Eto'o

[Assassin]

...........Reina
Finnan.Carra.Agger.Riise
...Gerrard.Alonso.Mascher
...........Kaka
......Kuyt...Bellamy

............Reina
Finnan.Carra.Agger.Riise
....Momo.Alonso.Mascher
.........Gerrard.Kaka
...............Kuyt

..............Reina
....Carra.Hyypia.Agger
Finnan....Alonso.....Riise
......Gerrard....Kaka
.........Bellamy.Kuyt

I can go on all night.

Please don`t, just go too sleep

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

They're both great players with an outstanding record in Spain but I've a feeling that Rafa will be looking closer to home to help us win the Premiership next season. Don't be surprised if we're bidding on players like Bent and Defoe rather than Eto'o and Villa. Before you smart arses respond by saying "Darren Bent's not fit to lace Eto'o's boots", maybe not but our priority is the English league not Europe and Bent (and to a lesser degree Defoe) has a proven track record in the Premiership...

But as we know we'd have to - seriously in some cases - overpay for an English player, and we also know Rafa absolutely hates doing that.

I can see him going abroad again for players.

It's apparent to me that what's holding us back is a lack of goals, or a consistent outlet of them. This season we've scored 21 goals less than the scum, last season we scored 15 goals less than both Chelsea and the mancs. In short we need a goal poacher, and outside of the top 3 clubs I just don't see one avalible in the Premiership right now.

[rushscored4]

But as we know we'd have to - seriously in some cases - overpay for an English player, and we also know Rafa absolutely hates doing that.

I can see him going abroad again for players.

It's apparent to me that what's holding us back is a lack of goals, or a consistent outlet of them. This season we've scored 21 goals less than the scum, last season we scored 15 goals less than both Chelsea and the mancs. In short we need a goal poacher, and outside of the top 3 clubs I just don't see one avalible in the Premiership right now.

But Darren Bent at (say) £12m with a track record of scoring in the Premiership is considered overpriced yet Villa or Eto'o who are undeniably great strikers but unproven in England are considered good value at (say) £20m - £25m...



I seriously think sometimes we underestimate how good British (OK, English) players are and how poor some of the foreign players would be in the Premiership. Morientes anybody? And look at how average we made some "world class" players look at Barcelona last week...

[jrd7]

...........Reina
Finnan.Carra.Agger.Riise
...Gerrard.Alonso.Mascher
...........Kaka
......Kuyt...Bellamy

............Reina
Finnan.Carra.Agger.Riise
....Momo.Alonso.Mascher
.........Gerrard.Kaka
...............Kuyt

..............Reina
....Carra.Hyypia.Agger
Finnan....Alonso.....Riise
......Gerrard....Kaka
.........Bellamy.Kuyt

I can go on all night.

have you not seen Chelsea play without width, or Barca play without anyone bar defence, defending this season?

Dreadful, Dreadful / formation. At least have the decency to stick him on the left or right, like Brazil do.

[Red_Polo]

I have to say I have really warmed to the idea of signing Darren Bent over the last year.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

But Darren Bent at (say) £12m with a track record of scoring in the Premiership is considered overpriced yet Villa or Eto'o who are undeniably great strikers but unproven in England are considered good value at (say) £20m - £25m...



I seriously think sometimes we underestimate how good British (OK, English) players are and how poor some of the foreign players would be in the Premiership. Morientes anybody? And look at how average we made some "world class" players look at Barcelona last week...

I think Bent's a good wee player, don't get me wrong. But would he improve us considering what we already have? No, not for me. Just my opinion like. And lets be honest he'd cost a lot more than £12m, even if Charlton are relegated.

[rushscored4]

I think Bent's a good wee player, don't get me wrong. But would he improve us considering what we already have? No, not for me. Just my opinion like. And lets be honest he'd cost a lot more than £12m, even if Charlton are relegated.

He might cost more than £12m but he'd still be a hell of a lot less than Eto'o or Villa and much less of a gamble. Aside from Dirk Kuyt, the foreign strikers we have brought in over the last decade have all been expensive and hugely disappointing.

And that's the main problem - the fans expectations are raised when you bring in high profile foreign players like Diouf, Cisse, Morientes or any of the 'big name' players we'll be linked with between now and the transfer window. At least with a player like Bent you know what you're going to get...

[tomasjj]

Bent is decent enough, but I really think we need to go top shelf to be able to make the final push. Yes, this is risky, and we can reduce that risk by extensive scouting, but it is what we must do to succeed.

[Joe Le Toff]

Ive always liked Defoe but its highly debatable if he's what we need, probably not.
Bent is nowhere near good enough IMO
I'd prefer a proven goalscorer who has played regular CL football and done it regularly at the top level.

If Eto were to become available, then heaven and earth should be moved to get him.

Just out of interest, if we could get Van Nistleroy from RM, would you take him?

[The_weatherman]

He might cost more than £12m but he'd still be a hell of a lot less than Eto'o or Villa and much less of a gamble. Aside from Dirk Kuyt, the foreign strikers we have brought in over the last decade have all been expensive and hugely disappointing.

And that's the main problem - the fans expectations are raised when you bring in high profile foreign players like Diouf, Cisse, Morientes or any of the 'big name' players we'll be linked with between now and the transfer window. At least with a player like Bent you know what you're going to get...

You can also say that we haven´t done too well when buying british recenty - remember Heskey for 11m.? One good season followed with endless moments of comendy and ineptitude. I think Eto'o and Villa can adapt to Premiership quite well and reasonably well, they are that good, agressive and and pacey. Morientes had no pace, Cisse had no technique and Diouf was plain stupid and a lousy finisher, in hindsight they were probably not good options, Cisse can´t even score in French league as it is.

[AFII]

Klose is probably the cheapest top class striker right now. Villa is the dream signing but he would cost a fortune to sign. Trezeguet is to old and Owen will need to prove that he is fit again.

Elmander could be an option. A very complete striker, probably the best in the French league right now. Iaquinta is available for £8m but he isn't the top class striker we need.

Torres would cost £27m and that is to much for someone that hasn't proved that he is good enough. Bojinov is available for around £4m but he has been out injured and not played that much.

Toni is for sale but I doubt that he will leave Italy. Adriano is also for sale but he has the wrong mentality. It looks like Gilardino will leave Milan after a very bad season so far. He is good enough IMO.

Huntelaar will leave Ajax. He would be my first option if we can't get Villa.

Saviola is available on a free but he isn't good enough IMO.

[The_weatherman]

Out of that lot, given prices and stuff, I´d take Klose, Huntelaar, Saviola, in that order. Villa seems to be valued at close to 50m. which is crazy and Torres will go to the Scum probably for a lot. But preferably I´d like Eto'o, pacy, direct and a good finisher.

[Rich]

Eto'o is a phenomenal finisher, incredibly athletic, and has scored some outrageous goals over the years - my one doubt is on his knees, whether he's not going to become injury prone as he ages.

Still, he'd be a better bet than Villa.

[Shaggy]

I'd take Eto'o, just for the possibility that he would be pictured at Anfield, flanked either side by Gillet and Hicks, under the caption 'Eto'o and the Moneymen'.

[Shaggy]

But Darren Bent at (say) £12m with a track record of scoring in the Premiership is considered overpriced yet Villa or Eto'o who are undeniably great strikers but unproven in England are considered good value at (say) £20m - £25m...



I seriously think sometimes we underestimate how good British (OK, English) players are and how poor some of the foreign players would be in the Premiership. Morientes anybody? And look at how average we made some "world class" players look at Barcelona last week...

Yep.

I took a risk and signed Darren Bent on FM2007, and he was a huge success. Scored 40 goals in all comps, which is a clear indication we should sign him in real life too.