The incredible Xabi Alonso thread 2009.

[keniget]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg897636#msg897636 date=1246353318]
Me neither Keni, because it's not the same, I just feel a bit frustrated by it all, and with Rafa putting his cards on the table, maybe I'm just a bit old fashioned, but I hate seeing the power in the hands of the player.

I'll be gutted if he goes, he's been an integral part of the side of late (again) and we'd be hard pushed to find a better replacement. I just hope he decides on his future soon and puts us out of our misery.
[/quote]

I know what you mean, I guess I'm just kinda past that now. I really really want him to stay, but if he wants to go, fuck it, what can we do...

I've always had mixed feelings about player vs club to be honest. We always demand ultimate loyalty from players to the club, but it's never quite the same in the other direction, is it?

We only care as long as that player remains useful to the club. After that, the club is free to discard that player as it wishes... where is the loyalty there? Where was the thanks for Riise and Finnan for their service on the final day of the season? The answer was that the manager's say is what counts and the game had to be won. If that sort of 'professionalism' is maintained on the side of the club, why should it not be on the side of the players also?

 

[mark1975]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=keniget link=topic=33578.msg897643#msg897643 date=1246353883]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg897636#msg897636 date=1246353318]
Me neither Keni, because it's not the same, I just feel a bit frustrated by it all, and with Rafa putting his cards on the table, maybe I'm just a bit old fashioned, but I hate seeing the power in the hands of the player.

I'll be gutted if he goes, he's been an integral part of the side of late (again) and we'd be hard pushed to find a better replacement. I just hope he decides on his future soon and puts us out of our misery.
[/quote]

I know what you mean, I guess I'm just kinda past that now. I really really want him to stay, but if he wants to go, fuck it, what can we do...

I've always had mixed feelings about player vs club to be honest. We always demand ultimate loyalty from players to the club, but it's never quite the same in the other direction, is it?

We only care as long as that player remains useful to the club. After that, the club is free to discard that player as it wishes... where is the loyalty there? Where was the thanks for Riise and Finnan for their service on the final day of the season? The answer was that the manager's say is what counts and the game had to be won. If that sort of 'professionalism' is maintained on the side of the club, why should it not be on the side of the players also?
[/quote]

Yeah I agree, and regards that debacle on the last day and how poorly Crouch, Riise, Finnan and Xabi were treated, I'd like to think and hope that Rafa has learned from that.

It's what we've always despised in him I guess, that 'coldness'. There's got to be a line drawn in the sand.

Sure - be the manager and don't get too close to your players, but fuck me, show them the respect they deserve too.

 

[spider-Neil]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg897648#msg897648 date=1246354192]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=33578.msg897643#msg897643 date=1246353883]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg897636#msg897636 date=1246353318]
Me neither Keni, because it's not the same, I just feel a bit frustrated by it all, and with Rafa putting his cards on the table, maybe I'm just a bit old fashioned, but I hate seeing the power in the hands of the player.

I'll be gutted if he goes, he's been an integral part of the side of late (again) and we'd be hard pushed to find a better replacement. I just hope he decides on his future soon and puts us out of our misery.
[/quote]

I know what you mean, I guess I'm just kinda past that now. I really really want him to stay, but if he wants to go, fuck it, what can we do...

I've always had mixed feelings about player vs club to be honest. We always demand ultimate loyalty from players to the club, but it's never quite the same in the other direction, is it?

We only care as long as that player remains useful to the club. After that, the club is free to discard that player as it wishes... where is the loyalty there? Where was the thanks for Riise and Finnan for their service on the final day of the season? The answer was that the manager's say is what counts and the game had to be won. If that sort of 'professionalism' is maintained on the side of the club, why should it not be on the side of the players also?
[/quote]

Yeah I agree, and regards that debacle on the last day and how poorly Crouch, Riise, Finnan and Xabi were treated, I'd like to think and hope that Rafa has learned from that.

It's what we've always despised in him I guess, that 'coldness'. There's got to be a line drawn in the sand.

Sure - be the manager and don't get too close to your players, but fuck me, show them the respect they deserve too.
[/quote]

better players have been shipped out and shown little respect. how much respect did bob show when he dismantled shank's team?

 

[mark1975]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

It doesn't make it right though Neil, players are sold when surplus, that's the nature of the game, but most Liverpool manager's have given their players a chance to say goodbye to the fans.

 

[gkmacca]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Pre-season training starts in about a week's time. I know Alonso, even if he stays, will have a longer break, but the manager and the club now need to get on with preparing for the season, so this tiresome faffing around is really messing the club up.

 

[spider-Neil]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg897661#msg897661 date=1246354735]
It doesn't make it right though Neil, players are sold when surplus, that's the nature of the game, but most Liverpool manager's have given their players a chance to say goodbye to the fans.
[/quote]

I want the manager to win shit not make friends. if xabi can't take being thought as surplus when his form dips for months then he doesn't have the strong will I always gave him credit for.

 

[Squiggles]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Respect's a two way street.

Always will be.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

It's a funny old game, 12 months ago Rafa was practically pushing Xabi out of the door to Juve for £15m, now he is apparently, putting up a determined effort to keep him for possibly twice that figure


regards

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

This is a game of two halves some might say, I just hope that Xabi stays until he's completed the job that he's started.

 

[KingDing]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Xabi Alonso has reportedly told his agent: Finalise my transfer to Real Madrid by July 19 or I will stay at Liverpool.

In a highly-detailed account of the emerging saga, The Daily Mail reports that 'The Liverpool midfielder, who has been on international duty with Spain at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, met his representative Inaki Ibanez immediately after flying back to Madrid yesterday. Alonso went straight to lunch with Ibanez at Madrid's Hotel Melia Barajas after getting off a 10-hour flight from Johannesburg.'

It was at this meeting that Alonso is said to have set a deadline - July 19 is the date on which he is scheduled to return to Anfield for pre-season training - for his proposed move to Real. He is quoted as saying to Spanish newspaper AS: "I don't know what will happen. The clubs now have to negotiate."

According to the Mail, 'Madrid are considering a £55million combined bid for Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa, but are prepared to negotiate players separately as Liverpool are unlikely to even contemplate losing both Alonso and Mascherano. In a bid to scare off suitors, Benitez has quoted a price-tag of £50m for Alonso, but sources in Spain say the actual valuation coming out of Merseyside is £35m.'

£55 million combined?? They can fuck right off.

 

[Squiggles]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

It's not an insulting offer financially but in no way should we consider it, obv.

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

55 million is in theory, 25 a piece for Alonso and Masher, and 5 for Arby. It is a decent offer, but not bite their hand off good.

If every player has their price, what price for this trio, where you'd just have to take it?

 

[Avmenon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Gayface money.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

1000 posts and still going strong

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=33578.msg897783#msg897783 date=1246369774]
Gayface money.
[/quote]

Took me a sec to realise what you meant there. So 80 mill and you'd bite?

 

[Mystic]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

How could they seriously expect us to sell three first team players in one go for £55million? Thats obscene, it would take £100 million for me to accept them three going, not because the three players combined are worth that, but because that represents the damage losing all three would do to our team.

 

[Skullflower]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

when do we get to see rafa, glen and the scarf?

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Mystic link=topic=33578.msg897789#msg897789 date=1246370565]
How could they seriously expect us to sell three first team players in one go for £55million? Thats obscene, it would take £100 million for me to accept them three going, not because the three players combined are worth that, but because that represents the damage losing all three would do to our team.
[/quote]

We may end up losing the three of them anyway, or at least two of the three, so we may have to just get on with it.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=33578.msg897791#msg897791 date=1246370801]
when do we get to see rafa, glen and the scarf?
[/quote]
It might be a shirt............

regards

(are you still living in the lap of luxury?)

 

[Mors]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=33578.msg897791#msg897791 date=1246370801]
when do we get to see rafa, glen and the scarf?
[/quote]

July 1st I guess when the FA get their arses back in gear

 

[mark1975]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Mors link=topic=33578.msg897805#msg897805 date=1246372296]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=33578.msg897791#msg897791 date=1246370801]
when do we get to see rafa, glen and the scarf?
[/quote]

July 1st I guess when the FA get their arses back in gear
[/quote]

You mean when they put their cocks away and tell their secretaries to do some work?

 

[Peatcheo]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

This is fucking boring, I wish Real and Barca would fuck off, I bet Platini is licking his lips the twat.

 

[cochyn]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=33578.msg897807#msg897807 date=1246372828]
This is fucking boring, I wish Real and Barca would fuck off, I bet Platini is licking his lips the twat.
[/quote]

I am sure he is knocking one out at the prospect of the spanish league strengthening itself

 

[Avmenon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg897787#msg897787 date=1246370356]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=33578.msg897783#msg897783 date=1246369774]
Gayface money.
[/quote]

Took me a sec to realise what you meant there. So 80 mill and you'd bite?


[/quote]

That would be the acceptable outlay, but I wouldnt bite their hand off or anything.

Xabi's defenders here all say that he hasn't been actively angling for a move, but every newspaper has him off and he hasn't done a single thing to categorically scotch the rumours asde from 'not ruling anything out'.

I actually think Mascher will stay, but that Xabi and Arbeloa are off.

 

[Judge Jules]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg897780#msg897780 date=1246369683]
55 million is in theory, 25 a piece for Alonso and Masher, and 5 for Arby. It is a decent offer, but not bite their hand off good.

If every player has their price, what price for this trio, where you'd just have to take it?
[/quote]

Three figures before the noughts. I'm serious. That's what they're worth to us, whether or not other clubs are prepared to pay that much.

 

[Rosco]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

I think at 70m I'd be seriously tempted.

 

[Judge Jules]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Not quite seriously enough, in my case.  As a minimum fallback I'd want what Real spunked on Brylcreem Boy.

 

[Oncy]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg897832#msg897832 date=1246378615]
I think at 70m I'd be seriously tempted.
[/quote]Id go with 40m Diarra and Sneijder.

 

[Buddha]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

What does everyone think of our reported asking price (35m)?

I'd be happy enough.

 

[thelurker]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Knowing our dealings with Real we would probably get £30 million for Xabi and bob.