Transfer Window Speculation

[Jarg Armani]

24 minutes ago, honourablegeorge said:

Is there any reliable indication that Atletico might sell Alvarez? They paid £80M for him a year ago, he's scored 27 in 51 games, they are not a club that tends to be short of cash. Can't see him being a cheap alternative to Isak in any way.

Exactly. Seems about as likely as Isak to me. 

[honourablegeorge]

As far as I can tell, his agent confirmed that we were interested last summer. And then he went to Atletico and that was that.

[Atticus Finch]

2 hours ago, goodrobotusses said:

I listen to this podcast (although not this episode yet), but these lads do my head in.

In the last episode before this one they were speculating about which club could best use Darwin, which in itself is fine, but spoke about the player the entire time from a purely stats perspective like he is some kind of footballing savant because he "takes a lot of shots".

The analytics stuff is a useful tool, and I have a lot of respect for those who really know how to use it, but when you look at football only from that perspective, you're missing quite a lot. Like, for example, the fact that Darwin doesn't seem to understand the offside rule, and that most of those many shots he takes don't go in the goal.

In terms of raw materials and ability to create and get on the end of chances, Darwin is a freak, yes. But none of that really matters if your attacks ultimately come to nothing because he can't finish or he's offside.

I listen to it as well. I think the Darwin stuff is similar to the conversations we've had on here - looking at the raw materials, if you can harness it etc etc then he could be exciting/a threat. However unlike us they haven't watched him twice a week for three years and realised he is fundamentally flawed for the absolute top level. Still wouldn't surprise me if he did better in a less pressured environment 

[goodrobotusses]

Just listened to the LFC rebuild pod on my run now. Some interesting names I’ve never heard of, but no idea if we’d go for any of them. Worth a listen at least. 

[honourablegeorge]

23 minutes ago, Atticus Finch said:

I listen to it as well. I think the Darwin stuff is similar to the conversations we've had on here - looking at the raw materials, if you can harness it etc etc then he could be exciting/a threat. However unlike us they haven't watched him twice a week for three years and realised he is fundamentally flawed for the absolute top level. Still wouldn't surprise me if he did better in a less pressured environment 

Yeah, I think his head isn't right, he's not settled, and the expected level at Liverpool - that anything other than a win is a disaster - is too much for him

[Greenoak]

Maybe Sporting would be interested once they sell Gok.... To Arsenal 

If Darwin can prosper anywhere it's back in Portugal.

[Romario]

2 hours ago, goodrobotusses said:

I listen to this podcast (although not this episode yet), but these lads do my head in.

In the last episode before this one they were speculating about which club could best use Darwin, which in itself is fine, but spoke about the player the entire time from a purely stats perspective like he is some kind of footballing savant because he "takes a lot of shots".

The analytics stuff is a useful tool, and I have a lot of respect for those who really know how to use it, but when you look at football only from that perspective, you're missing quite a lot. Like, for example, the fact that Darwin doesn't seem to understand the offside rule, and that most of those many shots he takes don't go in the goal.

In terms of raw materials and ability to create and get on the end of chances, Darwin is a freak, yes. But none of that really matters if your attacks ultimately come to nothing because he can't finish or he's offside.

It’s what every big club uses when looking at players I guess. Could player X make the jump if we focus on certain things?

1 or 2 years ago I remember seeing Darwin’s numbers and they were insane just like you say. Top 1% for chances in world football or something like that. The stats said the potential was off the charts. It’s why I was wanting him to stay. I kept thinking there will be a moment where it all falls into place and we’ll have a modern day Batistuta on our hands. That worked out well  

But any coach worth their salt would think “ I’m the guy to unlock this potential”

It hasn’t happened here with two brilliant coaches so I’d be really sceptical of it being a coaching issue at this stage. 

I think a club a slight tier down like Atletico might be a better fit. They seem to nurture an under dog scrappy everyone’s against us attitude that Darwin instinctively might slot into better.The language and culture will obviously feel better to him too. 

Fingers crossed some club think “ he could be our batistuta” and  we get a good fee for him. 

[Ibby]

Jonathan David is as likely as anyone given he is a freebie unless he ends up at saudi

[Romario]

9 minutes ago, honourablegeorge said:

Yeah, I think his head isn't right, he's not settled, and the expected level at Liverpool - that anything other than a win is a disaster - is too much for him

100% this. 

[Benzo-13]

2 minutes ago, Ibby said:

Jonathan David is as likely as anyone given he is a freebie unless he ends up at saudi

Supposed to be off to Atletico which kinda muddies the negativity around Alvarez coming.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

Everton would be perfect for him.

[Dan]

If Isak has a 4% chance of happening I'd rate Alvarez at about 7%.

[Romario]

Just now, Kvarme Ate My Food said:

Everton would be perfect for him.

Naa. Darwin likes to smile. 

Just now, Dan said:

If Isak has a 4% chance of happening I'd rate Alvarez at about 7%.

We should buy as many World Cup winning Argentinians as possible. 

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

1 minute ago, Dan said:

If Isak has a 4% chance of happening I'd rate Alvarez at about 7%.

f***ing Ziggy here. 

[Hassony]

2 minutes ago, Romario said:

We should buy as many World Cup winning Argentinians as possible. 

Think we got the best one, Álvarez would be the other great option

The rest of the team are either old (Messi, Di Maria) or s***e 

[Jarg Armani]

22 minutes ago, Kvarme Ate My Food said:

Everton would be perfect for him.

Harsh

[goodrobotusses]

49 minutes ago, Ibby said:

Jonathan David is as likely as anyone given he is a freebie unless he ends up at saudi

I suspect he's going to want a salary beyond what he's actually worth, given he's run his contract down.

[Gethin]

1 minute ago, goodrobotusses said:

I suspect he's going to want a salary beyond what he's actually worth, given he's run his contract down.

That's the deal with players on a free though isn't it?

[Stevie]

44 minutes ago, Kvarme Ate My Food said:

Everton would be perfect for him.

Nah, he may be s*** but I don’t think he’s a bitter s***.