Rafa Benitez: Time for young stars to step it up

[Craig_H]

Ok...

But i never called babel a luxury anything.

[Diego]

Ok...

But i never called babel a luxury anything.

no i know that wasn't specifically aimed at you, it was more general to what has been going on on these fourums these past few days/weeks...

[Craig_H]

no i know that wasn't specifically aimed at you, it was more general to what has been going on on these fourums these past few days/weeks...

Fair play mate.

[StevieG08]

The situation with Leto is he cost 1.8mil, which in modern times is peanuts and amounts to Rafa taking a punt on a player that's shown promise. Lots of teams sign players like this every transfer window and it amazes me that fans get so upset about it.

Lucas Leiva was Brazilian player of the year, if anyone has actually looked at this list they would realise he is in some extraordinary company and at 6.8mil is well worth taking a punt on and i feel he's shown enough in these early days to feel fairly excited about him.

Ryan Babel has been described as the most technically gifted Dutch player of his generation with some highly regarded coaches describing him as the new Henry. Can anyone really complain at spending 11.5mil on a player that highly rated! Perhaps Manc fans moaned about 'wasting' 12mil on a Portuguese unknown by the name of Ronaldo!

All i would like to see from 'supporters' (i use the term loosely) is to give some of these players time to settle and the chance to play before we write them off.

[red g]

The situation with Leto is he cost 1.8mil, which in modern times is peanuts and amounts to Rafa taking a punt on a player that's shown promise. Lots of teams sign players like this every transfer window and it amazes me that fans get so upset about it.

Lucas Leiva was Brazilian player of the year, if anyone has actually looked at this list they would realise he is in some extraordinary company and at 6.8mil is well worth taking a punt on and i feel he's shown enough in these early days to feel fairly excited about him.

Ryan Babel has been described as the most technically gifted Dutch player of his generation with some highly regarded coaches describing him as the new Henry. Can anyone really complain at spending 11.5mil on a player that highly rated! Perhaps Manc fans moaned about 'wasting' 12mil on a Portuguese unknown by the name of Ronaldo!

All i would like to see from 'supporters' (i use the term loosely) is to give some of these players time to settle and the chance to play before we write them off.

2006 was a successful year for Lucas and Grêmio, winning the Rio Grande do Sul state championship (the Campeonato Gaúcho) for the first time since 2001, and also coming third in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Lucas also became the youngest player to ever to receive Placar magazine's Bola de Ouro (Golden Ball), given to the best player in the Campeonato Brasileiro — an honour previously won by the likes of Zico, Falcao, Careca, Romario, Kaká and Tevez.[2]

In October 2006 Lucas was brought into the senior Brazilian squad for friendlies against Kuwaiti club Al-Kuwait and Ecuador. Lucas was both the youngest member and one of only two non-Europe-based players in a strong squad. He made his debut for Brazil on October 7, 2006 coming on as a second half substitute against Al-Kuwait. Brazil won the match 4-0. However, this appearance does not count as his first cap as the match was not considered an official friendly match by FIFA.[citation needed]

His form in 2006 led to reported interest from many major European clubs including Milan, Palermo, Inter, Juventus, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona

[StevieG08]

an honour previously won by the likes of Zico, Falcao, Careca, Romario, Kaká and Tevez

Not a bad list of players!

[El Jefecito]

Based on what i've seen, there's been no sign of quality and thus far, he doesnt seem to have been a worthwhile signing. So thus far no, i dont rate him.

I AM allowed to think that, you know...

I havent seen enough of him, but as i said before, we ALL form early impressions, whether we want to or not. You dont watch a player and sit there like a drone with no opinion whatsoever about what you've seen....well, actually you might well do

Did you see the 180 degree spin he did in the reserves the other day? That was undoubtedly quality, but I guess you didn't watch that, did you?

As Tom has said he has been a class apart in the reserves. He HAS quality, he just hasn't adapted to the pace of the EPL yet.

[Shanks65]

I have seen nothing of Leto in the ressies this season. I have only witnessed his nervous and jumpy cameos in the 1st team.

But a fair few on here seem to think he's got a fair bit of talent.

Q - What sort of player is he? What will he offer the 1st team if he eventually makes it?

[Tom]

If he can turn his assured and skillfull reserve performances into something similar for the first team, we'll have some prospect on our hands.

[coop]

If Ronaldo had done the turn and pass Leto did earlier in the week it would be on the intro of every football show in England.

Leto is a young kid who has come over and is having to adjust to a whole new way of life as well as a whole new way of playing football.

Seen quite a bit of Leto in the reserves and he is normally our best player. He has skill and ability but sometimes tries doing too much but that will be sorted through experience.

For me its a confidence thing. At the moment whenever he has stepped up into the first team he has the look of a deer in the headlights.

Once he is settled into Liverpool and is more confident in his ability then i expect him to make a push for the first team.

[Craig_H]

If Ronaldo had done the turn and pass Leto did earlier in the week it would be on the intro of every football show in England.

Leto is a young kid who has come over and is having to adjust to a whole new way of life as well as a whole new way of playing football.

Seen quite a bit of Leto in the reserves and he is normally our best player. He has skill and ability but sometimes tries doing too much but that will be sorted through experience.

For me its a confidence thing. At the moment whenever he has stepped up into the first team he has the look of a deer in the headlights.

Once he is settled into Liverpool and is more confident in his ability then i expect him to make a push for the first team.

You mean a rabbit?

[spider-neil]

Because it's the equivalent to a player of Torres' class.

Who's formed a definite opinion then? Do tell.

I'd just rather have one torres than those three.

ffs dj give them a chance.

[Craig_H]

ffs dj give them a chance.

FLMAO...where have i said they shouldnt get a chance???

[coop]

You mean a rabbit?

Nope we run over deers here.

[spider-neil]

for the record I haven't been 'that' impressed by leto but I've hardly seen him play, haven't watched the reserves for ages.

babel has impressed and frustrated me in equal measure, by the way whoever said his decision making is poor is talking out of his arse, when babel approaches goal more often than not he makes the right choice be it with the pass or with the shot, babel's awareness is a strength not a weakness.
babel's biggest problem currently is his touch is letting him down allowing defenders to get challenges in, but his is very much head up, strong, quick and he is just 20 years of age who by his own admission is a confidence player.

lucas in my humble opinion will grow to be better than masherano simply because his use of the ball is better and seems far more composed and intelligent.

I get what dj is saying, 20M is a **** load of money that could just have easily been spent of quersema (for example) but lets wait and see how they develope lucas and babel especially have the tools to become great players with the right developement.

I will close and say its all well and good looking enviously at the likes of ronaldo but he was natured and has developed in a great player with patience from his manager because frankly his eng product in his first two seasons was pretty **** and at the end of the day end product not step overs is the only thing worth a ****, by has been in and out of the side, plau he is young, plus he is in a new country at a new club.
I'm going to wait until the end of the season before I make a judgement on babel one way or the other.