2012/2013 English Premier League thread

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Addick

I think he was already feeling left out so this will definitely see him pack his bags. He'd be a great depth signing for Arsenal but I think Wegner will stick with Giroud as his target man and will be looking to sign someone like Stevan Jovetic.If that doesn't pan out, I'd love to see him at The Emirates but at this point in his career, I think he'll want to be the undisputed starting forward.

Ultimately, I think Villa's time is more or less done. Hes at that point where, if he wants to be the go-to guy, hes going to have to downgrade.

We may see him somewhere in Turkey, France or Holland or who knows, maybe he'll go back to Valencia. That would probably be ideal for him, but for Valencia he'd probably just be depth.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ultimately, I think Villa's time is more or less done. Hes at that point where, if he wants to be the go-to guy, hes going to have to downgrade.

We may see him somewhere in Turkey, France or Holland or who knows, maybe he'll go back to Valencia. That would probably be ideal for him, but for Valencia he'd probably just be depth.

He'd probably still be an upgrade on Defoe and Adebayor.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rubecube

He'd probably still be an upgrade on Defoe and Adebayor.

Sadly, you may be right. He may not be young, but hes consistent.

I would be very worried about him being able to keep up with the pace of the Premier League.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Addick

I think he was already feeling left out so this will definitely see him pack his bags. He'd be a great depth signing for Arsenal but I think Wegner will stick with Giroud as his target man and will be looking to sign someone like Stevan Jovetic.If that doesn't pan out, I'd love to see him at The Emirates but at this point in his career, I think he'll want to be the undisputed starting forward.

Totts? I mean Adeboyer is pretty epic, but it'd be a slight upgrade.

[vennegoor of hesselink]

[Locke]

Thanked for Yakkity sax. That was pretty funny.

[d_phaneuf]

he's been playing in the Wing for Barca and has 9 goals in 16 starts

Spurs created something like the 2nd most chances in the league the last two seasons but are 5th in goals, put someone who can finish like Villa up front and I think he's got at least 2 more seasons worth 20 goals

he's not someone who has relied on blistering pace his career, much more about technique

[d_phaneuf]

Arsenal spending 25m on Jovetic would be delightful as well if it eats in to their season ticket renewal week 'warchest'

good player, not great, does not score anywhere near enough to play up top and be worth that price

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...m-eriksen-1984

No Eriksen to Liverpool

10m seems really low

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by devo22

well done, Crystal Palace

Indeed.

Read reports that the the winner of the Championship playoff final is the richest financial reward for a single game in any sport.

A guaranteed 115M sterling. 55M as a share of broadcast income coupled with a worse case scenario of 60M over four years in parachute payments should they be relegated immediately.

Bayern got 10.5 euro for winning the CL. Spain got $30M for winning the last WC.

[d_phaneuf]

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/14...bregas?cc=5901

either of them and United's midfield is 10x better than what they were throwing out last year

[d_phaneuf]

Toure (Kolo) a good signing for Liverpool I think

I think they sign someone else to play besides Skrtel as a first pairing, but a good 3rd guy (or 4th of Coates ever does anything)

[Locke]

Not surprised at all about Eriksen picking Dortmund over Liverpool.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/14...bregas?cc=5901

either of them and United's midfield is 10x better than what they were throwing out last year

Agreed. Cleverly, Anderson aren't up to snuff.
I'd like to see Powell given the opportunity with some apprehensive optimism.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Arsenal spending 25m on Jovetic would be delightful as well if it eats in to their season ticket renewal week 'warchest'

good player, not great, does not score anywhere near enough to play up top and be worth that price

If we were buying him strictly to put the ball in the net, then yes 25M would be a waste. I think his ability to create and chip in with the scoring is what makes him attractive to Arsenal as even with the addition of Cazorla we've still not matched the creative heights we have in the past. It might not even be a case of getting one of Jovetic or Villa, getting both might actually be worth it.

All that being said, 25M is a lot and even if Jovetic seems to tick all of the boxes we require are all those check marks really worth 25M? This makes the uncertainty of Cesc's future in Barca quite interesting. I really can't see Cesc going to United and, as he would be replacing himself in our squad, he’d render Jovetic unnecessary. Add a Suarez type striker and we’re almost done up front.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Addick

I really can't see Cesc going to United

Why? On all fronts United are a more attractive club to go to than Arsenal.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Why? On all fronts United are a more attractive club to go to than Arsenal.

The same reason why Bale hasn't left for a much more attractive Real Madrid.

[NBC]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Why? On all fronts United are a more attractive club to go to than Arsenal.

Other than, London > Manchester, I'd agree.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Addick

The same reason why Bale hasn't left for a much more attractive Real Madrid.

Is Real Madrid obviously more attractive to Bale though?

Spurs allows him to stay relatively close to home, in a culture he's used to and with a team where he is the star, and one that he has helped lead to the brink of a breakthrough into the upper tier of European soccer.

Real Madrid means a new culture, both at the club and in the country, a club full of stars and a club with a history of taking in big stars and then sitting them on the bench or otherwise screwing with them.

I'm not sure that's much more attractive.

With Fabregas he's choosing between the appeal of a return to his old club, which could be a draw or could be a 'already done that'. At either one he'd step in and be a star, and United is certainly the more attractive choice on the field.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Addick

The same reason why Bale hasn't left for a much more attractive Real Madrid.

Like valo says, they're not really comparable situations. In one situation the player hasn't really shown any desire to move. In the other, the player is disappointed with his lack of playing time and would like to move, so why wouldn't he want to move to the most appealing destination? United can likely offer Cesc higher wages and more silverware.