So, what of Aquilani?

[Bender]

Cmon Rafa re-sign Aqulani

[el matador]

im surprised that we're willing to let go of him like this because he does have talent. Unfortunately, he doesnt have the heart to go with it and i cant ever see him playing in a midfield 442 because he's just too lightweight.

SSN put up some stats this morning and he's played 26 games and started 13 or something. However he has scored 2 goals and had 6 assists.

I think that's decent and im not sure if this isnt a little hasty especially in light of mascherano's pending departure and the fact that it will leave us with only 3 central midfielders of whom 2 are non creative.

If kuyt leaves, i would play cole on the right, aquilani behind torres and gerrard with poulsen in the middle.

but letting a £20m player leave on loan seems ridiculous especially when he's come back from injury.

[Mostar]

I'm going to stick my neck out and defend Aquilani. Yes, you can bring his fitness record into it, even perhaps make conspiracy theories legitimately or not about his availability but the thing is, he hasn't really had a fair go to prove himself. There's been no consistency in his games or game time, and last season when he did have a few games he wasn't too bad, although it just seemed to be like the entire team didn't really give a ****.

People complain about us not having enough creativity in the centre of the pitch, and regardless of arguments about him being soft, not hard in the tackle, etc. He is one of the few players that we can say that we have whom are genuinely creative. There were a few games last season when he came on and he helped us play better automatically just because he was on the pitch. He encourages a short passing game, and plays a lot of one-two's which open up attacking opportunities and change the pace of the game. I'm positive if he was match fit and given a run of games he'd be able to prove his worth.

I've seen him a good few times at Roma, and for us, even though he hasn't shown his true worth there have been a few glimpses. From the minute that he signed for us I thought he could be a Paul Scholes sort of a player for us. Someone who plays in the midfield and always gives a passing option, then will seldom waste possession. He is a player that plays between the lines and has shown that he isn't an easy player to pick up, as well as the fact he plays good first time passes and has a good passing range. He has all of the skills to be a good player for us, and it's upto the manager to show the confidence in him to get it out of him.

Yes, you can say that he has been below par, but for the majority of last season he was injured, or/and recovering. Now he's been fit in pre season, he hasn't been good, but that counts for nothing for me, what happens in competitive fixtures is the only thing that matters and Roy is denying him his shot.

Truth of the matter is, if Aquilani leaves now we've basically replaced him with Poulsen. So we have an intelligent player with very good technique and replaced him with a ball winning workhorse. Seeing that Gerrard is going to play primarily as a central midfielder, therefore Aquilani should be seen as competition with Lucas for that spot, as well as backup for Joe Cole in the attacking midfield. Letting him go on a loan just limits out options and depth considerably. As it stands, I'd say that him and Gerrard are our only creative players in the centre of midfield, when Gerrard is injured/suspended/resting we'll see more of the Lucas - Mascherano combination which was criticised so much last season. And that's if we're lucky and Mascherano doesn't leave or else we'll be stuck with Poulsen and Lucas (no disrespect as I have no problem with either player) who combined have as much creativity as my big toe.

I can see why we'd let Aquilani go, but on a loan it doesn't serve much of a purpose. Either he performs well, comes back when we're interested in keeping him and he complains until he ****s off on another loan or is sold. Or he goes on loan performs poorly (or doesn't play) and he comes back with someone we don't want and a no other club willing to spend a reasonable fee on. We might as well keep him if those are the options, and I'm pretty disappointed Roy has arrived at this conclusion because I always saw him as someone who would be able to appreciate the qualities of a player like Aquilani and find a way to use him effectively. The guy himself hasn't said one negative thing and has always committed himself to the club. All I say is give him atleast a half a season to prove that, if he shows that he's clearly not upto it flog him, that's fine but as it stands his market value is down, a loan doens't make sense and we're making a huge mistake. And if we were to loan him out, I'd prefer to send him to another Premiership club or to Spain or something rather than letting him get too comfortable in his native Italy in case he plays a lot and regains fitness and form. I'd hate the thought of having a player that fulfills himself on our books and he has reluctance to play for our club any longer. By the same token, on the loan front I hate the thought of paying half of his astronomical wages whilst he plays for another team.

Like Mascherano (but to a much lesser degree) - Unless there's a really interesting replacement (Not Scott ****ing Parker) lined up, I'll be disappointed if he left.

Very good post That is pretty much how I see Aqua Man myself. I also think if rumours about loaning him are true, Roy gave up on him too soon.

[SB]

Very good post That is pretty much how I see Aqua Man myself. I also think if rumours about loaning him are true, Roy gave up on him too soon.

Yep he deserves more time to prove himself and if he can't do that by xmas then fair enough

[Rich]

Very good post That is pretty much how I see Aqua Man myself. I also think if rumours about loaning him are true, Roy gave up on him too soon.

They aren't rumours - Roy's confirmed that they're looking at loaning Alberto back to Italy.

[Taxi]

Very good post That is pretty much how I see Aqua Man myself. I also think if rumours about loaning him are true, Roy gave up on him too soon.

Oh come on, Rafa hardly played him himself when fit, there was the comment he made about some players being prepared to play when they're not 100% and then there's the others (something along those lines). Roys seen him in training and knows the score better than us.

He's a dud and a complete waste of £20m. If he had heart and prepared to man up a bit, he'd probably make it, but I don't think he does. Great business Rafa.

[SimonNo7]

I'm going to stick my neck out and defend Aquilani. Yes, you can bring his fitness record into it, even perhaps make conspiracy theories legitimately or not about his availability but the thing is, he hasn't really had a fair go to prove himself. There's been no consistency in his games or game time, and last season when he did have a few games he wasn't too bad, although it just seemed to be like the entire team didn't really give a ****.

People complain about us not having enough creativity in the centre of the pitch, and regardless of arguments about him being soft, not hard in the tackle, etc. He is one of the few players that we can say that we have whom are genuinely creative. There were a few games last season when he came on and he helped us play better automatically just because he was on the pitch. He encourages a short passing game, and plays a lot of one-two's which open up attacking opportunities and change the pace of the game. I'm positive if he was match fit and given a run of games he'd be able to prove his worth.

I've seen him a good few times at Roma, and for us, even though he hasn't shown his true worth there have been a few glimpses. From the minute that he signed for us I thought he could be a Paul Scholes sort of a player for us. Someone who plays in the midfield and always gives a passing option, then will seldom waste possession. He is a player that plays between the lines and has shown that he isn't an easy player to pick up, as well as the fact he plays good first time passes and has a good passing range. He has all of the skills to be a good player for us, and it's upto the manager to show the confidence in him to get it out of him.

Yes, you can say that he has been below par, but for the majority of last season he was injured, or/and recovering. Now he's been fit in pre season, he hasn't been good, but that counts for nothing for me, what happens in competitive fixtures is the only thing that matters and Roy is denying him his shot.

Truth of the matter is, if Aquilani leaves now we've basically replaced him with Poulsen. So we have an intelligent player with very good technique and replaced him with a ball winning workhorse. Seeing that Gerrard is going to play primarily as a central midfielder, therefore Aquilani should be seen as competition with Lucas for that spot, as well as backup for Joe Cole in the attacking midfield. Letting him go on a loan just limits out options and depth considerably. As it stands, I'd say that him and Gerrard are our only creative players in the centre of midfield, when Gerrard is injured/suspended/resting we'll see more of the Lucas - Mascherano combination which was criticised so much last season. And that's if we're lucky and Mascherano doesn't leave or else we'll be stuck with Poulsen and Lucas (no disrespect as I have no problem with either player) who combined have as much creativity as my big toe.

I can see why we'd let Aquilani go, but on a loan it doesn't serve much of a purpose. Either he performs well, comes back when we're interested in keeping him and he complains until he ****s off on another loan or is sold. Or he goes on loan performs poorly (or doesn't play) and he comes back with someone we don't want and a no other club willing to spend a reasonable fee on. We might as well keep him if those are the options, and I'm pretty disappointed Roy has arrived at this conclusion because I always saw him as someone who would be able to appreciate the qualities of a player like Aquilani and find a way to use him effectively. The guy himself hasn't said one negative thing and has always committed himself to the club. All I say is give him atleast a half a season to prove that, if he shows that he's clearly not upto it flog him, that's fine but as it stands his market value is down, a loan doens't make sense and we're making a huge mistake. And if we were to loan him out, I'd prefer to send him to another Premiership club or to Spain or something rather than letting him get too comfortable in his native Italy in case he plays a lot and regains fitness and form. I'd hate the thought of having a player that fulfills himself on our books and he has reluctance to play for our club any longer. By the same token, on the loan front I hate the thought of paying half of his astronomical wages whilst he plays for another team.

Like Mascherano (but to a much lesser degree) - Unless there's a really interesting replacement (Not Scott ****ing Parker) lined up, I'll be disappointed if he left.

[Roboklopp]

Would keep him & try to play him as a bit-part player rather than loan him out. Having him on the bench gives us much more depth.

Total waste of money otherwise.

[Zapater]

We would have replaced with Cole surely?

okay, fair enough but let's say Gerrard's injured? That leaves the options of Lucas, Poulsen and hopefully Mascherano in the centre. Doesn't leave a great deal of variation or depth. I acknowledge we may very well sign more players but it doesn't fill me with confidence, especially since the transfer window is coming and we could find ourselves overpaying or panic buying on replacements that aren't necessary of required quality.

[Pablo]

I agree without him as in option in CM we are going to be left with some very defensive, uncreative CMs at the club.

That's it I'm going to daydream about us re-signing Alonso. Well it is Friday

[Shaggy]

Would keep him & try to play him as a bit-part player rather than loan him out. Having him on the bench gives us much more depth.

Total waste of money otherwise.

Yep, you don't see any of our competitors loaning out expensive substitutes, they just bolster their squads. How come we can't keep anyone remotely decent who doesn't play happy? We couldn't even keep someone like Crouch happy on the bench. It's a joke really. You look at Spurs, Chelsea etc who all have quality internationals on their benches. We've got Spearing.

We're about the only team in the world who can't manage to bring in another striker to supplement/cover for our world class striker.

[Exiled_red]

Yep, you don't see any of our competitors loaning out expensive substitutes, they just bolster their squads. How come we can't keep anyone remotely decent who doesn't play happy? We couldn't even keep someone like Crouch happy on the bench. It's a joke really. You look at Spurs, Chelsea etc who all have quality internationals on their benches. We've got Spearing.

We're about the only team in the world who can't manage to bring in another striker to supplement/cover for our world class striker.

[Zapater]

Also, seeing Roy couldn't shut his mouth and go about his business queitly if he is required to play before he goes or if we can't get a deal done in time it's really going to **** with his confidence that the manager pretty much publicly said he doesn't rate him (or implied that he isn't in his first team plans)

Assuming he should atleast be on the bench against City considering Joe Cole is suspended and all. What if he plays and has a blinder, does that change the picture or is he still cannon fodder?

[SimonNo7]

Rumour from twitter:

Corriere claiming Alberto Aquilani has joined Juventus on loan #lfc

[Shaggy]

http://www.corrieredellosport.it/cal...%A8+della+Juve!