Lucas Leiva signing thread

[Taffy]

You're like, s-o-o-o-o boring, Taffy.

[PLY]

Channel 4 from a while ago seems to confirm that he has a EU passport
http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:r...lnk&cd=9&gl=uk

[REDSCOUSER]

i think the Mascherano deal is not goin' through, maybe due to money which explains why Rafa went for this young lad.

[Lecter]

i think the Mascherano deal is not goin' through, maybe due to money which explains why Rafa went for this young lad.

Think people are reading too much into this to be honest

Zenden will almost certainly be leaving this guy is an obvious replacement

I've said it before and I will say it again I can see us spending VERY big money on 2 or 3 players

The rest will be young kids / prospects to fatten out the squad. Rafa has often praised Arsenals recuirtment policy and Gillett and Hicks talked about recruitment of exceptional young talent being a policy discussed and agreed upon with Rafa

[DannyMan2006]

i think the Mascherano deal is not goin' through, maybe due to money which explains why Rafa went for this young lad.

I thought we had signed him, at the very least he's got another year on the loan. He wouldnt have dropped Xabi for Masher if this was the case.

If any it's momo or Xabi for obvious reasons.

[Lecter]

I thought we had signed him, at the very least he's got another year on the loan. He wouldnt have dropped Xabi for Masher if this was the case.

If any it's momo or Xabi for obvious reasons.

Quote from Rafa "He will arrive in the summer and then will start adapting to football in this country. We know it can take time but I think he has the quality to be putting pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi and Sissoko next season."

[Guest]

Quote from Rafa "He will arrive in the summer and then will start adapting to football in this country. We know it can take time but I think he has the quality to be putting pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi and Sissoko next season."

I don't think stuffing the midfield with talent in reserve can do good in the long run though, IMO. Look at Chelsea, Maureen has been talking of trimming his squad to enable that tight knit feeling and to improve team spirit. Having as many players fighting for the same position could be a detrimental factor to some players in the long run.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Quote from Rafa "He will arrive in the summer and then will start adapting to football in this country. We know it can take time but I think he has the quality to be putting pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi and Sissoko next season."

What do you expect him to say?

"He'll arrive here and put pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano and one of either Alonso or Sissoko. You see I'm flogging one of them this summer. We accept cash".

On a more serious note if we get a good offer for Sissoko we should sell. I recognise his attributes and effectiveness in certain situations - but taking the rose tinted specs off for a minute - he just doesn't have the techincal ability to be a midfielder at the highest level. We need all of our outfield players to be comfortable in possession, and have at least a moderate to good passing ability.

[Lecter]

I don't think stuffing the midfield with talent in reserve can do good in the long run though, IMO. Look at Chelsea, Maureen has been talking of trimming his squad to enable that tight knit feeling and to improve team spirit. Having as many players fighting for the same position could be a detrimental factor to some players in the long run.

Thing is we know diddly squat about this kid

Currently on our books we have 5 central midfielders

Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko, Mascherano & ZENDEN

Zenden looks the odd one out to me

Reading various forums there is some difference of opinion as to what exactly this kid is, a holding midfielder, a box to box player, an attacking midfielder

We certainly have nobody who can actively cover for Gerrard (who this kid has been likened to)

[DannyMan2006]

I don't think stuffing the midfield with talent in reserve can do good in the long run though, IMO. Look at Chelsea, Maureen has been talking of trimming his squad to enable that tight knit feeling and to improve team spirit. Having as many players fighting for the same position could be a detrimental factor to some players in the long run.

If you have world class talent in the rezzies, where do our up and coming young players play? The reserves should be used to recuperate people coming back from injuries, and for bringing through young talent.

[Lecter]

What do you expect him to say?

"He'll arrive here and put pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano and one of either Alonso or Sissoko. You see I'm flogging one of them this summer. We accept cash".

On a more serious note if we get a good offer for Sissoko we should sell. I recognise his attributes and effectiveness in certain situations - but taking the rose tinted specs off for a minute - he just doesn't have the techincal ability to be a midfielder at the highest level. We need all of our outfield players to be comfortable in possession, and have at least a moderate to good passing ability.

Momo is only 23

He can improve his game

IMO hes bady off form at the minute late last season and earlier on in the season his short passing had improved dramatically

[DannyMan2006]

Momo is only 23

He can improve his game

IMO hes bady off form at the minute late last season and earlier on in the season his short passing had improved dramatically

Maybe something to do with his dodgy eye? Momo has recently said he still finds it awkward and that it may never get back to how it was.

[Lecter]

Maybe something to do with his dodgy eye? Momo has recently said he still finds it awkward and that it may never get back to how it was.

Could be but doesnt explain his downturn in form / passing after his sholuder injury

[Guest]

Thing is we know diddly squat about this kid

Currently on our books we have 5 central midfielders

Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko, Mascherano & ZENDEN

Zenden looks the odd one out to me

Reading various forums there is some difference of opinion as to what exactly this kid is, a holding midfielder, a box to box player, an attacking midfielder

We certainly have nobody who can actively cover for Gerrard (who this kid has been likened to)

I was thinking the same. But Momo is no holding player, leaving Mascher and Xabi competing for that position, and Gerrard and Lucas for that attacking midfield central berth.

Now, will Rafa continue to pick up Gerrard for the that right midfield slot, or will he play him in his best position, therefore would he swoop for Alves ? I think he will, as Alves certainly is someone we need as an attacking outlet from the right.

This leaves Momo as the odd man out there, as he's neither an 'holding' player, nor an attacking one. He's just an 'impact' player, extremely good at winning possession. The key here is would he settle to being a bit part player IF the lad from Brazil happens to be an instant success.

Big IF's and it's very difficult to read Rafa's mind at the moment.

[Lecter]

I was thinking the same. But Momo is no holding player, leaving Mascher and Xabi competing for that position, and Gerrard and Lucas for that attacking midfield central berth.

Now, will Rafa continue to pick up Gerrard for the that right midfield slot, or will he play him in his best position, therefore would he swoop for Alves ? I think he will, as Alves certainly is someone we need as an attacking outlet from the right.

This leaves Momo as the odd man out there, as he's neither an 'holding' player, nor an attacking one. He's just an 'impact' player, extremely good at winning possession. The key here is would he settle to being a bit part player IF the lad from Brazil happens to be an instant success.

Big IF's and it's very difficult to read Rafa's mind at the moment.

Agree re Momo however there is times when you need Momo and times when you dont

For instance Rafa imo should have played Momo in the first leg against Chelsea because we didnt press them enough

Second leg we really put them on the back foot and obviously had to chase the game so he wasnt needed

Anyway all this is incidental a transfer window wouldnt be interesting if Rafa didnt sign a central midfielder