[SPANIARD]

2 weeks ago, one twisted-ego maniac who was the worst excuse for $50 million, has turned Real Madrid into a soon to be 8 time european champion. It is obvious that this guy is a sure starter now. He is so in form that he could give us the championship with himself and the keeper.

On the other hand, we have a guy who can be as good or better when in first gear, that has been hounered as the top 5 best strikers in the world along with the no.1 raul. He has proven all the critics wrong with showing alot, alot of maturaty for 22.

The way I see it is, Anelka would be a terrible sub, same as if mori was one. We can`t say that they can both saty cause as we have seen at lazio, we will end up in bad feelings ( salas). I think that if what roma said about signing mori for $60 million, we can`t refuse, if it happens before the start of the season leaving $90 million for summer transfers, including at least 1 blockbuster. On the other hand, Anelka, could go to PSG for $26 million giving us alot of dough too. It would be seen as a possibly bad move; if he is so out of control in form, seeing as he is in europe plus, scoring 45- goals in france, it would be a huge regret.


This is really hard to make a desision on. I don`t won`t them to go, but if it keeps up, this is soccer.

 

[pool_till_I_die]

I know this is a terriable situation. We have various options such as goign all out attack by dropping one of Savio, Macca, Gutti or Redondo in order to accomadate the three. We could rotate the two but that would be rediculous, can you see Anelka being happy in this type of situation.
Mori is Real through and through and I will be sadder to see him go than Anelka butthen again I don't really want Anelka to go either. Anelka may be a bit silly (underestimation) some times but his talen is awesome. Macca also pointed out that this guy has gone from France to England to Spain in three years despite only being 20 years old. this would probably fu*k a lot of people up. Add on to this the fact that he was bought for over $30 miland the pressure must have gotten to this guy.
Also what is the latest on Tristian, I know that his deal is said to be done and dusted but I have had no confirmation from official sources.
Is it very ironic that after the topic our attack has no depth we may be forced to sell one of three YOUNG world class strikers.

Also it has been said that Karambeu will go to Middlesborough for £4 million which is a lot more than I thought we would get on him.

I will watch our transfer transactions this year with a great deal of interest, cummon Beto sign for us.

 

[Guest]

Why can't we just play all three of them (Raul, Mori and Anelka) and revert to a four-man back line instead of five? A few months ago, this wouldn't have been a good idea, but during the first leg against Bayern, the three weren't bad at all. The only problem is Raul would play further from the goal but I say talent will out and he'll get his goals one way or another.

And as for that back four, with Roberto Carlos and Michel Salgado on the wings and Helguera and Hierro at centerback, I think that's pretty solid.

How's this for a star-studded starting lineup?

------Anelka----Morientes
---------------Raul

-----Savio-----------Macca
-----------Redondo

Carlos-------------Salgado
---Helguera----Hierro

------------Cesar

As you can see, this lineup is bound to concede a lot of goals so we might opt for more defensively-talented midfielders like Cambiasso and Geremi instead of Savio and Macca. This is incidentally why I posted that topic about whether we should sell Savio or Balic.

P.S.
Has anyone else noticed that we have a starting lineup that's really bad in the air? I mean right now only our central defenders and Morientes can win aerial tussles. Our wingbacks as well as Savio are very short. Redondo and Macca, despite their, height, are not exactly dominant in the air. Raul has many talents but winning headers is not one of them. Anelka's header against Bayern was the first header he ever scored. This is one thing Del Bosque must consider for next seasons's buys.

 

[pool_till_I_die]

I don't think that a good header of the ball is needed in attack but I agree that in defence it will be vital. Campo is good in this respect but he should not start next year so Campbell would have been nice but now the guy has said he will stay with Spurs.

 

[labas]

Good point, but why are we so worried already!? I mean there are still 2 months till the decision to sell HAS to be made. I doubt very much Morientes will be sold. Why? It's quite simple, people - Nic can be great, but what if his next season is the same as this one? We're totally FUC*KED! No chance of anything with just Raul up front and a bad Nicola$. It can't be that way...BUT if Diego Tristan is confirmed, well maybe...but until then I'm calm. Sanz isn't that stupid for crying out loud!

About our (non) air-superiority: the only players, who do well in the air are:
Hierro
Helguera
Julio Cesar
Ivan Campo
Morientes

That's not too much and I agree a tall defender would be the solution, especially since Campo is leaving for 99%! How is Beto in that category? Is he tall?

 

[pool_till_I_die]

Beto, from what I have seen is nothing special in the air. He reminds me of Hyypia in that he is assured on the ball.

 

[pool_till_I_die]

Apparently I have found out through contacts that he is good in the air (thanks Porto) and scored two own goals against Benfica.

 

[Guest]

This Beto guy is really making me curious cause you guys are really keen on him. I read about him in the Sporting Lisbon forum and he seems to be star quality.

However may I differ and suggest Celta Vigo's Sergio. His primary talent is the aerial challenge and he's very young too (Spanish U-21). Plus he's not a regular yet at Celta Vigo and that means he won't mind having to sit on the bench and wait till he gets his opportunity (That would be when Hierro retires).