by Lando_Griffin » Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:05 pm
I'd rather get Gonzalez, a new CB, a new striker (with the obvious selling of Cisse) and Sabrosa for the price of Jaoquin. Obviously I'd like us to buy him, but not at the expense of the glaring deficiencies elsewhere in the team. As has been said, to ignore the lack of a decent 3rd CB because JC and Sami may not have picked up any injuries is madness. We could spend £26m on Jaoquin (We won't, though) and the following game JC, Sami AND Jaoquin could get injured for months. We cannot take that risk. Even if there are no injuries, both of them will miss games due to suspension (5 yellows = out for a game aswell, not just red cards don't forget) and at this moment in time, we'd be knackered. (Josemi is inconsistant at best and Traore is a liabilty. The only decent option we have is Whitbred, but I doubt Rafa would select him vs Man U, Sh*tski, etc). We'd probably have to drop SG or Sissoko to CB, which would be insane.
If we can get Jaoquin, a new CB, Gonzalez and a striker without breaking the budget (Cisse should bring in an additional £8m or so, taking us to c.£23-25m) then fine. But it won't happen.
The figures only work out if we substitue the name of Jaoquin with Sabrosa. Even thats at a push.
Rafa won't pay over the odds, no matter what.
Rafa Benitez - An unfinished Legend.