Paletta is more like Ayala than Pellegrino. If you're talking about Liverpool, he's more like Carra than Sami Hyypia."

[Paul C]

i am shocked that palleta isn't on loan in spain somewhere cause he just isn't ready for our league and then some

If he "isn't ready to compete in our league" then why loan him out to a Spanish club ? Surely a spell at a smaller EPL club (e.g Birmingham ,Derby, Wigan)  or even a championship club would be more beneficial ?.

I'd say for a few reasons, there is a difference in style and the tempo is slower, he may well adapt better there for these reasons and the fact that he speaks Spanish. I don't think anyone in England would want to loan him anyway.

I was responding to Red Mikey's assertion that Palleta isn't ready for our league .I still don't see how a spell in another league eg the spanish league with it's "different style and slower tempo" will prepare him for the "English" game , if anything whilst perhaps improving as a player ,more games ,more experience etc etc spending a season in Spain would surely be a step backwards in his acclimatisation to life in the premiership ? Perhaps all the lad really needs is a bit more patience from us and more games in which to forge that all important understanding with his fellow defenders . Lets not forget that this lad was regarded as one of Argentina's best up and coming defensive talents .

reminder (from LFCtv )

A star player in Argentina's under-20 World Championship triumph in 2005, the highly-rated youngster arrived with a reputation for being a strong, decisive and robust defender.

Standing tall at over six foot and weighing in at 80kg, his services had been coveted by a host of top South American and European clubs and when Liverpool fans saw him play in a red shirt for the first time against Wrexham, it wasn't difficult to understand why he was such hot property.

Although new to English football and still only a teenager, Paletta looked like the strongest player on the pitch during Liverpool's first friendly of the new campaign.

While Paletta's tough-tackling style immediately won over the Liverpool fans, the Argentine's impressive debut came as no surprise to Rafael Benitez who was never in any doubt that his new signing would prove a success in English football. "I've worked with other Argentinian defenders in the past and there is a good tradition of tough, aggressive and tactically strong defenders from the country," claimed the Reds boss.

"Paletta is very tough and he's exactly the sort of player we need who will suit the Premiership. When you talk about the Argentinian defenders I worked with in Valencia, Paletta is more like Ayala than Pellegrino. If you're talking about Liverpool, he's more like Carra than Sami Hyypia."

It's all good talking the talk but the lad can't walk the walk, I'm just judging him on the performances I've seen him play.