Keep Xabi Alonso Thread

[rage]

off msn

Xabi Alonso is planning for next season with Liverpool, but admits his situation is subject to change.

Spain midfielder Alonso, currently at Euro 2008, has been strongly linked with a summer transfer to Serie A side Juventus.

Alonso struggled for regular first-team football at Anfield last term, and the potential arrival of Gareth Barry could further restrict his opportunities.

The 26-year-old is refusing to speculate on the rumours, and has reiterated that he is still contracted to Liverpool.

At the moment

Asked where he would be playing next season, he said: "At the moment, Liverpool.

"It's something that I am apart from now, I am totally focusing on the European Championships and whatever happens at Liverpool you will have to ask the club.

"I haven't been told anything so far, so my plans are to start next season with Liverpool if there is not a change."

i'd be happy if the barry deal fell through and we kept alonso

[Rigadon]

i'd be happy if the barry deal fell through and we kept alonso

[Sarb]

I'd be delighted to keep Xabi.

[Fiddy]

A good game against an average team who allowed him time and space on the ball.

Meant absolutely nothing in terms of his ability to still do the same in the prem'.

Going on the last couple of seasons' form he'll now be pants the next 5 games...

[carheex]

i'd be happy if the barry deal fell through and we kept alonso

I'd be happy if the Alonso deal went through and we used the cash in an area where we actually need someone, and not another sodding midfielder! If we're going to play narrow, reduce the widht of the pitch by 50%, install a few extra thousand seats and invest the added gate receipts in some top players!

[Kev_81]

Still hope ? probably not but anyway.

TURIN, June 19 - Xabi Alonso, Stankovic and Aquilani. But not only. Jean Claude Blanc assures that Sky is the wider range of players including Juventus are choosing to give Ranieri "the midfielder of great quality" which wants. "We follow more than three players - says the ad - and we'll see if in the end will win this theory that reads in the newspapers or one of the other names on which we work. Xabi Alonso? It is an operation that we bring forward and we compare to others that may be made to see when the right time to make this second trip. In Liverpool, to close with the Reds claiming two million euros in more than those offered by the Old Lady. "We seek a midfielder of great quality, there are many around and some are not free, so we have to talk first with clubs and then with the player - concludes Blanc - Only one of these operations will be done '.

Looks like Juve are going to call our bluff in a bid to get the fee down.

[MindGuerrillas]

I'd be happy if the Alonso deal went through and we used the cash in an area where we actually need someone, and not another sodding midfielder!

If we sell Alonso then an area where we'll actually need someone will be centre midfield. Selling him without replacing him will leave us woefully short. Remember that we've already sold Sissoko last season without replacing him. Without buying a direct replacement we'll be left with just Masch, Lucas and Plessis for those 2 positions.

[Cormack74]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3718819,00.html

Xabi Alonso has said he is "fascinated" by Italian football as his Liverpool future remains in doubt with Juve leading the pack to sign him.



The playmaker is currently playing a pivotal role in Spain's Euro 2008 campaign preparing to face Italy and with the Serie A side chasing his signature, Alonso could be also facing several future Juventus team-mates during the quarter-final tie.


But the 26-year-old is giving nothing away, remaining calm about his club commitments and fully focused on Spain's progression into the final four.


"I have little to say about Juve because at the moment I am very focused on Euro 2008 and on Spain," the £16million-rated midfielder said.


"We'll see what will happen with Juve. It's difficult to say.




"I've spent four fantastic years at Liverpool, but I have to admit that I have always been fascinated by Italian football.


"However, it's too soon to talk about the future. In short - we'll see.


Alonso added: "Juve are one of the biggest teams in Europe, perhaps the biggest in Italy. They have many fans, not only in Italy, but all over the world.


"They're a team who want to get back to winning the Scudetto and who also want to compete in the Champions League."



Wonder who the rest of the pack are if indeed they exist ?

[Leyton388]

Just seen this comment on another site and think it is spot on

"ive said before alonso is at least a 25 mil player bloody parry couldnt even negotiate on ebay"

LMFAO

[Roboklopp]

Have really, really yet to be convinced this is the right move by a long long way. Xabi should be given chance to play back into form after his injuries.

Also, I have yet to have anyone who claims that Barry will add more goals from MF answer my question as to how many he actually got from open play.

[DeeGame]

Signed

[Reece]

Have really, really yet to be convinced this is the right move by a long long way. Xabi should be given chance to play back into form after his injuries.

Also, I have yet to have anyone who claims that Barry will add more goals from MF answer my question as to how many he actually got from open play.

Does it matter if Barry's goals were from open play or not though? Surely a goal is a goal - and if Barry scores more than Alonso then that is one tick in Barry's column? Set pieces is one area we were pretty poor in last season, so again if Barry can improve that then surely that's a plus?

I'm not saying I'd prefer him to Alonso mind, I'm just stating a point.

[Vermilion]

Does it matter if Barry's goals were from open play or not though? Surely a goal is a goal - and if Barry scores more than Alonso then that is one tick in Barry's column? Set pieces is one area we were pretty poor in last season, so again if Barry can improve that then surely that's a plus?

I'm not saying I'd prefer him to Alonso mind, I'm just stating a point.

I'd agree with the set pieces being included in his goal tally, but i think it's his penalty count that's the problem, anyone know what his tally for the last 3 years has been, with & without pens??.

[Cormack74]

It's not just about the goals GB does or doesn't score.

Fact is he had one of the best assist records in the prem' last season, which might be part of the reason that RB is so keen on him.

[Kenneth]

"Does it matter if Barry's goals were from open play or not though? "

Well yes, it clearly does.