Aquilani - stay or go?

[fah-q]

Just for the record, stay or go, the name Aquilani has nothing to do with water. It means Eagle.

[Lecter]

I'm disappointed. If Kenny wanted Aquilani, we would never try to flog him off. He's a good player, but not in our plans, so if we're failing to sell him and cut costs it'll be difficult for us to strengthen elsewhere.

Just picking up on this I dont think Kenny has had too much say in it

The player wants to go and the club have reverted back to their old policy of only wanting players who want to be here

I think we have already made and executed plans on the basis of Aquilani going so you have to ask where does this leave him now

[dww]

Alonso obviously wanted to leave.

Depends which summer you are referring to I guess.

[Vermilion]

Depends which summer you are referring to I guess.

Well, the one where he left, obviously, it's the only time Madrid came in for him, which imo was the deciding factor for Xabi.

[dww]

Well, the one where he left, obviously, it's the only time Madrid came in for him, which imo was the deciding factor for Xabi.

I think the point Lecter was making was that the situation may have been different had Rafa not tried to sell him the summer before. He definitely wanted to leave (I suspect to any big team) the summer he did if Rafa stayed IMO.

I still think Rafa was right to want to replace him when he did, his form was poor and he wasn't leading the team as he could. Whilst I think Rafa really intended to sell him rather than motivate him - the impact of a wake up call was to induce Xabi's best season by a distance. I guess overall it's best just to let the past lie.

[CJ]

I think the point Lecter was making was that the situation may have been different had Rafa not tried to sell him the summer before. He definitely wanted to leave (I suspect to any big team) the summer he did if Rafa stayed IMO.

I still think Rafa was right to want to replace him when he did, his form was poor and he wasn't leading the team as he could. Whilst I think Rafa really intended to sell him rather than motivate him - the impact of a wake up call was to induce Xabi's best season by a distance. I guess overall it's best just to let the past lie.

[Kenneth]

TBH Dave, I think you were always a bit harsh on Xabi.

[dww]

TBH Dave, I think you were always a bit harsh on Xabi.

A lot of people do. Still think he was a shadow of what he could be in his second to last season. He was fabulous in his last season though and one of my favourite players over his time with us.

[SB]

Because the chances of that happening are slim to zero

IF he stays we'll have an extremely unhappy player who deosnt want to be here so the chances of him "having a blinder" are unlikely to say the least

Just like Alonso did when we couldn't sell him and he was pissed off and wanted out

[kris90210]

No thats not what I said

I didnt say give me the benefits of him as a player

I asked what benefits are there from keeping a player who is unhappy, desperately wants to leave and we have already bought replacement(s) for

As for the rating stuff its **** ALL to do with rating him, its that he wants to go that makes me want to let him go

For me (and it appears for the club) they only want players who WANT to play for LFC

Aquilani doesnt

As I've said before, If he wants to go that's fine. But that shouldn't mean we bend over a backwards to accomodate him. ****ing 900k loan? No thanks.

After Torres came out and said he wanted to go, say Chelsea were the only club to come in for him and were 'only' offering 30 million. Would you have been happy letting him go on those terms?

And quite frankly, if the loan of Aquilani falling through is all it takes to throw our transfer plans into chaos well then we've got problems.

[dww]

Just like Alonso did when we couldn't sell him and he was pissed off and wanted out

The difference between the two cases is that Alonso had already performed in the league and formed strong relationships within the squad. Aquilani doesn't have those advantages.

[kris90210]

I've also just read that it was Aquilani who has turned the move down. Hardly the actions of a man who is DESPERATE to leave now is it?

Lec, you clearly trust your source, but I think you should allow for the fact that perhaps he was exagerating slightly.

[Arn]

I've also just read that it was Aquilani who has turned the move down. Hardly the actions of a man who is DESPERATE to leave now is it?

Lec, you clearly trust your source, but I think you should allow for the fact that perhaps he was exagerating slightly.

IMO he want to play in Italy but he isn't desperate to play there. It is his first option but it wouldn't be a catastrophe if he play for us.

Mascherano was unhappy but acted as a pro and gave 100% in every game.

If he doesn't play good enough then he will get it very difficult to get a move back to Italy in January or next summer. He simply don't have a choice. He must perform or else he will stay.

[Lecter]

I've also just read that it was Aquilani who has turned the move down. Hardly the actions of a man who is DESPERATE to leave now is it?

Lec, you clearly trust your source, but I think you should allow for the fact that perhaps he was exagerating slightly.

Lets just wait and see what happens

Its Sky Sports News reporting that they "understand" the deal has broken down

What SSN "understand" and what is reality are often two very different things

[Vermilion]

I think the point Lecter was making was that the situation may have been different had Rafa not tried to sell him the summer before. He definitely wanted to leave (I suspect to any big team) the summer he did if Rafa stayed IMO.

I still think Rafa was right to want to replace him when he did, his form was poor and he wasn't leading the team as he could. Whilst I think Rafa really intended to sell him rather than motivate him - the impact of a wake up call was to induce Xabi's best season by a distance. I guess overall it's best just to let the past lie.

Yes understand that, i just disagree, and feel that even had he been captain at lfc, Rafa's best mate.... and married to Rafa's daughter (if old enough obviously) when Madrid came in, he'd have still wanted to play for them.

He's Spanish, Madrid is Madrid, and they were putting together a super team at the time, what's to consider for Xabi, not much imo.