at long last ('Mascherano is a Red II: The Son of the Beast)

[tomasjj]

You're so funny.

Lighten up, mate.

[El Jefecito]

Sounds like it.
Not a good deal at all IMO.
Lets hope there is something we don`t know.

I'd think that as well if it was Parry doing the deal. But I think that Rafa is too smart for this to work against us.

[nbryan1764]

I think this spells the end of Steven Gerrard as a central midfielder, under Benitez.

why is that?

[Johnny]

Is this a Falklands thing?

Malvinas.

[AFII]

I think that Rafa will play....

----------Alonso---Mascherano
Alves-----------Gerrard-------Kewell or a new left winger.

...next season.

That would give Stevie the freedom he needs to score and create a lot of goals.

[El Jefecito]

why is that?

Team balance, mate.

[El Jefecito]

I think that Rafa will play....

----------Alonso---Mascherano
Alves-----------Gerrard-------Kewell or a new left winger.

...next season.

That would give Stevie the freedom he needs to score and create a lot of goals.

That is definitely a more balanced side than Stevie playing deep and more like a defensive midfielder as Rafa seems to prefer.

[Johnny]

I think that Rafa will play....

----------Alonso---Mascherano
Alves-----------Gerrard-------Kewell or a new left winger.

...next season.

That would give Stevie the freedom he needs to score and create a lot of goals.

Sissoko and Gonzalez will keep getting better,Xabi and kewell could leave soon.

[tomasjj]

Sissoko and Gonzalez will keep getting better,Xabi and kewell could leave soon.

Now why would Xabi and Rafa split?
He is the son Rafa always wanted.

[AFII]

I have heard the rumours about Aguero to us and Xabi to Atletico but I don't believe in them.

I think that Xabi will stay.

[Johnny]

Now why would Xabi and Rafa split?
He is the son Rafa always wanted.

He`s homesick,not playing his best and not hard enough.
He`ll be gone in the summer,IMHO.We`re not buying Masch to sit on the bench.

[El Jefecito]

Now why would Xabi and Rafa split?
He is the son Rafa always wanted.

I was just gonna say the same. Xabi won't leave until Rafa's gone or if he's signing his last contract.

[El Jefecito]

He`s homesick,not playing his best and not hard enough.
He`ll be gone in the summer,IMHO.We`re not buying Masch to sit on the bench.

So which holding midfielder will we sign to replace him. We can't go a whole season with only one player in the holding role.

[Johnny]

I was just gonna say the same. Xabi won't leave until Rafa's gone or if he's signing his last contract.

What if Xabi has no choice.?

[Johnny]

So which holding midfielder will we sign to replace him. We can't go a whole season with only one player in the holding role.

Aguero is one being mentioned,among others.The list is in one of the other threads on this site.