***Transfer Rumours Thread*** [ALL RUMOUR TOPICS MERGED]

[dtduffy]

But the fact that I have never seen him used in Steven Gerrard/Cesc Fabregas role in either Monaco or Barcelona kind of makes him holding midfielder. I'm not calling him defensive midfielder. That for me would be someone like De Jong who offers nothing going forward.

Yaya is great at breaking play and can turn defensive situations into attacks but isn't for me prolificly someone who creates chances of scores goals. I don't know whether Mancini thinks he can transform Yaya into that role but right now I feel we need proper creator more than Yaya.

So because you haven't seen it, he can't do it. Right? Isn't that a bit big headed of you?

Think my last sentence answers your question.

I remember he played against us for Olympiakos a few years ago in a friendly and pretty much played as a playmaker and ran the game.

Given freedom, he'd flourish.

I have seen him play for Barca when Xavi was out and the midfield three was Busquets, Keita and Toure. He was routinely the furthest forward. I don't think that is his best position, but alongside either Barry or DeJong, I think that he would fill some of the gaps that we had last season. I felt that Tevez either had to drop too deep to receive the ball or was isolated a bit from the central midfielders and Yaya would make the runs forward that Barry, Dejong and Vieira did not last season.

[Grob]

But the fact that I have never seen him used in Steven Gerrard/Cesc Fabregas role in either Monaco or Barcelona kind of makes him holding midfielder. I'm not calling him defensive midfielder. That for me would be someone like De Jong who offers nothing going forward.

Yaya is great at breaking play and can turn defensive situations into attacks but isn't for me prolificly someone who creates chances of scores goals. I don't know whether Mancini thinks he can transform Yaya into that role but right now I feel we need proper creator more than Yaya.

So because you haven't seen it, he can't do it. Right? Isn't that a bit big headed of you?

Think my last sentence answers your question.

I remember he played against us for Olympiakos a few years ago in a friendly and pretty much played as a playmaker and ran the game.

Given freedom, he'd flourish.

I have seen him play for Barca when Xavi was out and the midfield three was Busquets, Keita and Toure. He was routinely the furthest forward. I don't think that is his best position, but alongside either Barry or DeJong, I think that he would fill some of the gaps that we had last season. I felt that Tevez either had to drop too deep to receive the ball or was isolated a bit from the central midfielders and Yaya would make the runs forward that Barry, Dejong and Vieira did not last season.

When Tevez dropped deep, there was noone from midfield who would advance past him regulally to give him an option.

Yaya can and would. He's a very good all round midfield player. The kind of player we lacked last season. Just because he was deployed in a deeper role by barca, that doesnt mean thats all he can do.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

But the fact that I have never seen him used in Steven Gerrard/Cesc Fabregas role in either Monaco or Barcelona kind of makes him holding midfielder. I'm not calling him defensive midfielder. That for me would be someone like De Jong who offers nothing going forward.

Yaya is great at breaking play and can turn defensive situations into attacks but isn't for me prolificly someone who creates chances of scores goals. I don't know whether Mancini thinks he can transform Yaya into that role but right now I feel we need proper creator more than Yaya.

So because you haven't seen it, he can't do it. Right? Isn't that a bit big headed of you?

Think my last sentence answers your question.

I remember he played against us for Olympiakos a few years ago in a friendly and pretty much played as a playmaker and ran the game.

Given freedom, he'd flourish.

I have seen him play for Barca when Xavi was out and the midfield three was Busquets, Keita and Toure. He was routinely the furthest forward. I don't think that is his best position, but alongside either Barry or DeJong, I think that he would fill some of the gaps that we had last season. I felt that Tevez either had to drop too deep to receive the ball or was isolated a bit from the central midfielders and Yaya would make the runs forward that Barry, Dejong and Vieira did not last season.

now that you mention, think I saw highlights of on game where he played little further but can't really say anything about.

I never saw him for Olympiakos so can't comment on which role he played there.

Personally I see his best position as holding midfielder and think it'd be very negative to use midfield formation of say De Jong, Barry, Toure. But that might be philosophy question. I do think that successful sides have at least one attacking central player on the pitch.

So what I think I'm trying to say is that I'd rather see us spend 25m on Arteta than Toure.

Oh, and there's also another downside. His brother has hardly been a success and I think we should be looking to offload him in future. What would happen with Yaya when Kolo is off?

[DoomMerchant]

something like "i say a lot of stuff, whatever, etc, blah blah blah 30K posts of it"

also, i think it's bold of you to consider that we need someone in an attacking role in midfield to link up play.

Crazy talk!

cheers

P.S. I had too many quotes and took some artistic liberties. Forgive me Father for i have sinned. It has been 23 years since my last confession.

cheers again

[Haz]

i'd have 11 Tevezes on the pitch if i could. Eee-levven. Fuck positions.

Wow, Tevez in goal, now that I've just gotta see, lol ;)

[Fidel Castro]

Oh, and there's also another downside. His brother has hardly been a success and I think we should be looking to offload him in future. What would happen with Yaya when Kolo is off?

Well he survived without Kolo at Olympiakos, Monaco and Barca so I don't see the problem.

[Slim]

i'd have 11 Tevezes on the pitch if i could. Eee-levven. Fuck positions.

Wow, Tevez in goal, now that I've just gotta see, lol ;)

We'd never win a header ever again.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Oh, and there's also another downside. His brother has hardly been a success and I think we should be looking to offload him in future. What would happen with Yaya when Kolo is off?

Well he survived without Kolo at Olympiakos, Monaco and Barca so I don't see the problem.

You don't think there'd be problem if we bought Yaya and fucked off Kolo? I hoep you are right. Personally I wouldn't be so sure.

[Wooders]

I worked at tescos when my brother got sacked for not turning up - didn't bother me that much

[DoomMerchant]

I worked at tescos when my brother got sacked for not turning up - didn't bother me that much

Yeah but your brother never put a shift in, was always out sick and even when they made him assistant manager he failed to impress as others didn't see him as much of a leader. Wait, hang on...

[DoomMerchant]

Milner sits out training -- City Fever perhaps? The sauce is Sky. On their internets computer website thingy.

James Milner sat out training with the England squad on Tuesday as Gareth Barry played a full part in the session.

Aston Villa midfielder Milner, who played the second half of Monday's warm-up win over the Platinum Stars, did not join in with his team-mates at the squad's Bafokeng Sports Centre base.

He reported a slight temperature and was confined to the hotel as Fabio Capello continues to work on his starting line-up for Saturday's World Cup opener against the United States.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Robinho wants to play for Barcelona - Agent

Manchester City forward Robinho's agent has revealed that his client would love to play for Barcelona after this summer.

The 26-year-old striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Santos in Brazil and he is being offered to Barcelona in a swap for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"Any footballer in the world would love to play for a club like Barca," said Robinho's representative Evandro de Souza in quotes published by Spanish newspaper Sport.

"The relationship between Robinho and the board at Manchester City is very good, although it's true that there are some problems with the coach, Roberto Mancini."

Robinho netted two goals as Brazil thrashed Tanzania 5-1 in a World Cup warm-up match yesterday. His agent is set for a meeting with Manchester City next Wednesday to discuss the player's future.

"We have a meeting with City on the 16th. I will travel to Manchester with Gilvan de Souza (Robinho's father) and we will look at the situation with Robinho," he said.

"We know that City are looking for a club for Robinho."

"There will be no quotes (from Robinho, at the moment)," he added.

"Robinho is focused on winning the World Cup and fighting for the Copa do Brasil (with Santos)," De Souza explained.

[john@staustell]

Robinho wants to play for Barcelona - Agent

Manchester City forward Robinho's agent has revealed that his client would love to play for Barcelona after this summer.

The 26-year-old striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Santos in Brazil and he is being offered to Barcelona in a swap for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"Any footballer in the world would love to play for a club like Barca," said Robinho's representative Evandro de Souza in quotes published by Spanish newspaper Sport.

"The relationship between Robinho and the board at Manchester City is very good, although it's true that there are some problems with the coach, Roberto Mancini."

Robinho netted two goals as Brazil thrashed Tanzania 5-1 in a World Cup warm-up match yesterday. His agent is set for a meeting with Manchester City next Wednesday to discuss the player's future.

"We have a meeting with City on the 16th. I will travel to Manchester with Gilvan de Souza (Robinho's father) and we will look at the situation with Robinho," he said.

"We know that City are looking for a club for Robinho."

"There will be no quotes (from Robinho, at the moment)," he added.

"Robinho is focused on winning the World Cup and fighting for the Copa do Brasil (with Santos)," De Souza explained.

Yes the general reaction of Barca fans in their comments on Sport.es on the proposed arrival of Robson for Ibra is:

"lamentable"

which means the same in both lingos!

[cityPinoy_fc]

another twist in the plot regarding yaya

http://sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=719183&idseccio_PK=803

and also about ibra

http://sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=719180&idseccio_PK=803

[john@staustell]

Sorry Pinoy fella I was typing a translation of the Yaya story in the other thread whilst you were posting that.

The Ibra story - roughly - says that Barca have told his agent that he doesn't figure in the squad for next year, partly because of the unwise words of said agent about Guadiola on the radio.

Barca have done their sums and the price will be 51M euros. The player isn't discounting any destination, despite his 'joke' about the English rain.

It's clear that Villa's arrival has led the coach to replace Ibra in the team, and with Messi etc the position is totally covered.

Despite scoring goals he's missed a load more, and struggled to adapt to both city and team.

Hristo Stoichkov said "it was a mistake to sign him. He's a good player but he doesn't fit into the team. He's too slow and he slows down the game. Besides Barca have NEVER had a 'number 9' with the exception of Romario. Barca have to sell him. 'Where will he go?' I believe to Manchester City" added Stoichkov.

[Slim]

Hristo Stoichkov said "it was a mistake to sign him. He's a good player but he doesn't fit into the team. He's too slow and he slows down the game. Besides Barca have NEVER had a 'number 9' with the exception of Romario. Barca have to sell him. 'Where will he go?' I believe to Manchester City" added Stoichkov.

Why exactly would we want him again?

[cityPinoy_fc]

Hristo Stoichkov said "it was a mistake to sign him. He's a good player but he doesn't fit into the team. He's too slow and he slows down the game. Besides Barca have NEVER had a 'number 9' with the exception of Romario. Barca have to sell him. 'Where will he go?' I believe to Manchester City" added Stoichkov.

Why exactly would we want him again?

we can't do anything about this mate mancini is "loco" about this guy and i also have my reservation about ibra's ability to adapt in the premiere league so i guess we just have to live with mancini's judgement. john@staustell thanks for translating those two articles mate its much more clearer to me now.

[DoomMerchant]

Hristo Stoichkov said "it was a mistake to sign him. He's a good player but he doesn't fit into the team. He's too slow and he slows down the game. Besides Barca have NEVER had a 'number 9' with the exception of Romario. Barca have to sell him. 'Where will he go?' I believe to Manchester City" added Stoichkov.

Why exactly would we want him again?

i thought you were my brother in arms in terms of defending his game? i think Ibra's fantastic. That's why we'd want him.

cheers

[john@staustell]

There's definitely a certain irony in us debating whether to turn our noses up at Ibrahimovic after all the Barry Conlans and Benjanis we've endured over the years!

[ant london]

Ibrahimovic i have been debating internally....

Personally I have never rated him very highly but the simple fact is that he scores goals in significant quantities

He also misses them but who really cares if he hits the back of the net often enough

My issue with the prospect of him signing is twofold:

a) His reputation as a cunt....and not a very popular/team-friendly player. We have enough of a problem keeping Tevez, Bellamy and Adebayor happy at the moment....without introducing another big name and ego who will expect to play and not be a Santa Cruz-esque placid squad member if he doesn't start

b) The risk that this could be another massive flop....and a very expensive and high profile one that the media will delight in beating us with


The flip side is that he could (....could....) be a massive huge fucking success but on the basis that he made hay in Serie A and would be following the Shevchenko, Crespo, Mutu....et al to the Premiership...well, forgive me for feeling uneasy about this