Keep Xabi Alonso Thread

[Rich]

I gather from your last 20 or so posts that you're not a fan of Gareth Barry then?

I think you're mistaken, he obviously knows Gareth pretty well to know his middle name...

[BFG]

I think you're mistaken, he obviously knows Gareth pretty well to know his middle name...

[Tee]

Absolutely gutted about Xabi. I feel pretty emotional in all honesty thinking about him leaving. He was Rafa's man on teh pitch and I feel gutted that Rafa seems to have lost that faith in him. YNWA

[Exiled_red]

O’Neill, speaking at the European Championships last night, explained: “He was the last person to have the captain’s armband in the last England game – so the offer Liverpool have made is just not acceptable even though they have upped it.”

What's that got to do with anything?? FFS Every man and his dog has captained England at some point in the last few years!!

[Kenneth]

I gather from your last 20 or so posts that you're not a fan of Gareth Barry then?

I think there's a couple of lurkers who aren't 100% sure about my opinion of G F Barry. WHen they're covered, i'll let it go.

I think you're mistaken, he obviously knows Gareth pretty well to know his middle name...

[red g]

never have i been so torn with a player. Xabi was my favourite player when he came and on song he is poetry in motion, but apart from a handful of games he has failed to live upto his early promise.

Alonso is perfection and a joy to watch. Barry is mr boring, practical and versatile a better option for set pieces at too....maybe more what we need

[Tee]

My main problem with signing Barry is the fact we have other more pressing areas on the pitch that could have done with the vast fortune being paid for him. And seeing as we had Xabi Alonso, a player courted by the top clubs in Europe, this seems a bit of an unecessary move.

I mean, 7 or 8 million for Barry and I would have been very happy. But the way I see it, this purchase has cost us in other areas of the pitch. In CM we also have Lucas and Plessis pushing through, plus Stevie G woud love to revert to his more natural position I am sure. So frustrating.

[El Jefecito]

A crumb of comfort Rafa has once again sold someone for more than they were bought for.!!

[MrMichael]

I think there's a couple of lurkers who aren't 100% sure about my opinion of G F Barry. WHen they're covered, i'll let it go.

*evil cackle*

Custom title time I think

[JPK]

Senna's Agent Slams Xabi Alonso

Marcos Senna's agent has possibly stirred up some disharmony in the Spain camp by declaring that his client is twice as good as Xabi Alonso...
The agent appears to be embittered by the fact that Juventus have made a move for Xabi Alonso instead of Marcos Senna.

Speaking to CalcioMercato, agent José Manuel Butragueño said, "Two months ago I spoke with (Juventus boss Claudio) Ranieri.

"He said they were looking for a player of Senna's style, yet today they want Liverpool's Xabi Alonso. I find that amazing.

"Senna's better than Alonso, and with the Spanish national side he is ahead of him.

"I think the fact that their interest has dampened must be political. Juventus want to pay twice as much for a player who is worse than Senna."

Senna, 31, has been at Villarreal since 2002. A naturalised Spaniard, he has been an international since just prior to the 2006 World Cup.

Alonso, meanwhile, is likely to move to Turin after Euro 2008 after Liverpool agreed to sell him to the Old Lady.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=735927

What a bitter man. Alonso is better for me.

[JPK]

Alonso Signs For Juventus On Monday

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is pratically a Juventus player and all that is missing is his signature which will arrive early next week according to Corriere Dello Sport.
Jean Claude Blanc met with Rafa Benitez on Friday and a deal was struck to bring the midfielder to the Stadio Olimpico.

Benitez will meet Bianconeri officials again either on Monday or Tuesday where the contracts will be signed, sealed and delivered. The player's agent Inanki Ibanez will also be present at the meeting to ensure that all runs smoothly.

Juve will be paying the Anfield Road club €17m which Liverpool will use to buy Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. Alonso has already reached an agreement with the Old Lady and he will sign a four year deal worth €3.5m per season as well as performance related bonuses.

The Spain international who is currently involved in Euro 2008 will undergo a medical in Turin after the tournament. It's a big hit for the Bianconeri who have, once again, convinced major players to come on board as they prepare to challenge for major honours both domestically and in Europe next season.

Bastian Scheweinsteiger's move from Bayern now looks highly unlikely after the capture of Alonso. The Bianconeri were on standby for the Bayern Munich midfielder in case the Alonso move failed.

Salvatore Landolina

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=735992

[Tee]

Xabi was superb for Spain today and I am gutted he will go, absolutely ****ing gutted. Replacing such a beautiful passer and artist with Gareth ****in Barry...

[kingfunk]

He had two cracking shots tonight,, one screamer off the post and another one from the half way line very close. worth a look,,

http://kop-tv.com/go/alonso-nearly-did-it-again/

[Joe King]

That sort of game suited Xabi today. He had loads of space and time to pull the strings. Unfortunately, teams have sussed him out and close him down quickly. Will be good to see him unite with Momo

[DancingRobot]

Keep him for Christ sake, if you want to persist with the current 4-3-3 formation!

4-3-3 with just StevieG,Masch,Barry,Lucas,Plessis CM is really vulnerable, isnt it?? Even if you add a certain Milner to it. Add Alonso to it, and we will have 4 quality players for 3 positions and that should be the way to go, imo! If Rafa has a 4-4-2 in mind for next season, then offers more than 14mp should be happily accepted. But, first get a grip on the formation Rafa