Aquilani

[ronanm]

Are those of us who rated him all along allowed a moment of smug self-congratulation?
.
.
.
.
.
Thanks, that felt good.

I was going through Kuala Lumpur airport years ago. Some kids were playing football and accidentally kicked the bal my direction. I just kicked it back. I passed through recently and a local guy ran up to me beaming "Ian? Ian Rush?". "No", said I, "John Aldridge." So, Malaysia isn't exactly a hotbed.

If AA was plying his trade against Presidential Selects week in week out he'd be a world beater - but he has a serious amount to do before I am convinced of his talents!!

[BillobShaisley]

Behrami, who joined Fiorentina from West Ham in January, admits he is finding pre-season training tough after three years away from Italy.

"We are working hard on the physical level," he added. "The preparation is very different from England.

"It has been three years since I worked so much in the pre-season and I'm no longer used (to it)."

Fat Sam quoted today saying West Ham got relegated because they weren't fit enough.

[Lecter]

Fiorentina hoping to agree Alberto Aquilani deal with Liverpool FC

by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
Jul 20 2011


FIORENTINA are hoping to agree a deal with Liverpool to take Alberto Aquilani back to Italy.

Serie A outfit are expected to follow up their interest in the midfielder with an official approach over the next few days.

Aquilani returned to Liverpool earlier this month after a season on loan at Juventus, who failed to agree a fee with the Reds over a permanent move.

The 27-year-old Italy international impressed during last week's pre-season tour of the Far East but his future remains uncertain.

Aquilani made it clear he was hoping to stay in his homeland and with the Reds having snapped up midfield trio Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing, his opportunities at Anfield are set to be limited this term.

If they receive a suitable offer Liverpool are likely to sell but they will hope to claw back at least £9million of the £17.6million they shelled out to Roma for him.

However, one potential stumbling block is that Fiorentina want to take Aquilani initially on loan before completing a permanent transfer next summer.

Liverpool are unlikely to agree to that in the knowledge his value would decline further over the next 12 months. And they will also want the cash to fund further acquisitions in the transfer window.

Aquilani is desperate to secure regular first team football to help cement his place in the Italy side ahead of next year's European Championships and Fiorentina would be able to offer him that.


Despite an injury-plagued first year at Anfield, the player's stock remains high in Italy. He proved his fitness by playing in 32 of Juve's 38 league games last term but they failed to take up their option to buy him for £14million.

Initially they were keen on agreeing a compromise on the fee but their interest cooled following the appointment of new boss Antonio Conte.

Two players left Anfield yesterday with defender Chris Mavinga completing his £1million transfer to Rennes, while keeper Peter Gulacsi joined Hull City on a season-long loan.

French youngster Mavinga, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Belgian champions Genk, joined the Reds from Paris Saint Germain in 2009 but never made a first team appearance.

“I want to become established at a club,” Mavinga said.

“I learnt a lot at Liverpool, most notably about attitude. There I understood that you have to be 100% in matches and in training sessions. I don’t regret any choices I have made in my career. I hope things will continue to progress at Rennes.”

Gulacsi has been sent to Hull to gain valuable experience and remains highly rated at Anfield.

That was underlined by the fact the Hungarian penned a contract extension prior to making the move to the Championship club.

Gulacsi was understudy to Pepe Reina in the second half of last season but that role has been taken by new signing Alexander Doni.

Boss Kenny Dalglish is expected to trim his squad further with a number of departures prior to any more signings.



Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...#ixzz1Sd3L5kpf

[Fredo]

It would be a mistake to sell Aquilani.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

I would like him to stay,but if we are getting rid,then maybe we should look at a swap,they have that jovatec? Lad that rafa wanted and who played well against us.

[Alex]

Yep big time. Id give him at least until Xmas. Stupid to sell him now.

[RichC]

If this lad can stay fit I think the style of football Kenny will get us playing will suit him, we need someone with a bit of vision to slide the ball into channels for the likes of Suarez, now I don't see him playing every game but he'd offer something different to unlock teams that will put 10 men behind the ball.

Obviously it's a big IF with his fitness!

[cream]

The problem is we have too many midfielders. Aquilani wouldn't have been of part of Kenny's plans before we bought Adam and Henderson therefore he would be the most likely of our midfielders to leave. I also think that we are struggling to get rid of the ****, which is affecting our ability to buy.

[Exiled_red]

I think that he's worth more than £9m, the fee we quoted to Juventus of £13-14m is closer to the mark IMO. I'd be dissapointed if we let him go for £9m, also if it's a choice between the two I'd prefer to keep Aquilani and let Meireles go.

[saj]

I would like him to stay,but if we are getting rid,then maybe we should look at a swap,they have that jovatec? Lad that rafa wanted and who played well against us.

Not having a go at you but I find it incredible how hype much is surrounding this Jovetic. I can guarentee 99% of the people on this forum have only ever seen him play against us and only rate him because Rafa wanted him. He's unproven and has had a massive injury

I'd sell Meireles over Aquilani. I never understood why we signed him

[saj]

I think that he's worth more than £9m, the fee we quoted to Juventus of £13-14m is closer to the mark IMO. I'd be dissapointed if we let him go for £9m, also if it's a choice between the two I'd prefer to keep Aquilani and let Meireles go.

[Exiled_red]

Not having a go at you but I find it incredible how hype much is surrounding this Jovetic. I can guarentee 99% of the people on this forum have only ever seen him play against us and only rate him because Rafa wanted him.

I'd sell Meireles over Aquilani. I never understood why we signed him

It was a bad time, alot of the decisions made around then defy explanation. IMO that was one of the better ones, but still wasn't totally comprehensible.

[Riche]

I think we need to take into account Gerrards current groin problem and fitness before letting Aquaman go.

[saj]

It was a bad time, alot of the decisions made around then defy explanation. IMO that was one of the better ones, but still wasn't totally comprehensible.

Agree, sort of. I was always baffled as to why let Aquilani go and we rushed to sign him when Masch left. It always looked to me like we signed him based on his 'Fantastic' performances in the world cup against mighty teams such as South Korea. The fact Porto fans diddn't even rate him and couldn't even understand why signed him said something. The only positive thing I remember the Porto fans said about him was he had a good shot.

[RedReet]

Yep big time. Id give him at least until Xmas. Stupid to sell him now.

I think we need to take into account Gerrards current groin problem and fitness before letting Aquaman go.

That was the two points I was going to make. No point in gambling on Gerrard making a full recovery and putting too much pressure on him to play every game. Reassess the situation at Christmas and if we find Aquilani surplus to requirements then sell him then.