by RedEire » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:12 pm
Things are getting slightly off the track here. The topic was titled "Why Lucas" - Rafa brought Lucas to LFC about a year ago - he came at the time as the current captain of Brazil U21 and holder of Young Player of the Year in Brazil - both of these honours are quite impressive, yet, they are meaningless if he cannot produce the goods on a weekly basis for Liverpool. The question should be "Is Lucas good enough for LFC" - my opinion, is that he is not. I have already given my reason for this - lack of first touch, poor control, poor decision making, and i will take something else written about, gives away too many silly needless frees, ofter in dangerous positions. Again this is my opinion - based on facts. With regards to Benayoun, i would pretty much tar him with the same brush. I would give Kuyt some credit as he has scored important goals for us, I would see Kuyt as a squad member - not as a first team player - now this also my opinion. Another factor to take into account is would Lucas/Benayoun/Kuyt get into the first 11 or even 13 (meaning first 2 subs used) for Chelsea/United/Arsenal ? Personally i do not think so - Lucas/Benayoun ----> Carrick/Anderson/Deco/Denilson : Kuyt ----> Ronaldo/Nani/Nasri/J.Cole. Rafa could have got Deco this summer for £8m or even last year for about £16m (how much did we spend on Benayoun/Lucas). Regarding his signings, i think Rafa has got in wrong more often that he got it right. Rafa has taken a chance too many times on unknowns with promise instead of established players who have the experience. He has got to start planning for the NOW rather than future