GWistooshort

Silva piece in the Mirror this morning as well............ Liverpool offer Valencia £15m for Spanish star David Silva By David Maddock 13/05/2009 Liverpool have made a £15million take-it-or-leave-it offer for David Silva. Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has warned the winger’s club Valencia he will walk away from the deal if they try to turn it into an auction. There have been secret talks between the two clubs over the highly-rated 23-year-old, who was part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2008 last summer. But Benitez is becoming increasingly annoyed about what he sees as Valencia’s underhand tactics to try to push the price up by involving other clubs. Valencia are more than £100million in debt and this summer will have to sell Silva, along with their superstar striker David Villa and international defender Raul Albiol if they are to survive. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21353851/

The Guardian Wednesday 13 May 2009 Steven Gerrard named Football Writers' Association player of the year By Sachin Nakrani • Liverpool captain beats Giggs and Rooney to award • 'His performances are of the highest quality' says FWA The Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, has been voted the 2009 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association. The 28-year-old topped the poll of journalists ahead of Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to win the accolade, which has been running since 1948. Gerrard will receive his award at the FWA's gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 29 May. "Steven's performances this season have been of the highest quality," said FWA chairman Steve Bates. "His drive and desire have underpinned Liverpool's Premier League title challenge and ensured a tight finish to the season. "Steven is clearly in his prime and quite rightly rated one of the finest midfield players of his generation and the FWA are delighted to honour his contribution to club and country." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ma...yer-of-the-year

From the Guardian................... "Sources close to Tevez have said that his "tribal" nature makes him reluctant to consider a move to Liverpool " http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ma...nchester-united From the Daily Mail..............

The Guardian Wednesday 13 May 2009 Rafael Benítez still hopes to bring David Silva to Liverpool By Andy Hunter • Silva could operate on the left or off Fernando Torres • Deal threatened by Real Madrid and Barcelona's interest Liverpool have not conceded defeat in their efforts to sign the Valencia forward David Silva, despite Rafael Benítez's recent declaration that the Spain international will not be moving to Anfield this summer. The Liverpool manager publicly withdrew his interest in the coveted Silva amid concern he was being dragged into an auction for the 23-year-old to suit Valencia's need to reduce their suffocating debts of almost €500m (£455m). "We will not be signing him," announced Benítez in March, when Liverpool's initial approach to his former club was made public in Spain despite an agreement to the contrary. Benítez, however, remains a fervent admirer of a player who can operate on the left or off a leading striker – in Liverpool's case Silva's international team-mate, Fernando Torres –and retains hope that a deal can be struck with the financially stricken Spaniards. To do so, Benítez, who is keen to conclude his protracted pursuit of Gareth Barry as swiftly as possible this summer and must sell to finance all his transfer needs, requires Valencia to lower their current asking price of around £25m and for Barcelona and Real Madrid not to enter into an auction for the player. The Spaniards quoted Manchester City an outrageous £130m when they inquired about a joint deal for Silva and the striker David Villa in January but rivals are aware that financial pressures are likely to reduce Valencia's asking prices as the summer progresses. Given his value and Benítez's transfer budget, Silva remains an ambitious target for Liverpool and their prospects will recede should either of the Spanish giants consider Valencia's demands. Benítez, however, is acutely aware of the financial predicament at his former employers, where he retains several close contacts, and was not discouraged when Liverpool made their initial approach to Silva and his representatives earlier this year. That approach came from Eduardo Macia, the Liverpool chief scout, who brought Silva to Valencia as a teenager. The Liverpool manager confirmed last week that he intends to fine-tune his squad this summer rather than commence another overhaul. He also intends to complement his first-choice pairing of Torres and Steven Gerrard with another versatile forward, despite Robbie Keane's failure to adapt to that role this season. Benítez's requirements have encouraged reports of an end-of-season move for Carlos Tevez, the Argentina striker whose frustration with life at Manchester United is well known. The Spaniard, however, has declined the chance to sign Tevez on several occasions in the past and is known to harbour reservations over both his price-tag and temperament. Former midfielder Steve McManaman insists Benítez must strengthen in the summer in order to win the title next season. "I expect Rafa [benítez] to rectify in the summer that ­little lacking in creativity," he said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ma...-silva-valencia

From this morning's Independent........... "Liverpool also remain a prospective buyer [of Tevez], as do Chelsea and two surprising outside possibilities, Everton and Aston Villa. But Liverpool's Rafael Benitez has another offensive player in his sights – Valencia's David Silva, for whom he is ready to return to the Spanish club with a £15m take-it-or-leave-it offer. Benitez has had chief scout Eduardo Macia, who signed Silva for Valencia, out in Spain viewing the attacking playmaker for some time. The Liverpool manager is understood to be ready to do business with his former club, though there is some concern at Anfield that it might open a bidding war. Valencia have financial troubles which have prompted vice president Fernando Gomez Colomer to prepare the fans for the departure of at least one of the their prime assets, Silva or David Villa." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ez-1683918.html

From Sky Sports............. Tevez tipped to join rival Advisor expects striker to leave United but stay in England Last updated: 12th May 2009 Kia Joorabchian expects Carlos Tevez to leave Manchester United in the summer and has hinted that he is likely to join another Premier League club. Tevez's two-year loan deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season and the Argentine announced over the weekend that he still had not been offered a permanent contract. Joorabchian has now explained that, while the striker has enjoyed his spell with the Red Devils, he is now thinking about embarking on a new challenge. "He feels there is a very big chance that his time has come to an end and it is time to move on," Joorabchian, Tevez's advisor, exclusively told Sky Sports News. "He loved his time there, he mentioned that, and the glory he has had there has been very special to him. "But the fact that they have not offered him a contract or made any effort to sign him up means that he probably has to move on and think about his own future." Tevez's recent comments have sparked speculation about where he could be plying his trade next season but Joorabchian maintains that he will keep battling as hard as he can for the United cause over the coming weeks. Joorabchian also added that Tevez's goal celebration in Sunday's Manchester United derby, when he cupped his hands behind his ears, was directed at those members of the English press that had suggested he was not a prolific scorer. He continued: "There is a lot of interest in Carlos but he has always been very focused and concentrated, for the respect of the club, the manager and the supporters he has to stay focused "As you saw on Sunday, he will work his socks off whenever he is picked and make sure he performs to his highest level." Joorabchian insists Tevez's preference would be to stay in England, although playing in the UEFA Champions League would not necessarily be a major factor in his decision. Tevez is more concerned with joining a club that has a lot of ambition and Joorabchian refused to rule out a possible move to Manchester City. He said: "Everyone wants to play in the biggest competition they can and the Champions League is the biggest, but Carlos is not the kind of person that says I have to play for this club in this situation. "What he wants to do is to go to a club that has a real ambition to be champions of England and champions of Europe. "He would have to go to a rival to achieve that target but he also understands that it is not in his control." Asked specifically about Man City, Joorabchian added: "I don't want to direct (speculation by) saying it is going to be Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham, Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus. "At this moment in time Carlos is a Manchester United player and he is focused on staying a Manchester United player until the end of the season." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5318166,00.html

clears up why Kenny hasn't been brought in yet!

To be fair, these rumours have been around in most of the papers for quite a while, so the mention in the Daily Mail this morning is nothing new

If he signs for us I hope you're right (& I'm wrong) & I will give him my full support

Darby, Kelly & Spearing were already in this season's Champions League squad, as was Steven Irwin. Insua needs to have been registered with us for 3 entire seasons or 36 months before he qualifies as a 'locally trained' player, which if yurisaka was right in an earlier thread about Insua's date of registration, means he doesn't qualify until 28 Nov this year, which will be after almost all of the Group Stage games have been played. You are allowed a maximum squad of 25, of which 8 players need to be 'locally trained'. Our 25 man squad for the Group Stages this season had Carra, Darby, Kelly, Irwin, Gerrard, Spearing, Pennant & Keane as the 'locally trained players, but we only named a 23 man squad for the knock out rounds because we didn't replace Pennant or Keane. So we have at least 2 gaps for 'locally trained' players that we need to fill if we want to be able to name a full 25 man squad for the CL Group Stages next season, although it may be more if any of the youngsters that were in this season's squad go out on loan - Huddersfield have said they want Kelly on a season-long loan next season for example. Obviously we have the option of promoting some more youngsters to fill these gaps & Insua should be eligble as a 'locally trained' player for the knock out rounds, but it is an issue Rafa will need to take into consideration when thinking about our summer signings. http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/club=78...on=1/index.html

It makes sense to me At this point in time Wigan don't want or need to sell Valencia & Man Utd don't want or need to sell Ronaldo However, given the constant speculation about Ronaldo leaving Man Utd have identified Valencia as their preferred replacement should Ronaldo leave Therefore Man Utd approached Wigan for 1st refusal on Valencia should they decide to sell him & they will either have paid Wigan for 1st refusal or agreed a generous transfer fee (which £20m certainly is) or both Wigan agreed as there is no downside for them & gives them either some cash now (for very little) or a guranteed high transfer fee should they decide to sell Valencia or both If Ronaldo does leave, Man Utd will go back to Wigan & say are you willing to sell Valencia to us now? Wigan will probably be unable to turn down £20m/not want to stand in the player's way etc

The Liverpool Daily Post this morning has confirmed that talks have started between us & Forest over a permanent deal for Anderson http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-23598524/2/

Oliver Kay on Tevez & us in the Times this morning........... The Times May 12, 2009 Cristiano Ronaldo shelves dream move to Madrid Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent Manchester United will continue to tolerate the diva-like behaviour of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Old Trafford dressing-room next season after it emerged last night that the World Player of the Year is close to dropping his pursuit of a move to Real Madrid for another 12 months. However, United’s players are far more concerned about the imminent departure of Carlos Tévez, who is giving serious consideration to a controversial move to Liverpool or Manchester City. As United edged closer to a third consecutive Premier League title on Sunday, the two forwards took some of the gloss off their 2-0 derby victory over City. Tévez expressed his displeasure with the Old Trafford hierarchy with his goal celebration before Ronaldo reacted to his second-half substitution with a hissy fit that challenged the authority of Sir Alex Ferguson. The two acts of petulance were the talk of the United dressing-room afterwards, but, whereas Ronaldo has told team-mates that he intends to stay even if Real come calling again this summer, the impasse over Tévez has led a handful of players to float the idea of a collective plea to the board to sign up the Argentina forward. The reality, which appeared to be lost on him as he celebrated his goal against City by cupping his ears to the directors’ box in an attempt to expose the deafening silence from the boardroom, is that Tévez is falling victim to his own circumstances at Old Trafford. In an ideal world, Ferguson would retain Tévez’s services after his two-year lease arrangement expires on June 30, but the United manager agrees with David Gill, the chief executive, that a permanent transfer has been rendered almost impossible first by his uniquely complicated situation — with a £22 million transfer fee due to the companies that own his “economic rights” in addition to his wages and the £10 million lease fee that has already been paid — and second by his difficulties in accepting the squad rotation system. In the absence of an offer from United, whom he has accused of making him feel unwanted, Tévez is prepared to consider joining Liverpool or City as well as Chelsea, Inter Milan or Real, all of whom are free to negotiate with his adviser, Kia Joorabchian, with no objection from Old Trafford. The Spanish club remain favourites to sign him, but the player made clear in an interview published in a Sunday newspaper that he is more than open to the idea of staying in England with one of United’s domestic rivals. The Tévez camp believe that staying in the North West, where he and his family are settled, holds a strong appeal for him and that signing for Liverpool or City would make sense if he is persuaded that he would be central to their plans. Liverpool’s interest in Tévez, 25, was first revealed in The Times last month, with Rafael Benítez eager to sign a centre forward to ease the goalscoring burden on Fernando Torres, whose hamstring problems have caused him to miss a large chunk of the season. Benítez is confident that Tévez could be tempted to Anfield by the presence of Javier Mascherano, the Argentina captain, who is also a client of Joorabchian and with whom he played at Corinthians and West Ham United. City cannot offer Champions League football, but the appeal of signing the forward has grown on Garry Cook, the chief executive, and Mark Hughes, the manager, since it was first proposed in January. Backed by the enormous wealth of Sheikh Mansour, the owner, the club believe that they can offer Tévez a scenario in which he would be the leading player in a team who plan to be contenders in the Premier League next season. The prospect of stealing an established player from United holds a strong appeal for City, but it would also be a deal that could take them to a higher level on the pitch and potentially attract other signings. Real remain favourites, however, and their desire to sign Tévez may be increased by growing doubts about their ability to lure Ronaldo. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6269591.ece

It's in the Daily Mail again this morning.......... "A £20million deal has already been agreed in principle for Wigan’s Antonio Valencia to join United should Ronaldo be granted his wish to play in Spain with Real Madrid." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...sulky-star.html

Dirk Kuyt always in Liverpool's first XI, says Rafael Benitez Rafael Benitez says Dirk Kuyt will always be guaranteed a place in his first XI regardless of who he signs in the summer. By Rory Smith Last Updated: 6:13PM BST 11 May 2009 The Holland international striker arrived at Anfield three years ago in a £10 million deal but, thanks to his profligacy in front of goal and the signing of Fernando Torres, has been forced to carve out a new niche as an energetic right winger. While Benitez knows it is not Kuyt's preferred role, he has been so pleased by his development he is prepared to ignore those among the club's support who are desperate for the arrival of a specialist wide man and make Kuyt as untouchable as Torres and Steven Gerrard. He said: "You could call him Mr Duracell, because of the way he plays, always running and always on the go. But we knew when we signed him that he was that sort of player, because he has been doing it for years. "He's done really well this year, creating things and scoring goals, but maybe that is because the team is doing better. "You can use him in so many different ways so you can pretty much guarantee he will be in the starting line-up." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...el-Benitez.html

I really fear that Downing doesn't have the mentality that we need - the ability to handle (i) the intensity & high pressure in every single game we play & (ii) a large number of teams just 'parking the bus' against us - both of which he will not have experienced before Robbie Keane didn't have the mentality to succeed under these conditions & neither, do I fear, does Stewart Downing

Too error prone for my liking

I think Ricardo Fuller could do a job for us It's taken 6 weeks. but I think I'm getting the hang of this

Don't disagree, but think we have higher priorities this summer * striker as back up for Fernando * left-sided player to be 1st choice (with Riera as back up - sell Babel) * right back to provide competition for Arbeloa * centre back to cover Sami's departure (this potentially could be a youngster promoted from the reserves if good enough) * upgrade on Lucas as one of the centre midfield 3 Obviously some of these could be filled by the same players (eg striker & left-sided player or right back & centre back)

I don't think we need (or indeed could probably find) someone who can cover both Torres & Gerrard as well as play from the left because I think Benayoun/Kuyt are perfectly fine as cover for Stevie But we do need cover for Fernando & someone who can play on the left & it would be great if it was the same player as this would ensure they were match sharp when they needed to play up front as well as obviously saving on wages & transfer fees comapring to buying 2 different players for these roles

From the Daily Mail............ "Sportsmail can reveal interest from City and Liverpool is genuine and that contact has been made with Tevez’s representatives." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-Liverpool.html

I agree that we do need another striker, as back up for Fernando (rather than changing the Torres/Gerrard partnership) Ideally this striker would meet the following criteria: * we could rely on him to score goals if Torres is out, * he provides something different to Torres (for the rare occasions that Fernando's not having any joy) * he would be able to lead the line effectively in Fernando's absence, but would also play effectively alongside him if we wanted to play with 2 strikers up front rather However, I'm struggling to think of a striker who meets all of these criteria & would also be happy to spend much of the time sitting on the bench & would still be able to strat scoring straight away even if he's not been playing regularly. That's why I favour buying a player who can play on the left as well as up front, who would be our 1st choice on the left & therefore match sharp if they need to step in for Fernando. A better version of what Babel could have been. Robin Van Persie seemed to me to fit the bill & earlier in the season seemed like he could possibly have been available, but I'm expecting him to sign a new contract with Arsenal now. I'm struggling to think of another player who fits this bill & could be available at the right price.

It has been reported in most papers that the fee Man Utd agreed for Tevez is £32m in total. made up of £6m a season for each of the 2 seasons that he has been on loan with them & a final payment of £20m, which would give Man Utd the player's registration It has also been reported that if Tevez doesn't sign for Man Utd then another loan deal like the one he currently has with them is unlikely Personally I don't think we should be after Tevez because: 1. his most effective position in our system would be in Dirk's place & we have other priorities, 2. he wouldn't make £20-30m worth of difference to our team, & 3. I can't see why he'd be happy with the amount of playing time he'd get with us which I don't think would be radically different to what he'd got this season

4 defenders on the bench!

&, as pointed out by Florist CPG & synder in the "xabi out" thread, that Torres, Gerrard, Alonso & Mascherano have only started 3 league games together (& 6 out of the 52 we've played in all competitions)