Was Babel a worthwhile purchase?

[El Jefecito]

Just been having a look at our squad, and can't help but think that Babel really wasn't a nescessary purchase when we bought him.

I'm not aware if there were other clubs after him, but he certainly wasn't featuring heavily in the transfer news over the summer. So maybe we could have looked at other options and gone back and purchased him in maybe a year or two, of course there is always the danger he really starts to look a player and then we either lose out or his price goes up.

However to me the 10mil or so would have been better spent on a proper winger (touchline hugger variation), and it seems to me Rafa wanted this type of winger but he either wasn't aware how much Babel preferred to play as a striker or was just keen to overlook it. Now while I don't think he was a waste of money, as i'm sure he'll improve as time goes one, he might have benefited from another year or two playing senior football somewhere else, and learning his trade and position, what does everyone else think about him?

See I'm not sure I agree with this. Rafa definitely likes having an inside and outside left/right side player. I'm sure he thought Babel was a good fit for inside left and we have Kewell and Leto to cover the outside left role.

I'm not implying those players can be relied on, but I think Babel's signing was part of Rafa's long term strategy and not a second best option.

As to Babel himself, I like him, his first touch is a bit off, he obviously hasn't adapted to the speed of the EPL yet, but he's very direct, very flexible in terms of positioning, and he definitely has a goal or two in him. He's definitely the biggest goal threat of any of our wide midfielders.

Based on a couple of interviews I read, it seems that Rafa is teaching him the defensive and pressing side of our game first. Once he has that nailed, I think Rafa will then focus on full integrating him into the attacking line-up. That's when he'll really come to life. And he has a great role model in Yossi.

[El Jefecito]

Didn't Babel also say that Rafa told him he would compete for a place in the team with 6 other players?

To me that says that Rafa didn't see Babel purely as a winger, but more of a player who could play almost anywhere in attack

I think the actual quote was along the lines of, with 6 other players for 4 positions. Implies rafa sees him as more than just a winger. And let's face it can you see Rafa buying a player who can/he wants to only play in one position. No chance. Possibilities.

[El Jefecito]

let me word it differently, do we have higher priorities atm than luxury babel type purchases

Sometimes players that are good enough for your high priority positions just aren't available. Timing is definitely an issue that you need to consider when finalizing who you will buy.

[kurtangle01]

I'm happy we've signed him.The guy has massive potential and will eventualy become a top player for us, imho.

In two or three years time £11m could look like a steal much like Henry was at Arsenal.

[Slinky Skills]

I'm happy we've signed him.The guy has massive potential and will eventualy become a top player for us, imho.

In two or three years time £11m could look like a steal much like Henry was at Arsenal.

Too right man, he'll be **** hot!

[AFII]

----------------Reina
Arbeloa-----Carra-----Agger----Aurelio
---------Mascherano---Alonso--------
-----Gerrard----Babel----Kewell-------
----------------Torres----------------

I think Rafa will use Babel as one of the three behind Torres. All three of them can change positions with each other all the time during a game without any problem.

That will confuse the opposition.

[MascheredUp]

Mark my words, Ryan will be **** hot once he gets to grips with English style of footy and plays regulary.

Even though he not a winger, he has power, pace and is a goal threat. Sadly what our midfield is lacking. Same could be said for Yossi, minus the power.

I personally think it was a very shrewd bit of business by Rafa.

[Darth Marty]

I like AFII's team selection!
I really think that could do serious damage!
Rafa..if your reading.....make it so!

[Red Chilli]

Of course he was a worthwhile buy. I don't understand the point of the question.

[Slinky Skills]

I like AFII's team selection!
I really think that could do serious damage!
Rafa..if your reading.....make it so!

I reckon AFII is Rafa in disguise! Quality team selection though neverthless.

[redblood]

----------------Reina
Arbeloa-----Carra-----Agger----Aurelio
---------Mascherano---Alonso--------
-----Gerrard----Babel----Kewell-------
----------------Torres----------------

I think Rafa will use Babel as one of the three behind Torres. All three of them can change positions with each other all the time during a game without any problem.

That will confuse the opposition.

I have thought and suggested that I think Rafa will eventually go with a formation similar to that.
More of a 4-3-3 for me though.
---------------Reina
Finnan-----Carra-----Agger----Aurelio
------Mascherano----------Alonso--------
------------------Gerrard----
Babel/Choice--------Torres-----Kewell/Choice

With that formation you don't need out and out wingers plus you get plenty of movement and creativity in theory or when under pressure you can drop to a 4-5-1 with ease.

[redblood]

Didn't Babel also say that Rafa told him he would compete for a place in the team with 6 other players?

To me that says that Rafa didn't see Babel purely as a winger, but more of a player who could play almost anywhere in attack

Rafa said at his press conference that he would play anywhere across the front.

[rage]

at least he looks like he has something about him regardless if we needed him. imo the money would have been better spent on a real winger with guile that can beat a man, deliver a quality ball and score a few goals. hate to say it but a giggs sort of player.

for me rafa has yet to buy a quality winger. and please, the wanna be gangsta hard man pennant school yard bully would never get into any other top 6 team in the premiership.

This makes me think that he doesn't want to play with wingers in the mould that many of us would like to see.

[einar]

let me word it differently, do we have higher priorities atm than luxury babel type purchases

I think that the grown up players that where available would not have improved our wing play enough so Rafa had the luxury to buy a young gun instead.

I think that there where players out there, like Yossi, but none of them where really as good as Babel could be so we went for the one who is gonna be top class in the future.

That IMO is a luxury.

[Morph]

Of course he was a worthwhile buy. I don't understand the point of the question.

read the post properly and you might