Who's On the Way Out

[Bromage]

So on the assumption that Barry also joins this week, we now certainly have a number of players "surplus to requirements" and I'm therefore assuming that we'll start to see these players clearly identified over the next 10 days. I guess the squad for the CL qualifier will tell us if Xabi, Voronin and maybe Pennant will be staying and of course this assumes that Finnan really is the "makeweight" in the Barry deal. Also what about Babel, Arbeloa & even Benayoun?

[MFletcher]

There is no chance of Babel leaving.

[Sion]

There should be no chance of Benayoun leaving either

 

Quality player

[Falconhoof]

To let Benayoun go we'd need a replacement of a simmilar creative type. Arbeloa is needed for the RB berth or we'll need another player in. Babel is our only left midfielder of note at the moment.

None of those are surplus.

 

We wouldn't miss Pennant, Finnan or Voronin.

Edited August 3, 2008 by Ernest Blenkinsop

[Rimbeux]

I think Alonso, Pennant, Voronin and Finnan are off. The only way I see Yossi going is if there is a crackerjack attacking player 100% coming in.

[Sion]

The only way I see Yossi going is if there is a crackerjack attacking player 100% coming in.

 

Which there is about 4% chance of.

 

I honestly think Yossi on his day can be just as good as Arshavin when played in the right position and given freedom.

[San Diego Red]

Babel? Let's be realistic now.

[Rimbeux]

Which there is about 4% chance of.

 

I honestly think Yossi on his day can be just as good as Arshavin when played in the right position and given freedom.

 

I agree on both counts actually. The more I think about it, the more I think we're ok in numbers for attacking players and should be ok for quality. So much depends on Babel kicking on and Yossi coming to the party, but we should have enough in them without going out on a limb for Poborsky or some step over merchant.

[Mike]

kuyt?

[tomasjj]

Looking at Rafa's initial comments about Keane, it seems Keane offers what Kuyt was thought to offer..

[Rimbeux]

kuyt?

 

 

Looking at Rafa's initial comments about Keane, it seems Keane offers what Kuyt was thought to offer..

 

 

The force is strong in that one. I think he has too much of the right mentality for Rafa to let go, ie he'll run all day and play anywhere and follow tactical instructions whilst not causing a fuss if he's not starting.

[Mike]

The force is strong in that one. I think he has too much of the right mentality for Rafa to let go, ie he'll run all day and play anywhere and follow tactical instructions whilst not causing a fuss if he's not starting.

 

theres no doubt that his work ehtic is truly admirable, but hes not really good enough.

[hideNseek]

theres no doubt that his work ehtic is truly admirable, but hes not really good enough.

For 1st 11 yes, but for squad he's well worth his place.

[BG]

Babel: not a chance.

[Mike]

For 1st 11 yes, but for squad he's well worth his place.

 

expensive squad player, no?

[MFletcher]

I think Kuyt's a very intelligent player - an excellent player to have in the squad.

[MFletcher]

expensive squad player, no?

 

Hardly.

[Mike]

Hardly.

 

he cost 10 million and he'll be a big earner. by what rationale would he not an expensive squad player?

 

just talking about nemeth getting game time, kuyts in his way for a forward berth, yet he doesn't score anywhere near the required amount of goals for a forward for a league winning lfc side. nor is he the wide creative player we need, so to me, hes an option to let go.

[Flanders]

expensive squad player, no?

Not really, unless you think a team would be willing to pay more than we did for him. By evolution of the team he is hopefully now a squad player. He'll be a good squad player and we should keep him unless someone more than £10M

[Flanders]

expensive squad player, no?

Not really, unless you think a team would be willing to pay more than we did for him. By evolution of the team he is hopefully now a squad player. He'll be a good squad player and we should keep him unless someone more than £10M

[Mike]

Not really, unless you think a team would be willing to pay more than we did for him. By evolution of the team he is hopefully now a squad player. He'll be a good squad player and we should keep him unless someone more than £10M

he's a dutch international though isn't he, can't see him being happy not being a first pick player.

i think we'd break even on him if we sold him.

[Flanders]

he's a dutch international though isn't he, can't see him being happy not being a first pick player.

i think we'd break even on him if we sold him.

If he can't take his share of bench time then I guess he'll be moved on next summer, until then I think he's the type to keep his gob shut, especially as it's a bewteen year for internationals.

Next season he'd be looking for first team footie for sure.

[MFletcher]

he cost 10 million and he'll be a big earner. by what rationale would he not an expensive squad player?

 

just talking about nemeth getting game time, kuyts in his way for a forward berth, yet he doesn't score anywhere near the required amount of goals for a forward for a league winning lfc side. nor is he the wide creative player we need, so to me, hes an option to let go.

 

Kuyt will be used in a variety of positions this year, on the wings, in the hole, up front and you will not hear a word of complaint out of him when he's asked to do it. He'll give 120% every time, and perform in the position to the best of his ability. such players are invaluable. Lest we forget that he had 12 from open play in 06/07, which was only one less than Ronaldo managed without the aid of penalties? He had a bad year in goal scoring terms in the league last year, but that is no reason to write him off as expendable.

 

And natural squad progression suggests that he should be a squad player now - this does not make him a bad player. Furthermore, he isn't going to take that many games away from Nemeth because Nemeth isn't going to get close to the side for important games. Kuyt's proven track record in such games makes him a valuable component of the side for 'big' matches, as evidenced by his consistent goal scoring during the Champions League last year, in the final the year before and his Herculean-level performance at home in the CL semi-final v Chelsea in 06/07.

 

He's criminally under-rated, dismissed as a headless chicken, not good enough etc. It annoys me. Excellent squad player to have, and the sort of individual who is invaluable to any squad given his conduct, professionalism and willigness to help the team.

[fyds]

As we've seen (and not just with us) already this summer, £10m is no longer expensive but good quality, squad player money for anyone forward of defence.

 

He earns his keep and it would be cheaper to keep him than replace him for the same money.

[fyds]

Kuyt will be used in a variety of positions this year, on the wings, in the hole, up front and you will not hear a word of complaint out of him when he's asked to do it. He'll give 120% every time, and perform in the position to the best of his ability. such players are invaluable. Lest we forget that he had 12 from open play in 06/07, which was only one less than Ronaldo managed without the aid of penalties? He had a bad year in goal scoring terms in the league last year, but that is no reason to write him off as expendable.

 

And natural squad progression suggests that he should be a squad player now - this does not make him a bad player. Furthermore, he isn't going to take that many games away from Nemeth because Nemeth isn't going to get close to the side for important games. Kuyt's proven track record in such games makes him a valuable component of the side for 'big' matches, as evidenced by his consistent goal scoring during the Champions League last year, in the final the year before and his Herculean-level performance at home in the CL semi-final v Chelsea in 06/07.

 

He's criminally under-rated, dismissed as a headless chicken, not good enough etc. It annoys me. Excellent squad player to have, and the sort of individual who is invaluable to any squad given his conduct, professionalism and willigness to help the team.

Said similar before now and still hold the same view. Every quality team needs someone like Kuyt who will do whatever is necessary with everything he's got.