Mata

[Parm]

No brainer, Downing at £16m compared to Mata at around £21-22m. Kenny would be crazy not to tell Commolli and the owners to go that extra mile.

That's te one thing about downing,the price is crazy ESP from 5/6mill mata could come.

[BrooklynRed]

Thought he looked good for te u21's tonight,but isn't one to stick to the wings and give us width,may end in suarez's way if we signed him.downing would give us balance and consistency

Mata is 23 and a senior player on the U21 team; I didn't know this, but the rule is you must be U21 at the start of qualifying, so he made it. They played him out of position to read the game and control the ball; he plays on the wing for Valencia. Another poster previously mentioned how he cuts in and is not a disciplined winger, but I also watch a lot of Valencia and he plays the left wing but is given freedom to roam and create. Fear not; he is a winger.

[Spanishfly]

He is a winger, but as has been said he is a senior player and being used for his experience in the squad. Later on he was being used on the wing.

[sevennilphil]

I thought he was extremely impressive last night. He reminded me of Pablo Aimar in Valencia's league winning side, always showing for the ball and passing with real intelligence. I can't actually believe that given Valencia's have huge debts, Barca or Madrid wont snap him up. He's definitely available because Valencia are skint, IF he's prepared to make the move to Anfield, we should break the bank for this guy. He's that good.

[cream]

Watching the game last, buying young English players seems like a bad idea. Buying young Spanish players seems like a better idea.

[Tee]

Watching the game last, buying young English players seems like a bad idea. Buying young Spanish players seems like a better idea.

There are some decent young English players, but generally I would agree with your sentiment. And the young Spanish players would also prove to be better value for money.

[CJ]

Watching the game last, buying young English players seems like a bad idea. Buying young Spanish players seems like a better idea.

There are some decent young English players, but generally I would agree with your sentiment. And the young Spanish players would also prove to be better value for money.

[SB]

Watching the game last, buying young English players seems like a bad idea. Buying young Spanish players seems like a better idea.

There are some decent young English players, but generally I would agree with your sentiment. And the young Spanish players would also prove to be better value for money.

The rules being what they are, we need a mixture or British and non british players obviously. I hope we break the bank and get the lad , no Mata what !

[WarrenB]

Dont get your hopes up too much lads. Chances are if he has a stormer in this tournament there will be plenty of offers for him.

It will be difficult to attract top players from abroad with no europesn football. That said, I'm sure we are interested and so there's always a chance.

Surely, for a foreigner playing in the EPL, EVERY game is a european game.....

[Skrtelmania]

Mata should be our no. 1 transfer priority this summer, assuming we can't get Aguero.

[sevennilphil]

Mata should be our no. 1 transfer priority this summer, assuming we can't get Aguero.

[PTP]

the worry is - a few good games in this tournement and he'll have city and chelsea offering him silly money with champions league football - and possible real madrid too.

i just can't see us signing a 'star' aguero or mata or hazard etc - it'll be downing, adam, wickham and a left back.

[Shaggy]

Andrew_Heaton Andy Heaton
Damien Comolli on the JK6342 from Madrid to Valencia. Hmm.

Andrew_Heaton Andy Heaton
Trying to get a photo in the departure lounge now before we board, if not I'll collar him on the plane. I'll update on landing.

Andrew_Heaton Andy Heaton
For those that believe I'm in a wind up, here's my ticket. yfrog.com/hsp6irdj

Andrew_Heaton Andy Heaton
*******, he's got priority boarding, this could be tricky.

[BigChief]

So Mata is not one of the 3 that has yet turned us down for not being in the CL. This could be a good omen from our very own Damien.

[Shaggy]

Arlarse Bangon
by pauledwards1973
@Andrew_Heaton Comolli can't be on that plane. He's in @Pault86's house discussing transfer targets.