What happened next...

[rage]

[quote author=refugee link=topic=36872.msg976494#msg976494 date=1257090018]
[quote author=rage link=topic=36872.msg976480#msg976480 date=1257089098]
i think rafa is a liar.

i don't think agger, aurelio and n'gog were all injured yesterday.

i am sure you will see them all mysteriously become fit for the european game - the tournament that rafa seems to continuously sacrifice league games for.
[/quote]

If you are having difficulties believing that Aurelio is injured then you are seriously deluded.
[/quote]

really?

as i said i do not believe all 3 of them were injured yesterday.

tell me why was yossi subbed if not for the champions league game?

 

[SaintGeorge67]

[quote author=refugee link=topic=36872.msg976494#msg976494 date=1257090018]
[quote author=rage link=topic=36872.msg976480#msg976480 date=1257089098]
i think rafa is a liar.

i don't think agger, aurelio and n'gog were all injured yesterday.

i am sure you will see them all mysteriously become fit for the european game - the tournament that rafa seems to continuously sacrifice league games for.
[/quote]

If you are having difficulties believing that Aurelio is injured then you are seriously deluded.
[/quote]

And either way, no one will be able to prove it, though I'm sure some will say it as fact that Rafa was resting them if they play on Wednesday.

 

[Tinto]

[quote author=rage link=topic=36872.msg976497#msg976497 date=1257090135]
[quote author=refugee link=topic=36872.msg976494#msg976494 date=1257090018]
[quote author=rage link=topic=36872.msg976480#msg976480 date=1257089098]
i think rafa is a liar.

i don't think agger, aurelio and n'gog were all injured yesterday.

i am sure you will see them all mysteriously become fit for the european game - the tournament that rafa seems to continuously sacrifice league games for.
[/quote]

If you are having difficulties believing that Aurelio is injured then you are seriously deluded.
[/quote]

really?

as i said i do not believe all 3 of them were injured yesterday.

tell me why was yossi subbed if not for the champions league game?
[/quote]

Yossi was subbed early in the Lyon match too to save him for a league match.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.

 

[refugee]

[quote author=rage link=topic=36872.msg976497#msg976497 date=1257090135]
[quote author=refugee link=topic=36872.msg976494#msg976494 date=1257090018]
[quote author=rage link=topic=36872.msg976480#msg976480 date=1257089098]
i think rafa is a liar.

i don't think agger, aurelio and n'gog were all injured yesterday.

i am sure you will see them all mysteriously become fit for the european game - the tournament that rafa seems to continuously sacrifice league games for.
[/quote]

If you are having difficulties believing that Aurelio is injured then you are seriously deluded.
[/quote]

really?

as i said i do not believe all 3 of them were injured yesterday.

tell me why was yossi subbed if not for the champions league game?
[/quote]

It was said tongue in cheek Rage. I have no intention of arguing with you because you are monotonous and suffer from tunnel vision in your arguments (Although I like your contributions general chat).

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]

Liverpool have signed Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani on a five-year contract after the Italian international passed a medical.

The 25-year-old has joined the Reds in a deal that is reportedly worth £20m.

Aquilani has not played since March due to an ankle injury and is only expected to be fully fit in around four to eight weeks time.

Liverpool said in a statement: "He will continue his rehabilitation under the guidance of our medical team."

But manager Rafael Benitez says Liverpool always knew of Aquilani's injury problem and added the club can cope without him for the beginning of the season.

"When we were talking (to Roma) about Aquilani we knew he was recovering from an operation and would not be able to play for the first weeks of the season," admitted Benitez.

"But we can wait for him. We have enough midfield and offensive players to cope, and when he does start to play everyone will see what a clever player he is."



Sack the quack.

 

[gene hughes]

LOL

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I laughed at Rafa's last sentence aswell Gene.

 

[amber cabs]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.

 

[gene hughes]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976515#msg976515 date=1257090879]
I laughed at Rafa's last sentence aswell Gene.
[/quote]

If he felt we had enough in midfield to cope, why didn't he buy a striker?

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=gene hughes link=topic=36872.msg976520#msg976520 date=1257090979]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976515#msg976515 date=1257090879]
I laughed at Rafa's last sentence aswell Gene.
[/quote]

If he felt we had enough in midfield to cope, why didn't he buy a striker?
[/quote]

Good question.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=36872.msg976485#msg976485 date=1257089438]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976484#msg976484 date=1257089389]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=36872.msg976470#msg976470 date=1257088597]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976466#msg976466 date=1257088305]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=36872.msg976461#msg976461 date=1257088079]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976457#msg976457 date=1257087733]
Rosco on the news that Agger has rejected a new 4 year contract:

"I think we can all agree that Rafa has dropped the ball on this one.

It's a major fuck up to let him run down his contract like this".
[/quote]

Yeah, we should have sold him before it got to that stage.
[/quote]

Rosco it's fair to say that i've made a tit out of myself on this site more than most, but at least i'm willing to hold my hands up and admit it.
[/quote]

I think you're reading more into a post than is actually there.

But carry on regardless.
[/quote]

Do i need to spell it out for you?

You claimed last season that Rafa fucked up by letting Agger run down his contract and hence running the risk of losing him for next to nothing. You're now claiming that he fucked up and wasted money by getting him sign a new one.

Enough said.

The End.
[/quote]

Is there only one solution to Agger's contract running down or could he have been sold before it happened?
[/quote]

 

[Tinto]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]

Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

We only paid 5m up front for Aquilani with the next installments coming in Jan and next Summer. Maybe that's the reason we went for him as we needed the rest of the Xabi money to pay off some of our debts.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Tinto link=topic=36872.msg976525#msg976525 date=1257091187]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]

Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

We only paid 5m up front for Aquilani with the next installments coming in Jan and next Summer. Maybe that's the reason we went for him as we needed the rest of the Xabi money to pay off some of our debts.
[/quote]

So it was the owners who sold Alonso?

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

If only it was that simple, but you already know that really.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976527#msg976527 date=1257091267]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

If only it was that simple, but you already know that really.
[/quote]

Why couldn't it have been that simple?

 

[rage]

there were other midfield players out there we could have signed. rafa chose to sign aquilani and rafa ia responsible for thinking lucas and masch were good enough. i actually think that rafa is still deluded in his belief that lucas and masch make a good enough central midfield.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Javi Martinez for one 😉

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976529#msg976529 date=1257091337]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976527#msg976527 date=1257091267]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

If only it was that simple, but you already know that really.
[/quote]

Why couldn't it have been that simple?
[/quote]

You don't need me to explain that.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976534#msg976534 date=1257091501]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976529#msg976529 date=1257091337]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976527#msg976527 date=1257091267]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

If only it was that simple, but you already know that really.
[/quote]

Why couldn't it have been that simple?
[/quote]

You don't need me to explain that.

[/quote]

I really want you to.

 

[gene hughes]

If Rafa feels compelled to sell any player who really wants to leave, let's hope we don't finish 5th or those extended contracts won't help us.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=gene hughes link=topic=36872.msg976536#msg976536 date=1257091609]
If Rafa feels compelled to sell any player who really wants to leave, let's hope we don't finish 5th or those extended contracts won't help us.
[/quote]

Good point.

 

[Tinto]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976526#msg976526 date=1257091249]
[quote author=Tinto link=topic=36872.msg976525#msg976525 date=1257091187]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]

Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

We only paid 5m up front for Aquilani with the next installments coming in Jan and next Summer. Maybe that's the reason we went for him as we needed the rest of the Xabi money to pay off some of our debts.
[/quote]

So it was the owners who sold Alonso?
[/quote]

No, it was Rafa but perhaps he thought would have got to spend the money he generated.

Another scenario is that perhaps Rafa knew that debts needed to be paid and agreed with the owners that he would sell if Real's offer was too good to be true.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976535#msg976535 date=1257091537]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976534#msg976534 date=1257091501]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976529#msg976529 date=1257091337]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976527#msg976527 date=1257091267]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

If only it was that simple, but you already know that really.
[/quote]

Why couldn't it have been that simple?
[/quote]

You don't need me to explain that.

[/quote]

I really want you to.
[/quote]

Why do any clubs sell players who are on long contracts, that they want to keep?

If a player wants out they have the power to force through a move in todays game.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Tinto link=topic=36872.msg976540#msg976540 date=1257091707]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976526#msg976526 date=1257091249]
[quote author=Tinto link=topic=36872.msg976525#msg976525 date=1257091187]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]

Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

We only paid 5m up front for Aquilani with the next installments coming in Jan and next Summer. Maybe that's the reason we went for him as we needed the rest of the Xabi money to pay off some of our debts.
[/quote]

So it was the owners who sold Alonso?
[/quote]

No, it was Rafa but perhaps he thought would have got to spend the money he generated.

[/quote]

So he had a different midfielder lined up but only opted for the Italian when he was told he was only getting 20 million of the Alonso money?

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976542#msg976542 date=1257091797]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976535#msg976535 date=1257091537]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976534#msg976534 date=1257091501]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976529#msg976529 date=1257091337]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=36872.msg976527#msg976527 date=1257091267]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]


Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

If only it was that simple, but you already know that really.
[/quote]

Why couldn't it have been that simple?
[/quote]

You don't need me to explain that.

[/quote]

I really want you to.
[/quote]

Why do any clubs sell players who are on long contracts, that they want to keep?

If a player wants out they have the power to force through a move in todays game.


[/quote]

So what would have happened if Rafa turned down his request?

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Interesting thread.
Not unexpected either, we are in the shits big time. On & off the pitch.

I think that the Yanks will not be going anywhere without a nice hefty profit and in the current climate there won't be too many takers. Liverpool is a huge club with a worldwide fan base and as such it has huge potential for any prospective owners. Why is it then that anyone who enters into discussions with the current owners ends up walking away without making an offer? The yanks are asking for the earth and are looking to make a huge profits for themselves. They have saddled the club with huge debts even though they said they wouldn't do that. They promised 'a spade in the ground' withing 60 days and look how that has worked out. They haven't been all bad, but they have fucked us up more than they have helped us.

With regard to Rafa, they will do nothing regarding his future until the summer. If things continue to go as bad as they are then there is always the possibility that Rafa will walk and then they will not have to pay him anything. I can't see them paying him off. Unless Real make a an offer to take him off our hands and they can reach a compensation agreement.

We'll just have to pray we can get a result on Wednesday and we can make it through to the knockout stages and bring in the extra cash.

 

[Le Chacal]

When I read some posters it sounds like Rafa ignores everything from the Yanks plans.
He's ignoring how much he will have to spend
He's ignoring what players he buys or sells
He's ignoring his players contracts.

Is that the club manager we're talking about?
That same manager who constantly tells us he's in permanent contact with the owners and CEO.

 

[Tinto]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976543#msg976543 date=1257091921]
[quote author=Tinto link=topic=36872.msg976540#msg976540 date=1257091707]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976526#msg976526 date=1257091249]
[quote author=Tinto link=topic=36872.msg976525#msg976525 date=1257091187]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976519#msg976519 date=1257090947]
[quote author=amber cabs link=topic=36872.msg976516#msg976516 date=1257090898]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=36872.msg976502#msg976502 date=1257090374]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=36872.msg976495#msg976495 date=1257090063]
I dont think so Sheik. I think his rehabilitation took longer than anticipated.
[/quote]

6 weeks longer than anticipated is a hell of a lot of time mate. Surely he went through a stringent medical which would have assessed such like. Either Rafa knew how long he'd be out or the doctor needs some refresher training.
[/quote]

Maybe there was noone else available to replace xabi that rafa wanted. Surely better to sign someone and have them for half this season and four more than to have signed noone this summer.
[/quote]

Even easier, tell Alonso he ain't goin' nowhere.
[/quote]

We only paid 5m up front for Aquilani with the next installments coming in Jan and next Summer. Maybe that's the reason we went for him as we needed the rest of the Xabi money to pay off some of our debts.
[/quote]

So it was the owners who sold Alonso?
[/quote]

No, it was Rafa but perhaps he thought would have got to spend the money he generated.

[/quote]

So he had a different midfielder lined up but only opted for the Italian when he was told he was only getting 20 million of the Alonso money?


[/quote]

I would like to think he had another attacking player lined up who could play on the left or maybe another striker and so, the Italian was his first choice with the rest of his transfer installments being paid by future earnings.