Liverpool agree Arbeloa transfer

[red g]

maybe just maybe Rafa thinks Darby is ready to step up??

[Redspin]

Seasoned observers of Real Madrid have stated that Arbeloa will play RB and Sergio Ramos will play centre back.

Where that leaves Pepe and Raul Albiol is anybodys guess. I guess the main point is that if Arbeloa performs he will be in the first team.

"Seasoned observers", ie people guessing, have no more idea than you or me. Ramos was signed as a centre back originally, then put on the right. Nonetheless, I still doubt Arbeloa will be first choice RB

[Exiled_red]

maybe just maybe Rafa thinks Darby is ready to step up??

Just out of curiousity (and this might be the wrong place to ask but) why has Darby been involved in the reserves preseason fixtures rather than the first team preseason fixtures?

[Kenneth]

As i said before mate, i think what he would've brought to the table is worth more than the £3.5m.

If we get someone of equal or better quality for that amount, then great. But i dont think it's likely.

In a summer where fees have gone mental, we're letting him go for half of what he's worth IMO. Better to keep hold.

How are you judging the value of this 3.5 million? Agree that you might expect his market value to be higher than the offer we're reported to have accepted but it depends what it is used for and how badly it's needed. It's not exactly pocket money.

Rafa has a better handle on the finances so either we really need the money badly for other things, or he doesn't rate Arbeloa's likey contribtion next season as highly as you do. Right Back wasn't a priority for me this summer. We now have a better RB than we did before with the same deputies so Keeping Arbeloa isn't a priority. About £5mill all in for one season (combination of lost fee and wages) is a high price for a low priority positison.

[DannyMan2006]

Because i think the impact of having him would be worth more in terms of the team's achievements, than £3.5m.

This time next year, it's possible that one or two of the younger players might've proven their worth, or that Degen might've gotten over the injuries, in which case there'd be no need to bring in a new RB.

I don't see how your argument holds water. So I'll agree to disagree. I see what you're getting at, but I think you are too focused on next season instead of focusing on what is best overall for the club.

[red g]

Just out of curiousity (and this might be the wrong place to ask but) why has Darby been involved in the reserves preseason fixtures rather than the first team preseason fixtures?

he picked up a knock, hence why we never travelled.

[DannyMan2006]

Just out of curiousity (and this might be the wrong place to ask but) why has Darby been involved in the reserves preseason fixtures rather than the first team preseason fixtures?

Darby was involved with the first team but picked up an injury so as such did not travel with the team to the far east.

[Craig_H]

How are you judging the value of this 3.5 million? Agree that you might expect his market value to be higher than the offer we're reported to have accepted but it depends what it is used for and how badly it's needed. It's not exactly pocket money.

Rafa has a better handle on the finances so either we really need the money badly for other things, or he doesn't rate Arbeloa's likey contribtion next season as highly as you do. Right Back wasn't a priority for me this summer. We now have a better RB than we did before with the same deputies so Keeping Arbeloa isn't a priority. About £5mill all in for one season (combination of lost fee and wages) is a high price for a low priority positison.

Fairly simple mate - at the highest level of football, £3.5m is chicken feed. Not a huge amount of value whatsoever.

Contrary to what you say, i consider it virtually pocket money. I think one season of Arbeloa is easily more valuable to us.

As for low priority - well i think Arbeloa's better defensively than GJ and time will tell as to whether we miss him.

[-V-]

I think I read/heard somewhere that they're moving Ramos to CB

That was my suggestion

while I'd have preferred he stayed it would only be to bolster the squad and Rafa is bound to have someone else lined up.

I'll throw the name Lucas Neill in just to open a hornets nest, don't want him to join myself but I'll just put that out there.......

Glen Johnson maybe

As for Lucas Neill, Carra would kill him

[Craig_H]

I don't see how your argument holds water. So I'll agree to disagree. I see what you're getting at, but I think you are too focused on next season instead of focusing on what is best overall for the club.

I think what happens next season could have a significant bearing on the future of the club. One ****ed up campaign can be hugely damaging.

[red g]

I think what happens next season could have a significant bearing on the future of the club. One ****ed up campaign can be hugely damaging.

jeez we arent talking gerrard or torres leaving are we?

We are talking a half decent full back that will probably not be missed as Glen johnson has a superb injury record. Its not as if his displays were faultless were they?

when Johnson is out we have cover, Degen and Darby will be fine there.....not as good as arbeloa but its not a disaster zone!!

[MrMichael]

Fairly simple mate - at the highest level of football, £3.5m is chicken feed. Not a huge amount of value whatsoever.

Contrary to what you say, i consider it virtually pocket money. I think one season of Arbeloa is easily more valuable to us.

At the moment with our club's financial situation, I don't think that's true at all dude. Maybe Chelsea et al can afford to behave like that, but can we? Write off a few mill here, another few there, it all adds up.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Good luck to him, far too good a player to be sitting on the bench and the signing of Johnson gave him little choice IMO

[FatTony]

£4.5M

Seems terribly cheap.

[Exiled_red]

he picked up a knock, hence why we never travelled.

Darby was involved with the first team but picked up an injury so as such did not travel with the team to the far east.

Thanks