What's a better gamble?

[Rosco]

That's essentially what we're asking this summer when it comes to adding a striker.

I think we have to assume we intend to start with two strikers, whatever the lineup, in the majority of our games otherwise on a numbers basis we don't need the striker we're chasing.

We've got: Sturridge, Ings and Origi as definites in the squad next year.

I think it's safe to assume we're trying to shift Borini, Balotelli and Lambert.

If the available options are:

Benteke at 32.5m
Llorente at 11m
Hernandez at 12-15m
Gomez at ??
Berahino at 25m
Lacazette at more than 35m.

Who else am I missing?

I've said previously I don't think Lacazette is available to us. And i still think that's the case. The only scenario I can see him ending up with us is if none of the expected suitors materialise and Lyon need to sell at the end of August and we still have the money.

Isn't the sensible thing to do at this point to just sit and wait out the market?

Benteke is good, but I struggle to see why anyone would pay more than 20m for him. His price is never going to be higher.

The experienced reclamation project types like Gomez,.Hernandez and Llorente are still a bit on the pricy side given the lack of upside with them and the expected wages.

I'm not even sure if Berahino is available but again I'm not inclined to go above 20m for him.

If I was in charge (and I still think I should be) I'd be sitting on my hands at this point, just watching how things develop.

If Lacazette falls to us, we win. If he doesn't, we've still got Balotelli and Lambert as fourth and fifth options. We can get to January with that.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

You can add Menez I guess.

 

[Ryan]

I'm basing this on absolutely nothing, but I reckon it's Benteke or nothing.

They won't want to go through the same shit as last year when they had to panic and bring in Balotelli.

If he can't get Benteke, he'll stick with Sturridge, Firmino, Origi, and perhaps even Balotelli. Borini and Lambert will be sold, I'm certain f it.

All that said, we'll get Benteke. Nothing's as certain.

 

[Mystic]

That's essentially what we're asking this summer when it comes to adding a striker.

I think we have to assume we intend to start with two strikers, whatever the lineup, in the majority of our games otherwise on a numbers basis we don't need the striker we're chasing.

We've got: Sturridge, Ings and Origi as definites in the squad next year.

I think it's safe to assume we're trying to shift Borini, Balotelli and Lambert.

If the available options are:

Benteke at 32.5m
Llorente at 11m
Hernandez at 12-15m
Gomez at ??
Berahino at 25m
Lacazette at more than 35m.

Who else am I missing?

I've said previously I don't think Lacazette is available to us. And i still think that's the case. The only scenario I can see him ending up with us is if none of the expected suitors materialise and Lyon need to sell at the end of August and we still have the money.

Isn't the sensible thing to do at this point to just sit and wait out the market?

Benteke is good, but I struggle to see why anyone would pay more than 20m for him. His price is never going to be higher.

The experienced reclamation project types like Gomez,.Hernandez and Llorente are still a bit on the pricy side given the lack of upside with them and the expected wages.

I'm not even sure if Berahino is available but again I'm not inclined to go above 20m for him.

If I was in charge (and I still think I should be) I'd be sitting on my hands at this point, just watching how things develop.

If Lacazette falls to us, we win. If he doesn't, we've still got Balotelli and Lambert as fourth and fifth options. We can get to January with that.

I agree with everything you said, I'd wait, whilst we need a new striker, the additions of Origi and Ings make it less pressing than it has been, we can afford not to panic buy. Further, if those two continue to show promising signs in preseason like they did against Thailand, hopefully it'll help the club hold it's nerve, waiting is the best policy right now.

 

[Mystic]

All that said, we'll get Benteke. Nothing's as certain.

Yep, we'll get him, it's just a waiting game right now.

 

[jexykrodic]

That's essentially what we're asking this summer when it comes to adding a striker.

I think we have to assume we intend to start with two strikers, whatever the lineup, in the majority of our games otherwise on a numbers basis we don't need the striker we're chasing.

We've got: Sturridge, Ings and Origi as definites in the squad next year.

I think it's safe to assume we're trying to shift Borini, Balotelli and Lambert.

If the available options are:

Benteke at 32.5m
Llorente at 11m
Hernandez at 12-15m
Gomez at ??
Berahino at 25m
Lacazette at more than 35m.

Who else am I missing?

I've said previously I don't think Lacazette is available to us. And i still think that's the case. The only scenario I can see him ending up with us is if none of the expected suitors materialise and Lyon need to sell at the end of August and we still have the money.

Isn't the sensible thing to do at this point to just sit and wait out the market?

Benteke is good, but I struggle to see why anyone would pay more than 20m for him. His price is never going to be higher.

The experienced reclamation project types like Gomez,.Hernandez and Llorente are still a bit on the pricy side given the lack of upside with them and the expected wages.

I'm not even sure if Berahino is available but again I'm not inclined to go above 20m for him.

If I was in charge (and I still think I should be) I'd be sitting on my hands at this point, just watching how things develop.

If Lacazette falls to us, we win. If he doesn't, we've still got Balotelli and Lambert as fourth and fifth options. We can get to January with that.

What do you mean by watching how things develop? Wait till the last moment and see if we can get one of the above for a bargain price?

 

[Rosco]

Yeah.

None of them are absolute must haves. They're all deals that for the right price are attractive, bit right now the only attractive one is seemingly unavailable.

 

[the count]

I like the look of Icardi at Inter but I am not sure if he would be available.
He fits the profile as he is still young and I think he really would suit our style of play.
He is quick off the shoulder of the last defender has good movement in the box and seems a very composed finisher

 

[Rosco]

I'm basing this on absolutely nothing, but I reckon it's Benteke or nothing.

They won't want to go through the same shit as last year when they had to panic and bring in Balotelli.

If he can't get Benteke, he'll stick with Sturridge, Firmino, Origi, and perhaps even Balotelli. Borini and Lambert will be sold, I'm certain f it.

All that said, we'll get Benteke. Nothing's as certain.

I get that feeling too.

He's just not worth 32.5m, I'd rather do nothing now and revisit it in January than sign him now.

 

[Ryan]

I get that feeling too.

He's just not worth 32.5m, I'd rather do nothing now and revisit it in January than sign him now.

Innit.

 

[jexykrodic]

The list looks like a line up at the Park and you've got to choose one just for the numbers to balance.

 

[Rosco]

I like the look of Icardi at Inter but I am not sure if he would be available.
He fits the profile as he is still young and I think he really would suit our style of play.
He is quick off the shoulder of the last defender has good movement in the box and seems a very composed finisher

I think fits the profile might be my number 1 hated saying.

The majority of our signings haven't fit the profile that the media think we want. Because 'the profile' is wrong

 

[redhorizon2]

That's essentially what we're asking this summer when it comes to adding a striker.

I think we have to assume we intend to start with two strikers, whatever the lineup, in the majority of our games otherwise on a numbers basis we don't need the striker we're chasing.

We've got: Sturridge, Ings and Origi as definites in the squad next year.

I think it's safe to assume we're trying to shift Borini, Balotelli and Lambert.

If the available options are:

Benteke at 32.5m
Llorente at 11m
Hernandez at 12-15m
Gomez at ??
Berahino at 25m
Lacazette at more than 35m.

Who else am I missing?

I've said previously I don't think Lacazette is available to us. And i still think that's the case. The only scenario I can see him ending up with us is if none of the expected suitors materialise and Lyon need to sell at the end of August and we still have the money.

Isn't the sensible thing to do at this point to just sit and wait out the market?

Benteke is good, but I struggle to see why anyone would pay more than 20m for him. His price is never going to be higher.

The experienced reclamation project types like Gomez,.Hernandez and Llorente are still a bit on the pricy side given the lack of upside with them and the expected wages.

I'm not even sure if Berahino is available but again I'm not inclined to go above 20m for him.

If I was in charge (and I still think I should be) I'd be sitting on my hands at this point, just watching how things develop.

If Lacazette falls to us, we win. If he doesn't, we've still got Balotelli and Lambert as fourth and fifth options. We can get to January with that.

Austin £15m
Aubameyang £25+ m
Remy £8m
Randon £15m

 

[the count]

I think fits the profile might be my number 1 hated saying.

The majority of our signings haven't fit the profile that the media think we want. Because 'the profile' is wrong

Ha,
I was actually thinking that he is young and has all the qualities that in my opinion we should be looking for in a striker.
It doesn't look like he "fits the profile" for the Transfer committee however.

 

[ibromurph]

I get that feeling too.

He's just not worth 32.5m, I'd rather do nothing now and revisit it in January than sign him now.

Rodgers might be looking at it like he might not be here in January if we get off to a poor start and gambling on Benteke (a proven PL goalscorer over a few seasons) improves his and Liverpool chances than gambling on Origi and Ings.

He'll get slaughtered if United signed Benteke for 32m and he scored a hatful and we struggled to get goals early on.

Of course, they can afford that gamble (and it to go wrong.. c.ref Di Maria). They also have out and out wingers who do cross the ball (plus a history of crossing as their style of play), but that will be ignored by his detractors.

 

[ibromurph]

Ha,
I was actually thinking that he is young and has all the qualities that in my opinion we should be looking for in a striker.
It doesn't look like he "fits the profile" for the Transfer committee however.

Personally think Ings is a similar off-the-shoulder player. We need different. Someone capable of playing a floating striker role ala Henry/Suarez. Maybe Origi is that player already, I haven't watched him enough.

 

[hmmmmm1]

I think fits the profile might be my number 1 hated saying.

The majority of our signings haven't fit the profile that the media think we want. Because 'the profile' is wrong

Bar Milner, the other players we have signed all have have a re-sale value.

 

[Mors]

Forgetting Lacazette as he's this seasons Reus for the muppets, for me it's Benteke all day out of that list. He's a proven premier league goal scorer, is young, has all the physical attributes, has skill, international in a good team. It's not a punt for me. The fee seems to be the problem for most, but we've seen ~30mill spent on strikers loads of times in the premier league, it's not uncommon.
He seems the most 'likely' to succeed for us out of what is available who is already established.

I think Balotelli will happen, but if for some reason he didn't, I agree, I don't think we'll see a panic buy this year, he'll just keep one of the other 3 back.

 

[Rosco]

Bar Milner, the other players we have signed all have have a re-sale value.

What resale value have Balotelli, Borini, Lambert, Lovren Lallana? Etc etc.

The profile as espoused in the media is totally wrong. Our signings are all over the place, there is no profile.

Buts its really a matter for another thread

 

[Rosco]

Rodgers might be looking at it like he might not be here in January if we get off to a poor start and gambling on Benteke (a proven PL goalscorer over a few seasons) improves his and Liverpool chances than gambling on Origi and Ings.

He'll get slaughtered if United signed Benteke for 32m and he scored a hatful and we struggled to get goals early on.

Of course, they can afford that gamble (and it to go wrong.. c.ref Di Maria). They also have out and out wingers who do cross the ball (plus a history of crossing as their style of play), but that will be ignored by his detractors.

You've pretty much made the argument as to why a manager should have little say in buying players.

We overspend for his short term benefit, at the expense of the club's future

 

[ibromurph]

You've pretty much made the argument as to why a manager should have little say in buying players.

We overspend for his short term benefit, at the expense of the club's future

Yeah. Pretty much.

 

[peekay]

I get that feeling too.

He's just not worth 32.5m, I'd rather do nothing now and revisit it in January than sign him now.

Curious..Why dont you think he is not worth 32.5m. I thought from a previous thread you were a fan of Benteke.

I agree with you that he is not worth 32.5m. I thought he would not be a good fit for the Rodgers style.

In the best case scenario, I don't think Villa will sell Benteke for less than 22-23 m as he is too critical for their PL survival. But if you think Benteke will keep scoring in Rodgers system then isn't it worth paying an extra 10 m for a striker who can help us in CL qualifications. Especially as there seems to be a dearth of good to great goal scorers in Europe and South America right now who are available for us.

 

[Hansern]

We're gambling on Benteke then...

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

I think from that list, Hernandez looks like the best bet. But that's not really going to happen.

 

[rurikbird]

Personally think Ings is a similar off-the-shoulder player. We need different. Someone capable of playing a floating striker role ala Henry/Suarez. Maybe Origi is that player already, I haven't watched him enough.

I think that's Firmino

 

[Rosco]

Curious..Why dont you think he is not worth 32.5m. I thought from a previous thread you were a fan of Benteke.

I agree with you that he is not worth 32.5m. I thought he would not be a good fit for the Rodgers style.

In the best case scenario, I don't think Villa will sell Benteke for less than 22-23 m as he is too critical for their PL survival. But if you think Benteke will keep scoring in Rodgers system then isn't it worth paying an extra 10 m for a striker who can help us in CL qualifications. Especially as there seems to be a dearth of good to great goal scorers in Europe and South America right now who are available for us.

Well, I don't think we're that far off the CL as the squad stands now. Because I feel there's a lot of natural improvement within the squad - largely because a lot of players couldn't have been any worse or ineffective than they were last season. (in 6 months time people like Hansern and RedNinja will say Rodgers is a good manager again, rather than acknowledge that a players form can fluctuate regardless of the manager and is more likely to be affected by other issues)

I also think the additions outweigh the losses already.

So I don't see the glaring need to do a deal. That's my starting point.

With Benteke himself. I said a while back I think he's someone we should consider signing. He's 24, has a 1 in 2 Premiership record. He was coming off an achlles injury but looked to have recovered, then he hit a great purple patch and became a bit overvalued.

For me to think 32m is a good deal I need to think he's got improvement left in him.

I don't think he's capable of being better than a 1 in 2 striker, I don't think he's going to improve much from here on out in himself.

Then there's the risk of.moving to a different team (I feel basketball metrics have this bit nailed, football needs to do similarly). Some players need a lot of ball to be good, others don't. I don't know how many touches Benteke needed in a game. I wonder how Benteke would fare in a team less reliant on him and less likely to try to force the ball to him.

I don't think he's top class, I think he's very good. And i always feel, with not a lot to back it up, that players like him have a three year window in which they excel and look better during. I wonder if next year is year three of that window, and similar to Heskey he blazes a trail in his first season then never repeats it.

I could live with 20m and a three year deal, happily

 

[jexykrodic]

Fuck me, Crystal Ball needed.

 

[Hansern]

"People like Hansern and Redninja"... Listen to yourself. What a fucking whopper of a moron.
You should stop posting on here and just use the mod forum, that would be bless for the rest of us when we cant read anymore of it.

 

[Rosco]

"People like Hansern and Redninja"... Listen to yourself. What a fucking whopper of a moron.
You should stop posting on here and just use the mod forum, that would be bless for the rest of us when we cant read anymore of it.

Someone needs to ban you.

 

[peekay]

Well, I don't think we're that far off the CL as the squad stands now. Because I feel there's a lot of natural improvement within the squad - largely because a lot of players couldn't have been any worse or ineffective than they were last season. (in 6 months time people like Hansern and RedNinja will say Rodgers is a good manager again, rather than acknowledge that a players form can fluctuate regardless of the manager and is more likely to be affected by other issues)

I also think the additions outweigh the losses already.

Cheers. I do agree with you on the idea of organic growth of the squad. I read somewhere that Ferguson had a limit on number of transfers per window so that he does not disrupt the squad growth in terms of talent. If most of our purchases this summer hit their mark, then hopefully we will follow that strategy with only critical 1 or 2 purchases every window.

Interesting thoughts on Benteke.