Barca after Alonso

[Joe Le Toff]

I'd be up for a swap of the two.

[anfieldanfield]

1) To get in better players
2) Because we already have too many players in that position.
3) They want out.

Those are the only 3 reason I can think of.

I agree.

It's a myth that the top clubs dont sell their best players.

The mancs recently sold Beckham and Ruud and came out stronger....

[tomasjj]

1) To get in better players
2) Because we already have too many players in that position.
3) They want out.

Those are the only 3 reason I can think of.

I don't think Xabi is the weakest in our midfield. Apart from Gerrard, he is the man. And he and SG play different roles.

If we need to ship out some midfielders there are quite a few before Xabi in the queue.

[tomasjj]

I agree.

It's a myth that the top clubs dont sell their best players.

The mancs recently sold Beckham and Ruud and came out stronger....

Beckham was over the hill, Ruud had a bust up with Slur.
Not the best examples I think.

[anfieldanfield]

Beckham was over the hill, Ruud had a bust up with Slur.
Not the best examples I think.

Beckham was 27 and in the prime of his career, RVN is still one of the most lethal strikers in World football.

Anyway, the list of top clubs selling their best player is endless...

Every player has a price.

[Red Chilli]

I don't think Xabi is the weakest in our midfield. Apart from Gerrard, he is the man. And he and SG play different roles.

If we need to ship out some midfielders there are quite a few before Xabi in the queue.

Who? Rafa isn't going to sell Gerrard, he isn't going to sell Momo(a virtual ever present when fit) and he isn't going to sell Maschareno who he has just signed.
That only leaves Alonso as I don't count Zenden.

[Guest]

Xabi still has a lot to offer as he's only 25. But, he's been blowing hot and cold this season and he needs someone else pushing him for a starting place & Mascherano can do that.

If there's a straight comparison between him and Mascherano, I still think that Mascher has the better footballing ability but he still need to prove it in England.

[tomasjj]

Who? Rafa isn't going to sell Gerrard, he isn't going to sell Momo(a virtual ever present when fit) and he isn't going to sell Maschareno who he has just signed.
That only leaves Alonso as I don't count Zenden.

Well, I think Xabi is a major part of Rafas team.
Xabi is as much of an ever present as Momo.
Momo, Zenden and Mascher(who is only here on loan, for now) would be axed before Xabi imo.

As for Rafa not selling Gerrard/Gerrard wanting out, it has been close a couple of times before hasn't it? Luckily, that seems to be history now.
If a player wants out Rafa sells.

[tomasjj]

Beckham was 27 and in the prime of his career, RVN is still one of the most lethal strikers in World football.

Anyway, the list of top clubs selling their best player is endless...

Every player has a price.

True about the price, but what is usually the case with top clubs selling top players is that they want out or that there is a clash of some sort.

[anfieldanfield]

Well, I think Xabi is a major part of Rafas team.
Xabi is as much of an ever present as Momo.
Momo, Zenden and Mascher(who is only here on loan, for now) would be axed before Xabi imo.

As for Rafa not selling Gerrard/Gerrard wanting out, it has been close a couple of times before hasn't it? Luckily, that seems to be history now.
If a player wants out Rafa sells.

I think Rafa rates Momo ahead of Xabi.

[Red Chilli]

1) Mascherano is not here on loan He has an 18 month contract.
2) Gerrard might go if he w
wanted out, but he has not expressed any interest in leaving and my point is that Rafa would never sell Gerrard unless Gerrard did want out.

I think out of our 4 main midfielders, Xabi is most likely to go. I don't want him to, but his appearances are going to be restricted next season and Xabi might not like the idea of that.

[tomasjj]

I think Rafa rates Momo ahead of Xabi.

Well, I don't.

[tomasjj]

I think out of our 4 main midfielders, Xabi is most likely to go. I don't want him to, but his appearances are going to be restricted next season and Xabi might not like the idea of that.

Disagree.
I think he is a key player.
After SG, he is our most important midfielder.

I understand that many on here rate Momo, but I think he is overrated. Just my opinion.

As for Mascher, he has played one game for us and one sub appearance. Putting him ahead of Xabi, who has been an established player here for years, in the pecking order is very premature.

[AFII]

I don't think Xabi will leave. Sissoko is the one that probably will get to play less games next season.

-----------Xabi---Mascherano
???----------Gerrard---------????

[NICKZS]

I can't believe how much people take Xabi for granted. Since he signed he has shown class, maturity and professionalism years beyond his age, he will only get better as he refines his art. When Xabi looks like he's had a bad game he has still put his foot in more than any other player on the pitch, and more than likely produced the most incisive pass in the match (see Chelsea @ Stamford Bridge).

In my opinion, we would be incredibly foolish to let Xabi go for any realistically receivable transfer fee, regardless of what everyone thinks of Mascherano's potential (the lad has played one game for the club). And why does everyone seem to be of the opinion that a central midfielder will be sold? We can keep all four of them (Zenden doesn't count) happy; considering the number of games we have to play through the season they will all get a game.