Was reading on a Facebook feed that we're in touch with Alves about signing for us. The main opposition was his age. Should the club impose an upper age limit, or should we actively seek out older players who can add experience and balance?
Only the young.
- Thread starter redhorizon2
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Status
It depends on how good they are, and if the cost it worth it. Most older players are overvalued and have wage demands that are too high, but I don't think we should have strict rules about these things.
We'll never sign him in a million years.
It was ever thus. If you look at Shanks, Paisley or Dalglish, it was very rare for any of them to buy a player aged over 25. As with so much of the hype with this new regime, there's nothing in essence that's changed. You only go for an older player in unusual circumstances - Ged did brilliantly to go for Gary Mac because he brought invaluable experience and leadership skills on top of the fact he was still a fine player. I don't see much value in getting Alves - he's long past his best, we've got several young players vying for the same position and his wages would probably be ridiculous.
I think we should go for young players because I think they're better value, but it shouldn't be a principle in itself. We should be looking for the exceptions as well as keeping in mind the possibility of older players becoming cheaper and better value as more clubs neglect them in favour of pursuing the youngsters.
The basic appraisal can always be to think of players of having a useful life of roughly 10 years, between say 21 and 31, and to divide their fee over however many years they have left. Obviously some of those years are better than others and that can be adjusted for, but generally that's the simplest way of comparing the value of transfer fees.
The basic appraisal can always be to think of players of having a useful life of roughly 10 years, between say 21 and 31, and to divide their fee over however many years they have left. Obviously some of those years are better than others and that can be adjusted for, but generally that's the simplest way of comparing the value of transfer fees.
It depends on the player and the wages involved, Alves is no longer worth it, he was the best fullback in the world for several years but that was a while ago and hes on a sharp downward curve now
Jonson will be gone in the summer and Im not sure if we will make Manquillos loan move a permanent one as he appears to have had trouble adapting to the new system. That would leave us with just Flanagan and McLaughlin, one is not really that good and the other is pretty much an entirely unknown quantity so Id be amazed if we arent looking to sign a fullback
Jonson will be gone in the summer and Im not sure if we will make Manquillos loan move a permanent one as he appears to have had trouble adapting to the new system. That would leave us with just Flanagan and McLaughlin, one is not really that good and the other is pretty much an entirely unknown quantity so Id be amazed if we arent looking to sign a fullback
I would definitely consider signing an older player with exceptional technique and reading of the game who never relied much on physical qualities even at his peak. Pirlo to Juve, Xabi to Bayern, Berbatov to Monaco are some of the most successful examples of players 30 making their new clubs stronger.
Alves is kind of borderline case. Certainly an excellent technician and a real fighter and winner. But his position does require a lot of stamina which is what players after 30 often lose (unless they train and live obsessively like Xavier Zanetti). I would have loved to have Cafu even in his 30's in our team. Then there is an example of Maicon, a world-class full-back at Inter who wasn't great at City, but is doing well enough back in Italy. Not sure on Alves, in truth I wouldn't be against signing him just for the winning experience – unless he demands ridiculous money.
Alves is kind of borderline case. Certainly an excellent technician and a real fighter and winner. But his position does require a lot of stamina which is what players after 30 often lose (unless they train and live obsessively like Xavier Zanetti). I would have loved to have Cafu even in his 30's in our team. Then there is an example of Maicon, a world-class full-back at Inter who wasn't great at City, but is doing well enough back in Italy. Not sure on Alves, in truth I wouldn't be against signing him just for the winning experience – unless he demands ridiculous money.
I suppose there is a danger with Gerrard Johnson and Toure (potentially) going this summer that we wont really have any players with experience of winning trophies in the squad. Alves has more medals than most but taking a punt on a defender who will be 32 before next season starts with no experience of playing in English football is a massive risk
I wouldn't say it's a massive risk. Andy Carroll was a massive risk. If Alves doesn't work out he would just leave quietly a season later like Maicon did. We'll lose a bit of money and that's about it.
BTW Johnson has no real experience of winning trophies, except when he was 20 and barely qualified for the EPL winners medal with 16 appearances for Chelsea. No comparison to Alves there.
We'd be paying him about 6 million a year in wages and if he was shite there is no way on earth we would be able to offload a 33 year on obscene wages who is clearly a busted flush. Unless he as coming here on a 1 year deal for less than 100k per week Id stay well clear of it
An old fullback?
In our system?
Fuck me, that would be insanity.
We would definitely benefit from an older experienced winning player or two in the side next season, but they absolutely cannot play as striker or fullback unless they're a freak of nature & are still fast & fit enough.
In our system?
Fuck me, that would be insanity.
We would definitely benefit from an older experienced winning player or two in the side next season, but they absolutely cannot play as striker or fullback unless they're a freak of nature & are still fast & fit enough.
I'm not against focusing on buying young players that we can develop but we need some experience aswell.
It all depends on the player.
When we're looking at replacing Gerrard I'd rather get a player who has more experience then a 20 year old and maybe 1 season of first team football.
Look at each player individually and do whats right for the team.
Alves is on the way down, earns a shitload of money and wont improve us to much even short term. Stay clear of this one.
It all depends on the player.
When we're looking at replacing Gerrard I'd rather get a player who has more experience then a 20 year old and maybe 1 season of first team football.
Look at each player individually and do whats right for the team.
Alves is on the way down, earns a shitload of money and wont improve us to much even short term. Stay clear of this one.
Maicon is a shadow of the player he used to be. Alves hasn't reached that point yet but I don't know whether we can absorb the loss in the same way City did with Maicon if he turns out that way. The signing on fee, agents fees and wages will all be top tier. It's a risk.
Title is misleading... I thought this waa another Adam Johnson thread..
- Status
