robsblubot

That's the type of signing I wanted to go for. He's nothing like Lukaku--completely different player. Damiao is older and more experienced too. It's very difficult to acquire players, especially strikers, when they are at their peak. As we've found out, not only with the Torres flop, but with our attempts to get a replacement. The top clubs just don't want to sell them, and when they do it becomes a freaking auction. So, gotta find the targets before they become stars. Yes, it's a risk, but not as high as signing a 50M striker who was showing early signs of retirement. -- On characteristics, I see Damiao as being a rounded striker, because he does not excel in any specific skill, but is good in all of them. The only exception could perhaps be pace, though I'd not categorize him as slow. He's tall, pretty strong, and can shield the ball very well. He's got pretty good technique and can even dribble in very small spaces, which I can't say for Ba for example. Although he is not, obviously, at the same level of the prior Brazilian great #9 (though aside from Romario and Ronaldo, don't consider the others that great), Damiao is fairly inexperienced for a player with already as many caps as he's got. In other words, although he is not the player we need at the moment, hence some harsh criticism for being Brazil #9 (not his fault btw), he's already a very good player with potential to become a great striker in the future.

Regardless whether we think he deserves a chance or not, personally I've seen enough, what you suggest would put Lukaku as a 3rd striker. After the season he's had as a 2nd striker, I feel Lukaku is the one who deserves that chance this season.

I see absolutely no evidence of him having good mentality, and by that I mean winning mentality. Actually, I think he is WAY too nice when he plays... A guy of his build should be making the life of defenders a living hell, if for no other reason to help his teammates find space. Yet, when I watch him play I see a player who plays fair, composed, but does not go the extra mile to help his team. He also goes to the ground way too often. That's not the type of player you need to win the big matches. I'd be extremely surprised if Mourinho uses Ba in any significant way next season. Hardly a player of the caliber or characteristics he's been using lately.

^^ fact we bring Torres so much into this discussion is not good for Ba. Fine with your other points, but disagree on Ba's potential. What you see is what you get with Ba. As bad as Torres has been, Torres was, once, world class, which is something Ba will never be. I don't need a season or two with Mourinho to find out our 27-28 squad player cannot develop much further. I'd be more willing to believe, however unlikely, in a Torres' return to form than on Ba becoming a world class striker. Lukaku is 19/20 how much he can develop is unknown to most people--not really comparable to the other two. I don't even rate Ba that highly as a Target Man; he goes to the ground too often and does not cause enough trouble, physically, to opponent's defense. If we rotating Ba, that means he'd be starting matches, which is exactly the problem IMO.

yes, Rooney leaving would've been news; Rooney staying certainly ins't. Sports media...

Yeah, sorry, I just don't see it. I see him as a good striker for a mid size team and one who should be nowhere near Chelsea starting XI. He's so poor on the ball for me; his first touch is poor, as is his link up play. Yes, he is a good finisher, which includes movement and positionion, but that's about it. We keep going back to Torres every time we talk about Ba, which should be very telling. Neither is good enough, and we are going to sell the one that can be sold, so our younger (huge) prospect gets more games; it's that simple.

good point, but we know we are stuck with Torres. And TBH Torres has better technique, even though not as good as goal scorer (as Ba). Yes, we did win a few matches with Ba, until he stopped scoring, in which case his contribution to the team is worse than Torres'. Lukaku is too good a prospect not to give him games. So, Ba is going to go because we can sell him and we need to sell one of the two 'not good enough' strikers we've got.

Suarez, if he comes, will play football for the club. Nothing more, nothing less. And as a footballer he is world class. I'm sure Ba is a nice guy, but I couldn't care less about how nice he is. Yes, it is a cynical view, but that's the right one IMO concerning teh very competitive world of football. Suarez' problems with the FA only makes signing him a better deal, involving less money. Especially if the #1 reason he wants out is not the Media (players typically don't care about media), but the lack of CL football at lpool. ANd honestly, I've always thought the FA ban was a huge overreaction to the incident, which was more pathetic/sad than bad. Suarez (over)aggression, which is all there is, needs to be controlled by the right manager/coaches, but he is one hell of a football player and that's what I care about. Players with certain issues can provide the best return for the money.

Disagree. Ba is a mediocre player with little mobility and poor technique. Yes, he can play target man, but that's a striker for smaller sides. Andy Carroll can do that too. I just don't see us winning anything by starting a player like Demba Ba in many matches.

because he won't be playing much, especially if we sign a better striker, which is very likely. Even if we don't though, Lukaku needs matches and has the potential to be a hell lot better than Ba. He may well choose confort and not move, but I doubt he will be happy not playing. He just isn't good enough for Chelsea and I thought buying him was a mistake back then. Could have gotten a younger player, perhaps even on loan.

He plays for INternacional, in Porto Alegre, my hometown. I've heard him speak about moving countless times. He would not consider an offer from a small club like Southhampton; he'd rather stay at Internacional then. Reckon Internacional could cover any offer Damiao would get from them.

heh fair enough, just in comparison to what I see here in the US... Bsides, girls in uniform... ! Some very pretty girls here too if you know where to look (despite what you may have heard). Yeah, worked for an Israeli company for many years and most of the Israeli I met couldn't care less about religion; just in someone thought I had any agenda one way or another.

Realistically he's at Cavani's level: not as mobile and adaptable, but more of a pure striker/finisher. Would be a fantastic signing if below Cavani's fee. Iva and him would be great pals as they have so much in common...

There is no chance Damian would join them. He wants back in the NT and that means at the very least Tottenham. Even eastern Europe would be risky at this time and could jeopardize his NT chances.

ah my bad then. That'd would give him at least 2 good seasons.

Yeah I've seen Ashely do it a couple of times. Ashley is a pacey shorter fullback though, while David is a far heavier CB. That sprint was fucking impressive for a CB; should've showcased his great pace to any who still had doubts. BTW, the crowd (70K ppl) chanted his name after that clearance; just imagine how he must have felt. If there was any doubt, David has proven himself to be a one hell of a big game payer for club and country.

he'd been the most obvious call up for Brazil until showed up late accompanied by Eva (to confirm his injury). Scolari saw that as lack of commitment, he is very keen on players giving 100% for the cause, and dropped him. So, Ramires is not in the Brazil squad for disciplinary reasons, exclusively. I personally think he is still a lot better than Paulinho, because while Paulinho has his moments of Brilliance, he does vanish at times, which can be deadly in a single-elimination competition. Ramires on the other hand, albeit less brilliant, has better consistency and workrate, which can keep the team going for the entire 90m.

Tel Aviv is a fantastic city--been there a couple of times--specially if you get some locals to show you around. Night life is great! Clubs, restaurants, great ppl too. pretty girls and fit ones too since most are in the military... Being originally from Brazil, and living in the US for a very long time, Israel is a bit claustrophobic for me. Still, excellent tourist destination IMO. BTW, not religious (agnostic/atheist-just don't care), so that's not something that affected my judgment.

De Rossi is the right idea: toughness! What Mikel lacks dearly IMHO. However, I'm concerned about getting a player who's 31 and already at his peak. Shouldn't we look for players who we will grow into a de rossi instead? Perhaps Mourinho isn't keen on waiting a couple of season until snatching the BPL... which matches his ambition I guess. Why not go for Strootman then?

really don't understand how ppl can compare a player who's reaching his absolutely best, Cavani (or Lewa) with others who are either reaching the twilight of their careers(ibra) or have shown early signs of being past their peek (Rooney). Cavani is 26, Lewa is 24... Get Damiao then, for about 20m euros... hes injured, depressed, perfect of the picking.

apparently Rooney isn't keen on gym time: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/rooney-could-good-ronaldo-bothered-gym-093958084.html

There could be some truth to that, but probably not much. His--aforementioned very low attacking--stats don't seem to suggest we've been taming his "natural" attacking ambition.

Well, that's not what I see with my own eyes, especially after his storming Conf Cup participation. Besides, Cavani does NOT play as striker for Uruguay; he plays on the right wing because Suarez plays centralized. So, it depends how you define effective. For me Rooney has been absolutely terrible for country. BTW, Uruguay are the current Copa America champions.

You are right that this whole comparison is very subjective. However, one could point to what they do internationally. By mere observation, Cavani seems like a far more determined player, with much higher workrate, which results in higher consistency (my biggest problem with Rooney) and his better international record. Rooney vanishes from matches, whereas Cavani performs more consistently, for club and country. I disagree that Rooney hasn't lost pace; I think he as and it shows. He looks heavier too.

Not many clubs appear to be interested in him. I like to pay attention to the market because it shows the real valuation of a player--personal opinions aside. West Ham would be a pretty lackluster move from Ba's perspective; wonder whether he'll take it.