Rafa selling top drawer players

[R A Softlad]

Does anyone know if he has a history of doing this to bring in extra revenue for other transfers?

 

There's a rumour for example on Tritebull that reckons Rafa would trade Reina as part of the Villa deal and bring James back. Far fetched I know but would Rafa sacrifice a Xabi, a Lanky Pete or a Pepe for a Villa or someone else?

[Nebraska Red]

he may well be ruthless enough to sacrifice any player to get someone who he feels can do the best job for Liverpool.

 

i would imagine that Crouch and Reina would be ahead of Alonso in the sacrifice ratings.

[_00_deathscar]

Crouch I can imagine him selling, but not Reina and most certainly not Alonso.

 

Alonso is like the non-bald son Rafa would love to have.

[alias75]

I get the impression with Rafa that noone is un-sellable if he thinks its for the good of the team. Of course some players are more important to his plans than others but hes rational and pretty single minded so i dont think anyone in the team couldnt be sold if Rafa thought it was the right offer.

[Rimbeux]

There are still some who think he'd sell the captain if he could get away with it...

[Ronnie Whelan]

There are still some who think he'd sell the captain if he could get away with it...

 

 

 

It would be fascinating to see how people would react in that scenario.

[Guest Jodus]

Any manager would sell a less-than-indespensible player in order to secure a better or more promising one, at the right time. I am not sure January is the best time to do that, can unsettle the team.

 

This is a time for strengthening, and holding back those extra players until the summer...

[Guest Anders Honoré]

He got rid of Kily gonzalez, but that was before he actually used him. I don't know if he has sold any profiles he has brought in himself. Carew might fit the bill.

[Guest Si]

The Villa/Reina/James link is from Alan Nixon in the Mirror so it wont happen!

[crisps]

did he sell mendieta?

[Benitez]

did he sell mendieta?

 

nope.

 

 

Valencia sold him that summer though, just before Rafa was made boss.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

The Villa/Reina/James link is from Alan Nixon in the Mirror so it wont happen!

 

I seen that one alright but the best one has to be

 

'Crouch has told Benitez that he wont move to Newcastle was it would be a step back'

 

'Crouch would favour a move Newcastle should Benitez decide to cash in'

 

One was the Mirror, cant remember the other one, maybe The People or something like that, made me chuckle.

[richt71]

He got rid of Kily gonzalez, but that was before he actually used him. I don't know if he has sold any profiles he has brought in himself. Carew might fit the bill.

What was it Carew called Rafa - cold hearted killer if I remember rightly for selling him after he'd had a good season!

I can't see Rafa ever been bothered about selling anyone if it benefits the team.

[Spanish_fan]

He got rid of Kily gonzalez, but that was before he actually used him. I don't know if he has sold any profiles he has brought in himself. Carew might fit the bill.

 

He got rid of Kily Gonzalez in his second season in charge in the January transfer window. Carew was bought by Cuper.

[Guest Cardie]

He's too pragmatic not too.

 

If he thinks he can get another keeper in who can perform to the level he wants and that by using the current keeper as a make weight in a deal for a player he thinks can improve the side then Reina would be gone.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I like Rafa's ruthlessness with players that may be perceived to be his favourites ala Pellegrino, Josemi, Morientes, Nunez

[Frosty Jack]

Not James though, I don't think I could watch a game again.

[Rushian]

Does anyone know if he has a history of doing this to bring in extra revenue for other transfers?

 

Owen, and to stretch the point, Murphy.

[betterman]

It would be fascinating to see how people would react in that scenario.

 

Hysterically, I imagine.

 

I like the way our boss more or less shifts the dross fairly quick and doesn't let his ego/pride get in the way of shifting his bad buys out again fairly quickly.

 

I love the way he's a class act and a shrewd manager and would therefore not dream of offloading Xabi, Stevie or Pepe and a few others unless it was absolutely the right thing to do.

 

Still don't see how people cant realise what a great buy Pepe was, what keeper out there who is available for decent money is going to improve matters here?

 

However, without criticising him, Crouch clearly doesn't fall into the category of 'top drawer' players.

[Paisley]

He's too pragmatic not too.

 

If he thinks he can get another keeper in who can perform to the level he wants and that by using the current keeper as a make weight in a deal for a player he thinks can improve the side then Reina would be gone.

 

Can't understand why we've never been linked with Jaaskeleinen ~ he's top quality, consistent and proved himself in the Premiership.

[Benitez]

Can't understand why we've never been linked with Jaaskeleinen ~ he's top quality, consistent and proved himself in the Premiership.

 

 

you forgot the

[CarraLegend]

Can't understand why we've never been linked with Jaaskeleinen ~ he's top quality, consistent and proved himself in the Premiership.

 

He cant kick or catch properly and is a timewasting t***. Apart from that he's ace.

[G Richards]

I just wanted to say how much I rate Pepe's distribution. When he makes a save he is quick onto his feet to get some attacking move going. His throwing is quick and accurate, but he's brought another dimension to his distribution this season that I don't think I've seen (at least to the same level) from any other keeper. Pepe does this kick - it has a low trajectory, and basically arrows towards the target - whether 40, 50, 60, 70+ yards away. It's quite phenomenal. The ball flies over like a rocket - giving the defenders much less time to get into position to cover any danger. This is a great asset and it is markedly different from the hopeful looping punts that most keepers do when they kick it.

 

When we consider his athleticism, shot stopping ability, pace off his line, mental strength (coming back from his blip this season has demonstrated a strong mind), I think we would be very hard pressed to replace Pepe.

 

He is still very young and will presumably continue to improve further. If Rafa wants Villa then he should get DIC to pay and keep Reina at Anfield where he belongs.

[Sheida V]

I don't think we can realistically do any better than Reina and Alonso (and I don't really rate many players above them anyway). But if we CAN find a better player I don't see Rafa having any hesitations to sell some players to make room.

 

And why should he hesitate? one of his best attributes, IMO, is that he does what he believes is right and isn't afraid of what others think (e.g. rotation).

[_00_deathscar]

Even for Reina (and his style of play) there are very few contenders.

 

I don't think there is another Alonso-type player around on this planet...Pirlo is probably the closest but he's more of a pure playmaker and a bit of a weakling.