Home > Football > This £100m quartet could solve Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea’s problems!
This £100m quartet could solve Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea’s problems!
Sportingo's Mark Apostolou gives the lowdown on four big-money signings who have the class to make all the difference next season.
by Mark Apostolou on 15 May 2008
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If you believe everything you read in the sports sections of tabloids and websites, then you'd be under the impression that your club has planned 100 raids spanning millions of pounds to solve problems that may not even exist. Here are four such players constantly linked with clubs. Will they help or is their assistance in fact not really even needed?
David Villa (Valencia - linked with a £25m move to Liverpool) – There are some people who consider Rafa Benitez’s side's football a little on the boring side. Now this seems to bear no relation to the facts - facts such as the incredible total of 119 goals scored in all competitions this season. However, I think most Anfield supporters feel the possible inclusion of fellow Spaniard Villa alongside Fernando Torres would be a match made in heaven and maybe add that extra dash of attacking verve that could make them genuine title challengers next season.
Karim Benzema (Lyon - linked with a £25m move to Arsenal) – A long-term Arsenal target who could be edging nearer to a Lyon exit this summer. Many Gunners fans will have been disappointed to see their title hopes slowly disappear and this was down in no small part to the horrible injury to the excellent Eduardo Da Silva and the general poor form of Nicklas Bendtner, leaving Emmanuel Adebayor a little stretched up front at times. Now imagine if Arsene Wenger invested in the hugely impressive French international; surely such a capture would only add to an already impressive young squad, who are now one season older and wiser. Such a transfer would in my opinion do wonders for the Emirates outfit.
Ronaldinho (Barcelona - linked with a £40m move to Chelsea) – Avram Grant has been a big hit in my view at Stamford Bridge, doing a great job in picking up where Jose left off. However, the Israeli hasn’t done quite so much in the way of making the west London side more attractive to watch. They seem to have more solidity and even more in the way of team spirit. Now, if the rumours linking Ronaldinho to Chelsea are based on fact, then his inclusion would soon add sparkle to a side who are of course still in with a shout of winning the Champions League title. Whilst the Brazilian may not be the same player he was two years ago, he is still one hell of a genius on the ball. Yes, his salary would be exorbitant and his transfer fee likewise, but let's face it, Roman can afford it.
Joe Hart (Manchester City - linked with a £10m move to Spurs) – Juande Ramos is clearly a man on a mission at White Hart Lane and judging by his first seven or so months in the job, Tottenham fans have much to look forward to. After making some wise additions in January to beef up his defence, a lot of attention has been driven in the direction of whether Dimitar Berbatov may or may not leave and therefore who may or may not replace him. However, a rumour in the press just this last week was very interesting indeed and could in many ways be just as important. For a while now, keepers have been routinely linked with a move to White Hart Lane and it does seem certain that Paul Robinson will leave. Now it seems that Manchester City’s excellent young keeper Hart may be a potential target and that is the kind of signing that could have a huge effect on the club. A solid keeper should never be underestimated; think, for instance of the huge importance Peter Schmeichel, Petr Cech and David Seaman (to name three off the top of my head) have had. Whilst it is very easy to oversell talented youngsters, the 21-year-old former Shrewsbury man’s capture would be huge for the north London club.
Comments (68)
by Jamie on May 15, 2008
It is very rare on this site to see an article that wasn't aligned to a crazy degree to one club or another. I found this to be a balanced informed piece and i generally agreed with the points it raised. I think Hart would be a fantastic signing for Spurs.
by Graham on May 15, 2008
Yes i agree with the players and there potential merits. I think we could do with Villa to complement Torres, but as you say we are not exactly boring are we!
by Frank on May 15, 2008
Good to see someone talking sense! Those who think Liverpool are boring are clearly idiots!
by Norman on May 15, 2008
we could do with him, he could do wonders with the help of our excellent midfield. If Adebayor can score 30 goals then Karim could manage 50!
by Andrew on May 15, 2008
If we lose Joe Hart it will be a big shame, but given what Thaksin has done it seems many will jump ship! Good piece
by Nathan on May 15, 2008
Whilst i agree entirely with this well thought out piece, i think signing Ronaldinho would be a step backwards, i would far rather we went for Eto'o!
by Mark on May 15, 2008
The top 5 players to buy must include Kaka and Messi. I am sure Chelsea are after one of those. Arsenal need a Vidic type player Spurs need a great keeper, perhaps Carson or Gomes from PSV Liverpool need some width
by george de lucas on May 15, 2008
David Villa would be a great signing as would Arshavin, excellent player with a super fast brain would love to see him in a liverpool shirt.- 119 goals has anyone else scored more?
by Spurfect day on May 15, 2008
I agree with all that's been said, but I think we are all ignoring the fact the other big clubs in Europe have been eyeing up all of these players (with the exception of Hart possibly) Madrid have been strongly linked with Villa and surely would be his preffered destination, and Benzema has attracted a whole host of clubs. As for Ronladiniho AC seem to be lurking in the background. I hope for all our clubs sakes that these players arrive,but I think we'll be lucky if just one of them does
by Clive Lovett on May 15, 2008
Liverpool score 119 goals and let in how many? How many goals against Derby and bottom dwellers??? 100??? If Liverpool are that good up front don't they need a top goalie or some help in defence - makes more sense
by Sean Mac on May 15, 2008
Hart is one of a gizzilion 'keepers linked with Spurs. I, for one, would like to see one come in, Robinson stay and fight for his place against real competition, and Ramos carry out his promise to treat 'keppers like any other position - i.e. drop them if they aren't playing well. Suspect Hart might be just a bit too young and relatively unproven to make number one spot his own without contention - but would two new (and probably young) 'keepers at the same time work? I do suspect, however, that Robbo's days at the Lane are over. As for Liverpool - if Torres and Villa 'clicked' that could be frightening. Benzema would certainly expand THEIR options, but would Arsene really be prepared to pay such a huge chunk of the money THEIR board keep telling us is available? Ronaldhino to Chelsea - given the SB merry-go-round of late, I can actually see this as being the most likely (money is certainly no object), but he could be hit or miss, depending on which Ronaldhino they buy.
by Chav on May 15, 2008
Why is Spurs in the list? a side who finished 11th in the league competing for players against the likes of chelski, fools and the gunners? Spurs really needs to know where they belong.. Spurs fans and Jenas are true examples of denial. Sportingo is the place for Spurs fans running their mouth about a top four finish and end up talking about next season half way through a season.
by ELNINO T9 on May 15, 2008
CLIVE WAT R U ON ABOUT?? LIVERPOOL SCORED 119 GOALS AND THEY HAVE A TOP CLASS GOALKEEPER!! WHO GOT THE GOLDEN GLOVE AWARD THE LAST 3 YEARS?? OH YES REINA THATS RIGHT
by Chris Graham on May 15, 2008
Why the narrowmindedness chav?!?! This was just a gentle piece of speculative fun weighing up the merits of alot of rumours doing the rounds in the transfer tabloids. Nothing judgemental or nasty in any way shape or form. Then you had to stick you oar in and have your two pence worths . I hope you enjoyed it cause I am not sure any one else gained anything of use from your vitrious unproductive bile!
by D Woodford on May 15, 2008
Hart would be most welcome at spurs, bring it on.
by arsenalfan on May 15, 2008
this is a sports forum where we talk about alot of things, its not always about the top 4. Every team is gonna buy players in the transfer window, so why shouldnt they be spoken about. Its people like you that make the transfer rumours etc boring.
by bob bob on May 15, 2008
JEALOUS
on May 15, 2008 on May 15, 2008
Nice to see the Knives Are out early this year, yes it's been a strange season, and we've under performed, but still we won something, thrashed our neighbours (BOTH OF THEM...AND HOW), and beat a good if poorly managed side in the final, still get great support (sold out time and time again) not bad for a side in the bottom half of the table, and spend out (before the season's ended) on a potential star...yes I can see why others the hate us, we're crap, but still end up grabbing the headlines, sticking two fingers up at the rest, only Spurs could do this, and its one of the joys of supporting them, you never know whats next?, as I said before 'it only takes one man to start a revolution'
by Jay on May 15, 2008
Clive - Liverpool already have a top keeper. Pepe Reina is officially the best keeper in England. Third golden gloves award in three seasons. They didn't feature in the run-in because they drew too many games in October/November.
by Andy H on May 15, 2008
This guy would be a great signing and with the clearout we have planned who knows..I do think his preferred option would be to stay in Spain but who knows the lure of the premiership and playing with Torres may provide too strong. I think Rafa will call upon his contacts at Valencia and they may look to cash in given their situation. There is also talk of Silva coming to us, so who knows either way if any of these players come to the premiership (hopefully in a red shirt - a Liverpool one that is!!) we are in for a great season.
by lawman law on May 15, 2008
love to see villa and torres next season in liverpool red shirt
by Piku on May 15, 2008
yes, were targeting hart, but u make spurs look bad by saying that our most expensive target is joe hart of all players. first of all, he is not values at 10 mln, but 6 mln. the news is saying its a "10 mln pds deal" because robbo would go the other way for 4 mln pds. but hart is valued at only 6 mln, and in any case theres no way he would ever be a 10 mln pds target anyway but more importantly, you left out our more expensive targets - we're also looking at david villa, maybe even moreso than liverpool. also, the biggest transfer talk at spurs at the moment is that of sam etoo, rated at 27 mln pds. so it was a poor choice to mention joe hart in thi article when were also after sam etoo and david villa.
by da jenius on May 15, 2008
the reason spurs are on the list is because theyre under clear contenion for top four next season you imbecile. finished fifth two seasons in a row, and everyone in the world knows this past season was a blip cos of the first ten games when jol was in charge. after ramos came in spurs were much better. theyre also the fifth biggest club in the league in terms of money; theyve also spent the most amount of money in the last summer and winter transfer seasons combined. their squad strength on paper after the summer will be able to contend with that of any in the premier league, and it will probably be better than liverpool's or arsenal's - they will have a better offense, a better defense, and an equally good midfield once theyve got modric and diego capel in the lineup. idiot. in conclusion, why u gotta be a gay little chav, chav?
by ashrav on May 15, 2008
lmao da jenius, you went a little to far with your praise for spurs, youmust be mighty high to write that, who are you seriously kidding
by Kel Hughes on May 15, 2008
Lets face it people theres going to be loads of speculation of who goes where ? and who has money to spend, i personally want to see eto at spurs but all depends on what berbatov does he may decide to stay if we make the right signings, and theres meant to be the "big clearout" at spurs? the amount of players linked to spurs now is out of hand and same for other top clubs. probably even more after the euro finals. and hart to spurs ? robbo other way ? and more keepers speculated to arrive !
by Fatguts on May 16, 2008
Robert Green for me as Spurs next keeper.
by A Davies on May 16, 2008
Hart would fit in well at Spurs but definately need a steady experienced international goal keeper in at the lane too and more pressingly a defensive midfielder, lets face it on paper Spurs have got some decent defenders but seem to not gel and get no help from the midfield. I can see Chelsea spending 40million on a gamble which would definately price AC out of the market. Arsenal will buy this summer but not the ammount Lyon will demand for Benzema while Villa could potentially spoil Liverpool. Fair enough 119 goals is good but you still don't sit in the pub talking about there free flowing football like you do with the gooners and Utd. Liverpool lack width and play a lone striker, adding another man up top would involve a change of system and a change of ethos. Liverpool dont let in goals but this is not solely down to Reina, I don't think many people would disagree that when fit Cech is the no.1 keeper in the UK!!
by kunle samson on May 16, 2008
roman should save his money for better players,dihno does not fit to be in chelsea in his present form rather more disastrous dan our bro andril.instead of dihno let eto'o come over.
by RoB - Gooner4life on May 16, 2008
Seriously? As if Arsene Wenger will pay that much for Benzema, The amount Lyon want for him is close to what he has to spend...AS FOR Ronaldinho going to chelsea i highly doubt it< Purely speculation. As for spurs finishing in the top four....i doubt that.... they will be close no doubt...perhaps the year after. Liverpool wont sign Villa either, he would probably rather play with Cesc that Torres. Just My opinion tho.....
by Mike Brady on May 16, 2008
Mate you have hit the nail on the head! Don't need to say anymore!
by Reikirebel on May 16, 2008
All excellent players ... my worry would be with Ronaldinho, the pace and passion of the game in the UK does catch a few players by surprise, he is without doubt a very gifted player, I would be a little concerned about him adapting to the PL ... of course he may just get better but for 40m I feel its a lot of money for the risk ... feel he will stay in spain or italy ..... but would not bet on it :-) Villa ... if he adapts as well as torres .... buy him!!! Not sure Liverpool would buy him (assuming they have the money), Rafa seems to have found a formation that is showing signs of success and it may be difficult to keep to world-class strikers happy when you only play 1 up front .... but again .. who know!
by Irshad Latiff on May 16, 2008
I think we should go for Eto'o. He is still young,lightning quick and a lethal finisher.Also,instead of Barry I'd consider Deco who would probably go for less than Barry.He is a playmaker and adds a bit of that flair which is lacking in our team.Nonetheless, next year we will rule!!!
by conner green edwards on May 16, 2008
future england number one wud be a great singing for spurs we need you hart n btw sounds lyke an england defence woodgate king hart ?!! sounds sick
by owolabi taiwo taofeek on May 16, 2008
it will be a great thing to include a striker like Benzema to young gunners.
by M B on May 16, 2008
You have finally written something worth reading, well done!
by monster masch on May 16, 2008
Good article! Not to sure whether I would want to sign Villa though. Don't get me wrong the guy is a fantastic footballer, but as someone mentioned above, it would mean reverting back to 4-4-2 which would be a foolish move after all the work that has gone into the 4-5-1 is actually starting to pay off. I would much prefer to sign Silva and in all honesty, another winger of equal quality, or alternatively take a punt on Dos Santos from Barca who seems to be available for a reasonable price and could turn out to be a superstar. Add to that a top class full back and keeping on to the likes of Crouch, Benayoun, and Pennant as back up, Liverpool should be a much stronger force than they have been in recent years. But lets be honest and admit i'm living in a dreamworld. We might get one 'potentially' world class footballer if we're lucky, and the rest will be overpriced Aurelios, Kromkamps, Nunez', or Kuyts, and we'll just have to deal with dissapointment from December onwards yet again. Until the boardroom debacle is resolved, bringing players such as Villa, Silva, and Eto'o to Anfield will be nothing short of impossible.
by Brendan Price on May 16, 2008
well basically we need a decent partner for torres we have crouch but for me he lacks alot villa maybe huntelaar maybe but i would like to see babel upfront what we lacked last season what all the top four have got chelsea have cole wright phillips man u have ronaldo giggs nani us and arsenal have no one so for liverpool we sahould have signed quearesma and mancini if we have enough left other we should sign rafihna and villa or huntelaar goodbye
by Teacher on May 16, 2008
People like you degrade society. The word 'About' is spelt like this, so WHY change any letters? Let alone swap a vowel with a consonant! "Leege" - please elaborate on this word... 'League' has one more character, is it really that much effort? 'Silverware' is one word, 'Xactly' is not in the English, or any other, dictionary. Yet by adding just one more letter you could have potentially given some intellect to your comment. Instead you epitomise why many people have gone off this site, because it is full of individuals such as yourself who make reading an eyesore.
by Gooner 4life91 on May 16, 2008
you are a fool. who cares if Jermaine Jenas scored the first goal under fabio cappello? if he was so good then he would have done the business in the Euro 08 qualifiers. Chav i agree with you entirely, "chelsea fans" lol theyve only been fans since 2003. you havent won the league properly like Arsenal, Man u and Blackburn have
by five one on May 16, 2008
The best bit of business spurs can do to improve as a team is get rid of Jenas
by I Shot A Gooner....... But I Just Missed Wenger's Ass on May 16, 2008
Chav......, run back to Woolich ..dkhd...._
by Kosher Nostra on May 16, 2008
Why do all gooners smoke Benson and Hedges? Why?
by Diran Oct3 on May 16, 2008
David Villa is Good Player but i dont think Rafa will go for another Striker bcoz Rafa indicated Babel will play more upfront role next season(Striker). Rafa is definately going for David Silva or Diego Capel.Those people who says Liverpool is Boring, plz be prepared for next season bcoz Liverpool is going to rock. Before that, the owners are really going to back Rafa in Transfer Market?
by Ciaran Mc Cormack on May 16, 2008
Very good post, has to be said. But some of the comments are hillarious, like apparently we have scored 100 goals against crap teams!! What?? Who cares seemingly the only person/people who do are United/Chelsea/Arsenil fans... Amazing, it really shouldn't matter to the rest of the EPL especially United or Chelsea because we are going to end a second successive trophyless season.... Well not entirely true as Jose Reina keept 18 clean sheets this Premierleague campaign he has earned his strips and won the Golden Gloves, for a THIRD SUCCESSIVE SEASON... But as he said himself, he would trade all of the gloves for a Premiership medal. While our reserves went about the season and only lost a match, winning the National Reserves League... O.K no Premiership, but it will have to do, for the moment anyways...
by bazza76 on May 16, 2008
Personally, as a LFC fan, I would much prefer to have Benzema than David Villa. Villa IMO is not a second striker, nor is Torres, LFC do not like to play two out and out attackers, so for me, what we lack is a genuine world class link player, and if I was asked to pick him, it would either be Benzima of Lyon. Ambitious I know, but so is signing David Villa. If money was no object I would be looking to sign Aguero from Atletico Madrid.
by Deano on May 16, 2008
I just read; that Yet another 'key element' of the gooner backroom staff; has been let go (surplus to requirements... The Trophy polisher!!!
It seems that We may have had 'blinkers' on... concentrating on the same old targets, and valuations??? but this new link with Macello Moreno; is a 'breath of fresh air'. I was watching him yesterday (on the 'ever faithful' Youtube), and I have to admit... the boy shows promise, and will go for @ £8-10m I reckon. "Might be worth a punt"? One thing that really does surprise Me though... is why We have NOT made enquires for the 24 year old 'hit-man' Klass jan Huntelaar? He netted 33 times in 34 games in the Eredivisie for Ajax last season... also scoring 8 times in 6 games; for the national side. It has been said that he would cost in the region of £16m, and he would be a perfect player for Spurs (strong, quick, and very good in the air). So let's evaluate... Huntelaar - 24, 6'3", 41 goals (club & country) last season... £16m Eto'o - 28, 5'10", 22 goals last season (club & country)... £27-30m Marcelo Moreno - 20, 6'2", 22 goals last season (club & country)... @ £8-10m So that means... We could buy Huntelaar and Moreno, and still have change, for the price of Eto'o. "I know what I would do... if I was Ramos, Levy or Comolli"!!!
by TheSwede on May 16, 2008
...we missed out on Modric i guess Villa would do great at Anfield. My concern is just they are both strikers...
by simon rose on May 16, 2008
Someone by Deano a history book Arsenal 13 League titles, Spuds 2 Arsenal 10 FA Cups Spuds 7 Woo hoo you won a cup with three handles by beating our under 16 side, finished below West Ham and cut adrift 33/34 points below your (ahem) rivals. Great season Spuds well done. Champions league anyone?
on May 16, 2008 on May 16, 2008
by Peter on May 16, 2008
Thank you for an interesting article considering moves that could well occur. Had Tottenham prevented even 15-20 of the goals scored against by opposing teams, that could have altered the results of about ten games this season. So a pair of good goalkeepers being available to Spurs, along with the good new defenders already acquired in last January's transfer window plus a recovered Gareth Bale and Ledley King, could make quite a difference next season. Joe Hart would be one such good recruit for that position.
by Ali Bazz on May 16, 2008
Yeah, just want to say we have won 8 FA Cups, more than Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle etc. and also when we thrashed you 5-1 (what a great night) you played Hleb, Gallas, Toure and Fabregas and Adebayor for most of the game, whilst players like Armand Traore and Justin Hoyte had had enough experience if they're the 'next generation' to take care of us, but no we kicked your ar*e that night and you know it.
by Ali Bazz on May 17, 2008
But in respect to Arsenal and other top teams we havn't won the league since 1961 and the cup we we won was Mickey Mouse. We wasn't even any good in europe still next year we will be fourth.
by Andy H on May 17, 2008
I feel there are a lot of good players out there and players like Villa have been linked with us for a few years now, well since Rafa..I think it is time now we challenged for the title. I hear the comment about Villa as a second striker and I agree he would not come to play second fiddle so a 4-4-2 it would have to be. Although we would have some of the best players in the world on the bench and if Barry came then Rafa would need some serious ibuprofen for that selection headache!!. I do not think, as good as he is, Quaresma could hande the prem he does dive a lot but has some right foot!! would he get the chance to use it though?? For me as much as I like Crouchy I think he has been shown up by Torres in the way of movement and he cant match Kuyt's work rate, I appreciate he gives us something different (dance moves!!) but I think, and only for him, it would be better if he moved on, brilliant guy though. Obviously we are taking it as red that Villa wll come....he may not....if we are looking for a striker that will sit on the bench (when required) surely Babel will do that and if we fancy a 4-4-2 Babel and Torres up front tell me a defence that would cope with that speed and skill!!!! Redmen what are your thoughts??? YNWA
Meant to say............Welcome back wee man!! and car ins quotes eh????
by mubeen noor on May 17, 2008
shut up rafa
arsenal is the good team. if you see the other team or manager the player does not like to play that team if you see arsenal all player like to play taht is arsenal. but i didn like to rafa benitez he is stupid an fool he like buy but didn no how to use. he is stupid fellow
How do you mean he doesnt know how to use? the money/players??? I do feel we have bought players to add to the squad and also for the future..how can you say Rafa is stupid??? are you for real?? I dont understand what you are saying??? Walcott................what a steal??? I think Wenger spends too much on unproven/off form players but I do admit when he gets them turns them into something special....Henry a good example. Rafa is brilliant tactically and he picks his team on the basis that they should be capable of beating the team in front of them, hence rotation. I do feel this will stop and we will go from strength to strength and challenge for all major honours next year
by sam taylor on May 17, 2008
I would love to benzemas name on the back of an arsenal shirt. but do you really think chelsea will pay 40 millin for ronaldinio?
by aman mann on May 17, 2008
chelsea need to by these type of players messi,ronaldo,torres,kaka,henry,ronaldinho.riibery and more top because chelsea roman ambravavich ha s got lots of money and spend
by Arun mann on May 17, 2008
nottigham forest need to have these kind of players billy sharp, eastwood ,earnshow, but please don/t give commens to the rubish derby four free carldwood please win the championship and come in the premir leage and come in the champions leage but have a good team and you have to spend a lot of money.
by Joe Black on May 18, 2008
We need Victor Valdes to be our keeper!!! maybe now that chairman is dealing with Barça...Go Spurs!
by shaddy woodgate on May 19, 2008
i think benzema will be a good buy but an addition of villa will be better to support adebayor upfront.
by Dazza THFC on May 20, 2008
Spurs should forget about signing Etto and go for Milto and Aimer!
by First Last on June 04, 2008
by Moscow Woot on June 04, 2008
WTF United fans we should be looking at these and commenting constuctively like: Chelsea are going to ruin themselves if Roman keeps running the team. Buying Ronaldinho is bad! that goes for other teams too we should be looking at what our rivals may be doing (though they probably won't) rather than just concentrating on what we're doing (that is more important but you can do both).
by dane johnson on June 07, 2008
spurs had a bad year yep...but look at modric and dos santos...know there place...thats denial..there place is top 5
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