Wishlist Leighton Baines

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

How much would Everton want? 15-20 million? Even more? Not worth over 15 million imo, but mainly because you don't usually pay massive fees for defenders. Apart from Luiz and Thiago Silva who have all went for over 20 million recently.

Rumors are Fabio Conetrao is available for 8 million, personally I don't think hes amazing and worth the 30 million we came close to paying but 8 million could be worth a gamble.

[Muzchap 8,966]

^^ Fabio for 8 mill is good business

Baines is great - but can't see him leaving, although Everton just announced a 10million loss this year, up from 5 million last year - so may be forced to sell somebody?

[Rmpr 8,977]

SIGN HIM!

[different level 1,056]

Do you think he is better than Ash? I really haven't watched enough Everton matches, but he receives a lot of praise especially for his attacking ability. Is he also that good defensively?

[Spike 12,049]

Baines is one of my favourite English players at the moment. He would make a good Three Lions skipper for a number of reasons:

1. He doesn't fuck up in his personal life.

2. He doesn't fuck up on the pitch.

3. He doesn't fuck up on the training ground or at his club.

4. He is consummate professional.

5. He might actually bring good p/r to England.

But saying that he probably wouldn't want to be the skipper of England.

[Stats 7,140]

Do you think he is better than Ash? I really haven't watched enough Everton matches, but he receives a lot of praise especially for his attacking ability. Is he also that good defensively?

Do you think he is better than Ash? I really haven't watched enough Everton matches, but he receives a lot of praise especially for his attacking ability. Is he also that good defensively?

IMO yes. People will always say Cole is best LB in the world due to his status but last 2 seasons and this season, Baines has outperformed most LB. He is stronger, faster, better technique, provides more off an attacking outlet and his defending is not bad either. Pardew summed it up after the Newcastle game, the gap between him and Cole is not far apart. From what I have seen Baines is better. Cole is still a brilliant LB but not the one he used to be where he would attack and defend brilliantly. He has made his share of mistakes this season and has looked fragile. Baines is a big reason why Everton are challenging for the top 4. Really underrated.

[Damo810 5]

I haven't read all of this topic, but here's my two cents on Baines.

Quite possibly the best Lb in the league, his link up play with Pienaar, his crosses and Fk are all top drawer. But, he's 28 and costs in the region of 20M. That for a Lb is an astonishing figure and for someone who in 3 years time will be worse off than our current choice, it doesn't make financial sense. He isn't a valuable investment long term, even short term that kind of money won't pay off.

Give Cole a one year rolling contract, gradually ease in Bertrand and/or PvA who is progressing nicely at Vitesse. Give both a chance without going out and spending 20M on Coentrao who hasn't been at his best at Madrid.

The current difference between Baines and Cole isn't huge, certainly not a 20M gap anyways. We should know by now theres better value fullbacks about, look at Azpilicueta for example.

[Svita 10 186]

Him or give big chance to Bertrand?

[DH1988 1,347]

Bertrand clearly not ready, Baines for £15m would be a steal and he's 28 so give him a 3 and a half year contract then when its up Bertrand is ready, maybe a year before.

[Henrique 9,133]

Lampard leaving, Terry will leave in 2014 summer, Cole is leaving as well, and I never see us linked with english players.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Lampard leaving, Terry will leave in 2014 summer, Cole is leaving as well, and I never see us linked with english players.

Fortunely we WILL have to buy english players in order to fill the homegrown rules. Better those who come will be good/very good.

[Styles 9,790]

Baines is a very good player, I've heard him described as 'almost like a playmaker from left-back' and I'd agree. If he was a bit younger I'd be all for this transfer but he's 28. Pity for him he is around in the same time as Ashley Cole because his career would be very different otherwise.

[zolayes 14,489]

Im not sure Bertrand will ever be more than a second choice left back

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Leighton Baines has succeeded Ashley Cole as the best leftt back in the world in 2012. His crossing is Beckham-esque, he's got the pace and technique of a class winger and is defensively as apt as anyone. Yeah 15m should be limit considering he is will be 29 at the end of this year. We must bring in experienced players, cos the board wants to get rid of the ones we already got. No idea whether Baines is a leader, Fullback seldom are.

The problem is, if we do not sell him he will go to ManU and we all know he will get even better there.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Personally I'd prefer to give Ashley Cole and extension and get Luke Shaw from Southampton. The kid is only 17 and has impressed every time I've seen him, plus he's English. Baines has had a great couple of seasons but we could probably tie up Cole and Shaw for the same amount of money we'd need to spend on Baines.