Give Lucas a new contract, now!

[danperkins]

Well offering him one would be a far wiser decision than trying to 'cash in' on a 30 year old who has 6 months left on his contract, and is free to speak to foreign clubs over a Bosman.

Obviously, but just can't see him wanting a one year deal with him being only 30, not a chance.

[kingfunk]

Oh please **** off. When you talk about Lucas then Rafa will be a part of the discussion.

Why is Lucas now playing much better? The answer is that RAFA played him almost in every game. That means that a young player played a lot of games and developed because of that.

Would happen to a lot of other young players if they got the same chance to play a lot of games.

Well thank **** for Luis Aragones.

[red g]

Oh please **** off. When you talk about Lucas then Rafa will be a part of the discussion.

Why is Lucas now playing much better? The answer is that RAFA played him almost in every game. That means that a young player played a lot of games and developed because of that.

Would happen to a lot of other young players if they got the same chance to play a lot of games.

He would not have got that chance if it wasnt for Injuries and no transfer money. Even the most blinkered Lucas fan will tell you he shouldnt have payed so many games when he was blatantly ****.

[Craig_H]

Obviously, but just can't see him wanting a one year deal with him being only 30, not a chance.

Utterly baseless assumption.

[Arn]

Well thank **** for Luis Aragones.

[dww]

That's not "18 months ago" though is it? That's my point- he's really come on in the last seaon & a half.

As far as last season is concerned though, Id say he was often there or thereabouts along with Masher, but it was in a best of the worst sense. I wouldnt say they were "top" performances. As above, I think he has really flourished this year, rather than looking just a solid defensive player,he looks much more progressive- & much more like he could have the real box-to-box talent he showed at Gremio. Do you not think his progress has been more marked & balanced this season especially?

Just chatting with a bloke at work about him as it happens. Am wondering how the balance with Masher wouldve worked this year- presonally I think he really benefits from having another more progressive player nect ot him in Raul.

Fair play on the timing issue. Although I would suggest there were a significant minority of posters who were of the opinion that he had shown the ingredients that led to his improvement far before then. The game against Newcastle two seasons ago perhaps the most oft cited example.

[Roboklopp]

Aye, he was great in that game. And a few others, although I cannot recall which exactly.

I think it's about the level of expectation for him though. I honestly recall being one of the more positive posters about him for some time (certainly have been in real life than lots I've talked to). I dont recall people being as positive as they are now that long ago- like I see he looks like he could finally follow in the shoes of the likes of Xabi, Masher & (to a lesser extent) Momo in terms of being a great player rather than jsut a good one.

[dww]

Aye, he was great in that game. And a few others, although I cannot recall which exactly.

I think it's about the level of expectation for him though. I honestly recall being one of the more positive posters about him for some time (certainly have been in real life than lots I've talked to). I dont recall people being as positive as they are now that long ago- like I see he looks like he could finally follow in the shoes of the likes of Xabi, Masher & (to a lesser extent) Momo in terms of being a great player rather than jsut a good one.

The general, population level, opinion has certainly changed. I remember having heated arguments on here about whether or not there was any particular talent that Lucas had.

I think Lucas is a better player overall than Momo although the mental athleticism of the later certainly makes him more unique and perhaps memorable.

[Roboklopp]

Agree about Lucas/Momo - certainly as a balanced player & certainly we're seeing it recently.

I did really like Momo- thought the whole wayard passing thing was exaggerated until his eye injury, at which point it did become a reality sadly. Lucas is obviously a more cultured option, but Momo's energy was infectious.

[Arn]

As many of you remember I said that Lucas will in a few years time be our Pirlo when we signed him.

He is slowly getting there and who knows in a year or two he may be as good as Pirlo was at his best.

[banditos]

As many of you remember I said that Lucas will in a few years time be our Pirlo when we signed him.

He is slowly getting there and who knows in a year or two he may be as good as Pirlo was at his best.

Has anyone got a medal we can give Arn?

[Craig_H]

Bit of a stretch to be calling him 'our Pirlo'. He's nothing like Pirlo really.

[red g]

As many of you remember I said that Lucas will in a few years time be our Pirlo when we signed him.

He is slowly getting there and who knows in a year or two he may be as good as Pirlo was at his best.

you are da man.

[red g]

As many of you remember I said that Insua will in a few years time be the best left back in the world when we signed him.

He is slowly getting there and who knows in a year or two he may be as good as PFK was at his best.

[Arn]

Bit of a stretch to be calling him 'our Pirlo'. He's nothing like Pirlo really.

I know, he can actually be a more complete player than him. He actually found a team mate with more than 90% of his passes last season and started in the same way this season.

Give him another season or two and he will be more and more attacking. Pirlo wasn't the finished article until 25, 26 years old.

That Lucas plays much better this season is probably because he isn't compared with Masch any more. He is now allowed to play his game and boss the defensive midfield in a different way.

I would say that the Lucas Meireles combination is very similar to the Pirlo and Ambrosini one.