Xabi Alonso

[frank the tank]

i think he is exactly what we need..... he could be a Gary-Mac type signing but even better as he is about 4 or 5 years younger than when we signed G-M

Alonso would make Allen and Lucas play better..... and probably Gerrard too to be honest.....

I could see him going to someone like Arsenal, Spurs or even the fockin Scum and being their best player.....

I reckon if Mourinho goes to the prem this summer (Chelsea, Citeh or United) then he will try and bring Alonso with him.....

[Lee]

I agree with everything there, FTT.

I'm not stirring here MrM (or anyone else), but to say that you wouldn't want Alonso back is staggering. I don't think he'll ever come back as a player but I can't see why anyone would want to pass up on the opportunity.

[Shaggy]

I find that surprising too - he'd be great for us, just what we need in terms of experience and leadership qualities, notwithstanding his (still) immense quality and his history with us. He'd be a dream signing and we're in no position to sign top quality like him at the moment.

[Lee]

Very much so.

A winner who knows the club inside out, probably has a good five years left in him and a class player. He'd be ideal.

[Glenn Hysen]

Some revisionism going on here on both sides. Yes those parasites H&G screwed us over financially and a lot of the transfer deals we did around the time were obviously effected by them. However a year before Xabi left we certainly tried to sell him and buy Gareth Barry with the money. That was based on choice, not necessity.

Fwiw, great though he was, I wouldn't want him back now at this point of his career.

[Fredo]

How old is he? 32? Has 2 Years at the top level at least.

[Lee]

How old is he? 32? Has 2 Years at the top level at least.

Think he's only 30 mate. 31 this year perhaps?

Loads of miles left on the clock.

[Tee]

Think he's only 30 mate. 31 this year perhaps?

Loads of miles left on the clock.

He could complete us.

[Shaggy]

Xabi turned 31 in November.

He's never had any pace but covers a lot of ground. That might diminish slightly but I think he'll be a top class player til his mid 30s.

[Fredo]

Yep pace is irrelevant as he never had any in the first place. He would be a calming influence in midfield. Much needed.

[fah-q]

Plus he has that amazing ability to find space and time on the ball.

Like a more mobile John Barnes of 1994-96 vintage.

[cream]

Is Xabi what we need though, Brendan wants the midfield to play with a lot of energy. I'd say Masch would be a better fit.

[Tee]

He (Xabi) makes so much sense for us. Perhaps a last hurrah from him and Stevie, aided by some more quality this summer and we could have reasons to be very optimistic.

[Shaggy]

Is Xabi what we need though, Brendan wants the midfield to play with a lot of energy. I'd say Masch would be a better fit.

Both of them would be nice

In any case Xabi has masses of energy. Almost every game he is the player who covers the most ground.

[Rich]

He can come back as long as its bearded Xabi.