Rumoured Xabi Alonso

[Styles 9,790]

Pros: DLP. Stop gap before we consider KDB, Oscar and McEachran for the role. Experienced. Great passer

Cons: His massive wages has not been brought up enough imo. I know Lampard leaving will create a vacancy but 100k p/w is 5.2 mil per annum and with other marquee players are bringing in, I'd like someone who's yet to peak but I wouldn't mind (at all) if Xabi Alonso comes to the club

also, The "ex-Liverpool player" argument should have no bearing in this imo. It's not like Chelsea fans hated him when he was at Liverpool

edit: Styles brought it up

And even 100 p/w is a conservative estimate. I would think a 31 Spanish international playing for Real Madrid would be on far more than that.

[Special Juan 28,111]

He lacks the athleticism and mobility.

Jon Obi Mikel is waving.

[BOSS 372]

I want Modric instead of him.

[Styles 9,790]

Jon Obi Mikel is waving.

Yep, you'd think we'd want to improve on that not bring more of the same.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

They're different types of players and Alonso is younger. He's still a fantastic player who can spray the ball around from midfield better than most. People have been saying we should get Benat because he could be the 'next Alonso'...well why don't we just get the original for a couple of years with the plan that McEachran or Oscar takes over after that?

they may be but they play the same position and I know where my loyalties lie

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

That would be planning and we don't want to do that now do we? If Frank goes, he goes, no bigee we will deal with it and I am sure the board will act accordingly. The club won't suddenly stop Frank or no Frank, don't be frightened of change, it happens so embrace it and move on.

no biggie...fuck me

[Special Juan 28,111]

no biggie...fuck me

No thanks, I will stick to women.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

No thanks, I will stick to women.

hilarious

[Leif 6,006]

I remember people saying Pirlo was too old when we nearly got him...

[The only place to be 11,313]

they may be but they play the same position and I know where my loyalties lie

They play slightly different positions.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

They play slightly different positions.

hows that? They are midfielders who would be competing for the same position!

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

I think you're being naive. First of all you don't move from Liverpool to Real Madrid for 30m and not get a massive increase in salary. If we were to sign him it would be his last 'big' contract in football considering his age so it would be more than what he's on now. Why not invest that money into a younger player that could be here for the next 6+ years?

I really doubt it'd be a cut-price deal when you factor in his salary. Makelele was great but we were desperate for instant success then and money didn't matter then (no FFP). I'd like to think we're thinking long-term now and a soon to be 32 year old player on big wages doesn't fit into that scenario for me.

I doubt he was on 100k p/w at Liverpool in the first place. The point I was making was to buy Xabi until say Josh had played more football and was capable of playing in the first team. Hes not ready, why buy another younger player when we already have Josh, Nate, Romeu, De Bruyne and Oscar who could all potentially play as a CM for at least 10 years?

[The Skipper 20,609]

Are you sure? He hasn't been anywhere near his best even this season. I think he's on the decline.

Besides, NO MORE LIVERPOOL PLAYERS!

Same thing they said about Pirlo when we nearly signed him...

[The Skipper 20,609]

.

[Leif 6,006]

When you have Xabi Alonso you have many players in one. An anchorman, a normal defensive midfielder, and then there's the playmaker in him. Playmakers typically get better with age like a fine wine. (See Xavi, Pirlo, Scholes). Alonso may have had more stamina in his Liverpool days, but he's a leader now with damn good decision-making and incredible vision.