Simon Mignolet - signing confirmed

[rurikbird]

Like it was funny when we paid 20M for Robbie Keane, 35M for Andy Carroll, 18M for Stewart Downing, 120K a week for Joe Cole and so forth and so forth.

Yeah, that stuff doesn't have an impact on us at all!

Paying 9, 10 or 11M for a player on the upward curve of their career is not at all the same as paying 20M for someone like Downing. I think his salary is 2-3 times less than Reina's too. When you have generally the right strategy, details don't matter as much.

 

[Gary25]

It's funny how people get all a bit money conscious when it comes to signings. Anyone would think it comes out your very own bank account. It doesn't - Mignolet is a good quality and young keeper who hopefully is only going to get better. He definitely strengthens the team. I'm all for it.

I'm loving this transfer (almost) window.

Spot on.

 

[dee]

If we go with the premise that:

1. Pepe is going to Barca for £10-12M
2. Pepe currently earns £5M/year
3. Mignolett has taken a salary around £2M/year
4. Pepe & Mignolett have performed at roughly the same level this season

Then the delta in fees is approximately £3m and there is £3m/year less going out on wages. You can see the attraction to the owners.

The only way this looks bad is if future-Pepe is significantly better than future-Mignolett

However, as stated before the best result to my mind is a season of Mignolett and Pepe competeing for the jersey and pushing each other to the max

 

[dantes]

Delta

 

[Oncy]

Its not a back up is it.
Lets not be fucking silly.
Pepe was dropped twice last year with pretence of injury for Brad fucking Jones.
If he stays (which I dont think he will) he will be benched.
Mignolet will be first choice next year.

 

[Red Astaire]

Its not a back up is it.
Lets not be fucking silly.
Pepe was dropped twice last year with pretence of injury for Brad fucking Jones.
If he stays (which I dont think he will) he will be benched.
Mignolet will be first choice next year.

I quite agree - I get the impression that given some of his shoddy performances last season and his subtle courting of a transfer has forced our hand. I like Reina and think he is a good keeper. He certainly isn't the one that we bought 7 years ago though. Time for a change I think. Ruthless it might be but it's also the right decision.

 

[Molbystwin]

I think we are underestimating Pepe and will miss him greatly. He has deserved some criticism for some poor performances but there are lots of things that Pepe brings which tend to get over looked including his distribution.

Ten million on a keeper should not have been a priority IMO.

 

[StevieM]

All this talk of a keepers distribution skills is pretty close to all that gash talked about ball playing centre backs and strikers that are great at defending corners.

It's all a lot of bollocks.

I'm sure Mingey will be more than capable of rolling the ball 10 feet to a defender.

Something tells me the goalkeeping coached in Belgium wouldn't have brought him up to "lump it long at every attempt".

 

[Molbystwin]

Shite, tell that to Mark Bosnich. In a team which supposedly likes to build from the back distribution is a very good thing in a keeper. Plus the fact that Reina could also ping it long and accurately to change things up....

I follow the logic I really do, we swap an older keeper for an up and comer on less wages. It is good business. OK.

Personally i think the reason Pepe game has dropped of late is the fact that for the last 4 years hes had a pretty hopeless shambles in front of him. Agitating for a move? Wouldn't you? When Reina is on his game he is a damn fine keeper and an experienced leader proven at the top level. We should be looking to sign more players of his quality IMO.

I rate Pepe and don't want him sold, what can I say... Just my opinion.

 

[Modo]

Shite, tell that to Mark Bosnich. In a team which supposedly likes to build from the back distribution is a very good thing in a keeper. Plus the fact that Reina could also ping it long and accurately to change things up....

I follow the logic I really do, we swap an older keeper for an up and comer on less wages. It is good business. OK.

Personally i think the reason Pepe game has dropped of late is the fact that for the last 4 years hes had a pretty hopeless shambles in front of him. Agitating for a move? Wouldn't you? When Reina is on his game he is a damn fine keeper and an experienced leader proven at the top level. We should be looking to sign more players of his quality IMO.

I rate Pepe and don't want him sold, what can I say... Just my opinion.

I think Torres and Arteta moving to London also had something to do with it.

 

[StevieM]

You don't build from the back successfully by letting go past you every time someone kicks it low & hard to your right.

I like Pepe, but a change isn't a bad thing.

 

[keniget]

Paying 9, 10 or 11M for a player on the upward curve of their career is not at all the same as paying 20M for someone like Downing. I think his salary is 2-3 times less than Reina's too. When you have generally the right strategy, details don't matter as much.

I'm of course giving extreme examples and 1 million here or there doesn't matter too much, true.

I guess it just seems like a lot for a keeper that has announced he won't be renewing his contract. I haven't watched much of Sunderland so he might be worth that and more, I don't know and that's probably why I'm being a bit cautious in my attitude towards this signing.

The strategy of replacing Reina is ultimately correct though I'm not sure it needs implementing now. The bit where we pay 10M for this guy.... hopefully that's good too.

 

[rurikbird]

I think when it comes to transfer fees, Rodgers is not a bargain-hunter. His overall strategy is financially sound - buying players on the upward curve of their career, and saving on their wages, because they see Liverpool as a proving ground rather than a payday. The players he buys always have resale value, which greatly minimizes the risk. But he is willing to overpay by a couple of millions to get his preferred targets. We saw this with Joe Allen and Borini last season and this season with Mignolet and others. He is not going to drive a hard bargain at the risk of missing out on his top targets and throwing his rebuilding plans in disarray.

 

[Hansern]

I like Reina, but lets not excuse his drop in form and performance down to the defence infront of him.
They're not the reason for his extremely low save to shots ratio or errors made. We've allowed very few shots on target despite being so "crappy" defensively.
We're not getting a return for the wages he's on at the moment.
His better form for the last few months aside, there were several times were you felt he could have saved a shot or done better.

I'll be surprised if Mignolet is bought as a back up, that doesnt make sense at all.

 

[Rosco]

Where are all the people who believe keepers peak in their thirties ?

 

[RedZeppelin III]

The players he buys always have resale value, which greatly minimizes the risk.

does any player who doesn't perform well really have a good resale value ? i mean for example ,despite them both being young, how much would we get for Allen or Borini if we sold them tomorrow ? Prob 7-8m which in Allen's case would be a fair loss . Is that a decent resale value ?

 

[Whirly]

does any player who doesn't perform well really have a good resale value ? i mean for example ,despite them both being young, how much would we get for Allen or Borini if we sold them tomorrow ? Prob 7-8m which in Allen's case would be a fair loss . Is that a decent resale value ?

Allen should fetch at least 10, 12-14 in a good scenario. He's still only 23, and good on the ball.

Borini is probably anywhere from 10-15M. Solid campaign with the U21s against top notch competition, and has a lot of experience Is a young 22, and could compete for minutes on any Serie A side, who value their national players.

 

[Rafiagra]

I reckon there is a buyer for Pepe, which is why we are doing this.

He's been improved in the second half of the season but he has got 1 foot out of the door and is jaded. If we can get a decent fee for him now then it's the right time to take it.

 

[white-sox]

I think we are underestimating Pepe and will miss him greatly. He has deserved some criticism for some poor performances but there are lots of things that Pepe brings which tend to get over looked including his distribution.

Ten million on a keeper should not have been a priority IMO.

Totally agree and I think people are also underestimating his role within the dressing room and club in general. We often hear that Reina is the 'joker' of the dressing room and seems to be one of the most popular members of team. Additionally he is one of the longest serving players and his experience and knowledge of the club is priceless. With Carragher retiring I think its important to keep some of the older heads around to share the burden with Gerrard.

 

[Whirly]

Totally agree and I think people are also underestimating his role within the dressing room and club in general. We often hear that Reina is the 'joker' of the dressing room and seems to be one of the most popular members of team. Additionally he is one of the longest serving players and his experience and knowledge of the club is priceless. With Carragher retiring I think its important to keep some of the older heads around to share the burden with Gerrard.

I feel the idea of there being some monumental burden is exaggerated. Players like Henderson have been here for two seasons now, and many of our squad players have spent time with our Academy while melding with the first team. We have enough young established players to help other young recruits settle in, and if we sign veterans we expect them to settle in well.

 

[white-sox]

Hmm maybe burden was the wrong word choice of word - perhaps share the responsibility would of been a better way to put it.

It definitely is a responsibility and I cant imagine someone like Henderson, Downing. Enrique etc. having the same influence as someone like Reina. Despite all the riches football is still a simple game and I am certain internal politics plays a major influence in the success of a team (look at Man City for instance!) and having someone like Reina in the dressing room is surely something that should at least be considered before we sell?

 

[Rory Fitzgerald]

The Barcelona thing was on the horizon for a while ever since Valdes made it known that he would no re-sign in 2014. Once it looked like he might go in 2013, I think its reasonable to believe that Reina's people were contacted - and as such - Liverpool themselves had to be prepared.

If Pepe is going this season or next, I would rather the club move now to secure their preferred choice rather than wait until next season and take a risk they don't get their man (we can argue over WHO SHOULD be the right player).

If Pepe's move does not materialise this Summer, I still think the club should try force his hand i.e. we are bringing in Mignolet so you are 2nd choice - if Barca aren't interested, you can sit on the bench for next season and hope they take you then or you can look for a different club. I think he would look for a different club. The World Cup is in Brazil next year and Pepe is 30. I think he wants to go even if its only as 3rd choice. If he is on the bench for World Cup year then De Gea gets to jump the queue.

I think if Mignolet comes in, there will be enough factors in play to see that Pepe leaves and the transfer budget will net-out.

 

[the_khl]

This has goodbye to Pepe written all over it.

Mignolet has always looked a fine keeper to me, but there's some big shoes to fill here as Reina, despite his flaws, has been an amazing player and stalwart for us for quite some time.

I will miss him should he leave, which now seems rather obvious that he will.

 

[Judge Jules]

Agreed, but if that's the way the wind is blowing I'm glad we're taking decisive action early.

 

[Hyena]

One thing I do know is if one of them gets an injury this season we'll be glad we have two top keepers.

 

[dmishra]

I don't really ever having noticed Mignolet, so I Youtubed him. The first clip is a performance against Spurs last season, and it's truly horrendous.

I really hope we've done our diligence here.

 

[Hansern]

Then I'd watch some more clips mate 🙂

Seriously though, we seem to be doing just that. We're scouting players thouroughly these days.

 

[Buddha]

I don't really ever having noticed Mignolet, so I Youtubed him. The first clip is a performance against Spurs last season, and it's truly horrendous.

I really hope we've done our diligence here.

I imagine our scouting team has done more than watch a youtube clip.

 

[OLD_Lewy]

he was better than reina this season, having said that i hope barca have put a bid in for pepe, it would be a bit shit if we are trying to force him out the door

 

[dmishra]

I imagine our scouting team has done more than watch a youtube clip.

Well, I certainly hope so!