Lucas??

[wiw]

Lucas is 5 months older than Fabregas and six months older than Messi...

Now I know players develop at different rates but those two have shown that ages isn't always a factor...As DannyMan said, he still has time...

They've both been regular starters for their teams for 3 seasons or so, though, and it wouldn't surprise me if both had injury problems in their mid 20s. Lucas is being bedded in slowly and looked unfit to me yesterday, that's all

[rage]

lucas is a very very bpoor defensive midfielder. no other team in the premiership would play him there.

some people tell me he has talent, unfortunately all of this talent seems to be in offensive attributes. the way rafa plays he'll never get a game as the front of the 3, we already have gerrard and keane who will compete for that.

he was a bad buy and we should sell him.

[Rhys]

lucas is a very very bpoor defensive midfielder. no other team in the premiership would play him there.

some people tell me he has talent, unfortunately all of this talent seems to be in offensive attributes. the way rafa plays he'll never get a game as the front of the 3, we already have gerrard and keane who will compete for that.

he was a bad buy and we should sell him.

or wait, let him develop his game and see how he pans out as an attacking player.

[rage]

or wait, let him develop his game and see how he pans out as an attacking player.

he won't get the opportunities there. how many games will he play ahead of keane or gerrard? if he's got what it takes loan him out.

[barnes10]

he won't get the opportunities there. how many games will he play ahead of keane or gerrard? if he's got what it takes loan him out.

i think i agree with you rage. reckon he was worth the punt at the price (thought he was 5.5 mill not 8) but, like any youngster at that level, he needs to be playing week in week out to develop his game. being a fringe player for us will do nothing for him and consequently, nothing for us. as things stand, he'll contribute very little.

best he moves on i think. although i do believe he has the talent to become a great attacking midfielder, i think he needs to be playing for a team like villa or portsmouth to develop in england or move to spain.

[Ben_Itez]

Personally i rate him pretty highly. He's got a great first touch and tries to always play the ball first time without need to control the ball....this is a very rare commodity and helps the team shift the attack quickly. He's also got a killer through ball.

Granted he didnt have a great game last night (none of our midfilders did) and needs to work on his tackling but i for one think he has a great future at the club.

Just cos he's not doing three stepovers every time he gets the ball and scoring Gerrard style wonder goals doesnt mean he's not a valuable player. People are far too quick to criticise nowadays.

[Mike]

I remember El Jef was disagreeing with me when i said Lucas gave away cheap fouls and has little effect on a game (not that i am slating off Jef i enjoy reading his posts)

But i do think last nights game proved the point i was trying to make.

[barnes10]

Personally i rate him pretty highly. He's got a great first touch and tries to always play the ball first time without need to control the ball....this is a very rare commodity and helps the team shift the attack quickly. He's also got a killer through ball.

Granted he didnt have a great game last night (none of our midfilders did) and needs to work on his tackling but i for one think he has a great future at the club.

Just cos he's not doing three stepovers every time he gets the ball and scoring Gerrard style wonder goals doesnt mean he's not a valuable player. People are far too quick to criticise nowadays.

i agree with this but feel that if he's to truly develop into a top class player - for which he has the potential - then he isnt going to get there through a stop-start lfc career unfortunately.

[Mike]

i agree with this but feel that if he's to truly develop into a top class player - for which he has the potential - then he isnt going to get there through a stop-start lfc career unfortunately.

... and he is not good enough to cement a place.

[el matador]

i think a lot of players get to that age of about 20 to 23 and if they havent broken into the first team then not sending them out on loan to play first team football will hinder their progress.

Lucas looks like a player that needs to play first team football and at the moment he isnt good enough for our team and rafa has to let him go to get some experience.

[Shaggy]

I remember El Jef was disagreeing with me when i said Lucas gave away cheap fouls and has little effect on a game (not that i am slating off Jef i enjoy reading his posts)

But i do think last nights game proved the point i was trying to make.

He definitely gives away too many cheap free-kicks, but I still believe Arbeloa is our worst offender in that respect.

[Kenneth]

Maybe he is a good player in disguise, but he's been complete toilet for us so far.

If only we'd signed Gareth Barry.

[hamshanks]

least Brazilian Brazilian I've ever seen

[red g]

Lucas is 5 months older than Fabregas and six months older than Messi...

Now I know players develop at different rates but those two have shown that ages isn't always a factor...As DannyMan said, he still has time...

massive exceptions both now worth trillions!!

[red g]

I will give Lucas 100% and hope he shines but think he will be added to the South American 'failed promise' section.

Maybe the step up in class was too great.