Clint Dempsey

[Shaggy]

Where would Dempsey fit into a Rodgers team?

[malg]

Its getting a biggish thread now, which means that Spurs are now going to bid for him (fingers crossed).

[Gray]

Bench hopefully

[danperkins]

Well I had to add something to the debate, and I wasn’t gonna get involved in the hypothetical merits next season of Dempsey compared to Kuyt. Dempsey would have to prove he can transfer his Fulham form onto the bigger stage and we’ll have to see how Kuyt fares if utilized properly in Turkey. Right now we are comparing what Dempsey did playing with less pressure at Fulham to what Kuyt offered when played in a deeper midfield role which has never really suited him during a start-stop campaign.

True enough if we signed Dempsey he'll have massive pressure & will have to prove himself. And to be fair to Dempsey as someone pointed out he played most of his games last season at LM & tends to drop deeper aswell.

[danperkins]

Thanks for posting these, Dan.

Would it be fair to assume that Kuyt has out-scored Dempsey in every season *apart* from 2011/12? I know there will seasons when we have played more games than Fulham, but Kuyt has consistently hit double figures during his time with us and think it's a little unfair to highlight his last season.

I understand it's to highlight a point that his legs have gone, but we're concentrating on one disappointing season, in a season when the whole team floundered infront of goal. Obviously it's hard to draw direct comparisons because of the slight age difference, but they must have roughly joined English football at the same time? I reckon their stats overall will be similar, with Dempsey maybe having a better goals-to-minutes ratio because of his purple patch last season.



Fair comment. I think I will have lost my rag on more than one occasion last season with Kuyt and I understand him wanting to leave if he wants to guarantee first team football (looking at the stats you posted above, he was clearly in and out the team, which in itself, is hard to gain any momentum infront of goal, but I digress), so I'm not too fussed with his sale. And to clarify that point, my opinion is based on Kuyt and Dempsey seperately, not the latter replacing the former (if it happens).



Am I right in thinking Dempsey has only achieved double figures this season and maybe last? And as for the commercial revenue, I couldn't even begin to argue against that - so I take your point.

If it's a £6m transfer fee and he earns £2.6m each year of a three year contract, that's £13.8m (rough figures granted), a shirt costs £40 for easy maths, that means he needs to sell 345,000 shirts across the USA - certianly feasible.

Maybe I was wrong with my £6m thrown away comment.



Again, fair comments Dan. I dislike his character, but then I have an irrational hatred of opposition who have caused us a mischief and can hold a grudge.

I think we're balancing the books and are asking to achieve a lot with not a lot of investment, therefore I think we need to spend wisely - spending £6m on Dempsey is a tad risky in my eyes. Obviously, if he sustains and replicates his form of the last couple of seasons, it will pay off.

If the transfer goes through, I hope you're right and I am wrong.

all fair points mate. And yup very fair to say that Kuyt has been a better player. I'm purely basing my opinions on the fact that whereas Dempsey seems to have gone from strength to strength with age appears to have improved as a player, Kuyt seems to look like he's winding down. IMO i don't think it was just a bad season with Kuyt, i just think he's legs have gone, just my opinion and seems to be the popular one, time will tell.

IMO Demspey isn't a purple patch as regards performances, but i doubt he'll ever be as prolific in front of goal. I don't think Rogers would be bringing Dempsey in to be the main goal threat though. IMO he would be used as a functional squad player, technically capable to cope with Rogers system and yet gives a bit of versatility and steel that Rogers was talking about. Not quite sure where Rogers would play Dempsey though?

As far as the commercial figures i'm mean i have no idea what revenues can be made in the states by signing a players from the states. I presume it can only be a good thing as regards money making. I suppose this would only come into question if Dempsey was signed and he failed. And we were left calculating whether the revenue made from him commercially out weighs the cost of a failed transfer + wages. Let's hope if he signs he's a success on the pitch and it doesn't come to that.

Sure i suppose we can talk about all things Dempsey when/If he actually signs. Not a world beater but i'd be happy

[Muddled]

An off peak Dempsey would still offer more than some of our players. A 10 goal a season player is not too shabby to be honest.

I've just done a quick check and Dempsey has got into double figures twice during his time with Fulham. An 'on-peak' Dempsey would be a threat, an off-peak Dempsey would be Downing MkII. I guess I just think it's a risky move.

[danperkins]

I've just done a quick check and Dempsey has got into double figures twice during his time with Fulham. An 'on-peak' Dempsey would be a threat, an off-peak Dempsey would be Downing MkII. I guess I just think it's a risky move.

He'll never be a Downing MkII, at the very worst Dempsey will still give you effort,cause problems for CB's 7 is an awesome rapper, whereas our Stuart is just a wimp. Dear jesus i still can't believe we paid so much for Downing... it haunts my dreams!

[Yozza]

He'll never be a Downing MkII, at the very worst Dempsey will still give you effort,cause problems for CB's 7 is an awesome rapper, whereas our Stuart is just a wimp. Dear jesus i still can't believe we paid so much for Downing... it haunts my dreams!

[Yozza]

Bloody hell; didnt realise I was so close to 1000 posts only taken 6 years....

Will have to make sure the 1000th isnt wasted commenting on Slinkys perverted sex life or Downing...

[Phoenix07]

Where would Dempsey fit into a Rodgers team?

I presume he would keep the 4-2-3-1 and play Dempsey off the front man. Even one of the guys off the Anfield Wrap said that when Swansea attacked, it changed, it was basically a 4-2-3-1 system. It's being played throughout the Academy and it's been played by Benitez, Hodgson (to a ****e level) and Dalglish (mixed with 4-4-2).

His age frightens me, but I wouldn't be against his signing.

[Mattshark]

Why? Are the goals bigger for a mid level team?

Teams set up very different against Fulham than they do against us. It is not comparable.

[Alex]

You can say that about any player we buy.

[Mattshark]

You can say that about any player we buy.

Yes but there are many other arguments against Dempsey and it was just his scoring being lauded.

[Nicey]

Why? Are the goals bigger for a mid level team?

[Mattshark]

You can say that about any player we buy.

Yes but there are many other arguments against Dempsey and it was just his scoring being lauded and that scoring a lot for Fulham last season is not a indicator of him being a good scorer for us, especially when his game lacks many other attributes.