16 Nov 2015 15:43:49
Ok let's talk about the January transfer window
We are only going to sign a player if we absolutely have to.
Given LvGs recent comments about lack of pace on the wings I guess we could see a quick wide player coming in. But since its January most of the top players would be cup-tied and very few would actually want to move.
Mane? Felipe Anderson? Mahrez?
I feel we desperately need a right back as well given that Valencia is out for long time and Young not good enough in that position we just have Darmian. A squad player RB should be enough I think.
Joel Ward? Janmaat?
16 Nov 2015 15:50:14
I think it will be one. We have heard LVG say that he wants more pace, and he will probably want it pretty quick while we are still in touching distance of top spot.
I think it will be Robben. The transfer makes total sense: Not playing at Bayern due to Douglas Costa, knows LVG, LVG trusts him and knows how to play him, he scores goals, he is on the right hand side, his pace hasn't suffered as he has got older, he is proven in the EPL.
The other names such as Mahrez have been in good form which may or may not last. Or they are known to be inconsitent although do have potential like Felipe Anderson.
The only draw back is his injuries. But sometimes when the positive massively out weight the negatives you have to go for it.
Whilst LVG needs to take a long term approach for the benefit of the club, he also will want to win things. Robben is a hear and now player with very little risk in terms of his performance.
16 Nov 2015 16:14:00
Robben carries a lot of risk as he's more injury prone than Darren Anderton.
and Robben plays right, Douglas Costa predominantly plays on the left. The reason Robben hasn't been playing much is because of injury. When fit, he starts.
16 Nov 2015 16:19:40
I think everyone agrees that we really do need players in those positions but is it worth buying 3rd of 4th from the list just for the sake of it in January. I would wait if there was a chance to bring in real quality in the summer.
16 Nov 2015 16:21:00
fresh
he was out the team because he was injured once fit he has gone straight back in .
16 Nov 2015 16:40:28
I think Robben carries a massive risk.
First off you say he hasn't lost any of his pace, yet I disagree. I suspect if you looked at his highest print speed achieved in every season I suspect his highest overall speed wasn't in the last couple of seasons. I would also say that when he was 24/25 he was the fastest player in the world (or very least top three), is he still at that same level?
You can't deny he is a very quick player, but I don't think he is quite as quick as he used to be. Also he is 31, his pace will start to wane soon.
Also his injury record is pretty poor (is it a Dutch thing? ) He isn't first choice atm because as jred has pointed out he is injured. He is still first choice at Bayern when fit and it is Ribery who has been pushed out of the line up.
Finally his cost, the media report around 15m and I think that is a sensible figure. But his wages would be at least 250k per week which means he will cost over 12m a year in wages. He would be given a three year deal which means he would cost the club in excess of 50m probably closer to 60m when you consider agents fees, legal fees and medical expenses.
I think he has another 18 months of top level football left in him. By the end of next season he will have seriously started to wind down. With his injury history there is nothing to say how often he will be available during that time.
His attitude has at times also been questionable, He caused a few issues at Chelsea and Real Madrid, I haven't heard much since he went to Bayern but he hasn't been an angel for the Dutch national team either so I wouldn't be surprised if he has been stirring up trouble while there too.
All in all I think there are much better options in the short term and the long term as well as financially.
Thats why I'd give him a wide berth.
16 Nov 2015 16:57:29
Coman is also favoured as is Gotze. He is by no means a definite starter.
16 Nov 2015 17:22:18
Mumbai, We definitely need someone with pace but also a goal threat and I would say a CB is more important than a RB.
Valencia will be out for a significant amount of time, but we still have Darmian, and Young as well as McNair who can play RB if needed.
But an injury to Smalling and we are in serious trouble.
If we sign a pacy wide player who can score and create goals and a solid CB in January then we will be genuine title contenders. If we can steer clear of any more injuries then we will have a serious chance of winning silverware this season.
Fresh, there is lots of competition in the Bayern squad, it is why they are one of the best sides in Europe and will most likely make the UCL final.
But Robben remains very much in the first team picture when fit. He might not start every match and he might not finish every game he starts, but he will be involved in nearly every game he is fit for.
So far this season he has played in 10 games for Bayern, but he has missed 9 with a tear in his abductor muscle which kept him out for September 3rd until October 22nd. Every time he has been available to play he has, so don't read too much into the media reporting that we are "saving him from his Bayern hell". It just isn't the case. In fact he has played 90 minutes in both of Bayern's last two games.
16 Nov 2015 17:26:19
Shappy,
Firstly, his quickest ever speed that has been clocked was at the World Cup last year.
Also, the fact he has missed so many games through injuries may mean he has more miles in the tank than people think. Equally, it could mean his body will break down quick. However, if he is managed correctly then we could get a good few games out of him.
His current wage is believed to be 160,000 Euros, which is on a par with Ribery and slightly ahead of Muller.
I also think he would be a fabulous role model for Memphis who I get the impression thinks that he is the best winger at the club. Robben could really help his development.
16 Nov 2015 17:27:28
When he is fit he starts fresh. I've said it before, mane would be ideal. Gives us everything we are lacking in the final third.
16 Nov 2015 17:33:22
In terms of defense reinforcements I can't see us getting anyone of any significance in the January transfer window unless Chelsea push for Stones. If they do, I expect us to be interested.
16 Nov 2015 18:21:59
Instead of signing a RB why don't we look to Varela in the academy? Is he any good?
16 Nov 2015 19:35:07
Robben is not for sale especially at a price that makes sense. CL cup tied also.
16 Nov 2015 19:57:44
I'd sign Vardy in a heartbeat. I've liked him since the loss to Leicester last season.
Nightmare of a forward to play against, very very underestimated finisher, lightning quick and committed as hell.
Would not cost Kane money but is imo a better finisher, and not as expensive as an overseas, unproven to the EPL option.
Vardy would score a lot of goals if we signed him and he is someone that we could definitely get in January.
And before anyone suggests it, I would consider signing Vardy as a stop gap option. He is very very good at what he does, and it's something we lack, pace and goals.
I'm surprised Arsenal haven't looked at him as well.
16 Nov 2015 20:25:52
Sorry meant to say "I would consider signing Vardy as NOT a stop gap option"
17 Nov 2015 08:59:48
Mane!
17 Nov 2015 12:20:44
Fresh, first off there are conflicting reports about the speed he achieved at the world cup some saying 37km others saying 31km. But the real issue is that its an obscure stat so very few people are recording every players speed in every game. They do it more at the world cup as there are less games to monitor and more people monitoring them all around the world.
Regardless do you think in 3 years time Robben will still be as quick? He turns 32 in January.
I don't get your argument about what his wages are at Bayern, Shcweinsteigers wages at Bayern were far less than they are with us. Robben will also look for a pay rise. His wages would go to at least 250k which is still short of the 300k Schweinsteiger is on.
As for him being a role model for Depay, I would be careful with that. He has hardly been a saint during his career. Schweinsteiger is a far better role model for Depay if he needs one.
As for the missing loads of games through injury meaning he might have more miles left in the tank, Isn't that the same thing that was said when we signed a 29yo RvP. Remind me again how that turned out?
RvP had 18 months of good football then started declining, and he was nearly 3 years younger than Robben would be at the time of signing them.
I stand by my statement that signing Robben would be an expensive mistake, as would signing Ronaldo.
We need to build for the future rather than become some kind of footballers retirement home.
Your right we can't always sign youngsters, but would you call a 24, 25 or 26 year old a youngster? No so why not sign a player who has massive potential who is realising it and about to hit their peak? Surely that's the best players to sign, the ones who'll have a immediate impact but will also still be a key part of the team in 3 years time. Rather than long term project or quick fix players.