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

[Shaggy]

I know a lad who used to work for Arrigi Bianchi. Says it's run by ****s.

[Darth Marty]

How about a forward line of Crouch, Kuyt, Tevez, Raul, Eto'o?
Sounds good to me.....Garcia, Voronin, Stevie supplying them, surely a winner, throw 2 new wingers into the mix and we have got to be on a winner!!!!!
so whats that....20 for eto'o, 15 for tevez, 10 a piece for wingers...55 mill....minus any sales = net outlay of say 40 mill?....yeah....do it Rafa!!!!

[keniget]

How about a forward line of Crouch, Kuyt, Tevez, Raul, Eto'o?
Sounds good to me.....Garcia, Voronin, Stevie supplying them, surely a winner, throw 2 new wingers into the mix and we have got to be on a winner!!!!!
so whats that....20 for eto'o, 15 for tevez, 10 a piece for wingers...55 mill....minus any sales = net outlay of say 40 mill?....yeah....do it Rafa!!!!

You forgot Messi for 8M.

[Maestro]

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.

If Raul ever does join Liverpool, you can bet your bottom dollar that Morientes will have been crucial to his decision.
They are best mates, and Morientes will definitely be singing our praises to Raul because despite his failure here, Nando loved it at LFC.

[Abro100]

Bianchi is v good striker coming into his prime.

[Big-Red-Ed]

It is not Raul's abilities as a footballer that worries me about this. It is his image as a bit of a prima donna/trouble maker. It has often been said that his influence at Madrid was so strong that he practically picked the team. It doesn't sit with Rafa's insistance of players fitting the team mentality.

Ed.

[anfieldanfield]

It is not Raul's abilities as a footballer that worries me about this. It is his image as a bit of a prima donna/trouble maker. It has often been said that his influence at Madrid was so strong that he practically picked the team. It doesn't sit with Rafa's insistance of players fitting the team mentality.

Ed.

Eh ?

Since when was Raul ever known as a 'trouble maker'.

[DannyMan2006]

Eh ?

Since when was Raul ever known as a 'trouble maker'.

I wouldn't say trouble maker but he has had to much influence at the club, and has made it difficult for some players coming in. If you don't get on with Raul you don't get on at the club.

I would say Raul is past his best, but would still offer something. However, it seems we are keeping Kuyt, Crouch and with Voronin coming in surely only one other striker will come in. I wouldn't want that player to be Raul, would you?

[thesilverfoxlfc]

You forgot Messi for 8M.

[bazza76]

from sky sports:

The Spanish international called on the club to clarify his position on Monday, and Mijatovic has obliged by underlining that he sees Raul as an integral part of Real's plans.

"He is our captain and we already know what he has given and what he can give and it must be here."

thank you Mijatovic