I've mentioned him a few times over the last 3/4 weeks as a good target. He's 31, vastly experienced and until recent injuries had established himself again for Barcelona at the heart of their defence. What's more, he plays the holding midfield role for Mexico with aplomb, providing physical presence in front of the back four, excellent positional sense and biting tackle. He's also a serious threat from set pieces with his head and years of playing for Barca have left him technically very adept.
He'd be a wonderful freebie signing providing both cover for central defence and the holding midfield role. We'd obviously still need to be buying a young Defour type, but I'd be more than happy to see Marquez in front of the back four against Arsenal in a couple of weeks.
He's spent years at Barca and so would probably not wish to play for another club in La Liga. Maybe he'd love the challenge and prestige of seeing his career out in England at Anfield.
We'd be mad not to have a look at him.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -Mexico defender Rafael Marquez is leaving Barcelona on a free transfer.
The Spanish champions announced on Saturday that they have reached an agreement to release Marquez from his contract that was due to expire in 2012.
Since arriving from Monaco in 2003, Marquez has helped Barcelona win two Champions League titles, four Spanish league championships, a European Supercup and a Copa del Rey trophy.
Marquez made 242 appearances for the Catalan club.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/wires/07/31/2080.ap.soc.marquez.barcelona.0075/index.html?#ixzz0vG2JVdNm
He'd be a wonderful freebie signing providing both cover for central defence and the holding midfield role. We'd obviously still need to be buying a young Defour type, but I'd be more than happy to see Marquez in front of the back four against Arsenal in a couple of weeks.
He's spent years at Barca and so would probably not wish to play for another club in La Liga. Maybe he'd love the challenge and prestige of seeing his career out in England at Anfield.
We'd be mad not to have a look at him.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -Mexico defender Rafael Marquez is leaving Barcelona on a free transfer.
The Spanish champions announced on Saturday that they have reached an agreement to release Marquez from his contract that was due to expire in 2012.
Since arriving from Monaco in 2003, Marquez has helped Barcelona win two Champions League titles, four Spanish league championships, a European Supercup and a Copa del Rey trophy.
Marquez made 242 appearances for the Catalan club.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/wires/07/31/2080.ap.soc.marquez.barcelona.0075/index.html?#ixzz0vG2JVdNm
