Alonso staying.

[Joe King]

Best news I've had all season. Can you really think of anyone better with his passing ability when on top form. Nope....neither can I.

But he hasn't been on top form for two years now.

I can think of better passers: Scholes, Fabregas, Gago, Pirlo, Guti but we won't get any of them

[The Birdman]

He's had 2 distinctly average season's but still people want him to stay, but at the same time we are meant to be progressing.
Xabi is laboured and the pace of the Premiership is too much for him, he had a brilliant first season but teams have since worked him out. There is absolutely no way Xabi will stay if we get Barry and most respectable posters seem to say it's a done deal.
Can people honestly see us with Barry, Xabi, Lucus, Mascher and Plessis??

[Imy]

players have said the same in the past and have still been sold, so i'm not counting any chickens yet.

[Joe King]

Teams have sussed out Alonso's game. Give him space and he will have time to pick his spot and distribute. I think it was time he went. He dwells on the ball too much thus causing problems and his tackling is awful e.g. European Cup final last season.

[spud_gun]

i hope to **** xabi

[dww]

I think if it was a player from another team we would be saying thats what he has to say - keeping people on side and all that. I don't think his future has been decided yet but it does increasingly seem that he is not Rafa's first choice for next season.

I think we will see a summer of adding dynamism to the team in an effort to tailor it more to success in the PL.

[yukpo]

Thank **** for that

Would be a colossal mistake to sell him and sign Gareth ****ing Barry.

[wiw]

My only complaint with Xabi is his short range chipped passes aren't the best, compared to say Pirlo, but I suppose our teams play with a different style. I think with a proper no.10/playmaker type we will see his passing role lessened which can only be good for him (less backwards passing), plus with wingers and better movement he'll have more options. Get a good pre-season in him and then let's judge

[Nic83]

Obviously Lucas isn't making much of an impact if Alonso is staying and now Rafa is chasing Barry

[blacky]

I'd be surprised if Alonso stays. I think Rafa see's him as expendable. He has had two very average seasons by his standards and IMO the pace and power of the premiership does not suit Xabi's football. He would thrive in La Liga or Seria A. Maybe Rafa see's him as a commodity now. If we can generate 13-15m for the transfer kitty by selling him I'd be happy as long as we then put that cash towards signing Alves for example. We could also use Xabi in an exchange deal with Barca or MAdrid for a number of their players!!

[shanks69]

i think he'll go and to honest i wouldn't be to upset,i like him but i just think the prem is too fast for him.also for a player with his skill his goal rate is poor and his attempts on goal are poor,how often does he make the goalie work?why doesn't he take more freekicks at goal,i think he lacks confidance in that area.

[Exiled_red]

If that is the case that he's staying and we're looking at Barry I'd love to see what formation we'll play next year

[rage]

I'd be surprised if Alonso stays. I think Rafa see's him as expendable. He has had two very average seasons by his standards and IMO the pace and power of the premiership does not suit Xabi's football. He would thrive in La Liga or Seria A. Maybe Rafa see's him as a commodity now. If we can generate 13-15m for the transfer kitty by selling him I'd be happy as long as we then put that cash towards signing Alves for example. We could also use Xabi in an exchange deal with Barca or MAdrid for a number of their players!!

swap the name xabi for lucas