Garbriel Paletta - I'm only an apprentice

[Benitez]

Liverpool's new Argentine defender Gabriel Paletta says he is not fazed by making the move to The Premiership.

 

Reds chief Rafa Benitez continued the summer overhaul of his squad when snapping up the 20-year-old from Banfield.

 

Paletta has been handed a four-year deal and he is ready to justify Benitez's faith.

 

"I think I'm ready for the move to England," Paletta told the Sunday Mirror.

 

"It's every South American player's dream to play in Europe. It's impossible to turn down the opportunity when it arrives.

 

"I don't fear moving into English football. I'm not arriving as a star. I'm just a young player hoping to make progress."

 

Paletta has been likened to Argentina star Roberto Ayala, but the youngster has moved to play down the talk.

 

"Roberto is a proven star and compared with him I'm only an apprentice," he added. "In my opinion Ayala is a monster. A massive player and a massive winner."

 

sprats

[Spion kop]

good someone with a good head on his shoulder.

[Christine]

Where is the 'I've been a big Liverpool fan since a kid' line? I thought they were mandatory in these circumstances....

[allez les rouges]

good someone with a good head on his shoulder.

 

a good head? its fooking massive!!!

[RafaShanks]

PALETTA RELISHING PREMIERSHIP CHALLENGE

 

Paul Eaton 09 July 2006

 

New signing Gabriel Paletta has admitted he can't wait to get his Anfield career underway following his move from Argentina.

The 20 year old centre back - nicknamed 'the new Ayala' in his homeland after the veteran Argentine skipper - completed his transfer from Banfield last week and has started working with his new team-mates at Melwood.

 

He admits he still has much to learn but he's confident he can soon make an impression in English football.

 

"I think I'm ready for the move to England," he said. "It's every South American player's dream to play in Europe. It's impossible to turn down the opportunity when it arrives.

 

"I don't fear moving into English football. I'm not arriving as a star. I'm just a young player hoping to make progress.

 

"My strengths? My fight, physical power and my aerial game. In Banfield the people have said that I was the best English player in the team. Now I want to demonstrate these qualities in England. But I know I will have to learn quickly.

 

"Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world and any player would want to play there. It's sensational for me to know that Rafael Benitez has the confidence in me to sign me."

 

But Paletta insists he's embarrassed to be compared to Robert Ayala, the legendary Argentina captain.

 

"Roberto is a proven star and compared to him I'm only an apprentice," he added. "In my opinion, Ayala is a monster. A massive player and a massive winner."

 

Offal

[carrafan]

Where is the 'I've been a big Liverpool fan since a kid' line? I thought they were mandatory in these circumstances....

 

[liverbird04]

I'm surprised he hasn't demanded a first team place yet......

[DazzlaJ]

good someone with a good head on his shoulder.

 

Cant beat Bellamys though