Swagger

So is it Pounds or Euros?

Must say that I am surprised that he was given the no. 10 shirt; would have thought it would have been saved for a more high profile signature.

My sentiments exactly.

Ties in with what Figaro has said about his buyout clause being lower than was widely reported. Anyway, 20m for Torres is a fantastic piece of business.

Nail. On. Head.

RIP. Best wishes and thoughts Thommo and family. YNWA.

How was he pace-wise?

Must be crap. No way will Rafa let him go.

I am sure that Jean-Michel Aulas would be happy to know that Mourinho has spoken directly with Malouda ...

Lets hope not. Regardless of which wingers Rafa get in this summer, I really hope that Kewell will be back to his best next season, and I reckon that he will surprise a few people.

PLTBT.

Hope not. Good first season in the Premiership, but a very very ordinary one after returning from injury. With Riise, Aurelio and Insua, I reckon we are pretty much covered there. I've got a lot of time for Aurelio. When he got a run in the team last season he had shown that he is a very good player. If he can stay injury free - and unfortunately its a big if - I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the LB position his own next season.

I really cannot see us signing Torres and Tevez. It would mean one of Kuyt and Crouch becoming fourth choice striker, doing great injustice to their respective talents, and that is without even mentioning Voronin. If Torres does sign, I think him and Kuyt will start the season as first choice strikers. FWIW, I think Kuyt will not be asked to track back so much this season, and this will vastly improve his goal ratio. Torres, Mancini and Benayoun, on top of the players already signed, will make it a very good summer in my opinion. Benayoun has received a mixed reception here, but whilst not world class, he is a very good player, and will give Rafa possibilities. Very good value for 4-5m.

RIP Mr. Kuyt. Thoughts with Dirk and the family. YNWA.

Torres and Tevez? Some people are being too greedy ... Torres, Mancini and Malouda or Simao or even Benayoun would make it a very good summer (not forgeting Lucas and Voronin).

Hope so. I want it decided either way so we can move onwards and moan about something else ...

By 2 forwards do you mean Voronin and another? If not, two apart from Voronin does not make sense, especially if Crouch and Kuyt are staying, and they most probably are. Another striker - Torres looking very likely - and two wide men would make it a very good summer, though it could be one wide man and one Yosi Benayoun.

Bloody hell, they are either very desperate, or have too much money. Either way, they are bloody stupid.

Difference is, Gerrard knew he was likely to win trophies here, especially after Istanbul, and especially with Rafa in charge, and was pretty much guaranteed CL football every season.

So thats shirt numbers 9, 10 and 11 up for grabs ...

I agree, though I think that too many so called big name players competing for such few first team places could create problems. Then again, Rafa is not one to mess with, so I guess any player not towing the party line will be quickly shown the door.

Atletico signing both Forlan and Luis must mean they are preparing for life without Torres. Gutted Luis is going. As been said, though, its probably more down to him wanting to return to Spain than Rafa wanting rid.

Thing is, if we get two new wingers in, of the Malouda/Mancini/Simao level, they'd expect to play regularly, so where would this leave Kewell and the improving Pennant? A big squad is nice, but too many big name players on the bench could create unrest. And that is without going into the financial side of things, i.e. bringing in players on big transfer fees and on big wages who would not necessarily be considered automatic starters.

Me neither.