Leo No.8

I remember saying I didn't think I'd ever seen a player cover as much ground as Essien used to for Lyon when he signed for Chelsea. I think Momo pushes him, but I'd like to see stats on both players. Essien is a genuinely exciting attacking player, but you'd never know it from his time with Chelsea. I think even a lot of Chelsea fans will be wondering who that lad is bombing forward with the ball for Ghana and driving his whole team on. Mourinho's tactics mean some players become simply functional members of the team whole, but Abramovic's cash means he can sign a player who really should be destined for a lot more than the 'water-carrier' role he has been given there. It's a shame that a genuinely thrilling footballer like Essien will spend his best years anchoring for Lampard to take pot shot after pot shot on goal and win all the plaudits. Perhaps that's what Stevie would have been destined for had he left...

I'll have a think about that one. In the meantime - try this one yourself. We've had two players on our books from the USA. Friedel was one, who was the other...?

Wondeful talent, but hasn't been a great success in Spain and may not take to the game in England - depends on how much really. I'd like to see Bellamy at Anfield, but I'd also be very excited to see Saviola here if we're looking at a similar price. It'd be one or the other to fit that 'pacy, skilful forward' vacancy we currently have; I think Saviola could potentially offer more if it clicked for him but Bellamy is Premiership proven. All depends on the price, but I'd take either in all honesty.

Forgot how good Essien was in his Lyon days until watching him playing for Ghana in their first couple of games. He's absolutely immense given the freedom to get up and down the pitch at will; I'd say he's been one of the best players on show so far in the World Cup, and I've actually enjoyed watching him and the rest of the Ghana team a lot. Still think he does a good job for Chelsea, but the lad is wasted being groomed to take over from Makelele in their holding position, and with Ballack arriving he'll have even less opportunity to push on. The curse of Lampard strikes again; another midfielder better than him is sacrificed. It's a shame Essien is willing to be half the player he could be just for the cash...

Because he never graduated from Krusty's Kollege, but still has that krazy hair...

Elisha has informed us Aurelio is done, which is far better information than any press reports as far as I'm concerned. The lad has signed, I'm extremely confident that is the case, which renders this debate a bit pointless I'd think. Regardless though, blowing a large chunk of our transfer budget on another very expensive footballer from France, in a postion in which we're not desperate to strengthen, would make Rafa a strong candidate for the remake of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'...

Bellamy's injury record is far more of a concern to me than either his ability or personality, but I'd be more worried about that if we were paying more than an absolute pittance for a player of his ability. Without the clause in his contract I'd genuinely say Bellamy is worth double the quoted amount of £6m after the season he's just had...

Souness makes Bellamy look like Mother Teresa. Would people rather we'd not had him at the club because he was, and is a complete c***? Possibly the finest central midfielder (Gerrard is pushing him now) to ever wear the red shirt. I don't think so. Fact is, the vast money and adulation footballers are bestowed with make plenty of them into quite unpleasant individuals. As long as you don't end up with a load of those characters at your club, one or two are fine, they will be kept in line by the management and other players. Bellamy as a potential signing should be judged on ability alone; he won't get away with any s*** here, guaranteed. Personally I want him signed, for £6m we really can't lose...

The day the people at the top of the club take that attitude is the day we head down the road to financial ruin. Sevilla are asking over the odds for Alves - not that I don't think he won't be worth it in the long run, but nevertheless still over market value. If we're going to have to pay over market value for a player the manager really wants then Parry, Rafa, whoever have a duty to ensure the fee we do eventually shell out is as low as possible. The player wants to come here - so it will be resolved in time. You don't just say 'I've got some money in the bank I'll spend it', you have to take into account other outgoings before blowing all your money just because it is available to you. Be patient!

I think we've got more money to spend than we're making out personally...

Rafa is Kerlon one out...

Owen was always woeful for anything up to 5 or 6 games when he came back from injury. I'd use him from the bench myself if I was Eriksson. I can't see him finding top form in this World Cup, but he does know where the net is when you need a goal - that no-one can deny.

Can't believe that a thread entitled 'Alves - the beginning of the end?' is 471 posts on and we're still actually no nearer to signing the b@stard than we were when it started. On the plus side Babelfish has had a good run-out though...

I can't believe I'm still being subjected to this atrocious headline; 'Crouch -no go for Robo'.

Scotland and Darren Feltcher didn't qualify unfortunately...

Perhaps Jan is so popular in the gay community because he's 'chronically camp'...

Wouldn't you like to know...

...'most beautiful players' as voted by the Dutch gay community. Get in there lad - who needs Alves?

Si - y tiene pelo estupido tambien... SACK PARRY!

I saw an interview with Lampard the other day, when they asked him about his partnership with Gerrard, and how Stevie looked to be playing in the holding role against Paraguay. Lampard said they don't actually designate who plays the holding role, and they just play it as it goes. Which of course in real terms means he f*cks off forward whilst Gerrard has to anchor. The most worrying thing about that for me was; what is Sven's tactical solution to the biggest talking point and problem facing England over the last couple of years - accommodating two great players in the centre of midfield who can't play together? Send them out there and let them sort it out themselves. Incredible.

You're moving to France? Bon chance mon ami...

I don't think he'll add a great deal to Chelsea next season. Great footballer, but has a gigantic attitude and to me is no better than Lampard overall. He's an attacking midfielder who scores quite a few and has excellent quality, but won't go past players or put too many tackles in. Certainly not the player I'd have gone for had I been Mourinho...

Fortunately I opted to leave Ronaldo out of my fantasy side and choose Kaka in my midfield. Brazil weren't good at all - people forget it's a long, long time since a South American team won the World Cup in Europe, so Brazil aren't guaranteed to win it, no way. I was quite impressed by Italy myself. They weren't what you'd call brilliant against Ghana, but I felt they had pretty decent control over the game after the first half hour against tricky opponents.

But apart from that he's fine... Never thought he should have left Barca even at the time - possibly the best player I've ever seen in his fairly brief time at Camp Nou, but despite still scoring regularly he's always been a shadow of that genius since his injuries at Inter.