john craig » Mon May 27, 2013 4:54 pm wrote:I think we're right to look for value in the market rather than spunk 20 mil on a player. We don't have the finances to do that.
Our first team needs strengthening in about 3 positions so we have to take some calculated gambles in the market, preferably on younger players who have re-sale value if they don't work out.
Our scouting department and Rodgers' judgement seem to be improving going by January's business. I think last summer was difficult for Rodgers. He didn't know the scouts or how reliable they were,which is why he probably went for players he worked with before like Allen and Borini. He probably thought that was less of a gamble.
Some reports suggest FSG will put about 20 mil into the pot. We'll hopefully shift Carroll for 15 mil. Can't see us generating significant cash from anyone else (the likes of Spearing, Wilson, Coates, Assaidi, Shelvey maybe). The only other thing that will boost the kitty is if Reina, Skrtel or even Suarez go for a big bid, which I can't really see, and even if they did they'd need direct replacements so it's not really money in the kitty for improving the squad we have.
With 35 mil you're probably looking at a couple of players in the 10-15mil bracket, and one or two more young prospects or older gambles for a few mil. Sniffing around clubs in financial rouble like Sporting Lisbon (like we seem to be doing - Teixera and now possible interest in Capel and Llori) and Malaga (Arsenal with Cazorla and the left back) is a good tactic imo. Celta Vigo are also in that bracket which is presumably why we are linked with Iasco, similarly with Porto and this Atsu. All makes sense to me.
I'll reserve judgement until after the window shuts, but after January Rodgers and our scouts should be afforded a bit of respect imo. It's a big window for us though and one that could make or break Rodgers' future here. Every player he signs won't work out, but overall we have to be better after this window.
Cant say I agree with what you're saying here. To begin with, I think we ALREADY have a decent squad with useful options in most if not all positions. Lets look at our squad atm and see where a fringe player would be needed.
GK(1):
Reina,
Jones (SORTED)
CB(2):
Skrtel, Agger,
Coates, K/Toure?,
(Kolo Toure seems like a done deal) (Unless we go out and bring a top CB to pair-up with Agger then I'd much rather keep what we have. Certainly no point in spending 5-10mill on the likes of A.Williams because as far as I'm concerned there arent many CBs in Europe who are significantly better than Skrtel and those who are would cost a good chunk of cash and would probably demand CL football. As far as cover is concerned, Toure and Coates with Kelly covering for emergencies should be enough )
FB(2):
Johnson, Enrique,
Kelly, Wisdom, Robinson
(As far as starting players, we cant do much better than what we have. Perhaps a bit of cover for Enrique might be needed but with Johnson being able to cover at LB and our options at RB I wouldnt call reinforcing the positions a priority)
CM(2):
Lucas, Gerrard,
Allen, Henderson, Shelvey(SORTED)(It would be hard to replace either Lucas or Gerrard. Allen should improve next season and for me he should be the one providing Lucas with competition for the 2nd spot. Henderson has also improved and I cant really see us letting any of the 4 players mentioned leave the club. Leaves us with Shelvey as a 5th option to compete for 2 CM spots.)
AM,SS(3):
Coutinho, Suarez,
Downing, Sterling, Assaidi, Suso
(Despite the side as a whole playing some excellent attacking football this season, Downing remains the obvious weak link in our starting 11 when everyone is fit. Him and Sterling are probably good enough to be squad players for a top4 side but not quite week in week out starting material. Assaidi can go if we can find another player as backup on the cheap, Suso needs to be loaned to get some experience. Leaves us a little short with a starting spot to be filled if the right player is brought in. Add the Suarez ban to the equation and an attacking reinforcement becomes an absolute must in the summer)
FW(1):
Sturridge,
Borini (Sorted)(With Suarez being able to play the position and Sturridge/Borini improving)
Our glaring weakness going into next season given the performances during this campaign is perhaps us missing a top quality CB with Carragher's retirement. That said, we still have the pairing of Skrtel and Agger who are both highly experienced players who could probably play for a side challenging for a top4 position. Outside that, we have to remember that we have no European duties next season and as such we probably wont need to have as big a squad given the number of fixtures to be played. I'd much rather we focused on improving the STARTING 11. That said, there's only 2 positions we can realistically improve on: CB and more importantly RW.
We dont need more quantity, more squad players. We already have enough for almost all positions and selling players like Coates, Downing and Borini to buy other squad players of a similar value to what we get and more importantly a similar calibre is just a waste of time.
A different way of looking at things: Would you sell any of Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Lucas, Gerrard, Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge for less than 15 mill ? What about Downing ? If we already have cover for most of the positions, why would we go out and spend 10mill on 3 or 4 players who are no better than the starters we already have.
If we have the 35mill or a similar amount , as you speculated, then that money would be best spent ,imo, on a 20mill top attacking player (Eriksen, Isco, BenArfa, Sanchez, Shaqiri...etc) and a top CB.