Mata

[Mostar]

I think it is one thing to only be looking for one LW player and to prefer one over the other; Downing is a quality player on the wing, chips in with goals and assists and would be a fine addition, IMO. I could understand if, looking at each of them, you might find things you like about one over the other. But not because one is "foreign" and "will he adapt" and he "costs more"-- the reason Mata would cost more to any club is because he is a better and more dynamic player than Stuart Downing. Everything Downing does, Mata will do better, especially if Kenny wants to bring back the pass and move of old (which seems clear).

[Norbs]

I think it is one thing to only be looking for one LW player and to prefer one over the other; Downing is a quality player on the wing, chips in with goals and assists and would be a fine addition, IMO. I could understand if, looking at each of them, you might find things you like about one over the other. But not because one is "foreign" and "will he adapt" and he "costs more"-- the reason Mata would cost more to any club is because he is a better and more dynamic player than Stuart Downing. Everything Downing does, Mata will do better, especially if Kenny wants to bring back the pass and move of old (which seems clear). So, if Kenny actually prefers Downing for footballing reasons, I think it's a suspect decision but I'll trust in him to deliver results. If it is for mythological footballing reasons he can't know-- "adaptation," which, if I would have been asked, I would have guessed David Silva would have struggled with the physicality of the Premiership-- I think we have a philosophical problem as a club.

Seems to me the press in particular love jumping on this meme (Rafa only buys foreigners, etc), but if you're giving me the choice of Downing or the possibility fo someone with David Silva-like ability on the wing, I'd roll the dice for Mata any day. I don't worry if Mata would adapt-- in my head, we are building our team around Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll getting goals and Gerrard pulling the strings. I worry more about Downing in that scenario than Mata.

And I STILL prefer Arda Turan, who could be had with a bid.

Downing has been playing on the right more than the left in the last season or so. He's developing in to a more flexible midfielder than he's given credit for

[BrooklynRed]

Downing has been playing on the right more than the left in the last season or so. He's developing in to a more flexible midfielder than he's given credit for

this is true, but I am not worried about the RW. I think Dirk Kuyt, despite being slow on the ground, is vastly underrated by by LFC supporters. My guess is he is and will remain one of the first names on the team sheet if available to Kenny. His partnership with Suarez defined the second half of our season.

[ronanm]

this is true, but I am not worried about the RW. I think Dirk Kuyt, despite being slow on the ground, is vastly underrated by by LFC supporters. My guess is he is and will remain one of the first names on the team sheet if available to Kenny. His partnership with Suarez defined the second half of our season.

At the rate we're signing players, you're probably right!!

[BrooklynRed]

Do you really think Dirk is a bad player who should be moved to the bench? His Old Trafford hat trick says otherwise. he and Suarez have a great understanding together and he gets himself in great positions to score, is perfect on penalties and should become our #1 penalty taker IMO and he works hard tracking back on the wing in ways that most RWs only dream of. Does he play some awful touches and get caught for pace too often? yes. Does he make up for it in a million other ways? I think so.

--Carroll--
--Suarez--
Mata--Gerrard--Lucas--Kuyt

would be BOSS.

[ashey]

Do you really think Dirk is a bad player who should be moved to the bench? His Old Trafford hat trick says otherwise. he and Suarez have a great understanding together and he gets himself in great positions to score, is perfect on penalties and should become our #1 penalty taker IMO and he works hard tracking back on the wing in ways that most RWs only dream of. Does he play some awful touches and get caught for pace too often? yes. Does he make up for it in a million other ways? I think so.

--Carroll--
--Suarez--
Mata--Gerrard--Lucas--Kuyt

would be BOSS.

[Exiled_red]

I would have though that the expense of Downing would make this impractical. That's not to say I think it is a bad idea. I suppose it would make more sense if we decided to sell Ngog and not add an extra specialist forward to the squad.

I would imagine it's one or the other I don't see us spending ~£50m on these two, when other areas need strengthening.

[Sebastian Rooks]

I do hope we do not sign mata. There is so much more value in the premiership, Pennant, Jarvis, Etherington. No wonder Comolli won't look at mata the stats say it all. Just Look at Mata's Premier league stats for last year.

O apps
O goals
O assists
O crosses

HAHAHAHA as a self confessed stat man that did amuse me!

Yes he's rubbish!

[RedSince1964]

Do you really think Dirk is a bad player who should be moved to the bench? His Old Trafford hat trick says otherwise. he and Suarez have a great understanding together and he gets himself in great positions to score, is perfect on penalties and should become our #1 penalty taker IMO and he works hard tracking back on the wing in ways that most RWs only dream of. Does he play some awful touches and get caught for pace too often? yes. Does he make up for it in a million other ways? I think so.

--Carroll--
--Suarez--
Mata--Gerrard--Lucas--Kuyt

would be BOSS.

Well said bud, Kuyt is the most under rated player on LFC books, Like you said, he works hard and tracks back. he has the engine of a twenty + old player and he constantly works his socks off every game he plays, ok, like you said again, he has no pace to speak off but, in Kuyt case, he makes that up by having a inteligent football brain that makes up for that

[Mostar]

@Lfctransfernews
Valencia confirmed they have signed winger pablo piatti from almeria.apparently a replacement for juan mata

[cream]

I think we'll pull this out like a rabbit from a hat...

[BigChief]

I think we'll pull this out like a rabbit from a hat...

Would explain why we're being frugal with in-demand positions like LB and even Downing/Adam. We must have money left to spend surely, I'd guess around £30million at least. The fact we haven't made any moves must be dependent on our landmark signing.

[SimonNo7]

I think we'll pull this out like a rabbit from a hat...

Let's hope you are right.

[joker]

Richard__BuxtonRichard Buxton
RT @BumperGraham: I've had it confirmed to me that more than one EPL club is negotiating to buy Juan Mata #JuanMata

5 minutes agoFavoriteRetweetReply

[Rowan]

**** you, Buxton