Summer Signings: what do we need? who do you want?

[bobbyfallon]

Ribery will probably cost about £30m. Add £18m for Eto'o and say £10m for Barry - and it's a total of £58m before we've even mentioned Rafinha.

Go get your piggy bank

i recon it would need to be a big piggy bank

[Rafael Benítez Maudes]

i believe kuyt would make a great emergency right back.

if we have limited funds
then a right back is not a priority.

[bdp1978]

to all the people advocating another move for Gareth Barry, do you not think Agger could perform in all of those roles? thus giving him playing time til Carra retires.

[DannyMan2006]

I think the thing is that Rafa trusted Insua and so clearly feels he is ready to play - he had several opportunities to play Derby and didn't indicating he doesn't feel the same. I also think that the limitations in attacking positions, especially with regards to crossing of Arbeloa could be improved upon. I certainly wouldn't be looking to spend £10m on a right back though. I think it would improve the squad though to have a different option in the squad there.

I think Darby would have got a game had he not been injured ahen Mascher and Skrtel were covering RB.

That said I think that in a major game Insua can be trusted. Darby, I have no idea, but it's likely Carra would play over him in that situation.

This year I think we could have had three reserves in the fist team squad by now had things worked out differently, which would have saved us alot of money.

Insua has proved himself at LB but could have established himself at LB had he not gone on international duty. From Abletts comments it seems Nemeth would also have been given a chance to prove his worth and finally Darby would have played as I mentioned earlier.

Looking at our squad I would say Insua saves us buying a LB, but it is debatable over the other two positions.

Are N'gog and Nemeth good enough to cover for Torres? Answer has to be no at present. In a money no object, everyone stays happy world I'd sign Eto'o but we would probably have to change our system to accomadate him. Not ideal.

Is Darby good enough to cover for Arbeloa? Again, an unanswered question. Main point is if you think Arbeloa is good enough for our first team. I do so do not think we need Johnson.

[DannyMan2006]

Actually, having read all that I still come to the same conclusion.

With regards to winning games I agree with the media that we rely heavily on Gerrard and Torres, just like Chelsea do on Lampard and Drogba. But whilst they have Ballack and Anelka who can come in, we are limited.

Ideally I would set to bring players in who firstly would add to what we have. Eg, a top class winger who would spread the burden.

Secondly I would look to cover an eventuallty of one or both being injured suspended.

Looking at it like that I would say a Ribery type player for option one, and would also cover for Stevie. To cover Torres I would sign Owen on a free.

The reason we are not clear at the top is down to two things. Lacking a bit of magic in the wide areas and having either Stevie or Torres injured at some point. Solve both equations and I think we are good enough to compete.

[Craig_H]

to all the people advocating another move for Gareth Barry, do you not think Agger could perform in all of those roles? thus giving him playing time til Carra retires.

Agger at left back, left midfield and centre midfield? No.

[Craig_H]

Actually, having read all that I still come to the same conclusion.

With regards to winning games I agree with the media that we rely heavily on Gerrard and Torres, just like Chelsea do on Lampard and Drogba. But whilst they have Ballack and Anelka who can come in, we are limited.

Ideally I would set to bring players in who firstly would add to what we have. Eg, a top class winger who would spread the burden.

Secondly I would look to cover an eventuallty of one or both being injured suspended.

Looking at it like that I would say a Ribery type player for option one, and would also cover for Stevie. To cover Torres I would sign Owen on a free.

The reason we are not clear at the top is down to two things. Lacking a bit of magic in the wide areas and having either Stevie or Torres injured at some point. Solve both equations and I think we are good enough to compete.

I very rarely read a post of yours that doesnt make sense

One of the best posters on the site, for me.

[DannyMan2006]

I very rarely read a post of yours that doesnt make sense

One of the best posters on the site, for me.

Cheers mate. Likewise you mate, though sometimes I don't enjoy reading the realsim in your posts

[Craig_H]

I bring a 'see-saw' effect to the place

[Roboklopp]

Get a room you 2.


Personally, I think we need a LW more than a right- Kuyt offers more than Riera (who is more than good enough as a squaddie & has done pretty well this season). Much as I like Arbeloa & want Darby to succeed, because of Kuyt's limitations (& I do rate him by the way), I think we could really benefit from a top quality attacking RB who would overlap him, provide width, pace, trickery & flair. Not sure of names, but obviously we'd already have had Alves had things gone differently & that wouldve been quality.

So.. LW, RB, Owen on free & possibly another player for the top position, depending on budget/sales.

[EwarWoo]

Personally, I think we need a LW more than a right- Kuyt offers more than Riera

No chance. Kuyt is a workhorse and a valued member of the team, however Riera is the one with the flair to attack teams which is what we need.

He's not got the consistency, but he's had some moments of brilliance which are a sign of great things to come the more he settles into the PL style of play.

Riera's fine as first choice.

So.. LW, RB, Owen on free & possibly another player for the top position, depending on budget/sales.

I'd definitely take Owen on free, he'd actually be my first choice given limitted finance and his history of playing only semi-regularly at RM but still performing. However as people keep pointing out, Rafa is stubborn and he could be offered along with a truckload of gold bullion and Villa and Ribery as free add-ons, he'd still say no. Which is a pity, but gotta accept his flaws as well as his brilliance

Eto'o (Eto'o'o he's magic, he even comes with a ready made song) would be a good choice instead. But a decent back up striker, RW and only if money remains without making compromises then a RB would be my choice for the summer.

With Parry gone we need to stop compromising and just buy the players we need rather than squad fillers.

[Roboklopp]

No chance. Kuyt is a workhorse and a valued member of the team, however Riera is the one with the flair to attack teams which is what we need.

He's not got the consistency, but he's had some moments of brilliance which are a sign of great things to come the more he settles into the PL style of play.

Riera's fine as first choice.

Not sure Riera is good enough as a 1st teamer for where we wanna be. As for Kuyt, you are right about his limitations, but I'd be expecting the flair etc to come from the RB.


I'd definitely take Owen on free, he'd actually be my first choice given limitted finance and his history of playing only semi-regularly at RM but still performing. However as people keep pointing out, Rafa is stubborn and he could be offered along with a truckload of gold bullion and Villa and Ribery as free add-ons, he'd still say no. Which is a pity, but gotta accept his flaws as well as his brilliance

Taking Owen would force us to play a different way. Agree, he'd really strengthen the squad. Shame we still dont have Crouchie too- think he'd have got more games this season than last.

Eto'o (Eto'o'o he's magic, he even comes with a ready made song) would be a good choice instead. But a decent back up striker, RW and only if money remains without making compromises then a RB would be my choice for the summer.

Top player, but just not sure how he'd fit in. Far too good for the bench.

With Parry gone we need to stop compromising and just buy the players we need rather than squad fillers.

Budget permitting, aye.

[RedReet]

I think the thing is that Rafa trusted Insua and so clearly feels he is ready to play - he had several opportunities to play Derby and didn't indicating he doesn't feel the same.

I think Darby would have got a game had he not been injured ahen Mascher and Skrtel were covering RB.

Apparently he was definitely starting against Sunderland before he got injured. (Think it was Steve Hunter on LFCTV who said).

[Parr_Zee]

Why do so many people think we 'need' a right back?

Arbeloa is class.

See 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough. We need atleast 2 competitive players for each position. I don't think Rafa trusts Darby enough just yet, so I can see him signing a RB. Carragher clearly doesnt want to play there...

Regarding £18m for Lennon and £12m for Johnson, I think this is the going rate for these players if you wanted to sign them. They are largely considered as the future of England right-side, and I cannot see Spurs or Pompey letting them go cheaply.

[dww]

See 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough. We need atleast 2 competitive players for each position. I don't think Rafa trusts Darby enough just yet, so I can see him signing a RB. Carragher clearly doesnt want to play there...

Regarding £18m for Lennon and £12m for Johnson, I think this is the going rate for these players if you wanted to sign them. They are largely considered as the future of England right-side, and I cannot see Spurs or Pompey letting them go cheaply.

I really do think that spending £10m+ on a right back is too much. I think that the premium for both players as England internationals is too much - neither have proven themselves consistently in either the league or at international level.