this summer's transfer activity

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Considering some of the names being bandied about now, I think come the summer people will be disappointed.

I'm not saying we won't sign some quality, but David Villa and Samuel Eto'o? Come on now.

[Mattshark]

I think a top class striker is essential, we all know that, ditto a top class wide man, preferably on the left. However, I also think we need more central defensive cover. Paletta looks well short of the mark at present, Sami clearly is not he force he was. Imagine if Carra got a serious injury, suddenly we'd look a bit bare at the back. Woodgate would be my choice. I don't think we need a lot of players but we do need real quality. Eto'o, Woodgate & either Ribery or Lennon would suit me down to the ground.

Arbeloa can apparently play CB though as well which helps. With regards to Paletta he has hardly played for us and he has always had Dudek behind him, that can't help. I think he has plenty of room for improvement in his play, but I also think he has the ability to improve as well, even if we have only seen it in glimpses.

[Sir Bob]

Considering some of the names being bandied about now, I think come the summer people will be disappointed.

I'm not saying we won't sign some quality, but David Villa and Samuel Eto'o? Come on now.

I'm usually pretty pessimistic about who we will buy. I've not expected any 'big' names in the past but this summer could be different. The yanks have taken over and there will surely be more cash to splash. also I don't think we need the quantities of players we've needed in the past. 3 top quality players say, Eto'o, woodgate & Ribery would cost £50m. Well we can sell Crouch for £10m & Cisse for £8m, thats only £32m, which is only £10m more than we'd usually spend. On top of that players like pongo, Zenden and Carson/Dudek may well be sold raising further funds.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I'm usually pretty pessimistic about who we will buy. I've not expected any 'big' names in the past but this summer could be different. The yanks have taken over and there will surely be more cash to splash. also I don't think we need the quantities of players we've needed in the past. 3 top quality players say, Eto'o, woodgate & Ribery would cost £50m. Well we can sell Crouch for £10m & Cisse for £8m, thats only £32m, which is only £10m more than we'd usually spend. On top of that players like pongo, Zenden and Carson/Dudek may well be sold raising further funds.

Take last summer for example. We spent £30m, albeit on 6 players, but still the majority of the £30m went on 3 players; Bellamy, Kuyt and Pennant.

So £25m bought Kuyt, Bellamy and Pennant, none of whom I'm sure we can agree are top class players, good players yes. To get 2-3 top players these days it'll take a lot more than £30m. And I don't buy into the theory that Gillett and Hicks will automatically give Rafa significantly more just to make an impression. They are businessmen, not idiots.

And if this isn't the case then someone explain to me why we've bought Voronin, on a free, with mediocre career record?

[blacky]

Take last summer for example. We spent £30m, albeit on 6 players, but still the majority of the £30m went on 3 players; Bellamy, Kuyt and Pennant.

So £25m bought Kuyt, Bellamy and Pennant, none of whom I'm sure we can agree are top class players, good players yes. To get 2-3 top players these days it'll take a lot more than £30m. And I don't buy into the theory that Gillett and Hicks will automatically give Rafa significantly more just to make an impression. They are businessmen, not idiots.

And if this isn't the case then someone explain to me why we've bought Voronin, on a free, with mediocre career record?

Cover for Garcia apparently........

[Sir Bob]

Take last summer for example. We spent £30m, albeit on 6 players, but still the majority of the £30m went on 3 players; Bellamy, Kuyt and Pennant.

So £25m bought Kuyt, Bellamy and Pennant, none of whom I'm sure we can agree are top class players, good players yes. To get 2-3 top players these days it'll take a lot more than £30m. And I don't buy into the theory that Gillett and Hicks will automatically give Rafa significantly more just to make an impression. They are businessmen, not idiots.

And if this isn't the case then someone explain to me why we've bought Voronin, on a free, with mediocre career record?

As I said in my original post, 3 really top class players will cost £50m but we have saleable assets this season. I think Crouch will be sold, that £10m plus Cisse for £8m. I wouldn't be astonished if Garcia or even Alonso was sold. Certainly the likes of Zenden, carson & Dudek will go. They will all bring in fees.

I don'y think the yanks will give Rafa £50m to spend but they may well say here's £30m plus whatever you get from sales.

I think the fact we've bought Voronin indicates we will buy big as I think Rafa is saving his dosh for 1 or 2 big buys.

[rage]

In my opinion Anelka is a better calibre of striker than anyone we currently have. Klose would also score goals.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Cover for Garcia apparently........

According to who?

Another theory is that Rafa is saving all the money he will have at his dsiposal for the one player who can make the difference, whoever that is.

Truth is none of us have a clue. The way it should be. I don't want any other clubs to know our budget/targets. Remember the days when clubs saw Ged coming a mile off. One example was his ridiculously public infatuation with Cisse which went on for 2 years, it was unprofessional to a point. Makes me wonder how many more million that cost us.

Rafa won't overpay, so I think people will be disappointed that they won't get to spunk themselves over us signing an overpriced, overated Spanish striker this summer.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

As I said in my original post, 3 really top class players will cost £50m but we have saleable assets this season. I think Crouch will be sold, that £10m plus Cisse for £8m. I wouldn't be astonished if Garcia or even Alonso was sold. Certainly the likes of Zenden, carson & Dudek will go. They will all bring in fees.

I don'y think the yanks will give Rafa £50m to spend but they may well say here's £30m plus whatever you get from sales.

I think the fact we've bought Voronin indicates we will buy big as I think Rafa is saving his dosh for 1 or 2 big buys.

£8m for Cisse? Kinell mate that's ambitious. He's a joke player. Then again there is a certain cretinous man in charge of France's richest club.

I think your being abiotious by saying £50m will get us three top class players. It might, but I doubt it. For example I reckon it'll take £20m for us to sign Alves. David Villa - we have NO chance by the way - but IMO you are looking at £25m at least.

There aren't many top players out there, or ones who'll be avalible. The ones that are will go for plenty, and there'll be plenty of competition for them....







.......ahh fukkk it. i jus been playd footie mananager., i signed kaka, mesi and mike rixhards for £77m so i reckon Rafaa will do sam e. :whatever: