Now that it looks almost certain that Gareth Barry will be remaining at Aston Villa, where does that leave us? Firstly, there are still some reports this morning that the Barry deal is still on and Barry will sign in the next 24 hours! I have realised that you can not believe anything until you see the player at Melwood training. So for now I have accepted that Barry will not be joining us. This now means that Alonso is most likely going to be staying on. Good or bad? You can decide for yourself. Personally, I am a great fan of Alonso. Yes, the last two seasons he has not been that great but he still can do a decent job for us if he gets his act together.
On the other hand, in Barry not arriving, this could signal an opportunity for Lucas or Plessis to make the central midfield position their own. They are both very talented youngsters with a bright future. I would not mind seeing Lucas play more games. He was not named Brazil’s best player for nothing. He even showed glimpses of what he can do last season. I will not forget the Merseyside derby at Goodison when he came on and played a very good game.
Looking at what Rafa may still do in the transfer market; if it is true that Rafa still has some funds available then maybe he should be serious about signing David Silva from Valencia. Silva and Barry do not play in the same position but we do need some extra quality such as Silva in the team. Can you imagine the attacking options of Keane, Torres, Babel and Silva? That would be pretty lethal.
I am sure Rafa still has one big signing to make this summer. We are almost there in having a team capable of winning the Premiership.. almost there.
So the latest news is that barry is not coming – I have to admit I aint that worried. I don’t think that Barry was the correct target anyhow. Overpriced and overated are two words that come to mind. Alonso had a bad season and it’s time to get rid which is wrong – I believe he deserves another chance in the midfield with Gerrard and Masher. Why go hunting Barry (a player who’s club doesn’t want to sell) when we have Mascherano who can do his job for him. Rafa should have bought David Bentley to play on the right. I think a lot of defensive set-ups would struggle with Babel, Gerrard, Mascherano holding in midfield and Bentley attacking down the right hand side. Not he is away to the worst team in London although the Spur’s right hand side will be strong with him playing in front of Hutton – David Bentley – one that slipped under the radar in my opinion and Blackburn were willing to sell.
I agree that we should give Alonso another chance. We should also not forget that he picked up an injury last term which messed up his season. He looked good in the Euro’s when he got to play.
With regards to Bentley.. he is a good player but dont think he would have fitted into Rafa’s plans. Rafa does not seem to want to have out and out wingers, rather strikers who can play out wide like Keane and Babel. A better option would be Silva. I would rather have Silva sign over Barry any day.
I would rather get Silva then Barry, and it seems that Rafa has no intentions of really using Alonso due to his efforts at selling him. Thus, why not sell him to raise funds for Silva, or use him in a player + cash deal for Silva, im sure Valencia would like that, getting a good player and cash. And Alonso leaving will give our youngters more chances to perform and improve, something that should not be overlooked. I wouldnt mind keeping Xabi, but I wouldnt mine selling him
Thoughts?
I think it’s time for Xabi to go. I really enjoy having him in the team, but he has been off the top of his game for nearly two years now. Injuries or no injuries, I just don’t think he is what we need in midfield at this time. I’d much rather see Lucas in there getting playing time. I think he is who we are priming to take over from Gerrard as our midfield force, so every minute he can get on the pitch is crucial.
He has it in him to be a hell of a player in my opinion.