Swagger

Opps, yes it was Eskimo that mentioned him, not Figaro. Credit where credit is due ...

Central defender. Didn't Figaro mention him a while back?

Why? Its not as if Sevilla are in direct competition with Barca, are they? They know they are not likely to challange for the title.

Well said. Speedy seems class, but the Premiership takes getting used to, and some players never settle properly (just ask Cheyrou, and, more recently, Morientes). Getting rid of Kewell is too risky, and may backfire widely. If we want to challange on all fronts next year, we need both. With a thin squad we will be no match for Chelsea and ManU - and probably Arsenal too - over the course of a whole season.

True. And a goal in the CL Final doesn't change that. Still, before the match against Borough he said how interested he is in playing in the premiership, so you never know. According to Figaro, Rafa has been after him since taking over for us, so he may be persuaded by his courtship.

Starts now? It has started the minute the transfer market closed at the end of January ...

I reckon Cisse.

What Herbie said.

Very optimistic. I think that Moro will stay another season, as will Robbie, thus there will be room for just one more striker - Kuyt being top of Rafa's list IMO. Lets not forget that Garcia can do a good job there too, so I doubt it will be Defoe and Kuyt/Torres. Joaquin is a winger, not a hole player, so in all likelihood it is between him, SWP and Pennant for our RM. SWP is probably Rafa's top target, but I doubt Mourinho will want to sell to us. Pennant IMO, despite his problematic attitude, is a good option, and will probably not cost too much. Gonzalez and Paletta are in the bag, and Aurelio on a free seems nailed on. That, together with a top striker and a quality RW will make a good summer. Anything over that will be a bonus.

Totally agreed.

Agreed. Doen't hurt that he likes the area, as well as being good friends with some of our players, our captain for one.

He was excellent again today. Just imagine how good he'll be in a couple of years, with more experience and maturity. Just to have him playing so soon after fears that his career could be over is fantastic.

This content is not viewable to guests.

Milan 1-0. Inzaghi.

Agreed. People conveniently forget Rafa's long association with Real. Also, lets not forget that he has a wife and two young girls, and a move back to their home town would probably appeal to them (schools, family, etc.) Rafa hates others meddling with his team, so as long as Perez was in change, I was calm. Now that he has gone, if the new man pledges to keep out of team affairs - Rafa could well be tempted. Especially since over there he would get funds that he can only dream of here. Rafa seems the loyal type, and there is no need to panic just yet. But am I worried? Sure.

Pure class.

The reason? Perez is nuts, thats the reason. Apparently an elderly, overweight man with facial hair did not fit in with Real's galactico image. And to think that winning trophies is the important thing.

I remember we were strongly linked with him, what with our strong links to Crewe. Good striker, but that is silly money.

Besides, I don't think Torres is worth 20m, and there is no way that Rafa would spend such an amount - if he had it - on one player.