Buy buy buy. Get quality in, figure the positions after. We are seeing that with Coutinho and Lallana and Sterling of late. "Best player available for the position we need" got us Downing and more recently Balotelli
Xherdan Shaqiri
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Basically agree, but there may be/may have to be more than one way of addressing the shortfall up front. Playing without a main striker has served us surprisingly well in recent games, so if the club can't land a striker they genuinely want - and unfortunately that's quite likely if there's not going to be much money to spend - this might be the next best option, at least until the summer when hopefully we'll sell enough to be able to buy.
I think it's worth clarifying that we are playing with a striker even if he isn't classed as one (yet). Sterling deserves a lot of credit for how he's performed up front because he's doing all the things you'd expect from a good striker.
If Shaqiri comes I imagine it will be at the expense of a 'striker'. He'll be seen as cover (along with Sterling / Balotelli etc) for the role Sterling is currently playing (and Sturridge will slot back into). Borini to leave.
(I didn't include Lambert in the options as I simply cannot see him getting games at all).
(I didn't include Lambert in the options as I simply cannot see him getting games at all).
But not better and nowhere near as versatile - or that score as many goals. He's still just 23 yrs old and scores at a rate of 7-9 goals per season. Would be a great buy !
I'd definitely disagree with that. Sterling plays at CF as if he is still on the wing, he doesn't see other player's runs nearly as much as he should and often tries to dribble his way through a mass of defenders, usually failing and losing possession, he is far from clinical and his striking is nowhere near powerful enough.
He's still learning the role so I'd be prepared to give him more time, and whatever his faults he's still offers far more than Lambo or Balo in that position. But he's a long long way off being a top striker and I'd sooner have any good striker there and move Sterling back to where he is at his most dynamic and devastating, on the wide right or left.
One paper I saw this morning says Inter have joined in the race for Shaqiri, but that we've pulled ahead of both them and Juve because we're prepared to buy whereas both Italian clubs want a loan, at least to begin with. Interesting if true.
I read Inter is trying to loan Podolski and loan with mandatory option to buy for Shaqiri. And they don't quite play the same position, so quite possible.
I read that Inter had other considerations to Shaqiri, of which Podolski was one (there were 4 names listed). With competition from Juve and Liverpool they probably thought this a better option than getting into an auction.
It'll be all about cash.
If so, that's short-termist too. If he makes a move to a bigger league and proves himself over the next couple of years, he'll then be ready for a move to a mega club on huge wages in his mid-20's.
If he does well in Italy, he'll still have a whole lot to prove.
I cant believe clubs still send players on loan to Italy....they may as well release the player for free...
He won't be playing European football this season for anyone if he moves (other than an exception for Europa) so he'll have to be looking for CL next year.
Juve are certainties but they don't play a style that suits him. TBH, besides Madrid and Bayern, we're about the most suitable club in world football for him.
The lad prob wouldn't understand Didi's boss but mad scouse/German accent.
I'm not so sure. Podolski's at Inter today discussing a loan, and the radio here yesterday was saying we've pulled ahead of both Italian clubs in the race for Shaqiri's signature precisely because we're offering a straight transfer fee and neither of them is doing so.
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