Was Babel a worthwhile purchase?

[Taffy]

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Babel over recent years, and most people in football expected him to go there eventually.

Rafa pounced for him when no-one expected it, I believe, and got his man. He has the potential to be fantastic for many a year, but at the moment it is only potential - he has already shown glimpses of this and given time I believe he has the game to become a great EPL player in the future, even the next Bergkamp!

What everyone must remember is that he hasn't really had a break this past year as he was playing for Holland last summer in the youngsters tournament (was it the U-21s, I can't remember now), and came over here having only had a few weeks of rest since last season.

Next season I fully expect Babel to have settled in England and we should see a lot more from him. He is still very young and should be given time in a new country.

[Morph]

Just in case people are not understanding me correctly, i'm not saying he's not good enough or criticising him for not setting the league alight since day 1 obviously he has to have time to settle and i'll be prepared to give him probably 2 seasons to prove himself here, it was more the benefit of his purchase I was querying

[Red Chilli]

Just in case people are not understanding me correctly, i'm not saying he's not good enough or criticising him for not setting the league alight since day 1 obviously he has to have time to settle and i'll be prepared to give him probably 2 seasons to prove himself here, it was more the benefit of his purchase I was querying

Fair enough but I'd rather Rafa paid 10 million on a dutch international who could be great in 2 years time than 10 million on four or five 15-16 year olds who are still wet behind the ears.

It's a good investment, better than Walcott for 12 million IMO. There were obviously other priority positions which need strengthening, like the wings, but which winger would you buy for 10 million who is going to improve our first team? There aren't any.

[Nicey]

For me he seems like a player who will grow in stature as his time at Liverpool FC evolves, with some players you can tell they have what it takes to make it at a club like ours, I think he is one of those players. Truthfully I have not been overly impressed with him but I can see he has strength and talent, with the right management and a bit of luck he could be a very big star for years to come..

[thekop]

Much too early to tell.

I personally think he is going to be pure class, and he has already shown us glimpses of that.

[akjs123]

----------------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.

There is only one problem with that formation. We need to have atleast midfielders in the team if Rafa is to play that formation consistently and people want Momo out.

[Fan65]

Much too early to tell.

I personally think he is going to be pure class, and he has already shown us glimpses of that.

Spot on

[Shaggy]

Can’t quite make my mind up. He’s clearly a big talent and I’ve got high hopes for him, but he’s by no means a cert to blossom into a world class player and he needs a lot of work. We also had greater priorities and he struck me as a bit of a luxury purchase.

That said, I’m fairly certain if Arsenal had signed him we’d be pretty envious and asking why we’re not buying players like him, so in that respect we should be grateful.

[dww]

Can’t quite make my mind up. He’s clearly a big talent and I’ve got high hopes for him, but he’s by no means a cert to blossom into a world class player and he needs a lot of work. We also had greater priorities and he struck me as a bit of a luxury purchase.

That said, I’m fairly certain if Arsenal had signed him we’d be pretty envious and asking why we’re not buying players like him, so in that respect we should be grateful.

I think thats at the root of peoples reaction to him - the feeling that he wasn't exactly what the squad needed at the time he was bought. I feel it was the sort of signing that Wenger has made in the last few years - but he knew he wasn't under pressure to challenge for the league and could afford to wait a season or more for players like Hleb to settle/develop.

[Rocket]

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

yeh, i reckon he is too :whatever:

[friedk]

Let me ask you this, if the Manc supporters had been asked this question 1/4 of the way into Ronaldo's first season, what do you think they would have said?

My guess is it probably would have been as mixed as this thread.

He's 20 years old, has incredible pace, has scored some amazing goals, but he is still a raw talent.

Is he worth the risk, imo absolutely.

[Shaggy]

Let me ask you this, if the Manc supporters had been asked this question 1/4 of the way into Ronaldo's first season, what do you think they would have said?

My guess is it probably would have been as mixed as this thread.

He's 20 years old, has incredible pace, has scored some amazing goals, but he is still a raw talent.

Is he worth the risk, imo absolutely.

At the time I was working with an ardent Manc, a home & away lad, and every Monday he’d come in cursing “that fookin’ waste of space Ronaldo”.

[Woobus]

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

He tried to sign some in the summer but none of the deals worked out. Hopefully in January or next season we might see one.

[The incredible igor]

i quite like Babel, he's got oodles of potential some of which he has already shown on the pitch. Sure he like playing as a forward but he will also do a very good job out wide. We needed someone that will take on players and get past them. Babel can do this

[Subby]

Only downside is he does seem a bit moody and arrogant...

reeks of a certain Mr. T. Henry tbH