Is Tony Le Talent spilling the beans

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Sky Sports Link

 

Liverpool striker Anthony Le Tallec has confessed he made a mistake by leaving the club when Rafa Benitez arrived at the helm.

 

The French starlet believed he would not play under the Spaniard and decided to go out on loan to gain first-team opportunities. However, Benitez has since revealed that Le Tallec would have been given a chance at Anfield.

 

 

 

"I think I made a big mistake by leaving Liverpool so early," he told France Football.

 

"Recently my agent had a talk with Benitez and he told him he relied on me at the beginning, even if he didn't show it.

 

"The biggest mistake was when I went to meet him and asked to be loaned."

 

The Under-21 international is now keen to leave Liverpool this summer and return to France, and he admits a move to Paris Saint Germain would be his first choice, despite the interest of Bordeaux.

 

"The talks with Liverpool's officials went smoothly they said it was best for me to leave," Le Tallec continued.

 

"They will buy two great strikers, I think, so in my mind I have already left.

 

"Everyone knows Paris Saint Germain has always been the club in my heart, if they make a good offer I will go, but it is not the hottest trail so far.

 

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Does he know the targets or does he just think we will bring in 2 strikers ??

[fellafeen]

Is sinama coming back?

[Figaro]

Forlan and Saviola?

[Bootle Buck]

I honestly don't think he will cut it in the French League either. He has looked nothing special to me. He was overhyped because of one good youth tournament and the rest was history.

Edited May 31, 2006 by Bootle Buck

[Spiblish]

Forlan and Saviola?

Well Forlan did like scoring at Anfield!!!

[Guest StereoManics]

I remember at the time Le Tallec being one of six forwards at the club when we went to America, then he asked to go on loan so Rafa sent him back to Liverpool to find himself a team. Then Owen left and Cisse broke his leg, he had an excellent opportunity if only he had taken it. We were left with Mellor, Baros and Sinama of which he probably would have been second choice. What a fool!!

[Guest JamesA]

I honestly don't think he will cut it in the French League either. He has looked nothing special to me. He was overhyped because of one good youth tournament and the rest was history.

 

The good thing about youth tournaments, and especially back then, is that the people who spread the hype are generally those who know what they are talking about.

[cymrococh]

He played alright against Juve and West Brom(?).

[Stevie H]

Forlan and Saviola?

sounds like a posh spanish department store.

[Guest Kev]

He played alright against Juve and West Brom(?).

 

He was a lot more than alright against Juve.

[Guest Sabre]

He was a lot more than alright against Juve.

 

Na, he was 'alright'. He wasn't as good as some people think.

 

He was always a decent passer and he has good vision, but he doesn't have the bite or tenacity to make it in England. The lad has made poor decisions under both managers and now he's paying the price.

[Bootle Buck]

The good thing about youth tournaments, and especially back then, is that the people who spread the hype are generally those who know what they are talking about.

 

Unfortunately that was from a time when anything French was looked at as the next Henry or Zidane. We paid over the odds for a couple of untested 17 year olds.

[Guest Jack Bauer]

I remember that 0-0 derby at Anfield where he had his crazy hair, he was f***ing immense and totally ripped them to shreds with some fantastic skill and passing.

[Mad_Fer_It]

I think that ship has sailed, but I would've loved if he was given a proper run in the team... He's an intelligent footballer no doubt about that, and Rafa loves that, he clearly fuc.ked up but who doesnt at his age...

[floyd the barber]

his juve performance has grown into some sorta legend when in reality.....he did ok, played a few nice passes and showed some decent touches...really its overshadowed by that pass to garcia.....which ive always believed....was never actually meant as a pass to garcia.

[Mad_Fer_It]

Was he really given the chance though?

Even Traore, Biscan, etc... were given runs at some stage in their careers with us

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I still think he could make it if he had the determination to win a place even now.

 

A player of his type is wasted at sunderland. He thrives on bringing others into play. Sunderland don't have anyone to play.

[Maldini]

Unfortunately that was from a time when anything French was looked at as the next Henry or Zidane. We paid over the odds for a couple of untested 17 year olds.

Rubbish, they were head and shoulders (metaphorically) above everyone in their age group at 16/17 and that included players like Torres, Iniesta, Tevez, Mascherano, Ronaldo and a few others who went on to become stars.

 

We broke them.

Edited May 31, 2006 by Maldini

[Swipe]

I saw that quote in the papers the other day, but it was down as "Liverpool will buy two major signings."

 

Never mentioned they'd both be strikers.

Edited May 31, 2006 by Swipe

[Benitez]

I agree entirely. Look at Fowler, Gerrard, McManaman, Carragher and at other clubs Eboue, Ronaldo, Rooney, Fabregas, Anelka ....... the list could go on.

 

Giving them a good two seasons worth of games to blood them before they are 20, would, in my opinion, see them being able to realise their full potential. Not by loaning them and playing them in reserves.

 

but it can go the other way as easily. Say if Rafa decided to go with anderson and hammill this summer, rather than bring in more established players. But they struggled next season to really make a big impression in the team, and as a consequence we didn't improve sufficiantly as a team, would fans put up with that? (I just use 'em as an example, not saying he'd do that!). There's always a risk, but sometimes it isn't as easy as just saying 'play 'em in the first team for a couple years'.

 

By the way - Eboue is 23 and signed for the a*** last summer, so he aint a kid who'd suddenly been thrust into the limelight.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

but it can go the other way as easily. Say if Rafa decided to go with anderson and hammill this summer, rather than bring in more established players. But they struggled next season to really make a big impression in the team, and as a consequence we didn't improve sufficiantly as a team, would fans put up with that? (I just use 'em as an example, not saying he'd do that!). There's always a risk, but sometimes it isn't as easy as just saying 'play 'em in the first team for a couple years'.

 

By the way - Eboue is 23 and signed for the a*** last summer, so he aint a kid who'd suddenly been thrust into the limelight.

 

I take your point and agree, for every young starlet there are numerous kids that would sink. But if you are willing to shell out big bucks on the talent that you are willing to put your money where your mouth is like FSP and ALT then I think they should be given every chance....even if that is right from the start.

[Guest JamesA]

but it can go the other way as easily. Say if Rafa decided to go with anderson and hammill this summer, rather than bring in more established players. But they struggled next season to really make a big impression in the team, and as a consequence we didn't improve sufficiantly as a team, would fans put up with that? (I just use 'em as an example, not saying he'd do that!). There's always a risk, but sometimes it isn't as easy as just saying 'play 'em in the first team for a couple years'.

 

By the way - Eboue is 23 and signed for the a*** last summer, so he aint a kid who'd suddenly been thrust into the limelight.

 

The difference between Anderson and Hamill, and Le Tallec and Pongolle being the international level they had reached at the same age.

 

Yes, the biggest problem is always the fans and the expectation - the fear of losing meaning that the manager almost has to play safe and not do something which might reap rewards in two seasons rather than immediately.