Joshyboy

Well this thread certainitly didn't take off as intended, but It still begs the questions whos going to be guarding the right side of our defense come next season?

Yeah Rajkovic finally got his debut four years after joining due to a work permit problem, but he scored a half volley on his debut, that behind closed doors pre season match, and he can play across the back four and AVB did say he was looking for talents within the squad I suppose hes got as much chance at playing at Right Back as anyone else as It stands but I'd still like to see a big money signing to plug that hole

Everyone's been on a big hype about who we're going to have playing In the middle of park come the start of the season but we're still lacking In a key spot and attacking Right Back, I like Ivana as much as anyone else and he's filled the spot magnificently but lets be honest as a world class team we need a real Right Back and I can't see too many options out there except maybe Gregory Van Der Wiel who, although a good player Is fragile and didn't have the best of seasons with Ajax last term. So has anyone got any alternatives? I'm a big fan of Darijo Srna personally although hes a little later through his career he's strong defensively can cross like a beast and hes absolutely deadly from Dead Ball situations. On this note actually good to see Bosignwa score that 30 yard effort against the Thailand XI, even if it was more a case of a napping keeper. So folks, lets have some thoughts

I think Sneijder would be a like for like replacement for Lamps with the assists, dead ball accuracy and goals a season, but I'd prefer a new approach Red Rom wants "Sexy Football" and I'd be interested too see it with a player like Pastore orchestrating from the middle of the pitch... along as we don't end up like those on the other side of town trying to walk the ball into the net

Seriously bro, no one thinks hes the second coming of Christ, but hes young and has yet to really refine his game he does chip in with assists and he can score goals and he can get a past a man, YES 30-40m is a steep tag, but In a few years he could be worth twice that. I'm not a fan of his but look at CR7, completely unknown player, playing midlevel in a mid table team, got to Man U ... For £13m alot to spend on an utter unknown and he's become one of the top players In the world after learning from those around him. So yeah the price is high but we got the money! Modric has a great technical side to his game and is proven In prem but he doesn't have the same flair or the same potential I think hes got all hes ever going to have going for him, whereas Pastore is a talent (albeit an expensive one) we can mould and shape. RANT OVER

Seconded!

But it IS because he's young and has bags of potential, if you take a look at alot of world class players you'll find they were picked out from mid-level teams and nurtured into become a super star, I mean no disrespect to Palermo but they hardly have the same ability to tutor and refine his talents into making him a much more rounded player, He does buck In which alot of assists and he scores alot of goals. I'd even go so far as to say he reminds me of a younger Lampard but hes also got the ability to get past his marker which a silky touch, nutmeg or a touch of skill. If AVB is building for the future then I'd say Pastore is ripe for the picking

I'm well aware its goal.com and I'm well aware that Palermo's preident seems slightly detached from reality but I personally hope there's some truth to this story... Hi Ho Hi Ho Its Off To The Bridge I Go. Bearing In mind we've got a billionaire owner and no FFP strictly implemented till 2016 splash the cash, Its not my money and as long as It doesn't effect the fans, which it shouldn't with Red Rom's deep pockets I don't see why not.

I personally think De Rossi would be a great signing he's got everything, he can create from the back end of the midfield hes got all the defensive qualities you could ask for, hes passionate (for Roma at least) hes a commanding presence on the pitch his long range shooting is pretty damn good If I'm not much mistaken hes a World Cup winning captain. With the ability to shore up the defense, create play from the back and blast in long range goals from nothing I'd put him right up there with this transfer windows must haves. Admittedly his chances of leaving Roma are very slim indeed, but nothing to stop us trying, I'm a huge Essien fan, but with all the injuries and the lack of any real form for the past two seasons maybe its time we let him go? No actually, I wouldn't got that far, but none the less I think De Rossi would be a bloody magnificent signing! Also... HAS ANYONE SEEN HIS BEARD?!

Don't get consistently voted best Left Back in the world for nothing!

Yeah I gotta agree here hes seriously over priced, but thats Zamp being the nut case he is. You don't end the season as the teams top scorer playing from midfield if you've not got a bit of talent about you. But £44m is ridiculous i reckon that price is going to drop to £25-30 by August which is still alot of money for someone his age but hes shown enough for me to say he's worth about that amount.

Yeah with City loosing out on Sanchez I can see them throwing money elsewhere plus AVB said this morning he wants to get the whole team back together before making any decisions involving transfers.

I know we take Goal.com news with a pinch of salt but check this out .. Check it outtttt Reckon It's us? Edit: Just to clarify its not speculation he has actually said that

I'm not convinced we've still got Cole who's been labeled the best LB in the world in successive seasons, along with the fact we've got Bertrand and PVH both of which are academy graduates so I'm pretty certain they'd be first In contention for the LB spot since Red Roman had invested alot of money into the academy only to see none of the players solidify a first team place. Oh and Yuri can play at LB aswell so we wouldn't even be buying him as a backup. I just don't see it happening myself

If Man City have pulled out Its not because of the price, I think it might be an early sign that something has been sorted with Barcelona.

Yup its offical DiMatteo is AVB's assistant manager as stated In the Press Conference good times and wlecome back Roberto!

He could be deployed out wide same as Anelka was a SS developed to play out wide, he'd link up great with Torres as well, seeing as their both from Athletico It'd give them common ground so you just don't know what those two could produce but I agree he doesn't have the defensive qualities to play on the wing but with Brana behind him it might not be such a worry

I would have thought If he had a striker in mind for that position It would almost certainitly be Falcao, although he seems more of a poaching out and out center forward, BUT new manager new ideas, new styles so i guess only time will tell.

Don't get me wrong, I hope your right, but are you sure your not just looking at the training kit?

I can't see him ending up here, his position of preference is striker, or just off the striker, neither of which we can really offer if AVB keeps the 4-3-3 which chances are he will and I hope he does, not to mention hes over priced and he'll either be at Juventus or slogging it out at Athletico next season

I'm aware this site takes Goal.com's editorials with a pinch of salt but this makes sense in my opinion Hulks Not Going Anywhere.

I'm pretty certain its vicea-versa with Ronaldo and Di Maria since that puts them both on their shooting feet at goal and they both operate as inside forwards...too a degree, but I'm certain Ronaldo plays from the left In Mourhinos 4-2-3-1

Last seasons was green and it was commonly touted to be white so excuse me if i take your words with a pinch of salt

I hope the new 3rd kits white myself, i refused to wear red on my kit hence why the missus is wearing the away kit <-----