It just doesn't make sense...

[Nick77]

Rafa wanting to swap Xabi for Barry & Crouch for Keane. Surely Rafa is no mug & knows that Xabi is a much better player than Barry. And if he were to do a swap plus cash with Spurs for one of their strikers surely it would be Berbatov & not Keane, although Keane is a decent player & would definitely be an improvement on what we currently have, but surely Berbatov is a much better option?
Also being linked with players like Milner, Riera & Kenwyn Jones is I hope just a smokescreen because those players will definitely NOT improve the team - end of. Surely Rafa would rather keep what we have than buy the likes of these 3?
Anyway let's see what happens - u gotta love the silly season!

[Reece]

I personally take Keane over Berbatov any day. Berbatov is far too lazy and moody to be a Rafa type player.

[bobbyfallon]

keane is better than crouch... barry has been in better form than alonso and may add more to the team

that said dont know what he sees in milner etc

[Tee]

I find it hard, well actually impossible, to justify up to 17m for Barry. Just do not understand that signing at all - but Rafa is the one who will ultimately be accountable if it does not work out.

Gutted about Xabi leaving as he looks like he is getting back to his old self but it seems like we will never know what could have been with him. No doubt at all in my mind that he is vastly superior in every sense to Barry - a better tackler, a better passer, quicker and has a better shot - all IMO of course.

Keane would be a great addition IMO. I have always been a fan and see a lot of sense in this type of signing. He is a very clever player and will create many chances as well as contribute more than his fair share of goals.

[JonesLegend02]

Tend to agree about Barry. Massively overpriced and lacks the flair of Xabi, although maybe he better fits the Rafa mould of 'keep it simple' midfielders.

Keane would be a brilliant signing, perfect foil for Torres. Crouch has been harshly treated by Rafa but is a notch below what we need.

[mooha]

Rafa will never buy Berbatov, end of! Although a world-class striker on his day but useless at tracking back/defending when needed, lazy, mooody and lacks the hard-working elements that Rafa seems to look for in every player. It's all abaout mentality, mentality, mentality!

[Dessy]

I personally take Keane over Berbatov any day.

[MrMichael]

I think Gareth Barry, if we do indeed sign him, will prove to be a better acquisition than many people think. The guy's a good pro and a leader on the pitch, and he plays exceptionally well with Gerrard. Arguably unlike Alonso.

[spider-neil]

crouch isn't being picked and alonso hasn't shown any sort of form for two seasons now.

[gerbin11]

The only way I can justify the price is if you consider that scum paid £17m to £18m for each of Carrick and Hargreaves, then consider that Barry is currently chosen ahead of those two for England. Regarding Alonso, we all know that English players come at a premium, for whatever reason.

[Johnny]

crouch isn't being picked and alonso hasn't shown any sort of form for two seasons now.

[Yozza]

Rafa will never buy Berbatov, end of! Although a world-class striker on his day but useless at tracking back/defending when needed, lazy, mooody and lacks the hard-working elements that Rafa seems to look for in every player. It's all abaout mentality, mentality, mentality!

Is that why we tried & came very close to signing him in 2005 only for Leverkusen to pull out of the deal when we drew them in the C League?

[Elvoz]

Is that why we tried & came very close to signing him in 2005 only for Leverkusen to pull out of the deal when we drew them in the C League?

good shout

but we wont get him anyways

[The Birdman]

Barry is better than Xabi for the Premiership. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't watched the last 2 season when Xabi has been average at best and Barry has been the best English midfielder of his type.
Barry also gets in the England team ahead of Carrick and Hargreaves who cost about 20 mill each so whether we like it or not his price will be around 15-17m.

If we were buying Garethio Barritiso from a Spanish or Italian club and we looked at his assists, goals and the way he keeps the ball moving quickly with short passes no-one would be arguing. Because he's from Villa some are being snobbish and suggesting he isn't good enough.

Xabi looks good because he sprays 40-50 yard passes but they don't shift the defence about because they organise while the ball is travelling, plus a couple of 50 yard shots a season doesn't make you the right player.

Keane is a massive improvement on Crouch, not least because he fits in with how we play, whenever Crouch comes on he alters everything because he isn't mobile, takes up Torres's space and we resort to lumping it 60 yards which generally is easier to defend against.
Keane is mobile, can drop short 'between the lines' as they say, run in behind to stretch defences and drags people into wide areas leaving space for Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt or whoever to come through.
In short with Xabi and Crouch I think we're a little one dimensional and easier to defend against. With Barry and Keane we're more mobile and they provide variety in our attacking options without comprimising anything defensively

[JonesLegend02]

We've not signed either yet though. Keane has to be a long shot.