Liverpool FC Forum

by **Sabre** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:55 pm

Yesterday Emilio Butragueño had a internet chat with the Marca readers Nanny, and he talked highly about Alonso, saying it's a pleasure to watch him play, etc, etc, etc. But he ended up with, "I don't know if he'll be here next year, though".

Emilio Butragueño, as much as he's an icon of an archenemy club of mine, is a man I respected in the pitch, and I respect him out of it. Official sources of Real Madrid like him, talk about the negotiations being very difficult.

So Marca are echoing the Times and other English press, who apparently (I doubt it) have more info than Marca and the Spanish press. So far the only ones seeing the deal as done are the English press Nanny.

The point you and another mate made about Diarra is a valid one: no one gives their players for free, and I hope Rafa is being tough in the negotiations, either they pay a ridiculous price or Xabi stays.

by **bigmick** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:07 pm

The key question is though, does he want to stay? If he really doesn't, then it's quite possible that digging our heels in will see his performances and transfer value suffer. At some point we have to address the main issue, whether or not he wants to play for us anymore. Same with Masherano.

by **tubby** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:17 pm

I think if he did want to stay his comments would have reflected that choice. The fact that he has just remained on the fence points to him not even sure himself.

by **Bammo** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:24 pm

bigmick wrote:The key question is though, does he want to stay? If he really doesn't, then it's quite possible that digging our heels in will see his performances and transfer value suffer. At some point we have to address the main issue, whether or not he wants to play for us anymore. Same with Masherano.

It's a valid point but according to all the rumours Alonso has wanted to leave since last summer and his performances didn't suffer last season!

I think some of the ambiguous comments coming out are because he's intelligent enough to know how football and the media works. If he says he wants to stay, then finds out we've accepted a bid and he's leaving he looks an idiot. If he says he wants to go then we don't sell him, he looks an idiot and fans hate him.

by **Sabre** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:44 pm

bigmick wrote:The key question is though, does he want to stay? If he really doesn't, then it's quite possible that digging our heels in will see his performances and transfer value suffer. At some point we have to address the main issue, whether or not he wants to play for us anymore. Same with Masherano.

I agree it's a key question for both players, and if you ask me about Alonso, I have no doubts he want to play for us if I attend to the "Uncle Alberto" sources around here.

But he also wants to feel valued and has put the decission over the shoulders of Rafa. Alonso doesn't want to say something that will close himself doors, and he doesn't want to say something that will píss Liverpool fans. He doesn't want to dismiss other clubs and promise he'll retire in Anfield, only to discover his manager is considering to sell him. So this time around he just expects Rafa makes up his mind, and decides what's the price he's ready to accept for him. I think that if the correct price doesn't come and he stays, he'll stay happily. Alonso's only obsession is to win a league (he repeats it in every lengthy interview), and he only would be tempted to leave Liverpool if he saw we don't have chances to win it. I think you can be calm if he stays, as his attitude will be as professional as the previous years.

by **bigmick** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:47 pm

Sabre wrote:I have no doubts he want to play for us if I attend to the "Uncle Alberto" sources around here.

Uncle Alberto :laugh:

by **NANNY RED** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:52 pm

Sabre wrote:Yesterday Emilio Butragueño had a internet chat with the Marca readers Nanny, and he talked highly about Alonso, saying it's a pleasure to watch him play, etc, etc, etc. But he ended up with, "I don't know if he'll be here next year, though".

Emilio Butragueño, as much as he's an icon of an archenemy club of mine, is a man I respected in the pitch, and I respect him out of it. Official sources of Real Madrid like him, talk about the negotiations being very difficult.

So Marca are echoing the Times and other English press, who apparently (I doubt it) have more info than Marca and the Spanish press. So far the only ones seeing the deal as done are the English press Nanny.

The point you and another mate made about Diarra is a valid one: no one gives their players for free, and I hope Rafa is being tough in the negotiations, either they pay a ridiculous price or Xabi stays.

Ah hes a lovely fella him Sabes, true gentleman, ive got a pic of me, him a couple of other mates an my lad from a few years ago havin our dinner ill try an find it,

As you said Sabes official sources , the papers an the tv were saying the villa deal was done an dusted but i got told different, i told you an all

by **NANNY RED** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:56 am

from the Guardian Gallery

Chavvy Alonso,

by **stmichael** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:52 am

He is a more complete player than Didi and only longevity makes Hamann the better player. Gary Mac was here for one season and again Alonso was the more complete player.

Whelan, Souness and McMahon are all special players because they could couple the tenacity of Mascherano with the ability of a player like Alonso. All are Liverpool legends for their tenacity, their ability and their longevity. While Alonso takes a back seat to them as regards to tenacity and longevity, he is as technically gifted as any one of them.

As for bringing up title winning sides as a stick to beat Xabi with, that is well wide of the mark. If we had won the title under Benitez then Gerrard and Alonso would have been the main reasons why last season, hence why I would rather neither left to put it mildly.

Molby himself has said he never had the mobility of Alonso and that is what makes him different. That isn't modesty it is just a fact. If Molby played today, no matter how intelligent he was and how technically gifted he was in his position (and he took a back seat to nobody in either respect) he still wouldn't have a chance to make it. Molby is a Liverpool legend regardless of whether you believe he was expendable or not, personally I disagree and see it as a slight on a great player.

What makes Alonso so special is he is the closest thing to Molby we have had and then on top of that he is a brilliant athlete, a fact that is often overlooked by many.

I'm not saying if he goes then Liverpool will never recover, what I am saying is that he is a damn site better than people on here are giving him credit for, he will take his place amoung the best we have had for many and also that if we sell him now that the team would be significantly weakened and Rafa (thought not an impossible task) would definetly have his work cut out for him finding a player as dedicated, professional, able and classy as Alonso has been and for all accounts would continue to be for us.

by **Alex G.** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:37 pm

NANNY RED wrote::laugh: from the Guardian Gallery

Chavvy Alonso,

Ha ha

The rafa´s body is 25 years younger than the face.

by **Sabre** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:43 pm

Translation of the quotes of Alonso in the Don Balon interview

On going to Madrid being impossible because he's Basque

"That wouldn't be an impossible marriage, it hasn't to be impossible, I don't want to close myself any door", when he's asked about him being a RS and Barcelona fan.

On staying in Liverpool

"Dissapointment!? It wouldn't be a dissapointment whatsoever to remain at Liverpool"

On Rafa

"My relationship with him is professional, and just like the relationship of any other Liverpool player"

On the whole situation

"I'm calm because I'm aware of what's going on regardless everything that is being written at the moment. It's always nice some teams want you, that's better than being wanted by nobody, I just must focus in my work".

------

Again, it's all up to Rafa.

by **Alex G.** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:52 pm

But we don´t know the private conversation between Xabi and Rafa that they going have the next days. he might tell him that is desperate to come back to Spain (despite he´s basque).

by **Sabre** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:55 pm

Alex G. wrote:But we don´t know the private conversation between Xabi and Rafa that they going have the next days. he might tell him that is desperate to come back to Spain (despite he´s basque).

But then he might not.

If you hear the press by now Alonso had told Rafa that he wanted to be out. Now the press says he's going to tell him this this week. One thing is what MARCA and AS wish, another reality.

For the London press Alonso and Rafa hate each other, but then Alonso says the situation is the same as always.

The only thing certain is that Real Madrid want him, that they're ready to pay some money, and that Rafa can decide.

by **Alex G.** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:20 pm

Bah! To me, if Xabi leaves is not because his "only professional" relationship with Rafa but because he wants to join the next amazing Perez project for Real Madrid, come back to Spain and play alongside Kaká, Ronaldo and company. It´s too attractive project to let the opportunity run.
The Rafa - Xabi saga as excuse to leave the club is just garbage from the London press.

BTW, Alonso never would say expressly he wants to leave Liverpool, he´s too prudent and sensible to do that, just like kaká with Milan A.C.

by **aCe'** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:41 pm

Fck that... to me its obvious he wants to leave... the press (for a change) arent printing BS imo... Real want him, he wants to go, Rafa would only sell at a specific price... a matter of time till everyone agrees terms...
Wouldnt be the end of the world if he left... Utd losing Ronaldo and Teves is far worse than us losing Alonso ...
My only problem at this point with the whole thing is that its dragging on for a little too long... maybe Rafa should just set Xabi and Real a deadline .. if it ends up happening then we'd have time to sort our squad out without having to rush things and all...
getting a little too fcking boring now the whole Alonso-Mascherano thing...

Liverpool FC Forum

The Alonso Thread - hands in transfer request

Who is online