[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=29971.msg881972#msg881972 date=1244106754]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=29971.msg881962#msg881962 date=1244106329]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=29971.msg881944#msg881944 date=1244105508]
All this talk about Chelsea trumping us for Johnson with a higher offer seems to ignore the reported release clause put in his contract at his insistence last summer. Wasn't it about 11/12m? If so, that'd be all we have to offer to talk to the lad - and if he's any sense he'd choose Anfield.
[/quote]
Life doesn`t work like that, though. Chelsea have as good title credentials as we and are far more likely to offer him a higher wage package. If you think it's the obviously "sensible" decision to choose us, you're delusional.
I rate Johnson highly and would love to see him sign for us (even though I like Arbeloa and think a lot of the recent criticism of his is OTT) but if Chelsea are willing to pay big for him, he will return there.
[/quote]
The "sensible" decision in your eyes is to return to the club which previously couldn't find a place for you, who
since then have spent £16M on Bosingwa, a player who has had a strong debut season?
Chelsea will prove tempting to him providing they come in with mega-wages, granted, but to suggest they'd be way out in front of us is nonsense. He's just broke into the England team and with Capello declaring Johnson as Englands number 1 right-back yesterday, he's going to be look to be playing as much football as possible, and, as it stands, we can offer him far greater assurances.
[/quote]
Exactly. The bottom line for Johnson will surely by playing regularly in a top 4 club with the chance of winning trophies - there's not much between Chelsea and us on that score. What's more, with Chelsea having an expensive and impressive right-back in place Johnson will know he faces an ongoing battle for a regular place at the bridge, less so at Anfield where Arbeloa still has something to prove (I am a fan).
In addition, Chelsea is hardly the place to go if you're looking to establish yourself long-term at a club, given the high turnaround of managers under Abramovich - Johnson could go there, do well, and then find himself out of the side when a new manager comes in a a years time. Not likely to happen at Anfield where there's a real sense that Rafa is committed to a long-term project.
There's also the possibility that Johnson might harbour ill-feeling towards his former employers or might just even find the prospect of playing for Liverpool Fc too tempting to turn down. Not all players are solely motivated by money.
Delusional? No. Hopeful? yes.
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=29971.msg881962#msg881962 date=1244106329]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=29971.msg881944#msg881944 date=1244105508]
All this talk about Chelsea trumping us for Johnson with a higher offer seems to ignore the reported release clause put in his contract at his insistence last summer. Wasn't it about 11/12m? If so, that'd be all we have to offer to talk to the lad - and if he's any sense he'd choose Anfield.
[/quote]
Life doesn`t work like that, though. Chelsea have as good title credentials as we and are far more likely to offer him a higher wage package. If you think it's the obviously "sensible" decision to choose us, you're delusional.
I rate Johnson highly and would love to see him sign for us (even though I like Arbeloa and think a lot of the recent criticism of his is OTT) but if Chelsea are willing to pay big for him, he will return there.
[/quote]
The "sensible" decision in your eyes is to return to the club which previously couldn't find a place for you, who
since then have spent £16M on Bosingwa, a player who has had a strong debut season?
Chelsea will prove tempting to him providing they come in with mega-wages, granted, but to suggest they'd be way out in front of us is nonsense. He's just broke into the England team and with Capello declaring Johnson as Englands number 1 right-back yesterday, he's going to be look to be playing as much football as possible, and, as it stands, we can offer him far greater assurances.
[/quote]
Exactly. The bottom line for Johnson will surely by playing regularly in a top 4 club with the chance of winning trophies - there's not much between Chelsea and us on that score. What's more, with Chelsea having an expensive and impressive right-back in place Johnson will know he faces an ongoing battle for a regular place at the bridge, less so at Anfield where Arbeloa still has something to prove (I am a fan).
In addition, Chelsea is hardly the place to go if you're looking to establish yourself long-term at a club, given the high turnaround of managers under Abramovich - Johnson could go there, do well, and then find himself out of the side when a new manager comes in a a years time. Not likely to happen at Anfield where there's a real sense that Rafa is committed to a long-term project.
There's also the possibility that Johnson might harbour ill-feeling towards his former employers or might just even find the prospect of playing for Liverpool Fc too tempting to turn down. Not all players are solely motivated by money.
Delusional? No. Hopeful? yes.
