Sami for sale,Past 2 years!

[KK07]

I was just listening to Graham Hunter.
Hunter is the Spanish correspondent for SSN (La liga),Talksport and is also a journo.
He was speaking on Irish radio station Newstalk.

Anyway he said that Sami was openly being touted around European clubs in 2005.
He said Rafa had singled him out as a weak point in our defence from the time he arrived.

He also said Sami's great performances last season bouth him some time but it was now up again.

No shock to me that Rafa has to replace him but to think that Rafa,Sami and Sami's agent were all aware of this as far back as 2005!

[friedk]

I think towards the end of Houllier's reign it seemed the Sami was on a decline, a great defender getting older, but he has since turned that around. The problem is he is still getting older and each year, his lack of pace will become more of a burden. I think Agger was brought in as a replacement for Sami with Paletta as the long term replacement for Carra. I think before the end of the season, the first choice centre back pairing will be Agger and Carra.

[Mumsafan]

From what people say about Hunter he knows jack ****

[KK07]

Jack ****, is he any use?

Who's he play for?

[Resu]

Hyypia was ina decline, but got better after SG was made captain. But Sami is getting older, and Agger is the replacement.
As for being for sale, I can`t see him going anywhere, he`s to old for clubs to give him the money he gets at LFC.

[Fierce]

Jack ****, is he any use?

Who's he play for?

He doesn't, rumours are he's either Wallet or Informer

[Rich]

I honestly don't believe this. I think Rafa's philosophy regarding defending is that it doesn't matter about a player's age aslong as he is performing, and Hyypia last year was outstanding. To actively seek to offload him does not make sense and would leave a huge hole in the defence that I don't think Agger is yet capable of filling.

Let us not forget that Hyypia is just about THE most dominant defensive header of the ball in the whole league, he's very rarely beaten in the air - which helps us immensely during games.

To go on a slight tangent, I do think Agger has the makings of being an excellent defender and he should be learning all he can from Hyypia - one of LFCs greats.

[StevieG08]

He doesn't, rumours are he's either Wallet or Informer

Or possibly the anfield mole!

[Richey]

I honestly don't believe this. I think Rafa's philosophy regarding defending is that it doesn't matter about a player's age aslong as he is performing, and Hyypia last year was outstanding. To actively seek to offload him does not make sense and would leave a huge hole in the defence that I don't think Agger is yet capable of filling.

Let us not forget that Hyypia is just about THE most dominant defensive header of the ball in the whole league, he's very rarely beaten in the air - which helps us immensely during games.

To go on a slight tangent, I do think Agger has the makings of being an excellent defender and he should be learning all he can from Hyypia - one of LFCs greats.

I think you are right, age isn't especially important, as shown by Benitez signing the aged Pellegrino. However, I do think it is possible that he didn't rate Hyypia at first, which is why he did sign Pellegrino. He possibly thought that he could do as good as job as Sami and would be free, at a time when Hyypia would probably have commanded a significant fee. We all know what happened to that theory.

I don't believe he is looking to get shot of Sami right now at all, though the end of the season seems likely

[G_Man]

From what people say about Hunter he knows jack ****

That would appear to be the case as Sami was immense last season and had a decent season the one before.
If he's the weak point then we're doing well.

[bazza76]

I dont think we were looking to get rid straight away. Well not untill we had decent cover anyway, and we hadnt got any.
Hyypia's form was in decline before Rafa arrived, but watching his mate Stephane leaving gave him the kick up the arse he needed, Sammi knew he couldn't be casual anymore and steped up his performances a gear. Would be supprised if were ever really looking to get rid seriously. If we were anyway, i'm sure we would have had more newspaper speculation about him than we have had, especially as Hunter said we were touting him about all over Europe.

[KK07]

[QUOTE=Cacodemon]I think Rafa's philosophy regarding defending is that it doesn't matter about a player's age as long as he is performing, and Hyypia last year was outstanding. QUOTE]

Mate I'm not denying that Sami is a great player,I'm just saying that according to Hunter,Rafa was looking to off-load him 2 years ago,when he 1st took over.
Another poster on this thread made a good point that maybe Rafa thought he could get Pellgrinio in to do the job while picking up a few quid for Sami.

Either way I'm glad he stayed and hope he's stays on for a while yet.
He's still one of the best defensive readers of the game around and his goals are always important too.

[JRC]

Remember there was a bit of Friction between Rafa and Sami early on - Sami was quoted as saying that the defence didn't really understand what Rafa wanted, esp the Zonal Marking. That's when Pellegrino arrived, and it started to click.

Sami never had pace anyway, so losing it isn't a problem, but his periods when he isn't as dominant as normal seemto be increasing - perhaps the sign of his age having more and more of an effect.

A true legend, I hope his legacy is to bring on Agger and Paletta. A defensive coach in waiting maybe?

[The Glove]

Im not sure he has been up for sale for so long. Sami did get dropped in 2005, then when he came back in the team he took his chance and was like the Sami of old. I think that saved him. I think he knows full well he is under threat.

[JermainePennant]

If Rafa wanted to sell Sami when he got here why didnt he sell him to barca that summer who wanted him and why did he give him a contract extension last summer.

I think Sami will be here for a while yet even if he will not be starting every game in the future.