Rakitic

[rurikbird]

I've changed my opinion on this player. I remember him from his days playing in Germany; he was considered to be one of the biggest talents, then he went to Sevilla and seemed to stall in his development there. This season it seem like he finally matured as a player, becoming the team's captain and one of the top assist men and chance creators in European leagues. I can see why Brendan is interested: Rakitic combines Allen's possession-keeping ability with Gerrard's playmaking and sharp crossing. And he can add goals that we currently so badly lack from midfield.

Rakitic can play as an AM or winger, but he really excels as a CM. I can see him being useful in any midfield combination with our current midfielders; he could play instead of either of Henderson, Allen or Gerrard, while complementing his other midfield partners and adding some different qualities. Unlike Allen or Henderson, Rakitic would be a natural fit for playing at the tip of the midfield triangle with Gerrard and Lucas (or Allen) behind him. Or he can play in a midfield two, like he often plays at Sevilla, usually paired with a DM.

I think Rakitic is a type of player who might not be the most eye-catching, but is a very useful cog in the machine. He is a bit less elegant version of Modric, however he is not any less effective than his superstar compatriot. I can see a player like this being a valuable part of a good Liverpool team.

Transfermarkt.com profile:

Date of birth: 10.03.1988
Age: 25
Height: 1,84
Nationality: Croatia, Switzerland
Main position: Central Midfield
Secondary positions: Right Midfield, Attacking Midfield
Foot: right
Market value: 15.000.000 €
Contract until: 30.06.2015

Current league season stats:
16 games, 8 goals, 8 assists.

 

[dogboy]

A goal and/or an assist in every other game. Sounds good.

 

[doctor_mac]

Nice report. How strong are our links with the player? He seems to be having a great season which means he'll be all his money and more if we buy him.

 

[Whirly]

Sevilla are supposedly in financial ruin, so we might be able to get him at a bit less if we move quickly.

 

[Rosco]

They were in a worse financial state when we signed Alberto, and he's not exactly looking like a bargain

 

[Hyena]

They were in a worse financial state when we signed Alberto, and he's not exactly looking like a bargain

Do you mean Alberto? What's the relevance of that?

 

[SummerOnions]

Do you mean Alberto? What's the relevance of that?

we got rinsed

 

[Hyena]

we got rinsed

Not relevant to Rakitic

 

[FoxForceFive]

I don't think it's that relevant, sure, if you bought a car from a dealer that broke down your not return there, but I don't think it applies to footballers & clubs.

 

[DHSC]

Trollco.

 

[Hyena]

It's not like Sevilla pulled Rodgers to a dark alley, showed him a dodgy youtube of Alberto then sweet-talked us into signing him.

We signed him because Rodgers preferred to rely on a bunch of overpaid scouts instead of reading 6CM. If he'd did he have realised how unsuited he is for our 1st 11 and we'd never have bought him.

 

[Rosco]

Do you mean Alberto? What's the relevance of that?

We didn't get him cheap.

We won't get Rakitic on the cheap either, Seville usually get good money for their players

 

[LeTallecWiz]

We didn't get him cheap.

We won't get Rakitic on the cheap either, Seville usually get good money for their players

I think they actually didn't get 'max' value on Navas and Negredo from City.

 

[King Binny]

goals and assists this season: http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/index.php?threads/another-creative-midfielder-ivan-rakitic.32935/ 🤓
(Stopped updating with videos as the thread was lock)

Here's the continuation:
4th league assist


5th league assist


6th league assist


7th and 8th league assist @ 0.24 and 1.08 respectively


8th league goal

 

[RedStar]

Its far too early to tell if we got hosed on the Alberto deal yet, it wasnt a massive fee and he could yet turn into a very good player

Also it doesnt mean we wouldnt get value for an other player if we were to buy from the same club, we've over paid for lots of players over the years regardless of what club they come from, we have also signed some fantastic players for decent fees

 

[keniget]

The thing that concerns me about Rakitic is whether he's actually fulfilling his potential and this form / return he's showing now is here to stay or whether he's just an average player having a good season.

 

[Glen C]

 

[Glen C]

 

[Glen C]

 

[Glen C]

 

[Buddha]

He's having an excellent season in a top European league and would improve a key position that needs improving instantly.

At 25, with roughly 18 months left on his contract he'd be available for roughly 12m. There's no surer bet around in his position for that price in my opinion.

I'd be surprised if he's not our prime midfield target.

 

[King Binny]

Seems like steady progress rather than 1 wonder season. Signed in the 10/11's Jan transfer window, moving to a new league. After a full season in 11/12, he scored 8 and assisted 10 of their 58 league goals last season (12/13). Involved in 30% of their league goals. That's considering they had the likes of Navas, Negredo and Medel (who chipped in 6).

Think it's no coincidence that he's a more prominent figure now that the other star players have left, coupled with the influx of new players, as well as his promotion to the role of captain. Sevilla underwent 4 managerial changes during his period there so he has had to cope change in roles/tactics too. Looks like Emery is getting the best out of him

 

[rurikbird]

Exactly. Like I said, he was very highly rated at 21-22 when he played in Germany. But his career seemed to stall in Spain and I kind of lost track of him. Seems like it was just difficulties adjusting to a new league and he is finally fulfilling his potential. 25 is a good age for a CM.

 

[Mystic]

Would he not struggle moving leagues yet again?

 

[King Binny]

To begin with, I don't think he struggled in La Liga. In his first season (which he joined in Jan), he had 5 goals and 2 assists in 13 league appearances before his season was ended a month earlier by foot injury.

In his 1st full season, he was given a more conservative role under Marcelino as they had both Kanoute and Negredo in the starting XI. He was 2 games short of being an ever present in the starting lineup.

He's also more experienced now. He was 22 when he made the move to La Liga.

 

[rurikbird]

I do think a summer move would probably suit all parties more:

1. Sevilla certainly doesn't want to lose their best and most key player mid-season.
2. Rakitic can probably afford to wait 6 more months – he is having so far the best season of his career in Spain already and is going to the World Cup as one of the key players for Croatia, why take risks adjusting to a new country that might jeopardize all of that? If he keeps playing like he does now, he'll get his big paycheck in the summer, from somebody. No need to rush.
3. From Liverpool's perspective, CM is a difficult position to integrate a player mid-season, especially if a player comes from a different league and needs a period of adjustment.

It still could happen, but I would be a bit surprised.

 

[doctor_mac]

The Sevilla chairman said that if someone is 'in a hurry' to sign Rakitic they'll need to pay his release clause of 40 million euros!

 

[Piedro]

Its far too early to tell if we got hosed on the Alberto deal yet, it wasnt a massive fee and he could yet turn into a very good player

Also it doesnt mean we wouldnt get value for an other player if we were to buy from the same club, we've over paid for lots of players over the years regardless of what club they come from, we have also signed some fantastic players for decent fees

We got had off lad

 

[jexykrodic]

I only want the club to sign players who are guaranteed to be excellent and perform way above their previous form.

I also want to secure their services for what will generally be seen as a 'steal'.

I would also like a 'locked in' refund policy and buyout clause in the contract. Six games to prove themselves beyond doubt (our unilateral decision) or 100% immediate refund and a buyout trigger fee equal to the current world record fee.

I would also consider charging the selling club a 'contract interruption' fee in the event of an injury lasting more than a week equal to that weeks pay.

In this instance I'd give Rakitic and the selling club a chance on these reasonable terms.

 

[keniget]

Would Chelsea be interested?

They need a successor for Lampard (unless they see Oscar fulfilling that role) or do they have better targets available to them?