MASCHERANO

[Squiggles]

Had we lost Masher and not Alonso last summer, I'm certain we'd be in a better position. He would be replaceable for the size of the fee we'd get for him.

Nether are necessary digs at Javier, but I do believe both are true. However I have greatly warmed to Javier in recent months and I would be disappointed if he left.

 

[Ryan]

Look, in an ideal world we keep Mascherano, and build a better side alongside him no doubt about that.

But to say he's irreplacable and no fee could prise him away is ludicrous.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I think you're partially right Ryan -

a) You underestimate the influence Masch has on the team. He has a captain's passion and gives 100% to the team every game - If you look at DMs like Busquets or Yaya or Lass, they don't play that way. We need a player like this in our middle.

b) I think he's very popular with the squad - we cannot afford to lose him. It sends a bad sign to players like Torres etc that we're selling our best players. We can sell Lucas if we need to rid ourselves of a DM. Sorry I know you love him, but I want the better player to stay.

c) Considering how much money we spent this summer after getting 30+ million on Xabi & Ebola, I don't want to sell ANY of our best players. There's NO GUARANTEE that money will be available to spend and that means he's irreplaceable.

 

[Ryan]

I agree with most of that LeTall. I don't underestimate him, I'm fully aware of what he brings to the team.

To clarify: I don't want us to sell him, but if a team offers ridiculous money then we should and will probably look at it.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=38819.msg1062736#msg1062736 date=1267512116]
I agree with most of that LeTall. I don't underestimate him, I'm fully aware of what he brings to the team.

To clarify: I don't want us to sell him, but if a team offers ridiculous money then we should and will probably look at it only if we can re-invest the money accordingly
[/quote]

While I still don't agree with selling our best players, if we have to I'd so as long as the sentence is edited as per my bolded inclusion. I just don't want to see us not being able to re-invest the money to strengthen the squad.

 

[the_khl]

Masher is untouchable. At least he should be.