RedNik

With Gonzalez coming in, we are sorted on the left. Couldn't we also move HK to his "preferred" right and have him and Garcia vying for that position? Doesn't that essentially sort us out? Kewell on the right means that he isn't really going to get to the by-line, but he wasnt really doing that this season on the left. Nonetheless, he had great impact and was one of the prime reasons for out great form in the latter period of the year.

Perhaps, but we know for sure, that we aren't going to pay double of what we sold him for. Its principle and egos and things like that. Does anyone know if he actually has a release clause for 12 million pounds in his contract?

I don't think Morientes is the type of player Barca would want anyways as they already have too many players dropping deep and trying to effect the posession play. They would probably want someone with more pace and strenght - someone more like Larson. Don't know where they will find the replacement - what is the deal with Maxi Lopez anyways - seems to have jsut completely fallen out of favour.

I hate it when links just wildly speculate based on available players and teams that might need someone in the same position.

Was about to say ... just because he is on the transfer list, is no guarantee that he'll secure a move. I would expect a lower mid table side to come in for him, but I could also very well see him leave back to france on a loan or very cheap deal.

Then surely you think were gonna acquire a striker who can hold the ball up and bring midfield into play - like crouch does. he would also need to be stronger,have a better header and a quality finish. If this is the system we want to play, our big striker signing WILL NOT be defoe, johnson or bellamy. Furthermore, it quashes any ideas of buying 2 strikers - as we have more than enough backup strikers for a one up top system then. The only players that come to mind and are available are RVN, shevchenko, torres and Dirk Kuit (whose finishing isn't that great itself).

4-5-1 with Crouch as the one striker - as i said earlier, i dont think it'll work.

Thats really the problem with G on the right - it needs to amount to him playing on a free role, for us to get the best of him. With him on the right, we get a quality crosser, playing in balls from DEEP. Gerrards no the type to get to the by line and put balls in. We also get an outlet, and take advantage of his abiltiy to run at defenses, especially on counter attacks. What we lose is his shot. If he plays in a strict right mid position, he is gonna have to keep cutting in, and even then he is placed with his left foot in power and not right. We also lose his great vision and passing ability - which is great when he is lower down the pitch, and starts our attacks off. Thats why I'd prefer Gerrard in a central position, on a free role.

Is Stevie himself opposed to being on the right? - i guess someone like Elisha might be able to throw some light onto this .. The problem with this situation is that Crouch cannot be up front as our soul striker, as he isn't a good enough finisher. We would need someone more in the mould of Sheva or RVN - who are both available it seems ... - to play here. Crouch's holding the ball up and posession play is good, but I feel there would be too much distance between midfield and him for our attacks to be effective, especially with Stevies tendency to roam. If he does play in front of Xabi and Sissoko, i can see rafa placing HK on the right, with Gonzalez/ Bolo/ JAR on the left, depending on whom were playing. He might play garcia at right mid instead of Kewell too.

English media bias meant that they were more interested in Stevie moving, being a potential england captian and current star.

Depends entirely on who is brought in doesnt it? In theory, morientes could play the role .. but he seems destined to leave, and also not up to the physicality of the league Of the strikers we are linked with, Kuyt and Torres could play a similar role. Of course, they aren't just bean poles in the way Crouch is, so the team would have to adapt their style of play too.

haha touch of the everton bitterness there?

But Kewell hasn't really had the chance to play in those positions - and that could have to do with the lower goals amount. In his first season, Kewell had i think 8 goals by october was it? .. great record, and we know he can produce goals.

How willing is he though to end/ approach the end of his career playing such a bit part role - as essentially the 4th, maybe even 5th (if you count Bolo) choice in central midfield.

I haven't looked at any heading stats - and i don't really know what they would constitute. Crouch however is a very poor header of the ball. He doesn't win enough because of his lack of strenght. But more so than that, he can't command any power in his headers - so while thats fine for knock downs, it doesnt work when he goes for goal.

Swap deals don't often work, let alone with the level of players we're talking about here - ie first teamers of international quality. Usually, swap deals happen as a bit part player is thrown into the deal just to seal it - sort of with Nunez.

In the end, i feel it comes down to choice for the player. Sevilla cant resist offers from a club like Barcelona and anyway probably wont.

Kewell's versatility is another reason to keep him. Can play him wide left,right and as a withdrawn striker. But, if he's gonna play this role, where does that leave Garcia (and vice versa)

hahaha

Its a little different in that case because Nunez didnt have enough quality to stay at anfield.

Some players are more flamboyant. They aren't gonna run back a whole lot and thigns like that - take kewell and garcia for instance. You need to accept certain things about cisse - he isnt the type of player who will work a 110%, but there aren't that many talented players who will (Gerrard is one of the few..)

I would say keep him. Great option, especially as a substitute, when teams are getting tired. Still young and can learn too and improve. Scores way more than our other strikers. I dont think he can lead our strikeforce, but he should be kept - for sure.

Please dont define the striker we need as being a 20 league goal striker and at the same time say the less said about cisse the better. I think Cisse is proof enough that goals aren't enough. Theres much more a striker should provide.

Litmanen, Morientes, Cisse, EHD, Cheyrou (cuz I had only seen him in that game where he scored the cracker against Manu.) Kirkland at the next level, possibly Igro and Smicer too.

Drastically exaggerated, but there were some points there, outlining crouch's weaknesses