More Raul guff, but an interesting bit at the end...

[Shaggy]

His achievements are fantastic but you don't buy a player based on achievements in the not-so-recent past.

You have a point about some players just needing a change of scenery and a fresh start, but I genuinely believe Raul is long since past his peak and is a shadow of the player he once was.

I'm not even sure he's a striker anymore. In fact he's not. We don't need him IMO.

[Angry Dan]

As I stated on another thread about this I think he could have a similar impact for us as Zola had for Chelsea.

[cobain]

Reports in Italy claim that The Reds have been scouting the 13-goal striker who could cost around €15million (£10.2million). [/B]

Great! We finally have some money to spend on a quality (proven) players and we're scouting some x person who scored 13 goals. Why don't we scout players at Piacenza as well...

[Johnny]

I'm good with me head as well, so says all me ex gf

SAY NO TO RAUL

Auto-fellatio is is very uncommon,you should have asked your ex`s to do the deed for you.


Agree on Raul,I want future stars not has-beens.

[anfieldanfield]

His achievements are fantastic but you don't buy a player based on achievements in the not-so-recent past.

You have a point about some players just needing a change of scenery and a fresh start, but I genuinely believe Raul is long since past his peak and is a shadow of the player he once was.

I'm not even sure he's a striker anymore. In fact he's not. We don't need him IMO.

How can he be 'long since past his peak' at 29 years of age ?

You make it sound as though he's stumbling around the pitch for Madrid like Fowler is for us. That's simply not true, besides, everyone seems to look ****e for Madrid these days.

Furthermore, although 95% of newspaper rumours are bollocks it's the ones that keep appearing time and again which generally tend to have a shred of value in them, like Bellamy to Villa for example...

I think and I hope Rafa's weighing up the option of bringing Raul to Anfield.

Are you really telling me you wouldn't even be slightly curious as to whether Raul could roll back the years given a fresh enviroment at a new club with a new manager ?

[Shaggy]

How can he be 'long since past his peak' at 29 years of age ?

You make it sound as though he's stumbling around the pitch for Madrid like Fowler is for us. That's simply not true, besides, everyone seems to look ****e for Madrid these days.

Furthermore, although 95% of newspaper rumours are bollocks it's the ones that keep appearing time and again which generally tend to have a shred of value in them, like Bellamy to Villa for example...

I think and I hope Rafa's weighing up the option of bringing Raul to Anfield.

Are you really telling me you wouldn't even be slightly curious as to whether Raul could roll back the years given a fresh enviroment at a new club and a new manager ?

Being past his peak is nowt to do with being 29. At 29, Fowler was past his peak. All this bollocks about players peaking at 30 is precisely that - bollocks. It's a thing of the past. Owen was past his peak at 25. Players peak in their early/mid 20s these days.

Raul's best days are behind him and he's 'on the downgrade', to coin a racing phrase.

I would be curious to see if he could do it but I wouldn't fancy his chances.

[anfieldanfield]

Being past his peak is nowt to do with being 29. At 29, Fowler was past his peak. All this bollocks about players peaking at 30 is precisely that - bollocks. It's a thing of the past. Owen was past his peak at 25. Players peak in their early/mid 20s these days.

Raul's best days are behind him and he's 'on the downgrade', to coin a racing phrase.

I would be curious to see if he could do it but I wouldn't fancy his chances.

Hmmm....

Fair enough, it would be an interesting one if it came off, that's for sure.

Edit: 'Past it' Ronaldo scores another cracker for Milan http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1q...ssine-15042007

[rage]

we need a player that can unlock a defence from a second striker position. The closest we have is garcia when he is played in that position. I don't know if raul is the man but that role is still potentially in need of filling.

I'd much rather prioritise a 'existing' or at least 'emerging' world class striker and a winger that can beat his man with guile and pace consistantly (ala giggs in his youth). Raul's position is not one of our main priorities once the window opens. But then knowing Rafa his first signing will be another keeper or full-back!

[Shaggy]

Hmmm....

Fair enough, it would be an interesting one if it came off, that's for sure.

Edit: 'Past it' Ronaldo scores another cracker for Milan http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1q...ssine-15042007

Haha, but I never said Ronaldo was past it.

He is obviously past his best, but he's one I would've loved to see us take a chance on, however unlikely it would've been. He's Ronaldo FFS.

[einar]

we need a player that can unlock a defence from a second striker position. The closest we have is garcia when he is played in that position. I don't know if raul is the man but that role is still potentially in need of filling.

I'd much rather prioritise a 'existing' or at least 'emerging' world class striker and a winger that can beat his man with guile and pace consistantly (ala giggs in his youth). Raul's position is not one of our main priorities once the window opens. But then knowing Rafa his first signing will be another keeper or full-back!

Tevez?

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

There's no doubting that Raul still has the ability, he'll never lose that.

But does he still have the motivation and physical attributes to succeed and be productive at the highest level? For me that's the big question.

I actually think he might be a good signing. Like his ex teammate Ronaldo; to me he's looked de-motivated, fed up even of playing for - in a shambolic state - Real Madrid in recent seasons, the injuries haven't helped either obviously, constant managerial changes, being played out of position, he's not enjoying his football anymore. Look at Ronaldo, he's been reinvigorated since his move AC Milan, I think Raul's in the exact same situation now; he desperately needs to move clubs. Zidane did the same, and was the same age as Raul is now when he left Juve for Real. I'm not saying Raul is as good as either Ronaldo or Zidane but his record speaks for itself. Top player.

That said there's no guarantee when signing any foreigner - no matter their pedigree - that they'll adapt to English football. As we know with Morientes, Veron and Shevchenko, quite a few top class players have failed.

If we can get him cheap he's defo worth a punt. IMO he would be a massive upgrade over Kuyt.

[einar]

He does not seem to be leaving anyway.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-spainrealraul&prov=reuters&type=lgns

[rage]

tevez would be a no brainer. West Ham go down, he joins his mate monster mash and the other spanish speaking players & coaching staff. He wouldn't cost too much, no need to adapt to the premier league after spending a season in a relegation dog fight. He would raise his game in the same way as his argentinian pal has done when he joined us.

If Tevez was available at under 10 million or on loan i'd welcome it.

[Johnny]

tevez would be a no brainer. West Ham go down, he joins his mate monster mash and the other spanish speaking players & coaching staff. He wouldn't cost too much, no need to adapt to the premier league after spending a season in a relegation dog fight. He would raise his game in the same way as his argentinian pal has done when he joined us.

If Tevez was available at under 10 million or on loan i'd welcome it.

Same here!!!!!

[nobbylad]

Rolando Bianchi never heard of him but then again where do i get to see Italian football

That's a posh furniture shop in Macclesfield isn't it?