26 May 2015 02:00:27
Question for ed004 if you're around, do you think dani alves could be utd bound?
Seen recent comments psg aren't an option, thought he was nailed on to go there
{Ed004's Note - I think he could be an option. Initially I was 100% against it. Player past his peak, could become lazy and could struggle to settle in premiership. But then I thought of our alternatives... Coleman unlikely, clyne overrated, darmian not linked to. Now I'm not sure if he would be a good stop gap. Would free up money to be spent on other positions and he has been excellent for Barcelona recently. Would probably become one of our biggest attacking threats from right back. Schweinsteiger and Alves for under 10-15 million significantly improves our midfield and right back position. Would have cover for both in Valencia and Carrick/Blind}
26 May 2015 11:15:28
with you Ed, I'd take Schweinsteiger in a heart beat, past 30 or not. I'm also growing on the idea of Alves, watched more of Barca recently and he has been amazingly good. Certainly get a good few years out of him, he seems to keep himself in very good condition too.
{Ed004's Note - We will need experience if we are signing younger players like Depay, hopefully Laporte (Otamendi looks more likely in the press.) Alves is used to playing in a high line and looks like he keeps himself for not sure about his injury record. Worst case scenario we replace him next summer}
26 May 2015 11:24:05
The issue for me is that Alves was never that great defensively and, with his legs starting to go, his ability to get up and down the pitch will start to tell in a league like the EPL. Plus he is completely untested in the EPL, and when he inevitably starts picking up injuries, we will be right back (get it) to Valencia in the starting eleven.
I still think CLyne is the best option, consistent at both ends of the pitch, rarely injured, and improving every season. A full back doesn't need to be spectacular. I look back at players like Irwin and Neville, and see players who just did their jobs properly and consistently. Clyne could do this for us.
26 May 2015 11:28:50
i though lvg was building for the future?
{Ed004's Note - But you need experience if you're ever going to win anything. Not many leaders by the sounds of it in that utd team. Can only think of Rooney and Carrick who are certain to stay}
26 May 2015 11:55:06
we have had a issue with rb and cm for years . does schwin and alves (on mega contracts ) fix that .
in 2 years time the next manager would still need to sort out rb and cm.
carrick ,alves schwin and rooney would prob all need replaced all big name players as well as others and we ate back to square 1.
alves and schwin have been top players but i will be surprised if we sign them
{Ed004's Note - But in two years time will we need a rb, cb, 2x cm, 2 wingers and a striker all at once? I think if both players hit the ground running both would be the best in their positions for at least a season or two. I maybe biased with Schweinsteiger because I've wanted him at utd for ages but Alves has been the best right back in the world this season. As long as the centre back, centre midfield and winger are all players with potential (Ideally Laporte/Hummels, Gundogan and Depay (hopefully Bale to)) we will be fine in two years time}
26 May 2015 12:05:44
Clyne and Gundogan for me. Both young and both have a lot of potential.
26 May 2015 12:26:34
My 7 year old wants a new shirt for next season, so I think we should only sign players with 5 letters or less in their surname to keep costs down. So Clyne(Alves has his full name), Vidal and Bale. I don't even think you could fit Schweinsteiger across a 7 year olds shoulders unless they've been on the old Lance Armstrong vitamins.
26 May 2015 12:16:51
watch alves in a team that don't have the ball for 90 minutes ,when he actually has to defend .
imo we need to build for the future and replace carrick .
schwen wouldn't replace him we would just have to start looking to replace them both.
and we have been trying to sort cm out for 5 year.
its short term fix against building for the future .
they will be 31 and 33 years old and both will be looking for one last mega contract while they see out there last years in football out .
26 May 2015 13:11:22
jred,
Why do we need to watch him in a team that don't have the ball for 90 minutes, one of the biggest issues is that we do have the ball for that long but don't have the players to capitalise on it surely?
You know that we can build for the future whilst at the same time adding some experience as well? This team has lost a lot of experience over the last few years, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs on the pitch, if we just signed young players who would they learn from? Fergie did very well at integrating youth with older players, when the class of 92 came in we had older heads in there for them to learn off.
I agree we shouldn't just get a 'short term fix', the club has to be left in a better position than it was when Fergie left, but as you are well aware, SOME people are only happy if we are winning now, they aren't happy with progress, they want to win the league every season, building for the future takes time and that is something LVG won't be allowed.
26 May 2015 14:28:41
gds
you missed the and "need to defend part."
barcelona attack or are on the front foot for 90 minutes.
alves doesn't really play as a rightback.
alves has never been great defensively never mind when he is 33.
and at the moment our back 4 are not that great defensively so buying a 33 year old player whos strong point isn't defending doesn't make a lot of sense.
infact buying a 33 year whos main asset is pace and stamina who has never played in the epl or speaks the langue , has is looking for 1 last pay deal and prob a 2/3 year deal taking him up to 36 doesn't make a load of sense to me.
you don't have to buy kids either any one between 26-29 would add experience and still have the best years in them.
i also don't think lvg will care what some people think.
we use to laugh at teams with more money than sense buying past it superstars while we built teams for the future.
{Ed004's Note - Didn't realise he was 32 thought he was 30ish. My point still stands there aren't many top right backs about. Atleast he will offer us something going forward. Clyne is average and Coleman I don't think is available. Will certainly cost a fortune. If we could get Coleman for under 20 it'd be a fair deal but that's not likely at all}
26 May 2015 14:31:09
There's a big difference between bringing in experienced players, and experienced EPL players. Alves will be new to the team, new to the league and new to the country. It's a massive leap to think that he will automatically become a key figure in the dressing room or be in a position to guide young players when he'll have to focus on learning how to adapt his game to the EPL. We've already seen how much Valdes will have to adapt his game to the demands of the league, and I don't see how Alves would be any different. This is a player who has spent the last 13 seasons in Spain, and at 32 it's not assured that he could adapt to a higher tempo more physical environment, let alone become a leader.
The Class of 92 were guided by experienced EPL players with big personalities. We need players like Rooney and Carrick to step up in that role instead of stumping up massive wages for a 32 year old who may not even be able to adapt his game to the league.
{Ed004's Note - If LvG signs Alves it'll be because he's the best right back in the world atm and he will offer some experience and leadership at the back. Ideally I would like Coleman however do not think that is possible. I don't see how Alves could be any worse than Valencia atm. Also as I've previously said I think it will allow us to sign players in other positions.}
26 May 2015 14:55:19
I don't see how he's a leader at the back. His primary job at Barca and Brazil is to offer an attacking threat. At Barca, in particular, they don't really play a back line: the play two cbs and a holding mid with two wing-backs who are always pushed forward. His whole game is about getting down the line and offering an attacking outlet, and his defensive game heavily relies on his pace (which is starting to decline).
I think it's a massive gamble to expect him to hit the ground running in a new league, and any savings on transfers will be eaten up by his £120,000 a week wages. That's over £6m a year on wages that could be used to invest in a long term solution.
26 May 2015 14:42:35
ed
my mistake i thought he was 33.
been a good player but for all the reasons above a wouldn't move for him.
i will be surprised if united do.
i also read his comment yesterday of
"i would like to stay here but not at any price. Not only in terms of money but in terms of respect."
new deal on cards imo
{Ed004's Note - I think he will sign a new deal as well. Though wouldn't complain if we signed him due to the lack of alternatives}
26 May 2015 15:01:16
He isn't 33 until next May, but I do understand your point mate, very well argued to be honest, see what you can do if you post more than one line ;)
I don't watch enough Spanish football to know how good he has been this season, I have seen him in the CL and I really rate him, but as you say he is not really a right back, but then again, neither is Valencia. You don't know him personally to know he just wants one big pay day or that he would want a 2/3 year deal, but again I take your point. If there is a better younger option out there then that would be better for us, especially in the longer term.
I know for sure LVG won't care what some people think!
26 May 2015 16:00:14
gds
99% of my post are well explained and backed up .
until someone like yourself tries to be sarcastic and clever
27 May 2015 01:02:47
Wow I posted that earlier and not been on since, I didn't expect a bite with a post nothing to do with football, maybe AJH is right, jokes get lost on here.
{Ed007's Note - How do you think I feel? Someone thought I was a The Rangers supporter! He's lucky he isn't banned.}