Brendan Rodgers

[Vermilion]

Just to list it, we have:



vs

Josemi Rey Malaga £2,000,000 26.07.2004
Antonio Nunez Real Madrid £1,500,000 17.08.2004
Luis Garcia Barcelona £6,000,000 20.08.2004
Xabi Alonso Real Sociedad £10,700,000 20.08.2004
Mauricio Pellegrino Valencia Free 05.01.2005
Fernando Morientes Real Madrid £6,300,000 13.01.2005
Scott Carson Leeds United £1,000,000 21.01.2005
Antonio Barragan Sevilla £240,000 04.07.2005
Boudewijn Zenden Free Transfer Free 04.07.2005
Jose Reina Villareal £6,000,000 04.07.2005
Mohamed Sissoko Valencia £5,600,000 14.07.2005
Peter Crouch Southampton £7,000,000 20.07.2005
Godwin Antwi Real Zaragoza Unknown 15.08.2005
Miki Roque Lleida Unknown 15.08.2005
Jack Hobbs Lincoln City £150,000 18.08.2005
Besian Idrizaj LASK Linz £190,000 22.08.2005
Mark Gonzalez Albacete £1,500,000 20.10.2005
Paul Anderson Hull City Player Exchange 01.01.2006
Jan Kromkamp Villareal Player Exchange 04.01.2006
Daniel Agger Brøndby £5,800,000 12.01.2006
David Martin MK Dons £250,000 12.01.2006
Robbie Fowler Man City Free 27.01.2006
Craig Bellamy Blackburn £6,000,000 01.07.2006
Gabriel Paletta Club Atlético Banfield £2,000,000 04.07.2006
Fábio Aurélio Valencia Free 05.07.2006
Jermaine Pennant Birmingham £6,700,000 26.07.2006
Dirk Kuyt Feyenoord £9,000,000 18.08.2006
Nabil El Zhar St Etienne £200,000 21.08.2006
Astrit Ajdarevic Falkenberg £750,000 11.01.2007
Daniele Padelli Sampdoria On Loan 12.01.2007
Jordy Brouwer Ajax Undisclosed 24.01.2007
Francisco Durán Malaga £66,000* 30.01.2007
Ronald Huth Tacuary FC Undisclosed 31.01.2007
Álvaro Arbeloa Deportivo £2,500,000 31.01.2007
Javier Mascherano West Ham On Loan 20.02.2007
Lucas Leiva Gremio £5,000,000 11.05.2007
Mikel San José Domínguez Athletic Bilbao £270,000 28.06.2007
Sebastian Leto Club Atlético Lanús £1,800,000 01.07.2007
Fernando Torres Atletico Madrid £20,200,000 04.07.2007
Andriy Voronin Leverkusen Free 06.07.2007
Yossi Benayoun West Ham £5,000,000 12.07.2007
Ryan Babel Ajax £11,500,000 13.07.2007
Charles Itandje Lens Undisclosed 09.08.2007
Emiliano Insúa Boca Juniors £1,300,000 26.08.2007
Martin Skrtel Zenit St Petersburg £6,500,000 11.01.2008
Javier Mascherano Media Sports Investment £17,000,000 29.02.2008
Philipp Degen Dortmund Free 03.07.2008
Andrea Dossena Udinese £7,000,000 04.07.2008
Diego Cavalieri Palmeiras £3,500,000 11.07.2008
David Ngog Paris St Germain £1,500,000 24.07.2008
Robbie Keane Tottenham £19,000,000 28.07.2008
Albert Riera Espanyol £8,000,000 31.08.2008
Victor Palsson AGF Aarhus undisc 02.01.2009

53 players in 5 seasons.

I'm a huge Rafa fan. But signing lots of players, many of whom don't work out, isn't a new phenomenon. By and large it comes from not being top dog, so you're constantly looking for the next big thing rather than being able to sign proven quality in every position. Some great signings in that Rafa list though, and most of the failures were at least cheap (bar Dossena, Riera, Keane and Babel - and we recouped a fair amount on a couple of those).

The two key differences between then (Rafa) and now in my opinion are a) We now have owners looking to invest for the long term rather than a quick boost and asset strip, even if they haven't quite worked out how best to go about it yet, and b) whereas in Rafa's day he had control over who we signed and it was all done to suit his system, the lines are blurred now which means we seem to be wasting money on players that are decent but are never likely to fit into the way we're currently playing (e.g. Markovic).

We need a clear strategy IMO - if we spend big it should be on proven quality, and if we sign young lads they should be players that are suited to both the premiership and the long-term philosophy of the club (i.e. to put it simply they should be able to pass a ball and not be weak as a day old baby).

Wow, only scanned those lists, but the fees seem well different, lots of cheap buys under Rafa in comparison to ther time after he left, shows the inflation of prices i suppose.

[Shaggy]

Slightly different times and not sure it's a worthwhile comparison. Rafa was working under the constraints of H&G and had no choice but to wheel and deal, to gradually trade upwards. Sure, he bought some utter tosh but in comparison Rodgers has been pretty lucky in terms of the owners and money at his disposal, and IMO has squandered a lot more cash.

[RichC]

Ah joy another Rafa/BR debate

Different times, different circumstances but regardless of that all teams/managers get things right and wrong in the transfer market.

[Rowan]

Ah joy another Rafa/BR debate

Different times, different circumstances but regardless of that all teams/managers get things right and wrong in the transfer market.

I don't think there is a debate to be had. With Rodgers's resources Rafa would have us in a significantly better position than we currently are. The Transfer Committee sessions would be fun though.

[ntto]

Fabio Borini Roma £10,400,000 13 July 2012
Joe Allen Swansea City £15,000,000 10 August 2012
Oussama Assaidi Heerenveen £3,000,000 17 August 2012
Nuri Sahin Real Madrid On Loan 25 August 2012
Samed Yesil Bayer Leverkusen £1,000,000 30 August 2012
Daniel Sturridge Chelsea £12,000,000 2 January 2013
Philippe Coutinho Inter Milan £8,500,000 30 January 2013
Luis Alberto Sevilla £6,800,000 22 June 2013
Iago Aspas Celta Vigo £7,000,000 23 June 2013Simon Mignolet Sunderland £9,000,000 25 June 2013
Kolo Touré Free Transfer Free 2 July 2013
Aly Cissokho Valencia On Loan * 20 August 2013
Mamadou Sakho Paris St Germain £15,000,000 2 September 2013
Tiago Ilori Sporting Lisbon £7,000,000 2 September 2013
Victor Moses Chelsea On Loan * 2 September 2013
Rickie Lambert Southampton £4,500,000 2 June 2014Adam Lallana Southampton £25,000,000 * 1 July 2014
Emre Can Bayer Leverkusen £9,750,000 3 July 2014
Lazar Markovic Benfica £19,800,000 15 July 2014
Dejan Lovren Southampton £20,000,000 * 27 July 2014
Divick Origi Lille £9,800,000 * 29 July 2014
Javier Manquillo Atletico Madrid On Loan 6 August 2014Alberto Moreno Sevilla £12,000,000 * 16 August 2014
Mario Balotelli AC Milan £16,000,000 25 August 2014Joe Gomez Charlton Athletic £6,000,000 * 20 June 2015
Adam Bogdan Free Transfer Free 1 July 2015
Danny Ings Free Transfer Unknown * 1 July 2015
James Milner Free Transfer Free 1 July 2015
Nathaniel Clyne Southampton £12,500,000 1 July 2015
Roberto Firmino Hoffenheim £29,000,000 * 6 July 2015
Christian Benteke Aston Villa £32,500,000 22 July 2015

And that's before we get onto, which of these were his and which were the transfer committees.

All players either not good enough or so far not to make an impression on the first team (frees excluded)

some amount of money

[The_weatherman]

Slightly different times and not sure it's a worthwhile comparison. Rafa was working under the constraints of H&G and had no choice but to wheel and deal, to gradually trade upwards. Sure, he bought some utter tosh but in comparison Rodgers has been pretty lucky in terms of the owners and money at his disposal, and IMO has squandered a lot more cash.

But I could always see what Rafa was doing with his purchases, buying Pennant and Riera had a purpose for example. He had a game plan and bought the players that fit the system, without going into debate about spend or backing, I can't see the same logic now. IMO it leads to the squad being continually unbalanced.

This is probably due to Rodgers no having a preferred formation so he looks for flexible players and then runs into problems trying to fit them all in.

Look at our CM's besides Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Milner and Can, not one of them is a specialist, like a Lampard or a Lucas, they don't have a stand out attribute, except energy maybe. I think we need players with stand out attributes like passing, shooting, tackling, speed or close control, instead we have three jack's of all trades and Allen. Only Henderson is likely to contribute any sort of end product regularly, but he still wont reach top levels, like being 10+/10 goals and assists.


Hmmm.....sorry about that, I didn't mean to off like that

[calvoboy]

But I could always see what Rafa was doing with his purchases, buying Pennant and Riera had a purpose for example. He had a game plan and bought the players that fit the system, without going into debate about spend or backing, I can't see the same logic now. IMO it leads to the squad being continually unbalanced.

This is probably due to Rodgers no having a preferred formation so he looks for flexible players and then runs into problems trying to fit them all in.

Or due to the transfer committee identifying signings in a largely stat-driven process and then expecting Rodgers to fit them in? That's my problem with the committee system, we'll never really know how the decisions are made. What's clear is that it's been dysfunctional ever since FSG came in - first with Comolli in charge as a DoF, and then with the new-style committee.

[tanner]

Lets not compare Rodgers to Rafa, he's simply not worthy.

[Lecter]

Or due to the transfer committee identifying signings in a largely stat-driven process and then expecting Rodgers to fit them in? That's my problem with the committee system, we'll never really know how the decisions are made. What's clear is that it's been dysfunctional ever since FSG came in - first with Comolli in charge as a DoF, and then with the new-style committee.

My problem isnt just with the committee its with Rodgers also

IMO both processes are deeply flawed as they stand today

Allowing Rodgers to pick his own players is all well and good but, I'm yet to be convinced hes a good judge of a player and again you have the ultimate problem that when he does buy them he isnt sure how they fit into his system or plan and then he changes the plan and plays people out of position

[redmike65]

Well the squad as it stands is basically the one that HE wants.

So he stands or falls on how he uses them and the results that accrue.

Clarity is welcome.

[calvoboy]

My problem isnt just with the committee its with Rodgers also

IMO both processes are deeply flawed as they stand today

Allowing Rodgers to pick his own players is all well and good but, I'm yet to be convinced hes a good judge of a player and again you have the ultimate problem that when he does buy them he isnt sure how they fit into his system or plan and then he changes the plan and plays people out of position

I agree, I was just pointing out that under the committee system we have wasted a ton on Balotelli, Markovic, etc. yet everyone involved can legitimately point fingers at each other and they've all got a reasonable point to make. The scouts/stattos can blame Rodgers for not playing new signings correctly, he can blame them for not signing the right sort of players, and we carry on muddling through and wasting money.

Whatever system you go for you need to have accountability. Based on our summer signings I think/hope that we've now moved to a slightly different type of system where the scouts/stattos are involved, and may even produce a shortlist of players for each position, but Rodgers decides who to go for and takes responsibility for each signing.

Basically, I think that after the failures and excuses of last year, the evidence suggests that this summer FSG decided to give him enough rope to hang himself. He's chosen the coaching staff, he has had the final say on all of our transfers (and been well backed), and if it doesn't lead to an improvement then he'll be on his way next summer (or sooner if we're not in contention in December).

[tanner]

I agree, I was just pointing out that under the committee system we have wasted a ton on Balotelli, Markovic, etc. yet everyone involved can legitimately point fingers at each other and they've all got a reasonable point to make. The scouts/stattos can blame Rodgers for not playing new signings correctly, he can blame them for not signing the right sort of players, and we carry on muddling through and wasting money.

Whatever system you go for you need to have accountability. Based on our summer signings I think/hope that we've now moved to a slightly different type of system where the scouts/stattos are involved, and may even produce a shortlist of players for each position, but Rodgers decides who to go for and takes responsibility for each signing.

Basically, I think that after the failures and excuses of last year, the evidence suggests that this summer FSG decided to give him enough rope to hang himself. He's chosen the coaching staff, he has had the final say on all of our transfers (and been well backed), and if it doesn't lead to an improvement then he'll be on his way next summer (or sooner if we're not in contention in December).

I suppose there's an argument for keeping it like this, but personally, I'd prefer some transparency in the process.

How can we judge the staff at the club without knowing whose responsible? I suppose they'd argue why should we, but that's quite an arrogant stance to take.

[Irishnev]

But I could always see what Rafa was doing with his purchases, buying Pennant and Riera had a purpose for example. He had a game plan and bought the players that fit the system, without going into debate about spend or backing, I can't see the same logic now. IMO it leads to the squad being continually unbalanced.

This is probably due to Rodgers no having a preferred formation so he looks for flexible players and then runs into problems trying to fit them all in.

Nail on the head - there just seems to be a lack of a plan to buy players that fit a preferred formation. You buy players that suit the formation you want.

The diamond worked so well for us, we lost Suarez and we tried buy Sanchez who would have been a perfect replacement. I can even see that Remy may have suited the diamond also but when we didn't get him we bought Balotelli......maybe he planned to play him in a diamond with Sturridge but his injury ruined that.

Looks like this year he has gone back to his 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 of Swansea yet we sold/loaned two of our wingers. We have about 3 players whose best position is no 10 (Coutinho, Lallana, Firminho) and don't do well out wide.

[BubbaZanetti]

I suppose there's an argument for keeping it like this, but personally, I'd prefer some transparency in the process.

How can we judge the staff at the club without knowing whose responsible? I suppose they'd argue why should we, but that's quite an arrogant stance to take.

Everyone can blame someone else, sounds perfect

[Exiled_red]

But I could always see what Rafa was doing with his purchases, buying Pennant and Riera had a purpose for example. He had a game plan and bought the players that fit the system, without going into debate about spend or backing, I can't see the same logic now. IMO it leads to the squad being continually unbalanced.

This is probably due to Rodgers no having a preferred formation so he looks for flexible players and then runs into problems trying to fit them all in.

Look at our CM's besides Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Milner and Can, not one of them is a specialist, like a Lampard or a Lucas, they don't have a stand out attribute, except energy maybe. I think we need players with stand out attributes like passing, shooting, tackling, speed or close control, instead we have three jack's of all trades and Allen. Only Henderson is likely to contribute any sort of end product regularly, but he still wont reach top levels, like being 10+/10 goals and assists.


Hmmm.....sorry about that, I didn't mean to off like that

Nail on the head - there just seems to be a lack of a plan to buy players that fit a preferred formation. You buy players that suit the formation you want.

The diamond worked so well for us, we lost Suarez and we tried buy Sanchez who would have been a perfect replacement. I can even see that Remy may have suited the diamond also but when we didn't get him we bought Balotelli......maybe he planned to play him in a diamond with Sturridge but his injury ruined that.

Looks like this year he has gone back to his 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 of Swansea yet we sold/loaned two of our wingers. We have about 3 players whose best position is no 10 (Coutinho, Lallana, Firminho) and don't do well out wide.

In fairness to Rodgers he has signed some decent players, the problem for me is that we still don't seem to 1) know what the prefered system is or 2) seem to have signed the right players to play any of the systems we have tried.

If we are going 4-3-3 we need wide forwards Coutinho, Firmino and Lallana all seem to prefer playing centrally. Lallana would probably be the best suited of the 3 there but is arguably the one with the least creativity/spark. The only real wide players we have/had are Ibe and Markovic, Markovic is out of the picture now and Ibe is still young and inconsistent. If we have no width then we won't be able to stretch games and teams will find us easy to stop. We have also very little pace in the side which also allowed us to stretch games, at present our side looks very one paced.

I can't help but think we spent money on the wrong type of players in the summer. Although I hope to be proved wrong