28 Sep 2021 20:52:24
Aaron Ramsey being linked could be another shrewd incoming for Rafa.

1.) 28 Sep 2021
28 Sep 2021 21:19:09
Too injury prone GB. I would prefer a consistently fit player who can be relied on.

2.) 28 Sep 2021
28 Sep 2021 22:02:37
I like Ramsey as a player but agree with Nick, too injury prone and don’t actually think suits the style of play Rafa is instilling.

3.) 28 Sep 2021
28 Sep 2021 22:28:13
He won't bring in an injury prone player. He is trying to get rid of a few more out the squad. No chance.

4.) 29 Sep 2021
29 Sep 2021 09:06:07
The type of player we bring in needs to be depends on what they are being brought in to do. I think Brands would prefer younger talent with the potential to improve both the squad and have a potential resale value. Benitez on the other hand would probably prefer proven players with a very professional attitude and a very high work rate and excellent injury record. I personally think that this is quite a good synergy at this time. Its only my opinion but I think we need to build a squad with a solid foundation before we look to bring in players that are more of a luxury. For me if James had come into a squad that didn't require so much of a rebuild then he really would have been able to shine, unfortunately, we where trying to carry to many players at the same time.

5.) 29 Sep 2021
29 Sep 2021 09:50:27
sa90 I’m not so convinced about if our squad had been better James would have shined.
I was excited when he came and he did have flashes of brilliance, however I don’t think it matters how talented you are if you’re not committed and he clearly wasn’t.

The one thing it has highlighted is that these are players we don’t need - we need committed players, ones who will put a shift in game after game, not just turn up when they want to.

I don’t think there are many teams these days with so called luxury players - don’t think any team of players should be expected to carry one player.

Totally agree regards recruitment - build a decent foundation which I feel we’ve almost got and mix in youngsters with experience.

However should not be throwing ridiculous wages at anyone, particularly someone who is only coming for the money.

6.) 29 Sep 2021
29 Sep 2021 09:52:24
We've been linked with Ramsey for years now, seems to be a consistent name since we had money to spend. Can't see either Rafa or Brands wanting him, this has to be lazy journalism. It's taken us all summer to get rid of one high earner, why would we bring in another? And one that has his fair share of injuries who happens to be the wrong side of 30? Just can't see it myself.

{Ed002's Note - Aaron Ramsey (CM) will be 31 by January and has been available for a while. Juventus are willing to release him from his contract at any time and his agent and a better known third party are working hard to find him a new home - the problem will be agreeing a salary package for a player who is now become a bit part player at Juventus. He may well have proven to be a reasonable Wijnaldum replacement at his best but those days appear gone and I am not aware of Liverpool looking to him but the supporters keep asking. May be difficult to find a home for but Juventus had hoped Paratici would be interested in taking him to Spurs - but that was not the case. There was an enquiry from West Ham, possibly at the prompting of his agent. His agent has more recently spoken with Everton who are hovering around FFP issues and need to reduce the wage bill and utilise the cheaper or free options available to them (like Begovich, Townsend and Gray this summer) and face work to extend contracts of some of the 8 who will out contract in the summer. If something could be done to keep the wages reasonable he may provide a solution for them in midfield. Newcastle have been approached by his agent but have no need for such a player although they fear losing Sean Logstaff in the summer. Juventus were quoting €10M for him in the summer - now they want his wages off the books. If they cannot find a club to pick the player up as a Free Agent, they could end up negotiating to buy him out of the rest of his contract and he could end up in a similar position to Jack Wilshere.}

7.) 29 Sep 2021
29 Sep 2021 10:09:31
Not another 30 year old please.

8.) 29 Sep 2021
29 Sep 2021 11:22:20
Thanks, ed002, informative as ever.