*** January Transfer Window ***

[Clowncrete]

Alonso would be a brilliant signing for a year or two. World class ability to come off the bench or start the odd game. Plus, he's one of those players that everyone looks up to, is a proven winner, and could pass on some great advice to/improve the mentality of the rest of the squad.

And why would a world class player like playing from the bench?

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Barkley isn't a bad shout, from his point of view he would get more match time staying at Everton though.

True but look at it this way, Yaya is now 30 and Fernandinho is 28. We need someone for the long term. Rodwell imo has become a bit of a write off, he was never THAT good when he was fit and playing every week. He's been with us a year and a half and hardly played at all.
I hope he turns it round though.

I take issue with the comment that Rodwell isnt that good. When he was fit and getting a run in the everton team he was fantastic. He has showed glimpses of that here also, however, his fitness record is diabolical. If we can get that managed correctly we have a top notch player on our books IMO.

I either read or was told that he has grown 2 inches since he arrived at the club, if thats the case then this was always going to be a problem for him and would contribute to his lack of playing time.

Don't get me wrong, I've always thought he was a good player when he was at Everton but imo when I watched him he never showed as much as someone like Ross Barkley has. Rodwell is solid and a decent prospect but we need someone who can play the Fernandinho and Yaya toure box to box role.
Maybe if he gets fit he can do this but how long do we give him? I'm sure he'll be as frustrated as anyone but if we can't get him fit in the next 6 months or so we really need to question his future at the club.

[Dameerto]

If Rodwell can stay fit he could be our answer. He has looked good verging on brilliant in the brief glimpses of him inbetween injuries. And surprisingly (to me at least) attack-minded.

[bigblue]

Alonso would be a brilliant signing for a year or two. World class ability to come off the bench or start the odd game. Plus, he's one of those players that everyone looks up to, is a proven winner, and could pass on some great advice to/improve the mentality of the rest of the squad.

And why would a world class player like playing from the bench?

Because he is 32 and wants one last big payday contract while still being part of a top squad that can compete for the CL.

[Clowncrete]

Alonso would be a brilliant signing for a year or two. World class ability to come off the bench or start the odd game. Plus, he's one of those players that everyone looks up to, is a proven winner, and could pass on some great advice to/improve the mentality of the rest of the squad.

And why would a world class player like playing from the bench?

Because he is 32 and wants one last big payday contract while still being part of a top squad that can compete for the CL.

But would he even fit in the system? Barry was allowed to go because he couldn't fit into the fast style of football this season. So, why another slow player as good a passer he is?

A player with a last big payday can either behave like a professional or simply go through the motions, we can never know. He has also been injury prone the last year or so. He could easily turn out to be another Maicon.

Interestingly there is little talk about Pirlo, even though he too is in his last year of contract.

[Slim]

Pirlo shits all over both Barry and Alonso, but I still wouldn't want him here.

We don't need a stopgap in midfield, we really need a youngish player to come in and be the continuation of what we already have.

[Wooders]

Pirlo shits all over both Barry and Alonso, but I still wouldn't want him here. We don't need a stopgap in midfield, we really need a youngish player to come in and be the continuation of what we already have.

I'd prefer either over Garcia - we've got that scenario in Rodwell should he ever manage to be fit

[zuricity]

Pirlo shits all over both Barry and Alonso, but I still wouldn't want him here.

We don't need a stopgap in midfield, we really need a youngish player to come in and be the continuation of what we already have.

Pirlo is 57! He's on youth serum

[Slim]

Pirlo shits all over both Barry and Alonso, but I still wouldn't want him here. We don't need a stopgap in midfield, we really need a youngish player to come in and be the continuation of what we already have.

I'd prefer either over Garcia - we've got that scenario in Rodwell should he ever manage to be fit

I am concerned he isn't ever going to be reliable in a 50-60 game season. Same with Jovetic, Richards and quite frankly, Kompany.

[I Just Blue Myself]

Pirlo shits all over both Barry and Alonso, but I still wouldn't want him here.

I think if Barry really tried, he could get something going along the lines of Navas with a bit of fluff on the edges max. Alonso's ginger, innit.

Pirlo though... great fucking beard.

[nottsblue]

Alonso wont be coming to Prem. Signed a two year deal with Madrid

[Saul Goodman]

Who are these new kids that we've just signed? I see Ihenacho is waiting in a work permit

[gillie]

All over twitter that we have made an official bid of 28 million Euro's for Elaquim Mangala of Porto.

[Lee_R]

Yup.. Mangala rumours gathering pace..

[AG7]

All over twitter that we have made an official bid of 28 million Euro's for Elaquim Mangala of Porto.

According to Le10Sport though we have made a €45m (£37m) bid for the 22 year old Porto guy ...

[DoomMerchant]

All over twitter that we have made an official bid of 28 million Euro's for Elaquim Mangala of Porto.

According to Le10Sport though we have made a €45m (£37m) bid for the 22 year old Porto guy ...

whatever it is....why wouldn't we have sealed a deal for this kid already in the summer? wasn't like he was going to get cheaper come Jan. #leatherface

cheers

[Herb]

All over twitter that we have made an official bid of 28 million Euro's for Elaquim Mangala of Porto.

According to Le10Sport though we have made a €45m (£37m) bid for the 22 year old Porto guy ...

whatever it is....why wouldn't we have sealed a deal for this kid already in the summer? wasn't like he was going to get cheaper come Jan. #leatherface

cheers

In summer Porto were in the CL and needed the money from it - they're now out of the CL earlier than hoped but still need dosh - or so it's said. I'm hopeful because he'd be a magnificent signing for both now and the future.

[DoomMerchant]

All over twitter that we have made an official bid of 28 million Euro's for Elaquim Mangala of Porto.

According to Le10Sport though we have made a €45m (£37m) bid for the 22 year old Porto guy ...

whatever it is....why wouldn't we have sealed a deal for this kid already in the summer? wasn't like he was going to get cheaper come Jan. #leatherface

cheers

In summer Porto were in the CL and needed the money from it - they're now out of the CL earlier than hoped but still need dosh - or so it's said. I'm hopeful because he'd be a magnificent signing for both now and the future.

he looks the biz...on youtube. i can't pretend to really know anything genuinely about the kid.

[Ted Hughes]

All over twitter that we have made an official bid of 28 million Euro's for Elaquim Mangala of Porto.

According to Le10Sport though we have made a €45m (£37m) bid for the 22 year old Porto guy ...

whatever it is....why wouldn't we have sealed a deal for this kid already in the summer? wasn't like he was going to get cheaper come Jan. #leatherface

cheers

In summer Porto were in the CL and needed the money from it - they're now out of the CL earlier than hoped but still need dosh - or so it's said. I'm hopeful because he'd be a magnificent signing for both now and the future.

he looks the biz...on youtube. i can't pretend to really know anything genuinely about the kid.

He looks athletic, good in the air & decent on the ball on that. He also gives the impression that he probably likes a head on gambling Demichelis type charge out of the line, so I can imagine the Count fancies him.

If he can run & jump, he's already way ahead of our recent cb signings.

[I Just Blue Myself]

Yeah, that's pretty much what a Porto supporter told me today, plus decent pace, but a bit inconsistent. Basically too good for the Portuguese league.

He's two years older than Nastasic & also a leftie.