Xabi Alonso - Fee Agreed (Official)

[Elvis]

We need to replace Alonso with experienced, world-class talent - cos that's what we've lost. Not youth, not potential.

[Guest]

So now we must have at least £35m to spend, so put Gerrard back in CM and buy Aguero. Job done.

Seriously though, if the rumours are true I expect us to sign Aquilani very quickly. Not sure he's a direct replacement for Alonso, but I can see Rafa changing his tactics slightly.

[DannyMan2006]

I know that ****-head

I'm really gutted though. The mancs are much weaker, Arsenal are weaker, Chelsea have a new manager - it was looking great for us.

Now we've lost a very good RB, as well as the man who makes us play.

****'s sake.

The old Craig H is back, welcome

We've lost a good right back, but signed a better one.

Let's see what we do with the Alonso fee before jumping of suicide bridge.

[Craig_H]

The old Craig H is back, welcome

We've lost a good right back, but signed a better one.

Let's see what we do with the Alonso fee before jumping of suicide bridge.

I think Arbeloa is better defensively, than Johnson.

As someone else said, we have to buy a world class replacement.

[RedReet]

Ahh well, **** happens. Could be worse, could have been Kuyt off.

I still like Xabi and wish him well, but unfortunately want them Madrid cunts to fail miserably even more.

[Tee]

The old Craig H is back, welcome

We've lost a good right back, but signed a better one.

Let's see what we do with the Alonso fee before jumping of suicide bridge.

Geronimoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest]

I think Arbeloa is better defensively, than Johnson.

As someone else said, we have to buy a world class replacement.

People were saying we needed a more attacking option at right back, now we've got it, we need a more defensive option now.

[kingfunk]

The worrying thing is, you'll still be saying that if we bring back Salif Diao.

Salif Diao might be pushing it!!

[Craig_H]

The only thing that would cheer me up now is if we signed Villa or Aguero.

[Craig_H]

People were saying we needed a more attacking option at right back, now we've got it, we need a more defensive option now.

You need both options frederick.

Personally, i was quite happy with Arbeloa and at a differential of £13.5m, i'd rather have kept him.

[JohnDoe]

I think Arbeloa is better defensively, than Johnson.

As someone else said, we have to buy a world class replacement.

We have Degen.

[Fierce]

The only thing that would cheer me up now is if we signed Villa or Aguero.

Seriously, are you honestly in need of cheering up? Like genuinely, not on an internet forum

[Tatterdemalion]

I honestly don't think Rafa would have let him go if he thought for a moment that we couldn't do without him - although I suppose the player expressing his desire to leave may have changed is mind.

But I too think it's interesting that he quotes £50m for Mascha - also alleged to be unhappy.

Of course Rafa would have snapped off the hands of madrid had they offered close to £20m last close season, so clearly (to me) Rafa has something else in mind.

As great a player as Xabi is, I do feel that his presence forces the team to play in particular way, and that it restricts us from going forward on occassion. I'm not that bright when it comes to tactics, but I would guess playing Xabi harms the fluidity of the team which means we don't attack quickly enough - allowing teams to close spaces etc.

[wiw]

Hamsik.

He's not a CM is he?

[Craig_H]

Seriously, are you honestly in need of cheering up? Like genuinely, not on an internet forum

I'm gutted that Alonso's officially off, yes.

If we dont get a proper replacement, it makes an exceptionally hard task even harder.