Molby - Big jan on babel , aquilani and pacheco
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:42 pm
The Liverpool Echo
6th 1st 2010
Signings will need to be financed by selling those surplus to requirements and Molby, who played 292 times for the Reds between 1984 and 1995, believes it’s time Benitez off-loaded Ryan Babel.
he Dutchman has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League since he was signed for £11million in the summer of 2007.
“Babel seems to not want to do what he has to, to get his head down and work hard, and to grab the opportunities he is given,” he said.
“He doesn’t seem interested in that, and he seems to want everything in life a little easy.”
Molby has urged supporters not to make any rash judgements on Alberto Aquilani.
The £20million Italian midfielder has endured a tough start to life on Merseyside with an ankle injury delaying his introduction to the side.
Molby says Aquilani will need time to come to terms with the pace of the English game and it could be next season before the Reds see the best of him.
“Being brutally honest, we are halfway through the season and his contribution has been zero,” Molby said.
“That is not all his fault, with the injury etc, but it is still a fact.
“I actually spoke to Rafa Benitez about him and said that, from my experience, if Aquilani is to make a big impact at the club, then it will probably be next season at the earliest.
“The Premier League is a totally different style of play to Serie A and you have to learn to look after yourself quickly.
“You have to face the Blackburns and the Sunderlands – with players like Lee Cattermole biting in – and you have to compete. If you don’t fancy it, you can get snowed under quickly.
“But if it comes down to talent, then Aquilani certainly has what it takes to be a success. He has ability, no question.”
One player who is flourishing at Anfield is Pepe Reina and Molby has paid tribute to the keeper’s form during a testing campaign.
“I said a few years ago that Reina has all the tools to become the greatest keeper in Liverpool’s history, and I stick by that, he has been fantastic,” said Molby.
“People say he doesn’t come and catch enough balls, but I think he is a truly exceptional keeper, and deserves to be mentioned up there with the best.”
Molby is also excited by the emergence of young Spaniard Daniel Pacheco, who has recently made the step up from the reserves to the first team squad.
“I like the kid because he has great ability,” added Molby.
“He has a great first touch, can spot a pass, and has fantastic set-piece delivery. If we talk about Steven Gerrard’s ability from set-pieces, well this kid is something special.
“My only worry about him is his lack of strength, he is very slight. That probably means he is unlikely to dominate games, but he certainly has the ability to be a match-winner for Liverpool.”
I always listen when Big Jan speaks ,he is one of which is gradually becoming an ever decreasing number of ex players who actually talk sense ,absolutely revere the man ...
I wish he could be our chief scout because I have no reservations concerning his ability to spot a talented player and if he says Aquilani has the ability to succeed in the Prem then I will believe him unreservedly (LEGEND )
6th 1st 2010
Signings will need to be financed by selling those surplus to requirements and Molby, who played 292 times for the Reds between 1984 and 1995, believes it’s time Benitez off-loaded Ryan Babel.
he Dutchman has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League since he was signed for £11million in the summer of 2007.
“Babel seems to not want to do what he has to, to get his head down and work hard, and to grab the opportunities he is given,” he said.
“He doesn’t seem interested in that, and he seems to want everything in life a little easy.”
Molby has urged supporters not to make any rash judgements on Alberto Aquilani.
The £20million Italian midfielder has endured a tough start to life on Merseyside with an ankle injury delaying his introduction to the side.
Molby says Aquilani will need time to come to terms with the pace of the English game and it could be next season before the Reds see the best of him.
“Being brutally honest, we are halfway through the season and his contribution has been zero,” Molby said.
“That is not all his fault, with the injury etc, but it is still a fact.
“I actually spoke to Rafa Benitez about him and said that, from my experience, if Aquilani is to make a big impact at the club, then it will probably be next season at the earliest.
“The Premier League is a totally different style of play to Serie A and you have to learn to look after yourself quickly.
“You have to face the Blackburns and the Sunderlands – with players like Lee Cattermole biting in – and you have to compete. If you don’t fancy it, you can get snowed under quickly.
“But if it comes down to talent, then Aquilani certainly has what it takes to be a success. He has ability, no question.”
One player who is flourishing at Anfield is Pepe Reina and Molby has paid tribute to the keeper’s form during a testing campaign.
“I said a few years ago that Reina has all the tools to become the greatest keeper in Liverpool’s history, and I stick by that, he has been fantastic,” said Molby.
“People say he doesn’t come and catch enough balls, but I think he is a truly exceptional keeper, and deserves to be mentioned up there with the best.”
Molby is also excited by the emergence of young Spaniard Daniel Pacheco, who has recently made the step up from the reserves to the first team squad.
“I like the kid because he has great ability,” added Molby.
“He has a great first touch, can spot a pass, and has fantastic set-piece delivery. If we talk about Steven Gerrard’s ability from set-pieces, well this kid is something special.
“My only worry about him is his lack of strength, he is very slight. That probably means he is unlikely to dominate games, but he certainly has the ability to be a match-winner for Liverpool.”
I always listen when Big Jan speaks ,he is one of which is gradually becoming an ever decreasing number of ex players who actually talk sense ,absolutely revere the man ...
I wish he could be our chief scout because I have no reservations concerning his ability to spot a talented player and if he says Aquilani has the ability to succeed in the Prem then I will believe him unreservedly (LEGEND )