Xabi Alonso

[cream]

One of Henderson and Shelvey will go. Think Erickssen is our top, top, major, top target.

I hope you're right Jamie.

[Arn]

Ignoring the stance that you believe Alonso is after one last pay-day, why would a club offer him £220k more than what he is getting now to make him the highest paid footballer in the *WORLD*, when he is naturally coming to the end of his footballing career?

Yes, I understand Monaco can pay it and yes, they probably have aspirations to win the league, but it negates any common sense whatsoever.

I think you're taking Balague's opinion that 'Alonso wants a new challenge' to the extreme. Maybe he will end up in France, perhaps he could extend his career in Milan where they have something special in the water - but I guess it won't be for astronomical wages.

I didn't say that I believe he is after one last pay day.

[Muddled]

I didn't say that I believe he is after one last pay day.

Fair enough, you said *if* he is after money:

Monaco is of course an option if he is after money.

[little dave hedgehog]

"erickssen"

[Muddled]

I think erickssen and courtinio is the future.

[Vermilion]

If it was a choice between spending any available money on him or bringing Xabi back i know which i'd choose.

Xabi would be nice, but if it was possible to sign erickssen that's the obvious thing to do.

edit: If it was'nt a choice, but a luxury, and we had **** loads of cash, both would be ideal, Xabi would set a superb example, and empart some of what he knows and has learned around a very young and up and coming sqaud.

[saj]

Monaco are in the Ligue 2! Ha ha - that's like Alonso signing for Cardiff!

[Muddled]

If Cardiff had been bought by a Russian billionaire and went around offering wages of £300K a week.

[Imy]

Obviously loves to us to sign Xabi, but still think we need someone who can play alongside him who has a bit more mobility and can put in a tackle (some goals would be lovely too).

In essence we need someone to compete with Lucas. Since his injury he's been very up and down (more down than up). We saw what happened with the excellent Essien who wasn't able to get back to previous excellent self and i'm thinking we may have seen the best of Lucas already (i hope i'm wrong).

[Arn]

Monaco are in the Ligue 2! Ha ha - that's like Alonso signing for Cardiff!

They will most probably play in the highest league next season and they have been bought by Dimitry Rybolovlev.

[Neil Young]

They will most probably play in the highest league next season and they have been bought by Dimitry Rybolovlev.

That's easy for you to say.

[little dave hedgehog]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXILNncQwH4"]Pinkie Pie - (rimshot) - YouTube[/ame]

[Gibbo]

It quite easy for anyone to say really.

[Neil Young]

I didn't say it wasn't.

And if Rodgers can't say it then FSG must sack him.

[spider-neil]

Obviously loves to us to sign Xabi, but still think we need someone who can play alongside him who has a bit more mobility and can put in a tackle (some goals would be lovely too).

In essence we need someone to compete with Lucas. Since his injury he's been very up and down (more down than up). We saw what happened with the excellent Essien who wasn't able to get back to previous excellent self and i'm thinking we may have seen the best of Lucas already (i hope i'm wrong).

I personally think Rodgers is going to go for defenders that allow us to consistently hold a high line and compress the spaces in midfield which will in turn completely change the dynamic of the side from one that needs mobility and stamina to cover large distances to one that requires, positioning, vision and technical/passing ability.

When (if) that happens then you change the likes of Lucas with Xabi because Xabi would be able to shield the defence and also has more ability with regards to hurting a team from a deep position (base of a midfield 3).

If Erickssen were to be purchased then he would take Henderson's place in the team because Erickssen isn't a holding/defensive player he is an attacking player therefore wouldn't be replacing Lucas.