10 Jul 2015 20:18:52
Although I'm gutted that we're to lose Delph and Benteke I think we need to put this into perspective. Delph is a great player at our level but he's not irreplaceable. As for Benteke, as unplayable as he is in some games he can also be stroppy when the ball isn't passed to him and I feel that this year with all the hype about him he could throw his toys out and believe he's better than our club. To get £40m for the both of them is decent business. Especially considering Delph could have gone for free. Both players leave us at an awful time for them because they're under so much pressure to make their national teams and Delph will struggle at City and bigger players than Christian have failed to live up to expectations at Anfield.
How many of you would swap Delph and Benteke (£40m) for Townsend, cabaye and Austin (£40m approx). I know that Cabaye has gone to palace and I'm gutted we weren't in for him but it shows that there's better out there if we look.
I'm happy for us to clear out the dead wood and get rid of those that feel they're too good for the claret and blue and spend this precious wages on players commited to our wonderful club. Players I'd be after are
Austin (£15m) Remy (£10m) Townsend (£15m) michael Dawson (£4m) Avami (£9m) Praet (£10m) Schmeichel (£10m).
£73m spent but around £45m of that will have come in. £28m spend plus gueye. But we have a quality squad rather than a team of cheap hopefuls. Sorry for the long msg.

1.) 10 Jul 2015
10 Jul 2015 20:41:41
I like what you are saying Mike, and I am with you all the way.

2.) 10 Jul 2015
10 Jul 2015 21:53:29
well said its gutting to lose him but as you say he is quite easily replaced

3.) 10 Jul 2015
10 Jul 2015 22:37:15
Ashley Young left Aston villa as an England international but soon lost his place. The same goes for Stewart Downing. The last couple of England managers have regularly visited Villa Park to watch our players in what has been a number of difficult and at times awful seasons yet our players are in the frame. Even Tom Cleverly got on the verge of a recall but they all seem to think they can do better only to become bit part players. Even James Milner has struggled to hold down a regular place for both club and country. The only player to bet yet themselves was Gareth Barry. I hate that our best players leave but at the same time I'm happy to keep doubling our money when the mercenaries want to leave.
I have faith in Tim to bring in hungry players but also with a bit of quality too. He doesn't strike me as the type of man to accept 2nd best or to buy someone to make up the numbers. My worry is that if he is successful over the next 2/3 years then Man City will want him too. At least Liverpool won't want him as they normally look at Southampton first.