Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez
[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=33578.msg912802#msg912802 date=1248699653]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=33578.msg912784#msg912784 date=1248698347]
I think Mashers transfer fee seems to dictate that he's one of our 'better players'.
He's young, he's put in great performances and poor ones, he certainly has room for improvement, but the fact he cost £18m, the nature of his transfer and his reputation at International level seem to belie what he has actually achieved for us so far. Players shouldn't be rewarded solely on reputation, especially when their contribution towards their current club has been a steady if unspectacular one (so far).
Is he better than Reina or Kuyt?
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Mark, is there a right or wrong answer to that question? Because if I say 'yes', where are going to go with this?
Personally, I think he's world class at what he does. There's perhaps one player in the world (Essien) that most would say is equal or better. You can argue defensive midfielders aren't as flashy or skilled as other positions, but it wouldn't take away from the fact that he's one of the best and could get paid a lot more elsewhere (obviously, i am presuming that speculation is true and he's one of the poorer paid members in our squad).
As for what players should earn, well you can't just say because we paid 18m and showed a bit of faith in him, he should be happy with his lot thus far. Players, just like in any walk of life, no matter how much they enjoy their work (or love their club) want to be paid what they think they're worth. If Carra's contract was running down, and we offered him 20k less than what he's earning now, he'd be livid and would never sign (bollocks to the whole 'he'd play for free' spiel).
Also, Glen Johnson (who was signed for a similar amount) and has achieved nothing for us thus far, is probably getting paid twice as much as Mascher. If you are Mascherano, you'll be looking at that and thinking "i'm as good as him and deserve as much".
I'd also disagree that his contribution has been a "steady but unspectacular" one. That's pretty much saying he's an average player or does an average "steady eddy" job. Or rather, suggesting the fact that he's a defensive midfielder and isn't banging in goals from 30 yards means that his contribution is "unspectacular". What else do you expect from him? He's a monster on field for us and has kept some of the best midfielders/playermakers in the world in his back pocket. For a defensive midfielder, that's all you can ask for really. Moreover, his performances for us have more than merited a new contracted. At worst, he's on the same level as "Reina or Kuyt".. and at his best, he's up there with Alonso and Stevie.
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I don't think we've consistently seen the best of him, he's great in his role and what he does, but that in itself is a no-nonsense (if specialist) job.
I'm not trying to play him down, maybe I'm slightly underwhelmed because he's there to do the ugly work (and just that it seems), I just think that it's debatable whether he's done enough to earn a new contract right now after we pretty much salvaged his career 18 months ago, all on the back of him having his head turned by Barca.
Maybe it's a moral issue, I'm just finding it all a bit distasteful after how much indulgence and money we've invested in him.
Should we have to throw money his say to earn a little loyalty back?
